2019 Broncos Line-up

Gillett backs Bird to have a big year
Danielle Ries - November 13, 2018 - 3:39 pm
The second-rower believes a fully-fit Bird will do wonders for Brisbane.
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Jack Bird of the Broncos in action during the round five NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia.
Its only been one week into the NRL’s pre-season training, but that’s all the time Broncos second-rower Matt Gillett needs to be convinced Jack Bird is ready for a standout season for Brisbane.
Gillett admitted he felt sorry for Bird who had an injury-riddled 2018 debut campaign for the Broncos, only managing eight games for the club.
Bird, the former premiership winner with Cronulla, was plagued by shoulder and sternum issues throughout the 2018 season, but looks to be on the road to recovery starting the pre-season training with the squad.
The former Test back-rower believes Bird’s horrific year would be forgotten judging by what Gillett has seen from him on the training paddock.
Gillett told reporters Bird has the fire in his belly to succeed for the Broncos by getting healthy and putting in strong performances.
“I have had a couple of chats with him and he is very excited about ripping in this pre-season, being fully fit and getting out there starting the season with the Broncos in 2019,” Gillett said.
“He’s had one of those years that you don’t want to have.
“He would rather be out there with the boys riding the highs and lows. He is doing his best to get out there but it wasn’t his year.”
Bird signed a four-year deal reportedly worth $4 million dollars, but couldn’t catch a break in his first year at Brisbane.
There was speculation Bird might return home to Cronulla given his unhappy beginning at the Broncos, but Gillett has backed the near fully-fit utility to have a big impact in 2019.
“There was a lot of expectation with Birdy coming up here. He would have felt that pressure,” Gillett said.
“His shoulder was a late issue and we had to get that right. There was the sternum as well.
“You’ve got to feel for Birdy. He came up here and just wanted to put that Broncos jersey on and do it proud but he wasn’t able to do that much due to injuries this year.
“He is definitely looking forward to getting the body right and performing from round one next
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https://www.zerotackle.com/gillett-backs-bird-to-have-a-big-year-37972/

But what position? Can only be centre - then what of Staggs?
 
Gillett has lost 7 KG in his recovery apparently.

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He's also missing his stomach guard, a beard and the photo is taken on a weird angle. Looks way healthier in this photo
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He also looks smaller in this photo taken in 2018
gillettm-180407pb7180.jpg
 
Unbreakable said:
Spoiler: We won't be playing 3 edge back rowers on the bench.
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To be fair though, TPJ has openly said he prefers the middle so could also have McGuire / TPJ playing Front Row / Lock. Honestly when I look at our Squad, the only weakness / potentially weakness I see is in McGuire and Gillett, who are probably the two highest paid forwards as well. McGuire definitely seems to have gone backwards, perhaps due to his eye injury, i'm not sure. But he really isn't very dominant in attack or defense, and doesnt have much variety in his game (never offloads). Gillett, well he was great in the past, but there is obviously a huge question mark over him now. Look at Tamau, Matt Scott etc. Other players who have had serious neck injuries have never been the same player again and there is every chance that occurs with Gillett too. Even if he piles on the weight and gets back to ideal 2017 weight and physical capabilities, there is still a big question mark over his mental state, and whether he will run as hard/hit as hard as previously.
 
Considering McGuire suffered the eye injury in 2011, I doubt it resulted in his dip in form. There are valid criticisms to be made of McGuire's positional play and 2018 season as a whole. Still whenever McGuire wasn't on the field, his absence was felt as very few players at the club play with his intensity and ability to consistently roll through the middle.
 
Big Pete said:
Considering McGuire suffered the eye injury in 2011, I doubt it resulted in his dip in form. There are valid criticisms to be made of McGuire's positional play and 2018 season as a whole. Still whenever McGuire wasn't on the field, his absence was felt as very few players at the club play with his intensity and ability to consistently roll through the middle.
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I noticed Lodge and TPJ absence far more. Honestly didn't rate McGuire in 2018 at all. I don't recall him having a dominant performance once this season. I have always been of the opinion he is too small. He makes good metres on his initial run, but doesn't seem to bend the line once contact is made, nor does he often seem to get quick play the balls. In defence he doesn't seem to have a great technique either as he is often carried by the attacker a few metres before bringing him down. I think he is an okay player, but not someone who should be on the 500-650k that he is on.
 
Old Mate said:
We lose him to the knights/cowboys/titans and he becomes a star while Bird birds it up.
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The kid deadest loves the club. Only club he would negotiate with when he signed in the first place. Staggs will get a spot in the team if he is good enough. Bennett will fit him in the side somewhere.
 
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