2024 pre-season discussion: Pre-season Premiers

[McHunt]

Number 4 for Redcliffe is right center (at least I think it was last year) so he's at least getting over onto his preferred side. Also does anyone know why different teams number their outside backs differently? I'm watching our match against the Dolphins and our 4 and 2 (left-side) are going head to head with their 4 and 2 (right side). I believe it's meant to be 5 4 3 2 (Storm use this) from left to right but with us it's 2 4 3 5 and dolphins go 5 3 4 2 and then you've got titans running 2 3 4 5. Confusing.

Yes, I think you might be right: Brenko wore the number 4 and played on the right. I don't know the answer to your question.

 

[McHunt]

Nup. 100% agree with you. He was the best second rower by a long shot. Was very skillful and I will strongly maintain we won that game off the back of a few really good runs from him that shifted momentum. Nearly led to some very Broncos 2023 like tries as well. He looked good. I wouldn’t mind him in the squad or kept around training similar to what Frei has done recently. At the least definitely deserves a spot this game.

Didn't pay to much attention to him in the trial.
But going by his stats last season looks pretty good, gets through some work.
Also played centre for a game so that adds to his versility for a bench spot.

He looked like a cut price Kurt Capewell, which is exactly what we want as depth.

I'd like to see more of him, against stronger opposition, before I jump to conclusions but his numbers at Cup level are superb. Though maybe a late bloomer.

 

[1910]

Didn't pay to much attention to him in the trial.
But going by his stats last season looks pretty good, gets through some work.
Also played centre for a game so that adds to his versility for a bench spot.

He played centre for Falcons too in his one game there. He’s been a Cup walkabout his career. He was playing local football on the coast last year. Did part of a preseason at the Storm and didn’t see it out. Played against the Roosters in a trial.

Was fantastic for Bears but it was only half a season but Burt got the best out of him and no one else has.

 

[Broncosarethebest]

Number 4 for Redcliffe is right center (at least I think it was last year) so he's at least getting over onto his preferred side. Also does anyone know why different teams number their outside backs differently? I'm watching our match against the Dolphins and our 4 and 2 (left-side) are going head to head with their 4 and 2 (right side). I believe it's meant to be 5 4 3 2 (Storm use this) from left to right but with us it's 2 4 3 5 and dolphins go 5 3 4 2 and then you've got titans running 2 3 4 5. Confusing.

James Roberts (I think?) changed the back line up for us out of superstition wanting the 3 on his back. I don't know why we've kept it long after his departure, maybe we just kept it this way for the other superstitious outside backs? Maybe outside backs at other clubs are superstitious too? Now you've mentioned it I'll be seeing it every game next season lol.
I always thought from left to right 2 3 4 5 was the way it was or should be?

 

[McHunt]

James Roberts (I think?) changed the back line up for us out of superstition wanting the 3 on his back. I don't know why we've kept it long after his departure, maybe we just kept it this way for the other superstitious outside backs? Maybe outside backs at other clubs are superstitious too? Now you've mentioned it I'll be seeing it every game next season lol.
I always thought from left to right 2 3 4 5 was the way it was or should be?

It really is all arse about. We have 2 on the left, and 5 on the right. The left centre would be inside centre, so we probably have that one right. Or maybe not. But wait, Riki wears the 12 and he plays on the right. Okay, I give up.

Fucked if I know.

 

[Finbar]

I always thought from left to right 2 3 4 5 was the way it was or should be?

I did a bit of searching on google and it seems 5 4 3 2 is what it's meant to be but each team instead chooses between 5 4 3 2 / 2 3 4 5 / 5 3 4 2 / 2 4 3 5. Interesting that Roberts wanted 3 on his back. He started 2016 as 4 but you're right that he ended up with 3.

Now I'm wondering if they just do the same for forwards and all teams have different numbers for left and right prop and left and right second rower.

 

[Big Pete]

He played centre for Falcons too in his one game there. He’s been a Cup walkabout his career. He was playing local football on the coast last year. Did part of a preseason at the Storm and didn’t see it out. Played against the Roosters in a trial.

Was fantastic for Bears but it was only half a season but Burt got the best out of him and no one else has.

It'll make for a good story if he takes the next step. I don't believe he was on anybody's radar until he stood out in local league. One thing leads to another and now there's an NRL spot if he wants it.

 

[BroncsFan]

Willison is playing in the All-Stars game, so I assume he would come in for Taupau in Round 1.

I think Hunt drops back to the bench with Riki returning, which would mean there's potentially only 1 spot up for grabs at the moment.

8. Jensen
10. Haas
11. Piakura
12. Riki
13. Patty

14. Tyson
15. Kobe
16. Baker/Willison/Taupau
17. Hunt

I'm thinking Baker is potentially in front of Willison based on not much other than he's more experienced and was recruited to the club.

Gives Willison some more time in qcup, but I think he still forces his way into the 17 pretty quickly this year.

Just depends if it's due to injury or surpassing 1 of Jensen, Baker or Hunt

 

[BroncsFan]

Number 4 for Redcliffe is right center (at least I think it was last year) so he's at least getting over onto his preferred side. Also does anyone know why different teams number their outside backs differently? I'm watching our match against the Dolphins and our 4 and 2 (left-side) are going head to head with their 4 and 2 (right side). I believe it's meant to be 5 4 3 2 (Storm use this) from left to right but with us it's 2 4 3 5 and dolphins go 5 3 4 2 and then you've got titans running 2 3 4 5. Confusing.

I'm not really sure if the numbers are meant to be one side or another... Renouf wore 3 and played left side... Hodgo wore 4 and played right side.

I think it's just personal preference of the players... If Staggs wanted to switch over to 4 then he'd probably be allowed, but he could've switched to 4 before Herbie took it and instead he stayed with his 3 jersey.

 

[Broncosarethebest]

I did a bit of searching on google and it seems 5 4 3 2 is what it's meant to be but each team instead chooses between 5 4 3 2 / 2 3 4 5 / 5 3 4 2 / 2 4 3 5. Interesting that Roberts wanted 3 on his back. He started 2016 as 4 but you're right that he ended up with 3.

Now I'm wondering if they just do the same for forwards and all teams have different numbers for left and right prop and left and right second rower.

Yep, your right, 5 4 3 2 does seem to be the standard. Even state of origin team lists are all over the place for the backs, but still usually the 5 4 3 2. If I didn't trust that my memory is bad I would start believing in mendela effect.

I was thinking the same thing regarding forwards, I notice if broncos players are playing out of position but never cared to notice their number. I don't care enough about other teams players to note what number they have unless looking at the line up compared to our guys. During a game if I don't know an oppositions player I just look at the number and think prop, wing, 2nd row etc. (excluding mid game reshuffles or pregame inclusions). Now you've pointed it out I'll be taking note this season.

 

[1910]

It'll make for a good story if he takes the next step. I don't believe he was on anybody's radar until he stood out in local league. One thing leads to another and now there's an NRL spot if he wants it.

It would be a good story, not Delouise good but good still. 12 good games are still a small size but to break into that Bears pack and stay there all the way to a Grand Final is pretty huge.

I am a Coster fan, I don't know why the Bears didn't throw him up to Red Hill.

 

[McHunt]

Let's settle this

VOTE - Should the club roll the dice on Tevita Pangai Jr again?

Tevita Pangai Jr needs no introduction. Potentially, an immortal. In practice, a liability. No coach has managed to get a season out him. He's left behind a trail of destruction and failure accompanied by serial espressions of contrition and promises. Well, he's back, sniffing for a contract...

broncoshq.com

 

[McHunt]

Renouf:

“Selwyn can be a great success at centre so long as he owns the position. He won’t want to be swapped around too much from this point on. I debuted on the wing but I made it quite clear that I wanted to be a centre, which is what I came to the Broncos to do as a junior. I’ve always wanted to see Selwyn as a centre and now he has a great chance to stay there and be the long-term replacement for Herbie Farnworth as that left centre.”​

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“One thing he will have to learn, as we all did, is that centre is very different defensively to wing. Centre has a little bit more pressure associated with it but Selwyn will just have to learn to trust the men inside and outside him. Wayne Bennett made me work a lot on my defence and I corrected in the end and learned to make better decisions.”​

​

“Selwyn is smart with his ability to change his game. He doesn’t have to belt himself into the defence even though he is big enough to do it. I just think centre will come naturally to him with his line running. His wonderful instincts will kick in. He is also very good with his hands so he will create tries and score them.”​

 

[BroncsFan]

Renouf:

“Selwyn can be a great success at centre so long as he owns the position. He won’t want to be swapped around too much from this point on. I debuted on the wing but I made it quite clear that I wanted to be a centre, which is what I came to the Broncos to do as a junior. I’ve always wanted to see Selwyn as a centre and now he has a great chance to stay there and be the long-term replacement for Herbie Farnworth as that left centre.”​

​

“One thing he will have to learn, as we all did, is that centre is very different defensively to wing. Centre has a little bit more pressure associated with it but Selwyn will just have to learn to trust the men inside and outside him. Wayne Bennett made me work a lot on my defence and I corrected in the end and learned to make better decisions.”​

​

“Selwyn is smart with his ability to change his game. He doesn’t have to belt himself into the defence even though he is big enough to do it. I just think centre will come naturally to him with his line running. His wonderful instincts will kick in. He is also very good with his hands so he will create tries and score them.”​

Would love it if Hodgo was helping Selwyn out with his move to centre.

Hodgo wasn't really known for his tackling or rushing in, but he was a master of positioning himself and using the sideline as a defender.

Defending at centre being a pretty specialist artform it could be good having Hodgo there watching and providing advice to help him out.

 

[Johnny92]

Would love it if Hodgo was helping Selwyn out with his move to centre.

Hodgo wasn't really known for his tackling or rushing in, but he was a master of positioning himself and using the sideline as a defender.

Defending at centre being a pretty specialist artform it could be good having Hodgo there watching and providing advice to help him out.

The dummy half runs I'd love to see him take that out of Hodges book too.

 

[McHunt]

Interview with Peter Ryan, including his time at the Broncos as a coach and player:

 

[McHunt]

Broncos 2023 officially "hottest" team in the NRL:

 

[Broncapz]

Kaylyn Ponga. #3. Hoowww?