2009 in perspective

[Anonymous person]

it'll be wooden spoons for everyone.

+1

I reckon the broncos will come 10th next year, and the wooden spoon the year after. There is only so long the team can rely on Lockyer. Lockyer had an ordinary game on the weekend (not entirely his own fault though), and guess what, the whole broncos team did. No-one looks like they have a clue when Lockyers not firing

lets be honest - lockyer played like $hit for most of the year. i love lockyer, hes a legend, but he played very poorly the majority of the time. he also missed like 6-7 games iirc, and shouldve stayed out of a few more because he clearly wasnt ready.

i think our reliance on him is getting less and less, which is a good thing.

2009 was a great year IMO. it showed that we don't need wayne bennett, that henjak can do the job, that we have the talent to do the job, and that if we give the young guys some game time they might surprise us. this is in contrast to the way bennett did it for the last few years, giving the young guys one game every 8-9 weeks, which was only about 10 minutes right at the end of games, and theyd then leave the club for lack of game time - and understandably so.

and we knocked the dragons out _woohoo_ . suck on that one bennett.

 

[lyn]

As for Taylor, I disagree. He is still relatively unproven and if he really will be a superstar forward, then we will see where he is in 5 years time when he should hit his peak. He may have had a few good weeks run in to the finals, but next year at Souths will tell us if he will be the next Price or the next Carl Webb.

The problem with Taylor is not necessarily whether he is gonna be a superstar or not (that might come into play in the future however), it's the fact that we have bugger all props. After letting him go we now have 3 somewhat capable props signed on for next year, one of which is still very young like Taylor. Given the potential he showed it was surely worth a punt on him despite his bad attitude early on. If we let everyone go for having a poor attitude at some point in their career, the player turnover would be even more than it is now for gods sake.

Taylor didn't even play as a prop so we are still looking the same next year in the props really...

 

[Black Philip]

As for Taylor, I disagree. He is still relatively unproven and if he really will be a superstar forward, then we will see where he is in 5 years time when he should hit his peak. He may have had a few good weeks run in to the finals, but next year at Souths will tell us if he will be the next Price or the next Carl Webb.

The problem with Taylor is not necessarily whether he is gonna be a superstar or not (that might come into play in the future however), it's the fact that we have bugger all props. After letting him go we now have 3 somewhat capable props signed on for next year, one of which is still very young like Taylor. Given the potential he showed it was surely worth a punt on him despite his bad attitude early on. If we let everyone go for having a poor attitude at some point in their career, the player turnover would be even more than it is now for gods sake.

Taylor didn't even play as a prop so we are still looking the same next year in the props really...

Yes he did, he just played out wide where he is much more effective. He just wasn't doing the bash and barge up the middle traditional role towards the end of the season. Regardless of that, we still lose impact by losing Taylor and we haven't yet signed anyone to fill the void.

 

[Foordy]

As for Taylor, I disagree. He is still relatively unproven and if he really will be a superstar forward, then we will see where he is in 5 years time when he should hit his peak. He may have had a few good weeks run in to the finals, but next year at Souths will tell us if he will be the next Price or the next Carl Webb.

The problem with Taylor is not necessarily whether he is gonna be a superstar or not (that might come into play in the future however), it's the fact that we have bugger all props. After letting him go we now have 3 somewhat capable props signed on for next year, one of which is still very young like Taylor. Given the potential he showed it was surely worth a punt on him despite his bad attitude early on. If we let everyone go for having a poor attitude at some point in their career, the player turnover would be even more than it is now for gods sake.

Taylor didn't even play as a prop so we are still looking the same next year in the props really...

Yes he did, he just played out wide where he is much more effective. He just wasn't doing the bash and barge up the middle traditional role towards the end of the season. Regardless of that, we still lose impact by losing Taylor and we haven't yet signed anyone to fill the void.

Playing out wide is a back rowers role... a props is to do the hard yards right up the middle

 

[Professor47]

Well if Locky plays two more years - he needs to give up rep footy .... his body is just taking a bashing out there.

 

[Coxy]

Agree with Foordy, Taylor isn't a loss to our front row stocks because he simply isn't a front rower. He's built like one, but he has far too much speed and skill to be wasted there.

 

[Black Philip]

Agree with Foordy, Taylor isn't a loss to our front row stocks because he simply isn't a front rower. He's built like one, but he has far too much speed and skill to be wasted there.

Well Foordy didn't mention all of that, he just pointed out my error like any regular Bhq user does [icon_wink

I still think we lose impact with Taylor and I think we definitely need to decent prop. Sims could perhaps fill Taylors role, running out wide. But I'm not sold on our front row stocks being enough for next season. eusa_think

 

[Coxy]

Oh we DEFINITELY lose impact with Taylor going, no question. Broncos showed how he is ideally used the last 7 weeks or so.

And I'm also not sold on our front row stocks being ENOUGH next season...just saying Taylor isn't an issue there.

Sims showed his grunt up the middle in defence is a necessity, I'd leave him there. Te'o presents as a good impact player running out wide and showed some decent form late in the year (before his injury unfortunately).

I know Sammy T is potentially brilliant running out wide, and he's more effective there, but as much as I hate to say it of our forward stocks he's probably the most likely to be able to play front row - if he learns how to dominate a ruck while in possession (not fall to his knees to get a quick PTB).

 

[Black Philip]

Well hopefully Sims can keep up his work up the middle of the field next year, he certainly did well in the last few weeks.

It would suck to see Thaiday have to be used at Prop for an extended period of time, he can do it, but I think he's been fantastic this year in the role that suits him best.

 

[Coxy]

I agree, but with Corey and Te'o seemingly being our preferred wide running forwards, there's only so many you can have. Someone has to take the grunt work up the middle.

 

[m1c]

I wouldn't be too hard on Sammy T, it's obviously a ploy from the coaching staff. It's not the worst one either, quick play the ball and tire the markers out by having them make a couple of tackles in a row. Unless they add another 5-10kg both Sammy and Corey would get spanked taking the first or 2nd hit up. Really at best they are only support players and would rely heavily on those before them not getting dominated.

Kenny and Clinton are so important to us next year.

 

[Coxy]

That's the point. If Kenny and/or Clinton get injured our front row stocks are very very limited. McGuire will be better for another offseason, but who else is there? Sims could handle it.

 

[m1c]

Sims is more than adequate cover. A NSW jumper awaits him within the next few years IMO. He was the most talented of all the front rowers in an age group only just beginning to make their mark now.

I'm interested to see how Hala goes, I'm sure he should get a couple of chances next year. Setu plays his best football in the middle of the ruck as well.

 

[Black Philip]

Didn't we sign a couple of young front rowers a few weeks back? Or was I drunk when I thought I read that?

 

[lyn]

Didn't we sign a couple of young front rowers a few weeks back? Or was I drunk when I thought I read that?

We have signed Matt Britt from the Raiders U20s who is massive and also Timmy Natusch from the Knights who is about 21 I think and has potential.

 

[lynx000]

They are banking on youth which is not necessarily such a bad thing. I just wish we still had Petero to show all of these young forwards the ropes.

 

[Bucking Beads]

It is great to have all this young props at the club but IMO we only need one experienced prop and I'd be happy with that.

 

[Black Philip]

Ah so we have signed props, just young and unestablished props. Hopefully they are ready for a step up in the event Kenny or Clinton get injured.