NEWS 'Abysmal, unacceptable': Legends unload on Broncos

[Big Del]

I have responded in other posts. I think there are manifold issues with this team that have to be addressed (I in fact posted what I believed these to be before a ball was kicked this season and whilst we were still in pre-season).

I believe that Seibold's ability to make substantial changes are limited for the reasons identified by rogerwilco in his posts earlier today and by the cattle available. It is coaching 101 that you do not make changes unless the player you are bringing in, by virtue of form or experience, is someone who you know (or have good grounds to believe) will do a better job than the incumbent.

In terms of Nikorima, each of Paix, Boyd and Dearden are too young and inexperienced to be thrown into NRL at this stage of their development. It would in fact be detrimental to their future careers for them to be blooded now, particularly with a team not gelling and under pressure. That leaves SOS, who has had one average game. Unless and until there is someone banging down the door demanding to be selected because of their form, you cannot replace Nikorima. This is exactly what he appears to have done with your love child Carrigan. Carrigan's form has demanded his selection. Sua has been ordinary and I believe he will be the one to go.

In terms of fullback, the only viable option we have is Isaako, who you do not believe will make a good fullback. In any event. wth the lack of confidence that Isaako is showing, it would be a huge risk to put him at fullback. Re the suggestion of moving Bird back there, fullback is a specialist position. Bird has had limited exposure to the position and I would have grave concerns about his physical capacity and whether he has the miles in his legs to meet the physical demands of the role. You do not weaken one position to strengthen another in my opinion.

I would dearly love to replace Boyd, but I just do not think we have a suitable replacement at this time. If we came up with a viable halfback option, I would like to try K Nik there.

Rinse and repeat with the hooker position. So I definitely believe that there are substantial issues that have to be addressed by the coaching team with this squad (and always have). Their ability to undertake the necessary structural changes that are required are limited at this time. What they can do is try and get a result on areas of attitude, consistency, defensive structure and commitment to defence.

I had no great belief that we were ever going to have a great season this year. But I am prepared to give the new regime time to see what they can do (unlike a lot of the princesses on here).

Milf 1
Boyd 4
Bird 6
Nikorima 7 . Then get the fcking wingers to hold the ball and the team build some pressure . Had chances to win the last 2 games but couldn`t hold the ball ...

 

[Morepudding]

Milf 1
Boyd 4
Bird 6
Nikorima 7 . Then get the fcking wingers to hold the ball and the team build some pressure . Had chances to win the last 2 games but couldn`t hold the ball ...

Boyd doesn't work at centre. They tried that last year and it failed miserably. He's always out of position at fullback, defending at centre is arguably one of the hardest spots to defend and he can't tackle so him being there is a nightmare. Boyd needs to go to the wing or **** off completely.

 

[heartly87]

I know its not NRL but I played A grade up until last year. I am 32 and have played with a lot of youngsters. When things get tough they need somebody to look to. Somebody to stabilise the ship. Young men are emotional and get their heads down if things are not going right. The same is true for elite level players. The problem we have is a lack of pure leadership. Somebody to stand up and shut down the rot before it sets in.

Boyd is part of the rot, his attitude stinks because he looks to complain rather than put it on himself to lead and show the way. Other options like Macca, Glenn and Gillette all seem to be silent Bobs.

We need another Hodges.

 

[McHunt]

shifty fucker

Isaac Moses

Happy Merchant strikes again.

 

[McHunt]

The hooker situation imo isnt anywhere near as bad as people make out. Macca for 20 mins, then Knik for 20 mins or so for a bit of spark. Its an easy fix and its worked before.

Or even better, Macca for zero minutes, and someone who can pass the football flat and for more than two metres given the job as central ball distributor.

 

[Allo]

Bird was great at fullback, but obviously he is going to need time to adjust to that position again. I dont see dropping in Staggs for Bird as weakening us at all really, the issue is Jimmy, he just isnt fit, so i cant see us bringing in Bird to fullback at this stage. Personally, i'd have no concerns with Shibasaki at center for a while along with Kotoni and move Bird to fullback, Boyd to wing. If Roberts is out a while, i'd be looking at picking somebody up if possible.

Even though SoS has only played limited minutes, i'd still put him in because the dynamic between Milf and Knik just isnt right. HE doesnt have to do anything special, just do a basic number 7 job. Milf can be the special player. Dearden has had another strong game today, so a bit like Fifita last year i think he could be playing sooner rather than later. Some guys you just need to get them in there and manage them week to week. A good coach will know how to do it.

The hooker situation imo isnt anywhere near as bad as people make out. Macca for 20 mins, then Knik for 20 mins or so for a bit of spark. Its an easy fix and its worked before.

I really dont get why people are thinking its going to be detrimental for Seibold to make a lot of changes to a team that isnt performing. Its not like he has anything to lose, in fact, he is more likely to get more leeway for a poor season if we are showing signs of developing our younger guys. The talent is in this squad, i feel right now the coach is as big an issue as the players. As i have said before, i think he has bottled some decisions with our back rowers, and i dont think his game plan is working. I'm not worried yet, but if we are still not doing much in 6 games time, i'll be very concerned.

Exactly. People will say he doesn’t know what he’s doing or will lose the players, but look at the Dogs. Pay dropped a bunch of players, and look how they’ve played since Martin, CHN starting, Okunbor and co have come in. It’s only been two games granted, but I don’t think it’s over-reactionary to change something that isn’t working.

On a separate-but-very-related note, when was the last time a first 13 player was actually dropped (not to the bench) due to poor form? And I don’t mean injury fill-ins (Opacic/Pearson and the like). I’m talking the players we’re all talking about (re)moving now?

 

[GCBRONCO]

I know its not NRL but I played A grade up until last year. I am 32 and have played with a lot of youngsters. When things get tough they need somebody to look to. Somebody to stabilise the ship. Young men are emotional and get their heads down if things are not going right. The same is true for elite level players. The problem we have is a lack of pure leadership. Somebody to stand up and shut down the rot before it sets in.

Boyd is part of the rot, his attitude stinks because he looks to complain rather than put it on himself to lead and show the way. Other options like Macca, Glenn and Gillette all seem to be silent Bobs.

We need another Hodges.

I wholeheartedly agree. When you see your own captain put in such a pissweak effort with an equally pissweak attitude shown against the Roosters your hardly going to be inspired are you? Something is rotten in the leadership ranks in general IMO and if Boyd can't fire up/motivate his own players through his words then failing to do so through his own actions really raises questions why he should continue to be captain at all? I'm sorry but chucking a hissy fit in the hope of the referee calling it back because of your own incompetence is not the qualities of a captain we need. I've defended Boyd captaincy in the past, willing to give him time but this cannot continue, either he steps up and gets with the program or someone needs to show some balls and make the change necessary.

 

[Big Del]

Boyd doesn't work at centre. They tried that last year and it failed miserably. He's always out of position at fullback, defending at centre is arguably one of the hardest spots to defend and he can't tackle so him being there is a nightmare. Boyd needs to go to the wing or **** off completely.

I think of him playing left centre for Qld . Did a good job . Dunno about can`t tackle ? Bad decisions about who to tackle more like it .

#1 priority hold the ball . Build pressure .

Tigers - 6 day turn around . Played extra time . Look for fatigue late each half .

 

[Cult]

Boyd doesn't work at centre. They tried that last year and it failed miserably. He's always out of position at fullback, defending at centre is arguably one of the hardest spots to defend and he can't tackle so him being there is a nightmare. Boyd needs to go to the wing or **** off completely.

That's not true at all

 

[Tomato Sorcerer]

I know its not NRL but I played A grade up until last year. I am 32 and have played with a lot of youngsters. When things get tough they need somebody to look to. Somebody to stabilise the ship. Young men are emotional and get their heads down if things are not going right. The same is true for elite level players. The problem we have is a lack of pure leadership. Somebody to stand up and shut down the rot before it sets in.

Boyd is part of the rot, his attitude stinks because he looks to complain rather than put it on himself to lead and show the way. Other options like Macca, Glenn and Gillette all seem to be silent Bobs.

We need another Hodges.

Agree.
Hopefully siebold has a solid word to Darius and he can change the way he is operating.
Failing that, Glenn would be the first choice for the c moving forward, seems to be the most vocal and level headed out of the experienced group.
I think bird has a lot to offer in this department too. I really liked how towards the end of the roosters game he was trying his ass off in attack, shoving dudes out of the way to get involved in everything he could. Being a relatively fresh import though and still fairly young, at this stage I'd just be looking to get him in a position which demands strong communication and where his actions can have more of an influence on the team, ie 6 or 1.

 

[Wolfie]

Or even better, Macca for zero minutes, and someone who can pass the football flat and for more than two metres given the job as central ball distributor.

No.

 

[Alec]

I've been aboard the anti-Macca train for years, but seriously, you can't just drop him entirely when we don't really have any real back-up. Turpin isn't even in the top 30, and Nikorima can't play the full 80 for the next 20+ games. And some suggestions like moving Bird to hooker don't really make sense either, when has he ever played there before? Also the less said about Glenn being there, the better.

Best thing we can do right now is to have someone who can come in there off the bench and provide impact. It probably has to be Nikorima.

 

[BroncsFan]

I've been aboard the anti-Macca train for years, but seriously, you can't just drop him entirely when we don't really have any real back-up. Turpin isn't even in the top 30, and Nikorima can't play the full 80 for the next 20+ games. And some suggestions like moving Bird to hooker don't really make sense either, when has he ever played there before? Also the less said about Glenn being there, the better.

Best thing we can do right now is to have someone who can come in there off the bench and provide impact. It probably has to be Nikorima.

Exactly... if Seibold went out and dropped Macca, Boyd and Knik, then it's almost impossible to bring them back should the new players fail to live up to the hype.

The easiest way to transition them is have a player on the bench... if that player handles grade then at least you have the confidence they can make it their own.

I think in time Deardon is a decent chance to grab the 7 jersey, this would push Knik to bench 14 subbing with Macca. 2 birds one stone.... although I would not like Knik coming on as wing cover (maybe Knik fullback Boyd wing for wing cover... 3 birds one stone). If Knik starts excelling and handling defense you bump up his minutes maybe start putting in his ear that his future lies at hooker.

I think they should've been switching Boyd and Isaako between offence and defence although that looks highly improbable now given Isaako is struggling with his catching... but who knows how Isaako could've been going fielding kicks at fullback and Boyd defending on the wing to start the year, both could be having very different form lines.

 

[McHunt]

No.

Macca can barely pass the ball to a bloke standing right beside him without it wobbling all over the shop. Yeah, let's put him in charge of moving the ball around for the most prestigious team in the history of any code of football. He's totally earned the job and it's not like anyone else could do it, for the peanuts it pays.

 

[McHunt]

I've been aboard the anti-Macca train for years, but seriously, you can't just drop him entirely when we don't really have any real back-up.

The same reason you flush a turd.

 

[something]

Here's a challenge for you: name one player with a weaker passing game in the entire competition who's put in a position of ball distribution?

Granville and that guy playing reserve hooker for sharks on weekend.

Macca is third worst

 

[BroncsFan]

Granville and that guy playing reserve hooker for sharks on weekend.

Macca is third worst

Haha the reserve hooker for sharks is Blayke Brailey the one currently being frothed about... he's basically the new Jayden Nikorima.

 

[McHunt]

Granville and that guy playing reserve hooker for sharks on weekend.

Macca is third worst

Have to disagree on Granville. Check out this pass at 4:33. No way Macca could even do this:



Not that it's anything special, but at least it's flat. Macca would have to lob it up in the air, probably land behind him, just after he's creamed.