2010 Lineup

[GCBRONCO]

Hoffman's star shines brightly

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/20 ... lls-young/

Cait Bester | 12th December 2009

AS the NRL pre-season starts, Mackay’s home grown youngster Josh Hoffman is primed to make the fullback his position his own at the Brisbane Broncos.

The 21-year-old, who made his debut in the round 13 match against St George Illawarra Dragons in June last year, played four games for the Broncos last season. He’s confident he’ll be the new Brisbane fullback after former custodian Karmichael Hunt signed a three year deal with a new Gold Coast AFL club.

Hoffman was back in Mackay for a short break before heading back to Brisbane to start pre-season training with the team.

“I am pretty confident that I will be the first choice fullback for the Broncos,” Hoffman said.

“There are a few other young fellas such as Denan Kemp looking at the position as well.

“But fingers crossed I am very confident that I will make it into the 2010 team.”

Hoffman had a setback with injury this year but he said he primed for action after mid-season surgery on his shoulder.

“I am hoping that 2010 will bring a lot more for me,” he said.

“I missed out on a lot of games last season due to my shoulder injury but I have had shoulder reconstruction and it is now under control.

“It is now 100 per cent and ready to tackle the season ahead.”

The 85kg fullback was born and bred on Mackay soil and moved to the “big smoke” in 2007 to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins.

“As a young kid I didn’t think I would be playing professional footy let alone playing for the Broncos,” he said.

“It’s a dream come true for a young kid like me and I am just really enjoying it.

“I just love playing footy whether it is playing it in the park, in the backyard with my cousins or out on the field in front of thousands of fans.”

The small town boy remembers his first NRL game against the Dragons.

“I remember running out onto the field and seeing all the cameras; it really freaked me out and it still does sometimes,” he said.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes especially when you are sitting in the dressing room just 100m away from Justin Hodges, the football player that I have always idolised and now he is my team-mate.”

 

[Beale]

To be honest, I am quite happy of the position we are in for 2010.

We have some really nice young depth in every position (Except for props obviously).

I like that people aren't expecting much from us, especially our situation with props.

Fullback - Kemp, Hoffman, Beale, Lockyer, Hodges, Yow Yeh
Wing - Winterstein, Yow Yeh, Folau, Kemp, Beale, Copley, Gagai, Michaels, Hoffman
Centre - Hodges, Folau, Beale, Glenn, Copley, Michaels, Winterstein
5/8 - Lockyer, Wallace, T Smith, B Hunt, PJ Marsh, Glenn, McCullough, Norman
Halfback - Wallace, T Smith, B Hunt, PJ Marsh
Hooker - McCullough, PJ Marsh, Glenn, Baptiste
Lock - Parker, Glenn, Setu
2nd Row - Thaiday, Parker, Glenn, Sims, Setu, Te'o, Lingwoodock, Gillett, Spence, Williams, Ahern
Prop - Kenny, Mcguire, Anderson, Thaiday, Parker, Sims, Lui, Dodds, Hala, Britt, Natusch

 

[ningnangnong]

We have some pretty decent backup in the halves.

Hunt and Smith are much better than what we've had in previous years.

 

[Charmamba]

I remember a few times the Folau/Winter and Hodges/Yow combo's seemed to compete with each other during the game. And thats something id like to see left as is.

 

[Black Philip]

To be honest, I am quite happy of the position we are in for 2010.

We have some really nice young depth in every position (Except for props obviously).

I like that people aren't expecting much from us, especially our situation with props.

Fullback - Kemp, Hoffman, Beale, Lockyer, Hodges, Yow Yeh
Wing - Winterstein, Yow Yeh, Folau, Kemp, Beale, Copley, Gagai, Michaels, Hoffman
Centre - Hodges, Folau, Beale, Glenn, Copley, Michaels, Winterstein
5/8 - Lockyer, Wallace, T Smith, B Hunt, PJ Marsh, Glenn, McCullough, Norman
Halfback - Wallace, T Smith, B Hunt, PJ Marsh
Hooker - McCullough, PJ Marsh, Glenn, Baptiste
Lock - Parker, Glenn, Setu
2nd Row - Thaiday, Parker, Glenn, Sims, Setu, Te'o, Lingwoodock, Gillett, Spence, Williams, Ahern
Prop - Kenny, Mcguire, Anderson, Thaiday, Parker, Sims, Lui, Dodds, Hala, Britt, Natusch

Even in an injury crisis, Parker shouldn't be playing prop. The days where he could play or just fill in there are over. The problem with our props is that we really lack someone who is above average, at lack of a better term. Kenny is good but IMO he's a bit overrated on here at this stage, some people have even suggested he be called up by the maroons, but he's not ready for rep footy by any means yet IMO. He's the best we have, but he's not THAT great. Clinton was better (when he could keep hold of the ball at least) and had a bit of mongrel about him. TBH I don't see that in Kenny and it's something we need from a front rower. Maybe McGuire or Anderson could step up to that role?

 

[Coxy]

Given the news that Peter Wallace's ankle is still recovering and he may miss the start of the season, I really want Ben Hunt to get first crack at the 7 jersey alongside Locky.

It's make or break for him at the Broncos IMO, and what better way to ease him into life in first grade than some consistent starts in the early rounds? Not so much pressure, opposition teams still getting their defensive structures right. Great opportunity.

Better that than waiting until mid year when teams are on a roll, injuries are taking their toll on the Broncos, and throw him in as an SOS...too much pressure.

 

[Charmamba]

And if he fails against the Cowboys they wont want him to replace Thurston and it gives us more time to help him mature in Qcup