PLAYER Billy Walters

[Big Pete]

We've just had enough of seeing mediocrity in that position since 2009. Is he better than Turpin? Yes. Do the Broncos still need to move on from him ASAP? Yes IMO.

Sure, but it's a process. There's a finite amount of quality dummy halves out there and even those are getting snapped up at ludicrous prices despite being at the end of their career. As long as the club can keep making improvements it's all good.

I also think Paix should never have been dropped for Turpin and if Kev wanted to play Turpin that bad, Billy was the one who should’ve made room. So part of me wants Billy gone to take that choice off the table. He’s a fine depth player but he shouldn’t be more than that - I’m not entirely convinced their isn’t some bias at play.

The issue with Paix is that he came back from injury too early. He was set to miss 4-6 weeks, came back after 3, suffered another injury and was really struggling for form. In the game Paix was dropped, Billy finished second on the POTY voting, earning 29 more votes than Paix received.

I don't think the hypothetical should have come into it. Using my Captain Hindsight powers, Paix should have been persisted with or at least at a bare minimum been given one week off to blow the cobwebs out in QCup before getting an easy game against the Knights.

 

[theshed]

Sure, but it's a process. There's a finite amount of quality dummy halves out there and even those are getting snapped up at ludicrous prices despite being at the end of their career. As long as the club can keep making improvements it's all good.


The issue with Paix is that he came back from injury too early. He was set to miss 4-6 weeks, came back after 3, suffered another injury and was really struggling for form. In the game Paix was dropped, Billy finished second on the POTY voting, earning 29 more votes than Paix received.

I don't think the hypothetical should have come into it. Using my Captain Hindsight powers, Paix should have been persisted with or at least at a bare minimum been given one week off to blow the cobwebs out in QCup before getting an easy game against the Knights.

I’m basically putting this season behind me now and starting with a fresh slate. I guess we’ll see what happens round 1. going to be interesting to see what happens with Billy, Mam, Madden, Paix, and Smoothy. My biggest hope is that unlike the last 2 seasons we are clear on who the spine will be well before round 1. Regardless of who is picked.

 

[McHunt]

I don't understand the vitriol being directed at Billy.

Sure, he wasn't a top tier dummy half

That right there is the issue. Thank you.

 

[BooKhaki]

To all the people who voted starting 6 or 9. Apologize.

 

[Big Pete]

That right there is the issue. Thank you.

Then what's the solution? I don't see the issue with giving Billy another shot based on what he showed this season with the options available.

 

[tommy]

To all the people who voted starting 6 or 9. Apologize.

A lot of people got excited to have that surname in the team lol.

 

[Old Mate]

With current stocks you’d have to say Paix offers more coming off the bench and have either Walters or the new bloke duking it out for the starting spot.

 

[Big Pete]

To all the people who voted starting 6 or 9. Apologize.

Why would they apologise about Billy playing at 9? Brisbane looked at their best with him there.

 

[theshed]

Then what's the solution? I don't see the issue with giving Billy another shot based on what he showed this season with the options available.

If you had to call it now who would you put at 14 next season if Billy gets the 9?

 

[Big Pete]

If you had to call it now who would you put at 14 next season if Billy gets the 9?

Paix.

With that said, I wouldn't be shocked if Billy has a mortgage on that 14 with Paix/Smoothy duking it out for 9.

 

[theshed]

Paix.

With that said, I wouldn't be shocked if Billy has a mortgage on that 14 with Paix/Smoothy duking it out for 9.

I like Smoothy. His passing from the ground is almost mechanical how consistent and accurate it is however he looks like he’s doing everything in slow motion. I feel like halves like Reynolds would love it because he puts it perfectly out front at chest height - exactly where you want it on a 5th tackle but he has no spark at all.

I think at their best Smoothy and Paix compliment each other well except for the joint lack of experience.

 

[McHunt]

Then what's the solution? I don't see the issue with giving Billy another shot based on what he showed this season with the options available.

That's fine if you're happy with 9th place.

The solution is not to get in a position where the answer is "we scraped the barrel and this is the best we found, so let's keep doing it." We have scouts working throughout the year. This is their job. Not us fans. Our job is to complain.

 

[Cult]

Still hasn’t really given a realistic signing instead though

 

[McHunt]

I like Smoothy. His passing from the ground is almost mechanical how consistent and accurate it is however he looks like he’s doing everything in slow motion. I feel like halves like Reynolds would love it because he puts it perfectly out front at chest height - exactly where you want it on a 5th tackle but he has no spark at all.

I think at their best Smoothy and Paix compliment each other well except for the joint lack of experience.

Sounds like Macca: never made an error, but rarely added anything.

 

[McHunt]

If you had to call it now who would you put at 14 next season if Billy gets the 9?

I would be following another team.

 

[Nashy]

That's fine if you're happy with 9th place.

The solution is not to get in a position where the answer is "we scraped the barrel and this is the best we found, so let's keep doing it." We have scouts working throughout the year. This is their job. Not us fans. Our job is to complain.

Wonder if Priddis could still lace up.

 

[BroncsFan]

Sounds like Macca: never made an error, but rarely added anything.

I think he kicked a field goal for the falcons in the prelim.

I didnt see the game, but he scored a try, kicked the conversions and kicked a field goal in that game.

If they're relying on their hooker to produce those plays in their biggest game of the year, then it suggests he's got a bit between the ears to be taking on that responsibility.

He also won hooker of the year for ISC, which is another good sign.

To me he sounds like a smart hooker that can provide some footy smarts when we have the ball.

He probably doesnt have electric speed to get out like Harry, but if he can at least bring some guile and smarts to the position then it will be adding far more than what we've had to date.

I want a hooker that can get us cheap easy tries from inside the 10m... it's a storm speciality to have your middles running crash lines and to know when and when not to use them. If he's smart enough to create from those positions then he'll already be adding to the position that we didnt have this year.

If his service is crisp and on the chest that's another bonus to the position that we havent really had.

Nowadays a lot of attack inside the 20m can be generated by the hooker if they can fire a 20-30m pass from dummy half. Teams are using that to get the ball outside the A and B defenders and have your half instantly on the outside of their opposite.... a notable one from this year was NSW first try in origin 1. Cook fires a 30m pass to Luai on the blindside, the inside defence was scrambling, but from there it's an easy couple passes to get the winger over for a try.

 

[McHunt]

I wouldn't be shocked if Billy has a mortgage on that 14

Because his father is coach? You've already admitted he's a shithouse 14.