2014 Broncos Season

[broncos4life]

We could do worse than Oates at centre. Gene Miles anyone?

Exactly. And if he eventually moves into the backrow it's not like the skills he develops in the centres will be a waste

 

[Big Pete]

I don't.

Stagg will be retired, and Oates will have the size to handle the responsibilities in the backrow.

With Hodges out for the opening six to eight rounds, question marks surrounding the future of Yow Yeh & Hoffman plus the uncertainty of Vidot, Copley, Kahu etc. it makes sense to keep Oates available as an option for next year. Even if long term, it won't be his position.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Plus half a season to a full season in the backs will hardly hamper Oates' development.

Infact, there are probably just as many cons having him on the bench and only giving him a cameo appearance.

Gillett started on the bench.

 

[Big Pete]

Gillett was further along in his development and didn't have the same competition for spots.

Plus, Gillett did spend a few games in the backs.

He's also a different player, Gillett was more of a classic lock than a fringe runner. A Glenn or Te'o comparison would be more apt and again, even they spent time out wide.

Don't get me wrong, ideally, Oates would be playing off the bench and used in a similar fashion as Eastwood in 06. However, you've got to consider the circumstances and right now there isn't anything wrong with playing him in the backs, in fact, it might be in everybody's interest.

 

[GCBRONCO]

We got plenty of options for the backrow, Hodges won't be available till around april-may and we need all the back options we can get, Oates showed he has the potency to be a real weapon there and there's a lot to gain from having a back with a real size advantage. Development wise I think his better off there early in his career, less physically demanding at a younger age.

 

[Unbreakable]

Right now I'd probably have..

1. Hoffman
2. Copley
3. Reed
4. Kahu
5. Vidot
6. Barba
7. Hunt

But that could certainly change depending on how Vidot & Kahu play in the pre-season, also depending on if Yow Yeh plays.

 

[Big Pete]

I'm still torn on Barba @ 6.

His biggest strength is easily his support game and I can't wait to see him running off the likes of Parker and Gillett. On the other hand, the reality is, we need a five eigth who can handle the rigors of first grade and I don't think any of our other options can handle it.

Put it this way, I really hope Hook trials somebody else there before settling on Barba.

 

[Morkel]

I'm still torn on Barba @ 6.

His biggest strength is easily his support game and I can't wait to see him running off the likes of Parker and Gillett. On the other hand, the reality is, we need a five eigth who can handle the rigors of first grade and I don't think any of our other options can handle it.

Put it this way, I really hope Hook trials somebody else there before settling on Barba.

Maloney is one of the best in the comp at support play, playing in the #6 doesn't hinder it too much as compared to fullback.

 

[kingpest]

I'm pretty sure I read in an article that hook won't be playing barba until our 3rd and last trial against the warriors in Dunedin. That's the first time barba will don our jersey and hit the field. That gives us 2 full trial matches to see what Strasser/Kahu/Cullen/Marba/Hoffman have got.

 

[Big Pete]

You're right in that it wouldn't be completely eliminated but it'd certainly be hindered. Plus, let's think about this for a second, Barba hasn't really shown a lot in the way of ball-playing or long distance kicking, which is what we desperately need heading into 2014.

 

[Alec]

I'd expect Barba to get trialled in the halves, and that's fine (for a trial), but I'm not expecting him to succeed there. His ball playing is pretty damn limited, and teams with poor halves generally have other players to make up for it, like SBW or James Graham, which we don't.

 

[Socnorb]

Corey Parker is pretty awesome

 

[Danoz Direct]

I guess who ever performs best in the trials will be 5/8 round 1.

 

[Broncoman]

I can't wait to see Ben Barba in a Broncos jersey next year. To quote Jack Gibson "he is so fast he can turn of the light and be back in bed before it get's dark".

 

[Brett]

On Broncos TV, Hook is talking about Kahu as a first choice 5/8. Does anyone know if he even has the talent? Never seen him kick or even pass the ball I don't think? Wouldn't we be better off trying to develop Kahu as perhaps a Fullback with Hoffman on the wing if Barba is going to play 5/8?

 

[Alec]

On Broncos TV, Hook is talking about Kahu as a first choice 5/8. Does anyone know if he even has the talent? Never seen him kick or even pass the ball I don't think? Wouldn't we be better off trying to develop Kahu as perhaps a Fullback with Hoffman on the wing if Barba is going to play 5/8?

I personally have no idea how his ball playing is, which makes him more likely to succeed in the halves than Barba in my eyes, lol.

 

[1910]

Oates just had surgery he won't be back till into the season.

 

[1910]

Kahu will be 6.