Benji the Bronco remains a mystery

[Bucking Beads]

Benji can certainly make an impact but I just can't see how him in the centres is going to work. Off the bench as a utility and as a back up half works. He's been pretty ordinary the last few years.

 

[Rally Towel]

From the get go I don't expect him to make a dramatic improvement defensively, there is potential to drop his error rate but realistically that is something he would have to work hard on to do so. I'm willing to give the bloke a go but as far as I'm concerned his position in the regular 17 should be decided on effort and performance.

For the record I imagine he will cause me a few grey hairs with no look flick passes and banana kicks, but I think it's worth the risk for the price tag.

Hardly expect it but if his performances demand a greater role, so much the better.

I do agree with some sentiment (Big Pete?) that this could end up like Scott Prince where we try to hard to fit him in at the expense of the team. Given our current halves and coach situation (vs the Griffin era), I trust this will not be the case.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Yeah I can see that side too Rally Towel and I hope it isn't at the expense of the team either. Big Pete makes a good point and I'll go a step further with regards to the Griffin Era, as much as I respect and rate Bennett as a coach and mentor, he has been guilty too of making some weird selection decisions over the years so I can't outright dismiss it.

 

[Super Freak]

How do they not... everyone said ash taylor would be a turnstile.. he wasn't.

63 missed tackles suggests otherwise.

By the way, his missed tackle percentage is higher than Hunt's..

 

[Super Freak]

I understand that you are correcting the score regarding tackles, but you don't buy a half for their tackling prowess.

Agreed.

That's why I don't get why people focus so much on defence when it comes to halves. They are all bad defenders. They are tackling blokes 2-3 times their size.

 

[Rally Towel]

Agreed.

That's why I don't get why people focus so much on defence when it comes to halves. They are all bad defenders. They are tackling blokes 2-3 times their size.

Yeah, those 5.3m, 261kg hulks just ran over the top of Ben Hunt last season.

In fairness, I do get what you're saying. Most halves struggle, and most teams target them heavily.

I know the stats don't always support it but generally speaking Ben Hunt is a strong defender for his size. I've seen him effect better 1 on 1 tackles than most halves.

Especially that one on Kane Linnet. Beauty.

 

[jd123]

I don't expect him to miraculously fix his defence or completely weed the errors out if his game. I do expect we will employ him in such a fashion that we can minimise the extent it will be exposed though.

Isn't that kind of like saying, we just bought a piece of shit car, it will breakdown a lot, but we didn't pay much for it but we won't use it that often, unless we really have to, so everything is okay?

 

[badyon]

No mystery. He's a cheap backline depth signing, and, a back up in case Hunt jump ships, and, an Origin period filler. Would only be 3rd or 4th, at best, on our fullback or centre depth chart, at that. Maybe will put some pressure on KNik, but not likely.

 

[Rally Towel]

Isn't that kind of like saying, we just bought a piece of shit car, it will breakdown a lot, but we didn't pay much for it but we won't use it that often, unless we really have to, so everything is okay?

Haha! There's some wisdom in that, but I'm trying to look on the bright side here.

Keeping to the automotive analogy, I'd say it's akin to buying a zippy little runabout and using it for errands around town rather than off road adventures.

Wrong tool for the job is always going to result in tears. Conversely, a tool doesn't have to be in perfect condition, provided it's suited for the task at hand.

 

[Super Freak]

If you tweak that piece of shit car, work on it's problems, you have a handy car on your hands. And you didn't spend much to get it.

 

[Bucking Beads]

If you tweak that piece of shit car, work on it's problems, you have a handy car on your hands. And you didn't spend much to get it.

But it'll break down when you need it most. You'll find yourself stuck at a set of lights with people honking the horn at you...

 

[Super Freak]

When asked whether Marshall could make a similar shift, Dugan said: “Yeah, he played centre when he was younger and he defends at three and two anyway, so it’s pretty much the same defensive principles.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Just for shits and giggles - how does three missed tackles a game compare with other centres running around?

 

[Sproj]

Still weird seeing him in Broncs colours.

 

[jd123]

Haha! There's some wisdom in that, but I'm trying to look on the bright side here.

Keeping to the automotive analogy, I'd say it's akin to buying a zippy little runabout and using it for errands around town rather than off road adventures.

An aging car that used to be "Zippy" but breaks down a lot and one of those cars that are beyond repair.

If you tweak that piece of shit car, work on it's problems, you have a handy car on your hands. And you didn't spend much to get it.

If only it were mechanically possible to make a player younger, fitter, faster and less error prone.

Makes me wonder you know, has anyone on this site ever disagreed with the signing of a particular player? From what I have seen I reckon only about 20% ever would have, if that. Publicly.......

 

[Super Freak]

If only it were mechanically possible to make a player younger, fitter, faster and less error prone.

Makes me wonder you know, has anyone on this site ever disagreed with the signing of a particular player? From what I have seen I reckon only about 20% ever would have, if that. Publicly.......

You have a lot to learn about the history of player signing news on BHQ.

I would suggest looking up threads on Boyd and Blair for a start.

 

[Allo]

You have a lot to learn about the history of player signing news on BHQ.

I would suggest looking up threads on Boyd and Blair for a start.

Despite their pedigree, both those signings were off the back of career-worst seasons, albeit at ordinary clubs in even worse teams. Apart from Milford, we haven't signed anyone in forever that didn't have some kind of baggage or risk, be it on or off-field

People (myself included) were mostly justified in criticising or at least being very apprehensive about them, regardless of Wayne and having a good team to play with.

It's hard to play the 'I told you so' game if you disagree with a Bennett decision. But I'm glad I can't

 

[jd123]

You have a lot to learn about the history of player signing news on BHQ.

I would suggest looking up threads on Boyd and Blair for a start.

So that is 2 players out of hundreds, I stand by my comment about signings.