Broncos - 2015 Discussion

[Foordy]

I think thats a bad move by Hunt, he can't be in the mindset of "just give that ball to Milford".

he needs to play his natural game, which was so bloody dangerous in 2014

 

[Unbreakable]

I think we can revolve an entire game plan around "Get the ball to Milford", I doubt Hunt is going to change his game much at all though, maybe a few less dummy and runs and a bit more emphasis on getting good 5th tackle kicks in.

 

[Alec]

Fullback power rankings

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...arting-fullbacks/story-fniabjcr-1227135348763

1. Greg Inglis
2. Billy Slater
3. Matt Moylan
4. Brett Stewart
5. Josh Dugan
6. Michael Morgan
7. Brett Morris
8. Darius Boyd
9. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
10. Sam Tomkins
11. James Tedesco
12. Michael Gordon
13. Josh Hoffman
14. Will Hopoate
15. Jack Wighton
16. Kurt Gidley

Well, this is a terrible list.

 

[broncos4life]

Its no wonder why Hoffman was at his best when we had Locky. He was able to get quality ball in space, with room to work in, where he could then use his running game. I think we'll see a different Hoffman at the Titans...

With Mortimer and sezer running the show?... Right

 

[Ari Gold]

Get the ball to Milford is an awful game plan. He plays his best when he plays what's in front of him, not when he's forced to create.

I don't think that is what Hunt meant though. I believe he is saying if Milford wants the ball, he will make it happen.

 

[Danoz Direct]

He is saying he will give Milford the ball when he does see something in front of him.

 

[Splinter]

I think we can revolve an entire game plan around "Get the ball to Milford", I doubt Hunt is going to change his game much at all though, maybe a few less dummy and runs and a bit more emphasis on getting good 5th tackle kicks in.

I might be wrong but I can see Hunt getting more room for the dummy and run with Milford outside him. Defence will be on red alert for Milford

 

[Unbreakable]

I might be wrong but I can see Hunt getting more room for the dummy and run with Milford outside him. Defence will be on red alert for Milford

We can't have 2 halves that just dummy and run every 2nd play, it won't win us many games, we need Hunt to develop into more of a game controlling halfback, he'll need to work on his kicking game and decision making in the off-season.

Milford can do whatever he pleases at five-eighth if Hunt is controlling the game well, it'll give him free reign to do what he feels, which is what he's best at.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Ben Hunt

“I feel like my role as halfback will be to lead us around and organise the team and it’s my plan for Anthony if he sees an opportunity to get him the ball and chime in when he sees it.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

And was awful when he did. RTS is a myth so far too.

What?! thats crazy. RTS has shown some absolute brilliance stuck on the wing for the roosters. On the rare occasion he got to slip into fullback he was brilliant, and i still remember the brilliant kick return he did vs the sharks where he put the spin on fifita before offloading to maloney for a try. One of the best individual efforts i have ever seen.

you have to remember, the kid is playing outside one of the biggest ball hogging and butterfingered centres of our time in SKD. if he was outside jennings he probably wouldve scored the most tries for 2014. I think he will be massive at fullback, that step is going to bamboozle defences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IzjcDPnrac
Some of those tries no-one else could score or setup. Especially that last one v cowboys and the spin on fifita. The kid is a rare talent.

Myth? Yeh, good one mate... if what i just watched is from a "myth" then i would love to see what a good player can do!

 

[Ari Gold]

We can't have 2 halves that just dummy and run every 2nd play, it won't win us many games, we need Hunt to develop into more of a game controlling halfback, he'll need to work on his kicking game and decision making in the off-season.

Milford can do whatever he pleases at five-eighth if Hunt is controlling the game well, it'll give him free reign to do what he feels, which is what he's best at.

Without wanting to bring Boyd into this discussion, what you said in the last paragraph is why I preferred Milford at fullback. He'll have so much less of the playmaking responsibility at fullback and Hunt wouldn't be so relied upon for organization.

 

[Morkel]

What?! thats crazy. RTS has shown some absolute brilliance stuck on the wing for the roosters. On the rare occasion he got to slip into fullback he was brilliant, and i still remember the brilliant kick return he did vs the sharks where he put the spin on fifita before offloading to maloney for a try. One of the best individual efforts i have ever seen.

you have to remember, the kid is playing outside one of the biggest ball hogging and butterfingered centres of our time in SKD. if he was outside jennings he probably wouldve scored the most tries for 2014. I think he will be massive at fullback, that step is going to bamboozle defences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IzjcDPnrac
Some of those tries no-one else could score or setup. Especially that last one v cowboys and the spin on fifita. The kid is a rare talent.

Myth? Yeh, good one mate... if what i just watched is from a "myth" then i would love to see what a good player can do!

Time will tell who's correct. If RTS was as good as you say he would have cemented the fullback spot already. He's basically Josh Hoffman with a quicker step, but one now that the opposition will be expecting.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Time will tell who's correct. If RTS was as good as you say he would have cemented the fullback spot already. He's basically Josh Hoffman with a quicker step, but one now that the opposition will be expecting.

Mini was never going to be unseated until he retired. But you could see the coach wanted to by injecting RTS into fullback whenever possible and giving him the option to roam.

The highlight video I just showed you proves he already has a decent passing game, something which hoffman does not have. He did the sweeping backline play boyd is capable of a few times in there, as well as his handy offload. To compare him to hoffman is crazy

 

[Morkel]

Mini was never going to be unseated until he retired. But you could see the coach wanted to by injecting RTS into fullback whenever possible and giving him the option to roam.

The highlight video I just showed you proves he already has a decent passing game, something which hoffman does not have. He did the sweeping backline play boyd is capable of a few times in there, as well as his handy offload. To compare him to hoffman is crazy

It seemed pretty obvious to me that RTS wasn't showing what they'd hoped from fullback & mini was kept on to help his development. I'm positive I also read a few times that the Roosters were chasing top line fullbacks.

 

[Unbreakable]

Without wanting to bring Boyd into this discussion, what you said in the last paragraph is why I preferred Milford at fullback. He'll have so much less of the playmaking responsibility at fullback and Hunt wouldn't be so relied upon for organization.

I agree that Milford would have more free reign at Fullback, I disagree that Hunt wouldn't be relied upon for more organization though, if he's to take the next step in his career he needs to be able to lead the team around consistently with his kicking game.

I think in the long run Milford will be a better player for the next couple of years at Five-Eighth, he'll be forced to develop his passing, kicking & defensive game, which he wouldn't have to do at Fullback.

 

[Danoz Direct]

[h=1]NRL power rankings: we rank the competition’s starting five-eighths[/h]

• 1 HOUR AGO NOVEMBER 27, 2014 10:26AM

Rank the five-eighths. Source: FoxSports



THE rugby league season has finally come to an end, so we can take a breath and cast our eyes back over another big year of action.

And now we’ve got a bit of time on our hands, we can consider the game’s big issues — like, who is the best five-eighth in the competition?
We’ve ranked each club’s starting No. 1 below based on their performances in 2014. Take a look at the list, cast your vote and have your say.

Kieran Foran in action. Source: News Corp Australia



1. Kieran Foran (Manly)
One of the most complete players in the competition, it’s no surprise Foran’s future remains the subject of so much conjecture and that Manly are said to be ready to bust the $1 million mark for the Kiwi star. Foran has pretty much everything — strength, toughness, great passing and kicking, creativity and consistency. They are qualities that make him the perfect partner to bring the best out of Daly Cherry-Evans. Manly should break the bank to keep him.
2. Jamie Soward (Panthers)
Just like his teammate James Segeyaro in our list of hookers, Jamie Soward wouldn’t have been so far up the rankings before 2014. But his performance for Penrith last term was nothing short of inspirational. In spite of the antipathy directed at him by fans, Soward was a revelation at five-eighth under Ivan Cleary. With one of the best kicking games in the comp — see that memorable match-winner against the Roosters — Soward was involved in almost 40 per cent of the Panthers’ tries. Even that six shooters celebration stopped being embarrassing.

Dragons star Gareth Widdop takes a pass. Source: News Corp Australia



3. Gareth Widdop (Dragons)
Giving up Melbourne Storm for St George Illawarra was a brave decision but Gareth Widdop was smart enough to see the opening and take it — much like his play on the field — and both he and the Dragons are reaping the rewards. Widdop was one of the few bright spots for the Dragons in 2014. He is a cultured, intelligent player who has brought everything he learned playing alongside Cooper Cronk to build his own reputation as a composed leader. His burgeoning partnership with the much-derided Benji Marshall could mean the Dragons’ 2015 won’t be as bad as everyone is predicting.
4. Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs)
On the surface, 2014 was a success for Josh Reynolds — he went all the way to the grand final and was part of a victorious NSW Origin side. But despite that, the man they call “Grub” barely came out of it with his reputation intact. Energetic, aggressive, competitive — all the attributes that make Reynolds successful are also part of his downfall, resulting in far too many meetings with the judiciary. His detractors would have it that the frenzied edge covers the gaps in Reynolds’s talent and technique. He’s not top of our list but you don’t reach the levels of the game that he has without being a decent player.
5. James Maloney (Roosters)
After peaking with a premiership last year, Maloney never really found his best in 2014. He struggled to drag himself out of an early form slump that culminated in being dumped from the NSW team for State of Origin, albeit partly as collateral damage for Mitchell Pearce’s indiscretions. Inconsistency was Maloney’s real battle; he finished as the competition’s top goalkicker and second highest points scorer, but also had the most handling errors and a high rate of missed tackles. The 28-year-old undoubtedly has quality but if he’s not consistent, it doesn’t count for much.

Luke Keary of the Rabbitohs celebrates winning the 2014 NRL Grand Final. Source: Supplied



6. Luke Keary (Rabbitohs)
We recognise Keary is still a newcomer but we’ve rated him here purely on his red-hot season at five-eighth in the Rabbitohs’ run to their historic premiership. A great runner, clever with the ball and utterly fearless despite his 178cm and 84kg stature, Keary succeeded in the most high pressure football and helped take the heat and attention off Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds. Whether the 22-year-old can maintain that form into 2015 remains to be seen.
7. Anthony Milford (Broncos)
Not only does Anthony Milford arrive in Brisbane as one of the most hyped young talents in the competition but he does so under the glaring spotlight on Wayne Bennett’s return — and a publicised switch to five-eighth. After impressing at No. 6 towards the end of the season for Canberra, Milford knows he will be under scrutiny and will only be afforded a short window of adjustment. A naturally creative talent, Milford knows he has to adhere to the structure or incur Bennett’s wrath. But that incredible speed and attacking drive should see him through as Bennett works on his gameplay.

Jarrod Mullen scores for the Knights. Source: News Corp Australia



8. Jarrod Mullen (Knights)
Defensively sound and with a great kicking game, consistency appears to be Mullen’s downfall. After peaking in 2013, he struggled to find his best form last season, with former coach Wayne Bennett publicly questioning his decision-making. Kurt Gidley’s switch back to the halves helped him regain some of his running game but Newcastle fans will want to see more creativity and responsibility from their playmaker next term.
9. Aidan Sezer (Titans)
It’s tempting to wonder if the Titans’ dreadful season might have been any better had their classy playmaker not missed a substantial number of games through injury. But the bigger question is whether the Titans will be able to keep hold off rivals bids for the admired 23-year-old. His unflashy but consistent play and clever distribution has made the former Bulldog a target for a number of other clubs. Gold Coast would do very well to keep hold of Sezer — a player of his quality always has options.
10. Ben Barba (Sharks)
Barba’s mid-season switch from struggling fullback to five-eighth did see some improvement in his form (he scored five tries in nine games as No. 6) but not enough to save his career as a Bronco. Yet the move to Cronulla, where he will be playing behind a consistent and experienced forward pack that has added Michael Ennis, and also alongside a veteran halfback in Jeff Robson, could be just what the 25-year-old needs to bring out his best. Or at least, better that his forgettable year in Brisbane.

Corey Norman in action. Source: News Corp Australia



11. Corey Norman (Eels)
After a mixed time with Brisbane, Norman moved to Parramatta with the aim of fulfilling his well-regarded potential. But one season on, the Eels are still waiting to see the best of the 23-year-old. Norman has plenty of energy but without Jarryd Hayne on hand to pile on the points, the scrutiny on his vision, decision-making and ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck will be even greater.
12. Chad Townsend (Warriors)
Former Junior Kangaroos captain Townsend appears to have secured his place as the Warriors starting five-eighth in 2015 after maturing through last season to become one of the Kiwis’ more reliable performers. A solid defender with a decent kicking and passing game, but lacking speed, the 23-year-old reportedly attracted interest from a number of other clubs. Yet his adjustment to life in Auckland, as well the likelihood of consistent football in partnership with the explosive Shaun Johnson, should see Townsend progress next term.
13. Robert Lui (Cowboys)
Robert Lui’s off-field problems have been well documented but season 2014 at least offered some on-field redemption for the 24-year-old. Lui was diabolical for the first half of the season, culminating in a major error that cost the Cowboys the game against the Dragons in Round 17, after which North Queensland coach Paul Green left his five-eighth with no misapprehensions ast to where he was going wrong. Playing for his contract and with individual training sessions working on tactics and technique, Lui turned it around and become a vital part of the Cowboys’ dramatic push into the finals.

Tigers five-eighth Mitchell Moses is tackled. Source: News Corp Australia



14. Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)
An Australian schoolboy five-eighth, Moses is tipped for big things around Leichhardt and his debut NRL season certainly suggested good things are ahead. But at 182cm and a lightweight 80kg, it was a tough start to life in first-grade for the local junior, particularly as the club imploded on and off the field. Moses’ halves partnership with Luke Brooks was convincing enough for the 20-year-old to push Blake Austin out of the club — now the Tigers’ 2015 hopes hang on these two kids fulfilling their promise.
15. Blake Austin (Raiders)
After leaving Wests Tigers for the Raiders in the hope of securing the No. 6 jersey, Austin was duly told by Ricky Stuart it’s still no guarantee — although that’s probably just a motivational jab on Sticky’s part. With Terry Campese on the outer, Austin’s desire is set to make him Anthony Milford’s direct replacement. But can he deliver? He impressed in his few games at No. 6 for the Tigers, he runs and kicks well and breaks tackles, but so far has failed to show that killer edge. He wanted his chance — now he has to own it.
16. Blake Green (Storm)
Five-eighth has been a sore point for Craig Bellamy since Gareth Widdop left Melbourne, with Ben Roberts and Joel Romelo both failing to convince. Youngster Ben Hampton also struggled but remains a long-term project. After leading Wigan to the Super League title, former Eels, Sharks and Bulldogs player Green returns to the NRL more experienced and hopefully up to the standards required by Bellamy and the Storm.

NRL power rankings: we rank the competition?s starting five-eighths

 

[Splinter]

We can't have 2 halves that just dummy and run every 2nd play, it won't win us many games, we need Hunt to develop into more of a game controlling halfback, he'll need to work on his kicking game and decision making in the off-season.

Milford can do whatever he pleases at five-eighth if Hunt is controlling the game well, it'll give him free reign to do what he feels, which is what he's best at.

At no stage did i say we needed a game plan of dummy and run. I said Hunt will get more chances with Milford outside of him.

 

[Unbreakable]

So according to News Corp, we have the -

8th best Fullback (Boyd)
7th best Five-Eighth (Milford)
4th best Halfback (Hunt)
9th best Hooker (McCullough)

Although I don't really agree with a couple of the rankings, to have all 4 of your spine members be in the top 9 in their position in the NRL is a very good base to build a team around, combine that with our awesome pack and damaging centres / wingers and we're looking good for the next few years.