PRE-GAME [Round 7, 2026] - Broncos vs Tigers

[BroncsFan]

Madge did call it out in the press conference, then he went back and watched the tapes. The chance the MRC nerds get the grading wrong with all the tech and camera angles at their disposal is not zero but it's not far off it. They don't have the time constraint of the refs and bunker.

That said, of the minuscule number of challenges that have gone on with it, the success rate has been about 1 in 3.

You really insist they roll that dice just to be belligerent?

This is what Wayne Bennett meant about listening to fans.

It's actually at least 2... Cleary and Braiden Burns both successfully downgraded Grade 2's where they were sin binned during the game.

I haven't kept up with all of them though... NRL reporting on anything and keeping up with it is a punish

 

[Bucking Beads]

Maybe we just figured that with so many injuries, therefore being likely to lose the next couple, just let Patty freshen up and start again when the cavalry returns.

Makes a lot of sense

 

[McHunt]

It's actually at least 2... Cleary and Braiden Burns both successfully downgraded Grade 2's where they were sin binned during the game.

I haven't kept up with all of them though... NRL reporting on anything and keeping up with it is a punish

Yes, this season: Cleary and Burns succeeded in a downgrade. Pompey and Couchman failed, increasing their bans.

Last season, Toafofoa Sipley challenged and failed twice, resulting in 8 weeks of suspension.

 

[dejan]

I think Nio is a Dev player??

If so he can be picked whenever Madge wants to... the exemption only applies to T&T players

Okay, just did some research on this...

Development players can sign into top 30 whenever the clubs needs.
T&T will have to wait until Round 10 before they can sign into the top 30.

So, Teague cannot be signed until Round 10.

And just saw X interview on Broncos website, Cam definitely starting hooker, if Paix is 100% out. X moves to lock.

I don't mind it, because he can play big minutes there.

Only thing I am worried about is Riki being ruled out, JGos has had a shocking season so far.

At least we have Duffy on bench incase Reyno goes down.

 

[BroncsFan]

Yes, this season: Cleary and Burns succeeded in a downgrade. Pompey and Couchman failed, increasing their bans.

Last season, Toafofoa Sipley challenged and failed twice, resulting in 8 weeks of suspension.

Previous years dont matter... Cleary charge from the trials is the new precedent for shoulder contact to the head

 

[McHunt]

Previous years dont matter... Cleary charge from the trials is the new precedent for shoulder contact to the head

Previous years are only relevant in the context of how often challenging the video scrubbing boffins pans out.

 

[McHunt]

At least we have Duffy on bench incase Reyno goes down.

Does anyone still expect Reyno to be an 80 minute player?

 

[BroncsFan]

Previous years are only relevant in the context of how often challenging the video scrubbing boffins pans out.

Last year teams didn't bother contesting grade 2's because you smoked someone in the face with your shoulder and spent 10 in the bin.

Cleary has now set a precedent that a shoulder to the face is a $1500 donation to Vlando's xmas party.

 

[McHunt]

Last year teams didn't bother contesting grade 2's because you smoked someone in the face with your shoulder and spent 10 in the bin.

Cleary has now set a precedent that a shoulder to the face is a $1500 donation to Vlando's xmas party.

Scott Sorensen (Penrith) challenged a grade 2 shoulder change last year and lost:

Sorensen unsuccessful at NRL Judiciary

Panthers forward Scott Sorensen’s challenge at the NRL Judiciary has been unsuccessful.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

So did Jack Wighton:

Wighton to miss four games after guilty verdict

Rabbitohs star Jack Wighton has vowed to help prepare his team-mates to avoid the wooden spoon after being suspended for four matches.

www.nrl.com

 

[BroncsFan]

Scott Sorensen (Penrith) challenged a grade 2 shoulder change last year and lost:

Sorensen unsuccessful at NRL Judiciary

Panthers forward Scott Sorensen’s challenge at the NRL Judiciary has been unsuccessful.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

Yep... because shoulders to the face used to be an automatic grade 2 and suspension... until Nathan and Ivan set a new precedent.

 

[McHunt]

Yep... because shoulders to the face used to be an automatic grade 2 and suspension... until Nathan and Ivan set a new precedent.

If the Broncos could provide evidence the initial contact was shoulder to shoulder - like Cleary's - he could've contested it, and downgraded it to grade 1. It looked shoulder to chin to me.

 

[LittleDavey]

If the Broncos could provide evidence the initial contact was shoulder to shoulder - like Cleary's - he could've contested it, and downgraded it to grade 1. It looked shoulder to chin to me.

Shoulder to chin - you mean like this? Reminder - this wasn't worthy of a charge, let alone a sin bin:

Could have gotten off the charge based purely on that let alone the others IMO. At least Patty had lowered his point of attack, unlike Neame in the above. Zero mitigating factors. Totally different result. Make it make sense?

 

[dejan]

Does anyone still expect Reyno to be an 80 minute player?

I hear ya. But Madge seems too think so. I know out of respect as our captain to play him, but man, it is almost at the cost of losing a game.

He offers very little in attack now. And I know people want to talk about his kicking and game management, etc. But Duffy had 3 line break assists, 2 try assists and almost 700 kick metres vs Cowboys. And almost every time we got into opp 20, we scored a try.

It's like give the bloke a solid crack, so we have a young and viable option for next year. And we can't rely on Pezet, because in at least the Eels system, he has been absolute poo.

 

[Sproj]

I hear ya. But Madge seems too think so. I know out of respect as our captain to play him, but man, it is almost at the cost of losing a game.

He offers very little in attack now. And I know people want to talk about his kicking and game management, etc. But Duffy had 3 line break assists, 2 try assists and almost 700 kick metres vs Cowboys. And almost every time we got into opp 20, we scored a try.

It's like give the bloke a solid crack, so we have a young and viable option for next year. And we can't rely on Pezet, because in at least the Eels system, he has been absolute poo.

Reynolds is usually pretty good first game back after an injury. It is usually the second or third game he goes down.

 

[Super Freak]

 

[Foordy]

Rogers in as starting 9 is an interesting call

 

[FACTHUNT]

Big changes to come by Friday I suppose. Paix wouldn't be in the reserves if he wasn't going to play?

 

[BroncsFan]

Rogers in as starting 9 is an interesting call

Feels like a place holder until Paix is confirmed... although odd to not just name Paix.

Probably wanting to reduce media pressure on Buk by naming him outside the 9 and 14 as well