Broncos Player Movement and Rumours 2020

[Morkel]

Traditionally, the #7 is the controlling half and the #6 is the running half.

It's why in Union they call the equivalent a fly-half. They still take on kicking, passing, playmaking duties, but they normally have a better running game than the 7.

Think of the spine going from hooker to halfback to five-eighth to fullback. That's how the passing and organising goes - hooker either passes straight to the forwards or to the halfback and on to the forwards, in order to move the team around and point the attack where it needs to go. Mainly in terms of moving the opposition forwards around to wear certain players out or over-work a potential weakness to draw others in and make them short on the edges or out wide.

Once weaknesses have been exploited or created, the five-eighth comes more in to play to prove in the gaps, either drawing in more defenders (and then passing wider as they'll have more space), or cutting through themselves. And then the fullback comes in to play as an extra number, or similar to the 6 in terms of punching through or drawing defence and getting the ball outside.

That's why a #7 can normally be more of a plodder (Peter Wallace, Chad Townsend) but need better game awareness and coolness under pressure as they need to move our players around and by extension the opposition players around. The #6 traditionally handles the ball less because they are better off waiting until the halfback has made the space and pouncing. Hence why they're normally better runners and are share some attributes with fullbacks, eg, Lockyer, Milford, etc.

The better combinations take the heat off each other. Cronk makes his halves partner look better because he, alongside Smith, moves the players around and causes weaknesses or fatigue in the opposition defence. Allowing the #6 more space. Similarly, if the 6 has a threatening running game and they get involved more they put the defensive line on alert, meaning they have to move around, commit numbers, wear out more so that the halfback has better targets to run their forwards at and potentially isolate and exploit.

Thurston is genuinely a 6 and a 7 as he has great game awareness, vision, knows where to point the attack but also has a deadly running game. Morgan is effective beside him because the threat of Thurston gives him more space, the opposition forwards have been worked over more, and Morgan has both a threatening running game but good enough long & short passing and kicking game to be a playmaker. But without the world's best in Thurston doing his work, he doesn't have the talent to exploit the limited opportunities.

For Milford to succeed as a halfback, he needs to be switched on 100% of the time, he needs to learn the subtleties of directing the point of attack not just to make metres but as the opposition fatigues and presents attacking opportunities, and have a cool head under pressure to make the right decisions both in running, passing, and kicking, depending on the status of the opposition defence.

 

[pagey]

Wonder who will be doing the kicking at the Dragons next year

I think hunts short kicking game has been great this yr , he can also put in a good long kick . The problem is his variety and consistency. Widdop has a decent kicking game so they will get by i would think.

 

[rnabokov]

Traditionally, the #7 is the controlling half and the #6 is the running half.

It's why in Union they call the equivalent a fly-half. They still take on kicking, passing, playmaking duties, but they normally have a better running game than the 7.

Think of the spine going from hooker to halfback to five-eighth to fullback. That's how the passing and organising goes - hooker either passes straight to the forwards or to the halfback and on to the forwards, in order to move the team around and point the attack where it needs to go. Mainly in terms of moving the opposition forwards around to wear certain players out or over-work a potential weakness to draw others in and make them short on the edges or out wide.

Once weaknesses have been exploited or created, the five-eighth comes more in to play to prove in the gaps, either drawing in more defenders (and then passing wider as they'll have more space), or cutting through themselves. And then the fullback comes in to play as an extra number, or similar to the 6 in terms of punching through or drawing defence and getting the ball outside.

That's why a #7 can normally be more of a plodder (Peter Wallace, Chad Townsend) but need better game awareness and coolness under pressure as they need to move our players around and by extension the opposition players around. The #6 traditionally handles the ball less because they are better off waiting until the halfback has made the space and pouncing. Hence why they're normally better runners and are share some attributes with fullbacks, eg, Lockyer, Milford, etc.

The better combinations take the heat off each other. Cronk makes his halves partner look better because he, alongside Smith, moves the players around and causes weaknesses or fatigue in the opposition defence. Allowing the #6 more space. Similarly, if the 6 has a threatening running game and they get involved more they put the defensive line on alert, meaning they have to move around, commit numbers, wear out more so that the halfback has better targets to run their forwards at and potentially isolate and exploit.

Thurston is genuinely a 6 and a 7 as he has great game awareness, vision, knows where to point the attack but also has a deadly running game. Morgan is effective beside him because the threat of Thurston gives him more space, the opposition forwards have been worked over more, and Morgan has both a threatening running game but good enough long & short passing and kicking game to be a playmaker. But without the world's best in Thurston doing his work, he doesn't have the talent to exploit the limited opportunities.

For Milford to succeed as a halfback, he needs to be switched on 100% of the time, he needs to learn the subtleties of directing the point of attack not just to make metres but as the opposition fatigues and presents attacking opportunities, and have a cool head under pressure to make the right decisions both in running, passing, and kicking, depending on the status of the opposition defence.

Wow, now that's what I call a good answer. Thanks.

It also reinforces my view that Milford just doesn't have/hasn't shown he has the head to play half back, at least not the style of a half back like Cronk say. He will always remain, on his performances since he has been here, a 5/8. In fact, he still reminds me, often but not always, of a FB playing up front all the time.

For mine, unlike Lockyer, and despite the brilliant things he has done with his running game and some good passing, Milford has a long long way to go to make the transition from FB to 5/8 which also tells me we need a half back in the Cronk mould more than ever for next year.

 

[holdzy]

Wow, now that's what I call a good answer. Thanks.

It also reinforces my view that Milford just doesn't have/hasn't shown he has the head to play half back, at least not the style of a half back like Cronk say. He will always remain, on his performances since he has been here, a 5/8. In fact, he still reminds me, often but not always, of a FB playing up front all the time.

For mine, unlike Lockyer, and despite the brilliant things he has done with his running game and some good passing, Milford has a long long way to go to make the transition from FB to 5/8 which also tells me we need a half back in the Cronk mould more than ever for next year.

Milf was amazing at 5/8 in 2015. It's Hunt's form drop that put too much pressure on him to run the ship, along with losing senior leaders in Hodges and Parker. I don't agree with this whole 'if he wants a million dollars, he has to do this and that'. Milf should just do what he was doing then, he is wasted doing what he thinks a 5/8 should do. Hunt needs to back him up with confidence, not timid little mouse plays. Niko is doing alright atm, and you can tell it is giving Milf more confidence.

 

[rnabokov]

Milf was amazing at 5/8 in 2015. It's Hunt's form drop that put too much pressure on him to run the ship, along with losing senior leaders in Hodges and Parker. I don't agree with this whole 'if he wants a million dollars, he has to do this and that'. Milf should just do what he was doing then, he is wasted doing what he thinks a 5/8 should do. Hunt needs to back him up with confidence, not timid little mouse plays. Niko is doing alright atm, and you can tell it is giving Milf more confidence.

I still feel Milf goes MIA too often, no matter who is at half. However yes, I agree, with what you say which for mine again reinforces why we need a complete so to speak half back to allow Milford to do what he does best and remove unnecessary pressure from his shoulders.

This is why I reckon we went downhill when Hodges retired. Hodges provided a good deal of direction and leadership to the team which has evaporated with his retirement, although Boyd is trying hard.

I really hope Hunt steps up when he returns. If he does, we have such a good chance of the top 4.

 

[holdzy]

I still feel Milf goes MIA too often, no matter who is at half. However yes, I agree, with what you say which for mine again reinforces why we need a complete so to speak half back to allow Milford to do what he does best and remove unnecessary pressure from his shoulders.

This is why I reckon we went downhill when Hodges retired. Hodges provided a good deal of direction and leadership to the team which has evaporated with his retirement, although Boyd is trying hard.

I really hope Hunt steps up when he returns. If he does, we have such a good chance of the top 4.

Whole team goes MIA at about the sixty minute mark.

I'm getting sick of this kicking for touch shit with twenty to go. Just keep attacking ffs.

Who do you like for half back next year?

 

[austin71]

Isn't there a different post for talking about the halves...Everyone keeps bumping player movements

 

[Morkel]

Wow, now that's what I call a good answer. Thanks.

It also reinforces my view that Milford just doesn't have/hasn't shown he has the head to play half back, at least not the style of a half back like Cronk say. He will always remain, on his performances since he has been here, a 5/8. In fact, he still reminds me, often but not always, of a FB playing up front all the time.

For mine, unlike Lockyer, and despite the brilliant things he has done with his running game and some good passing, Milford has a long long way to go to make the transition from FB to 5/8 which also tells me we need a half back in the Cronk mould more than ever for next year.

While I agree he hasn't shown those qualities, he has never had an opportunity to develop it, let alone show it on the field.

It's possible he can make the transition without blunting his current strengths. But it will be a rarity. A player like SJ to me has the running game of a 5/8, but plays at halfback because he's great with pass selection and his kicking. But you could argue the Warriors are patchy because he doesn't give enough attention to, or doesn't have the ability to move the forwards around properly. Isaac Luke hasn't helped because he's more of a "running" hooker than "controlling" hooker, like Granville is. McCullough on the other hand has a cooler head, so would assist Milford, so who knows if it would work. So many if's and but's to make a difibitive decision at this point.

 

[rnabokov]

Whole team goes MIA at about the sixty minute mark.

I'm getting sick of this kicking for touch shit with twenty to go. Just keep attacking ffs.

Who do you like for half back next year?

Point taken about posting elsewhere about half back and 5/8 roles etc.

As for next year, I have no idea who is available however, i feel Knik may do the job. He's only had 3 games and done well in tough games.

 

[holdzy]

Point taken about posting elsewhere about half back and 5/8 roles etc.

As for next year, I have no idea who is available however, i feel Knik may do the job. He's only had 3 games and done well in tough games.

Well just on player movements, if Kodi doesn't get the gig, reckon he'll look elsewhere or settle for interchange?

 

[Morkel]

I still feel Milf goes MIA too often, no matter who is at half. However yes, I agree, with what you say which for mine again reinforces why we need a complete so to speak half back to allow Milford to do what he does best and remove unnecessary pressure from his shoulders.

This is why I reckon we went downhill when Hodges retired. Hodges provided a good deal of direction and leadership to the team which has evaporated with his retirement, although Boyd is trying hard.

I really hope Hunt steps up when he returns. If he does, we have such a good chance of the top 4.

If Milford is to stay at 5/8, then we can get away with a plodder who has great game management and a cool head. A "complete" halfback depends on what they need to do to suit the team. For us, a complete halfback would be Peter Wallace n reality. That's why premierships have been won by halfbacks such as Ben Hornby, Chad Townsend, Mitchell Pearce, Shane Perry. Boring, unexciting plodders who just have to stick to the game plan, kick well, and trust that the other players can do their job. By themselves they're not going to win games, but partnered with Jamie Soward, James Maloney, or Darren Lockyer, they are sufficient. They SHOULD be relatively cheap but with the market as it is, they've been asking stupid money.

 

[rnabokov]

Well just on player movements, if Kodi doesn't get the gig, reckon he'll look elsewhere or settle for interchange?

I have no idea given he and Jayden are both off contract. For some inexplicable reason, I seem to feel Kodi will grow into the role and actually fill both parts: running and organizing, possibly because of his experience at dummy half. However like I said, it's just a feeling, but it would be so good if it happened.

 

[Foordy]

I don't agree with this whole 'if he wants a million dollars, he has to do this and that'. Milf should just do what he was doing then, he is wasted doing what he thinks a 5/8 should do.

That's true ... assuming you live in bizarro world with no salary cap.

But unfortunately in reality there is a salary cap ... so you need to reserve your million dollar contracts for the players that can be your clutch players. The ones capable of directing your team around the park.

 

[holdzy]

That's true ... assuming you live in bizarro world with no salary cap.

But unfortunately in reality there is a salary cap ... so you need to reserve your million dollar contracts for the players that can be your clutch players. The ones capable of directing your team around the park.

Are you in charge of the broncos finances or something? Every damn post about Milf from you is the same non-sense 'if he wants a million blah blah'. Milf was worth a million in 2015, he'll be worth it again when he has a halves partner doing his fair share. He's a game breaker, he's wasted trying to be something he's not i,e picking up Hunt's slack.

 

[Foordy]

Are you in charge of the broncos finances or something? Every damn post about Milf from you is the same non-sense 'if he wants a million blah blah'. Milf was worth a million in 2015, he'll be worth it again when he has a halves partner doing his fair share. He's a game breaker, he's wasted trying to be something he's not i,e picking up Hunt's slack.

Firstly, this is a forum and it is permissible for me to give my opinion. You don't have to work for the club's financial department to comment on the value of players.


Secondly, Milford is a good player ... but not worth 1 million a season.

You don't just pay a million a season because the player wants it or because you are afraid to lose said player.

Your million dollar players are the clutch players, the game managers.

Milford isn't in that league yet .... that's not to say he won't be some day but that day is not today.

 

[holdzy]

Firstly, this is a forum and it is permissible for me to give my opinion. You don't have to work for the club's financial department to comment on the value of players.


Secondly, Milford is a good player ... but not worth 1 million a season.

You don't just pay a million a season because the player wants it or because you are afraid to lose said player.

Your million dollar players are the clutch players, the game managers.

Milford isn't in that league yet .... that's not to say he won't be some day but that day is not today.

No one said you couldn't give your opinion, dude. You are just being Cult like with your repetition (popping up to say the same thing every time the topic comes up - almost word for word). You don't think he's worth a million, fine. Myself and many others do, he was worth it in 2015, he'll be worth it again with some decent support in the halves.
Milf often wins us games by himself, he is the definition of a clutch player, not a 'game manager' per se, but without a doubt, a clutch player. Not every time, but enough times to be our MVP, and will only improve with time (as did Locky, by the by).

The million dollar thing has been pushed by scummy player managers and is causing havoc in the player market, but Milf deserves to be on the top coin along with Boyd.

And you do pay them top dollar because you are afraid of losing them...or you end up losing them.

 

[bb_gun]

Halves of any quality are now with 1mil, it is what it is.

 

[Wolfie]

Firstly, this is a forum and it is permissible for me to give my opinion. You don't have to work for the club's financial department to comment on the value of players.


Secondly, Milford is a good player ... but not worth 1 million a season.

You don't just pay a million a season because the player wants it or because you are afraid to lose said player.

Your million dollar players are the clutch players, the game managers.

Milford isn't in that league yet .... that's not to say he won't be some day but that day is not today.

I think Milf is a clutch player, he just isnt a clutch player on a consistent enough basis. I dont think he has earned a million dollar contract yet though either.

I think some ordinary players these days are getting paid some extraordinary money.