2019 Broncos Line-up

[Big Pete]

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.

Lodge didn't miss any games.

I agree that Lodge, Pangai Jr and Ofahengaue enjoyed better years than McGuire, but there is still an immaturity and inconsistency issue that makes McGuire's presence so valuable. It was of little surprise that in the games where he returned, he was considered the Broncos best because his presence on the field was so noticeable.

McGuire didn't enjoy his best season, but that doesn't detract from the past four seasons where he's been among the best forwards in the competition. I wouldn't be surprised at all if 2018 turns out to be an anomaly and he returns to the form that saw him star at all three levels.

As an aside, I don't know why people bother tossing up imaginary figures when they clearly don't have a clue.

 

[mitch222]

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.

Ive got more question marks over Sua, Haas, Fifita and TPJ then over Gillett & McGuire who are internationals for a reason.

 

[winslow_wong]

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.

Didn’t joe offa fill in for McGuire once or twice? He had excellent games from memory.

 

[Big Pete]

Didn’t joe offa fill in for McGuire once or twice? He had excellent games from memory.

Four times, five if you include a game where McGuire played lock.

Ofahengaue played well, but the rotation certainly suffered.

 

[Wolfie]

I stilll think we cant go wrong with a front row rotation of Lodge and Mcguire to start, and Offa and TPJ from the bench. Back them up with Carrigan, Haas and Tagatese and we are as good as anything else in the comp imo.

 

[Wolfie]

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.

If Bird starts at center i just dont see a place for Kotoni even on the bench most weeks. I think we will carry 4 forwards most of the time. If SOS gets a spot, then i think we will see Kodi on the bench.

 

[upthebroncs]

In regards to McGuire..

He should have remained at prop and allowed Arrow to eventually come into that role.

If we're thinking long term success.. Then I would seriously consider developing Carrigan for that #13.

 

[Alec]

In regards to McGuire..

He should have remained at prop and allowed Arrow to eventually come into that role.

If we're thinking long term success.. Then I would seriously consider developing Carrigan for that #13.

If TPJ somehow sticks around long term, I think he should be our long term 13. Otherwise, if Carrigan is actually really good, we should definitely start grooming him for that role.

 

[Unbreakable]

I stilll think we cant go wrong with a front row rotation of Lodge and Mcguire to start, and Offa and TPJ from the bench.

Wait, who is starting at lock in that hypothetical scenario?

8. Lodge
10. McGuire
13. ?

14. Ofahengaue
15. Pangai Jr

 

[Wolfie]

Wait, who is starting at lock in that hypothetical scenario?

8. Lodge
10. McGuire
13. ?

14. Ofahengaue
15. Pangai Jr

Thats my dilemma. Would have still said Bird, but i think its going to have to be a wait and see with him if his body can hold up after his sternum surgery. The 4 i posted is my ideal prop rotation currently, but i think i'd actually go with Offa at lock if we dont play Bird there ( thought he was better than Moose there ) and let Carrigan and Haas fight it out for the bench prop role.

Left field option, put Gillett at lock and play Sua and Glenn in the back row.

 

[upthebroncs]

If TPJ somehow sticks around long term, I think he should be our long term 13. Otherwise, if Carrigan is actually really good, we should definitely start grooming him for that role.

Yeah, I agree.

The thing is.. we don't even need Lodge, McGuire or Gillett to have a decent starting pack. Not saying it would be logical.. Just that it'd still be better than most teams in the comp

8. Joe Ofahengaue
10. Payne Haas
11. Jaydn Su'a
12. David Fifita
13. Tevita Pangai Junior

 

[upthebroncs]

Thats my dilemma. Would have still said Bird, but i think its going to have to be a wait and see with him if his body can hold up after his sternum surgery. The 4 i posted is my ideal prop rotation currently, but i think i'd actually go with Offa at lock if we dont play Bird there ( thought he was better than Moose there ) and let Carrigan and Haas fight it out for the bench prop role.

Left field option, put Gillett at lock and play Sua and Glenn in the back row.

Bird should not be going anywhere near our forward pack IMO

 

[theshed]

He looks taller to me.

Jesus. Someone get him onto Paul Gallen’s supplement program.

 

[Wolfie]

Bird should not be going anywhere near our forward pack IMO

If his body holds up he would be more than fine at lock. He is a fantastic footballer and a great competitor. His defence is solid, and he is a ball player. We were just unfortunate to have signed him broken. Big year for him coming up to see if he can get back to where he was.

 

[upthebroncs]

If his body holds up he would be more than fine at lock. He is a fantastic footballer and a great competitor. His defence is solid, and he is a ball player. We were just unfortunate to have signed him broken. Big year for him coming up to see if he can get back to where he was.

Even when he was in full form, I never saw him as a potential lock in the NRL.

He may have gotten away with it in the under 20's but in the NRL he'd be competing against locks such as Taumalolo

 

[Wolfie]

Even when he was in full form, I never saw him as a potential lock in the NRL.

He may have gotten away with it in the under 20's but in the NRL he'd be competing against locks such as Taumalolo

I'll trust the opinion blokes like Bennett, Locky and Hodges over somebody who uses the logic that Kotoni Staggs can play most positions because Tyrone Peachy is his cousin (even though I'm pretty sure he isn't his cousin, they just come from the same town ). I do think Kotoni would make a fine bench utility though.

You don't have to match it with JT2 physically to be a good lock anyway. There is more than one way to play the role, and obviously if we ever did put Bird there ( which I believe Bennett has mentioned before) then we aren't going to use him like an extra prop.

 

[Kyall]

1.Issako
2.Oates
3.Roberts
4.Boyd
5.Kahu
6.Milford
7.Niko
8.Lodge
9.Macca
10.TPJ
11.Fifita
12.Sua
13.Mcguire
14.Bird
15.Gillett
16.Offa
17.Haas
Give Gillett time to size up and get him match fit ready over time. I think Fifita and Sua are up to the job. Try bird out as a utility until we know what to do with him.

 

[Battler]

If TPJ somehow sticks around long term, I think he should be our long term 13. Otherwise, if Carrigan is actually really good, we should definitely start grooming him for that role.

If Carrigan is Arrow level good (or better as some on here have suggested) then he can play 80 at lock with Lodge, TPJ, Offa, McGuire, and Haas rotating. That's a deadly rotation.