[2025 Trial] Broncos vs Bulldogs

[YeahNahMate]

Mariner will no doubt be a better player if he gets another 15 + Q cup games under his belt before before being a full time first grader. Both from the experience but also from the standards it sets..

It’s a no brainer in my mind, again though, the risk is that Shiba is under a lot of pressure to justify it.

Mariner is signed until 2027, we have time to prioritise his development

Yeah, lucky we got him till 2027.

Mariner is still a lock to start round one for mine.
I wouldn’t read too much into it Shiba starting here.

Don't think it's a lock. In the training photos, Shiba looks like he's with the “main” side a fair bit. Also him and gos being named again together on that side again (with Mariner named on the wing in the titans game then on the bench for this game) to me suggests it's more likely than not that we will see Gos and Shiba on that side.

At this stage, I think the 1 to 13 for the trial will be the 1 to 13 in round 1. (obviously pending form in the bulldogs trial if someone really makes a statement)

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

I think the bench will be 14. Walters 15. Jensen 16. Willison 17. Piakura

 

[BroncsFan]

One of the things that will need to be sorted out with Mariner is what position do they actually want him to play.

Coming through all the grades he was a right centre... but that spot is covered by Staggs for the next however many years.

Left centre is completely different ball game for someone like Mariner, not only in defence, but because he has that right arm carry he has the defence coming from the inside that he can't palm away anymore... so he has to learn a new way to attack from that position.

On the wings is also completely different... again there is a difference in defence compared to centre, but he's also spending a lot of time defusing kicks (bombs and grubbers), which he wouldn't have had to do coming up through the grades... and he's also needing to do a ton more work in yardage as well as kick returns.

My preference is Cobbo at left centre and Mariner right wing, but eventually I could see Staggs moving to a different role, such as bench utility, at which point Mariner could move into his preferred right centre, but at least he's had time on the right side in first grade and is just moving one spot infield.

The small forward is becoming more and more important nowadays, and I look at someone like Dylan Walker who is providing so much ball playing in the middle, but has a threatening run game if the middle defence gets loose... he looks the wahs best lock now that Tohu is retired.

Staggs came through the grades playing some edge forward and has also played some five eight... his game is all about power and he doesn't mind a front on shot in defence. I'd say he has enough physicality in his game to move into the forward pack, and even beyond that could be the bench utility providing plenty of cover, but also a ball playing option through the middle.

 

[Sproj]

Man the number 4 really stands out in terms of quality to the rest of the side.

 

[BroncsFan]

View attachment 31409

Interesting that Jett Bryce has made the squad over other guys like Powell (who I thought looked really promising and able to mix it with the big boys).

I'm thinking this is because Jett likely has a development deal, so he can actually play first grade if needed, compared to Powell who was T&T.

Siegwalt looks to be the last man standing from the T&T in that case... assuming Shiba is getting a Dev Deal so he can play from round 1 if needed.

 

[Froosh]

I like the shibasaki and gos picks if they’re better defenders and hard workers (I haven’t seen enough of them to confirm but makes sense if they are).

Some of our biggest lapses last year were piakura, riki and mariner’s defence/focus/drops, it’s at minimum a good wake up call for them.

Mariner genuinely looked to be doing as much as he could to make it look like he tried to tackle without actually doing it.

Piakura off the bench in 2023 was great, agile and hard running. We have enough skill, if they’ve worked hard for their spots I’d much prefer them.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Maybe that will spur him on to greater things

Me thinks not

I find this post to be highly spurious....

 

[Foordy]

Yeah, lucky we got him till 2027.

Don't think it's a lock. In the training photos, Shiba looks like he's with the “main” side a fair bit. Also him and gos being named again together on that side again (with Mariner named on the wing in the titans game then on the bench for this game) to me suggests it's more likely than not that we will see Gos and Shiba on that side.

At this stage, I think the 1 to 13 for the trial will be the 1 to 13 in round 1. (obviously pending form in the bulldogs trial if someone really makes a statement)

1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington

I think the bench will be 14. Walters 15. Jensen 16. Willison 17. Piakura

as of right now ... Shibasaki can't play in round one. He is only on a train and trial contract. T&T players can't be picked until round 11.

of course he could be upgraded, but i'm not sure we have any top 30 spots available to give him

 

[YeahNahMate]

My preference is Cobbo at left centre and Mariner right wing, but eventually I could see Staggs moving to a different role, such as bench utility, at which point Mariner could move into his preferred right centre, but at least he's had time on the right side in first grade and is just moving one spot infield.

The small forward is becoming more and more important nowadays, and I look at someone like Dylan Walker who is providing so much ball playing in the middle, but has a threatening run game if the middle defence gets loose... he looks the wahs best lock now that Tohu is retired.

Staggs came through the grades playing some edge forward and has also played some five eight... his game is all about power and he doesn't mind a front on shot in defence. I'd say he has enough physicality in his game to move into the forward pack, and even beyond that could be the bench utility providing plenty of cover, but also a ball playing option through the middle.

Yeah I'd love to see Cobbo & Mariner in the centres in the future with Staggs eventually moving into a different role although Staggs doesn't strike me as the ball playing type aha.

I like the shibasaki and gos picks if they’re better defenders and hard workers (I haven’t seen enough of them to confirm but makes sense if they are).

Some of our biggest lapses last year were piakura, riki and mariner’s defence/focus/drops, it’s at minimum a good wake up call for them.

Mariner & Piakura definitely shit on Gos & Shiba in attack but seems like Madge has definitely picked out that left side from last year with stats and all and decided that is where change is needed in regards to defence.

as of right now ... Shibasaki can't play in round one. He is only on a train and trial contract. T&T players can't be picked until round 11.

of course he could be upgraded, but i'm not sure we have any top 30 spots available to give him

Yeah I'm aware of that, on the NRL website it has Karapani with the top 30 players but it doesn't have a year next to his name like the others so I don't know what to make of that. I have no idea how development deals work so maybe that could be an option? Regardless, I'm sure something is in the works or has been worked out already but it's just not public. Too many small signs for me that are slowly adding up

 

[theshed]

For those talking about Staggs moving to the forwards to accommodate Cobbo and Mariner, I’m not so sure.

I don’t have anything to base this on really but I think Staggs is going to be one of the players we see benefit most from a new coach.

Walters seemed to be happy for Katoni to have a low work rate and only be used as an attacking weapon in good ball. Based on origin, I predict that Staggs will be expected to have a much higher work rate moving forward . Which, if he is fit enough, he should really dominate in that role.

I’m not convinced Cobbo is better for our team anywhere but wing. His kick returns and finishing is just too good. I’d prefer to let him roam in field at times if he wants more involvement.

Mariner for mine is a left centre at the broncos and ideally he needs to remain in cup until his defence and fitness is closer to first grade standard.

 

[1910]

Interesting that Jett Bryce has made the squad over other guys like Powell (who I thought looked really promising and able to mix it with the big boys).

I'm thinking this is because Jett likely has a development deal, so he can actually play first grade if needed, compared to Powell who was T&T.

Siegwalt looks to be the last man standing from the T&T in that case... assuming Shiba is getting a Dev Deal so he can play from round 1 if needed.

I thought it was interesting that he's still there too. He's not NRL ready yet but what I have noticed with Bryce over the last 12 months is if you watched him play Meninga you came away saying he's alright going ok. But when he plays up against men for BRL last year, he was a lot better. I think he might be one of those guys that needs to play up to improve. The Broncos may have to pick him one day without his form demanding it.

He couldn't make the Queensland team last year, hasn't played Cup yet but is getting his third run in an NRL team and I think he's gone alright so far.

That Bears forward pack is not easy to break into it and if he can debut and play Cup this year he's going well.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I thought it was interesting that he's still there too. He's not NRL ready yet but what I have noticed with Bryce over the last 12 months is if you watched him play Meninga you came away saying he's alright going ok. But when he plays up against men for BRL last year, he was a lot better. I think he might be one of those guys that needs to play up to improve. The Broncos may have to pick him one day without his form demanding it.

He couldn't make the Queensland team last year, hasn't played Cup yet but is getting his third run in an NRL team and I think he's gone alright so far.

That Bears forward pack is not easy to break into it and if he can debut and play Cup this year he's going well.

He looks like a centre who develops into a backrower at this stage of his development. A bit like Tago from Penrith.

 

[Manofoneway]

Man kev is not beating the nepo claims is he. Paix was banished to the shadow realm, wasn't even considered as a depth option, let alone be in the 13. Now it looks like he's first pick at 9 and jumped 3 players lmao. Not a great look.

2023 paix was pretty trash but. 2023 Billy was better and smoothy, similar to paix this year was the hooker of the year in qcup. All three played to the extent of their contract. Base fill ins because we had spent money elsewhere.

The positive for paix is his youth, he's probably got a bigger engine now than he had previously. Billy has utility value and it looks as though maguire wants him to cover both 6 and 9. Given his age, I'd suggest paix starts at 9 for the seaso, bill at 14 until mozer and ezra return. Hunt will be a hooker/utility with mozer/ezra in the 17 and paix/bill will be on the extended bench again.

If i were the broncos be offering paix min wage contract as a backup to mozer/hunt. Walters can see out his contract as a poor man's hunt utility and finish his career in the superleague.

 

[YeahNahMate]

For those talking about Staggs moving to the forwards to accommodate Cobbo and Mariner, I’m not so sure.

I don’t have anything to base this on really but I think Staggs is going to be one of the players we see benefit most from a new coach.

Walters seemed to be happy for Katoni to have a low work rate and only be used as an attacking weapon in good ball. Based on origin, I predict that Staggs will be expected to have a much higher work rate moving forward . Which, if he is fit enough, he should really dominate in that role.

I’m not convinced Cobbo is better for our team anywhere but wing. His kick returns and finishing is just too good. I’d prefer to let him roam in field at times if he wants more involvement.

Mariner for mine is a left centre at the broncos and ideally he needs to remain in cup until his defence and fitness is closer to first grade standard.

Yeah definitely not right now, wouldn’t rule it out maybe in a couple of years though assuming they are all still at the club

 

[McHunt]

2023 paix was pretty trash but. 2023 Billy was better and smoothy, similar to paix this year was the hooker of the year in qcup. All three played to the extent of their contract. Base fill ins because we had spent money elsewhere.

The positive for paix is his youth, he's probably got a bigger engine now than he had previously. Billy has utility value and it looks as though maguire wants him to cover both 6 and 9. Given his age, I'd suggest paix starts at 9 for the seaso, bill at 14 until mozer and ezra return. Hunt will be a hooker/utility with mozer/ezra in the 17 and paix/bill will be on the extended bench again.

If i were the broncos be offering paix min wage contract as a backup to mozer/hunt. Walters can see out his contract as a poor man's hunt utility and finish his career in the superleague.

Hinges on Mozer's shoulder, Mam's return and whether Hunt plays Origin. And also whether Madge sticks with the hooker rotation formula or puts someone feistier on the bench for late game spark. Presuming the status quo:

Mozer out, Mam out: Hunt 6, Paix 9, Billy 14
Mozer in, Mam out: Hunt 6, Paix 9, Mozer 14
Mozer out, Mam in: Mam 6, Hunt 9, Paix 14
Mozer in, Mam in: Hunt 9, Mozer or Paix 14
Hunt out, Mozer out, Mam in: Mam 6, Paix 9, Billy 14

Barring injuries, Smoothy should be surplus, and Walters only needed as backup if two of Mam, Mozer or Hunt aren't available.

Alternatively, Madge might keep an eye on Cup and decide to throw Madden, Seigwalt or Black into the mix. We haven't seen any evidence to suggest he's considering Jock or Latrell at dummy half, but he did rotate Black there. Unless he gives Coby decent minutes in this trial it's pretty safe to presume he's not considering him in the short term.

I don't know who would offer more value from the bench: Madden or Walters. Madden has a more rounded kicking game, but Billy is a bit sparkier in his first 10-15 minutes, probably. Given all the options, we probably don't need another kicker from the bench. It will be interesting to see these guys fighting it out in second grade.

 

[Big Del]

also a ball playing option through the middle.

He`d need to learn to draw and pass .
He is pretty poor at giving his team mates an advantage . Bombs a lot of tries by not setting up the supports .

 

[BroncsFan]

He`d need to learn to draw and pass .
He is pretty poor at giving his team mates an advantage . Bombs a lot of tries by not setting up the supports .

The ball playing from Staggs is a long shot I'll be honest.. and is mostly under the assumption that he must have something going on to have played games at 5/8... he was also our best player in 2020/21 whenever it was just before he did his ACL, and he was doing a little bit in the halves around that time.

I don't recall Walker have much ball playing at centre, but looks great ever since moving to the middle.

I really hope the quick passing from our centres has been worked on by Madge... it's a must have requirement at centre nowadays and Cobbo is the only one I've seen be able to do it in the broncos... and he was doing it at an elite level.

Even when Mam and Walsh were getting rushed by defences they need to have a quick catch and pass to get it along, otherwise the attack will just die.

We know Walsh has it, because of his catch and pass cut out to the winger in Origin 1 2023, but Mam was getting smothered a lot.

The outside men also need to be ready for it as well, because a good rushing defence will have them under pressure as well

 

[Sproj]

I like having Hunt and Paix in the team, gives us an unpredictability factor. Defense can’t just expect Billy will run it at inopportune times or that everything will go through Walsh.

Both Hunt and Reynolds are capable of organising and being dominant as well, something Mam can’t do. We do lose a lot of speed though without Mam there but Paix replaces that somewhat.

Basically, if oppositions put all their time into shutting down Walsh, Hunt or Reynolds will tear them to shreds. My big concern though is Shibasaki. The bloke is a journeyman for a reason and is super slow.

Without Mariner and Mam, we lose a lot of speed in the backline and so while we might be a bit more unpredictable, we will also be slower and oppositions will have more time to react.

Hopefully it doesn’t matter though and our forward pack performs as well as paper suggests and no pack can stop them.

 

[McHunt]

I like having Hunt and Paix in the team, gives us an unpredictability factor. Defense can’t just expect Billy will run it at inopportune times or that everything will go through Walsh.

Both Hunt and Reynolds are capable of organising and being dominant as well, something Mam can’t do. We do lose a lot of speed though without Mam there but Paix replaces that somewhat.

Basically, if oppositions put all their time into shutting down Walsh, Hunt or Reynolds will tear them to shreds. My big concern though is Shibasaki. The bloke is a journeyman for a reason and is super slow.

Without Mariner and Mam, we lose a lot of speed in the backline and so while we might be a bit more unpredictable, we will also be slower and oppositions will have more time to react.

Hopefully it doesn’t matter though and our forward pack performs as well as paper suggests and no pack can stop them.

Not going on a massive sample size here, but if Paix can roll like he did in that trial - and that's Hunt's usual game - with Haas, Carrigan and Willison in tow, we're going to look a very different team from that one that required Mam or Walsh to conjure magic out of nothing.