Broncos Player Movements and Rumours 2013

[Big Pete]

The line gets thrown out a lot on here, especially when fans don't share the same vision of players as others do.

At the end of the day, there's two extremes - wanting to jump at every player possible and not signing anyone at all. Like most things in life, balance is key.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Which is completely understandable but members shouldn't cop the brunt of 'fans like you are the reason why we're so terrible' lecture because they don't agree that a form player is the answer.

And there are plenty of hints if you know the right people.

What does that mean......?

 

[Coxy]

It means if you know the right people there are plenty of hints.

 

[Big Pete]

:shady:

 

[Renegade]

It means if you know the right people there are plenty of hints.

Sponsors. :001_tt2:

 

[FaithinHook]

The line gets thrown out a lot on here, especially when fans don't share the same vision of players as others do.

At the end of the day, there's two extremes - wanting to jump at every player possible and not signing anyone at all. Like most things in life, balance is key.

Look, I am not at all opposed to signing some players in a couple of key positions - particular for reasons of depth and particular, in the front row where I believe we are currently lacking a little.

The real problem I have is if we go off and sign somebody like Ben Barba (who mind you, has NOT been in that great a form this year) and the effect this is going to have on the team as a whole. What is a guy like Josh Hoffman (THE form player of the team this season) going to think when we bring in a loose cannon like Barba to replace him?! What is this going to do to team morale amongst the lads?! I don't particular think the risk is worth it. Why upset the apple-cart?

Guys, sometimes it IS better the devil you know. Let's work with what we've got and then reasses at season's end, no?

 

[Grimmiq]

The North Queensland Cowboys have considered releasing Kangaroos prop James Tamou in light of his high-range drink-driving charge in Townsville and the fact his life has been off the rails for some time.
There has been concern about Tamou’s form and off-field issues since he signed a $1.6 million contract earlier this year. Sources from within the NSW State of Origin camp report he ‘socialised’ more than any other player, once not arriving back in camp until 6am.
Rated the most dynamic young prop in the game last year, his poor form in 2013 is seen as one of the major reasons why the Cowboys have struggled. Officials are satisfied the two-game suspension and $20,000 fine is sufficient punishment.
At the same time they believe a change of clubs and moving from his comfort zone in Townsville could help him to sort his problems out. One more indiscretion and the Cowboys may well cut him loose.

Read more: Tamou on tenterhooks with Cowboys | NRL | Zero Tackle

Doubt that we'd have a go at him if he is released given the Broncos' stance on off-field behaviour.
​

 

[SSS]

Honestly FIH, I couldn't give two knobs of goat droppings about the players precious feelings or morale.

Their morale should be as low as it can get at the moment anyway? There are a lot of dud footballers in our squad, and if some of them were shown that their mediocre attitudes and abilities are no longer accepted than I'm sure that would be a good thing.

By the way how would a fullback be seen to be replacing a winger?

 

[bb_gun]

Guys, sometimes it IS better the devil you know. Let's work with what we've got and then reasses at season's end, no?

I think waiting until season end to decide on recruitment is way too late, by doing that you end up with signings like Prince and Stagg. I honestly don’t care what Hoffman thinks if we sign someone along the lines of Barba, surely he’s adult enough to understand the benefits it would/could have to the team and surely the team would rather be sitting in a better position on the ladder?

I understand there are risks involved in signing any player (eg. Sandow, Blair) but sometimes you have to take a risk, especially when the team has been underperforming for about a season (2[SUP]nd[/SUP] half of 2012 and so far this year) and I can’t see why anyone would consider Ben Barba, last year’s Dally M winner a bad signing.

Anyway I do agree with your comment that we need a decent front row signing.

 

[Dexter]

It doesn't have to be a SOO player, but it's not until you get to a player of that calibre that you'd start accepting glaring attitude issues.

No doubt he had some issues but nowhere near as bad as some ppl are making out. He smashed a light at a night club and fell out with Flannagan at the Sharks.
He's missed a bit of footy through a couple of long term injuries but right at this point in time seems to have sorted his personal stuff out and clearly had a very good off season particularly in the gym.
As far as his ability the guy can play and if we'd got him would have been great at fullback IMO.

He probably didn't suit the current mould of a Bronco though, he's got a step, great speed, solid defence, is a back up merchant, long kick, youth and potential.
I'll admit he has had a few attitude problems but was probably worth a throw at stumps.

 

[Renegade]

The real problem I have is if we go off and sign somebody like Ben Barba (who mind you, has NOT been in that great a form this year) and the effect this is going to have on the team as a whole. What is a guy like Josh Hoffman (THE form player of the team this season) going to think when we bring in a loose cannon like Barba to replace him?! What is this going to do to team morale amongst the lads?! I don't particular think the risk is worth it. Why upset the apple-cart?

I wouldn't be surprised if Hoffman and Barba were friendly with each other off the field due to the Mackay connections. I dare say they would've crossed paths quite a few times in their youth.

Besides, I couldn't give a **** what Hoffman thought. Hoffman is in the form of his life on the wing, maybe there's a hint: keep him on the wing and away from fullback. Maybe ask Hoffman what its like to be a crucial part of your teams attack and not get smashed every week like last season.

 

[Old Mate]

Look, I am not at all opposed to signing some players in a couple of key positions - particular for reasons of depth and particular, in the front row where I believe we are currently lacking a little.

The real problem I have is if we go off and sign somebody like Ben Barba (who mind you, has NOT been in that great a form this year) and the effect this is going to have on the team as a whole. What is a guy like Josh Hoffman (THE form player of the team this season) going to think when we bring in a loose cannon like Barba to replace him?! What is this going to do to team morale amongst the lads?! I don't particular think the risk is worth it. Why upset the apple-cart?

Guys, sometimes it IS better the devil you know. Let's work with what we've got and then reasses at season's end, no?

Barba would replace Norman, not Hoffman.

 

[rnabokov]

I just watched a number of match highlights with Hoffa at FB. He did a great job, as did a number of other players many allege have no talent (like Gillett).

He timed his runs well in 2nd man plays (initiated by Lockyer) and scored a few great tries when he was up in the line. Same as Gillett running off .... you guessed it. Lockyer

This just tells me again that our slide, our very very real slide happened with the loss of our only real play maker, leader and organizer - a loss which has been felt so severely by the whole team, as well as by a number of individuals like Hoffman and Gillett who Lockyer positioned perfectly in some terrific plays.

The fact is as bald as Henjak: we haven't had a decent play maker and organizer since Lockyer retired and until we get one, we will always remain also-rans.

As for Hoffman, I have now changed my opinion of him as Norman's replacement. I reckon he will do well, and this season on the wing will have boosted his confidence sky high.

As for our halves, and the performances of Gillett and Glenn since Locky left, it just shows again how critical a decent playmaker is in setting up plays for back rowers on the edges and close to the line when they run onto a perfectly timed short pass.

For mine, we need a half and a prop. I reckon Hoffman will do just fine at the back but without a play maker, this team is doomed to be just not good enough to make the finals. Maybe the top 8, but I doubt any further unless Prince improves 200%

 

[Alec]

For Hoffman to get back to his best and contribute well at fullback, we need our edge players to start making offloads to him on the run, and also have decent 2nd receivers/runners who can pass on either side...so pretty much our 2nd rowers would need to lift quite a bit and start playing more like Mateo or SBW something. Or we could sign good halves or get our props to start playing the Hasler roles again. But something would need to change, and NoFaithinHook.

 

[Morkel]

I just watched a number of match highlights with Hoffa at FB. He did a great job, as did a number of other players many allege have no talent (like Gillett).

He timed his runs well in 2nd man plays (initiated by Lockyer) and scored a few great tries when he was up in the line. Same as Gillett running off .... you guessed it. Lockyer

This just tells me again that our slide, our very very real slide happened with the loss of our only real play maker, leader and organizer - a loss which has been felt so severely by the whole team, as well as by a number of individuals like Hoffman and Gillett who Lockyer positioned perfectly in some terrific plays.

The fact is as bald as Henjak: we haven't had a decent play maker and organizer since Lockyer retired and until we get one, we will always remain also-rans.

As for Hoffman, I have now changed my opinion of him as Norman's replacement. I reckon he will do well, and this season on the wing will have boosted his confidence sky high.

As for our halves, and the performances of Gillett and Glenn since Locky left, it just shows again how critical a decent playmaker is in setting up plays for back rowers on the edges and close to the line when they run onto a perfectly timed short pass.

For mine, we need a half and a prop. I reckon Hoffman will do just fine at the back but without a play maker, this team is doomed to be just not good enough to make the finals. Maybe the top 8, but I doubt any further unless Prince improves 200%

The half you're looking for is Marshall IMO.

 

[Kimlo]

Marshall and Sam Williams? 750 for Marshall 250 for Williams. That would be a top halves pairing IMO. If Shillo is available then he would also suit our forward pack, he'd add some needed size and a specialist prop. I have no idea what kind of salary cap space we have but 3 signings like that and we would have a much more competitive team. Problem is, both Williams and Marshall are asking for too much, Marshall wants a million which I don't think he's worth and Williams wants around 300k but he has potential to exceed that value over a 3 year contract so it's not necessarily a bad signing even at 250-300k.

 

[Splinter]

Agreed BM is not worth a million bucks. His value has halved in the last 4 years. If he wanted one final payday he needed to keep performing.
He is not what we need. It would just add to our aging recruitments

 

[Morkel]

Marshall and Sam Williams? 750 for Marshall 250 for Williams. That would be a top halves pairing IMO. If Shillo is available then he would also suit our forward pack, he'd add some needed size and a specialist prop. I have no idea what kind of salary cap space we have but 3 signings like that and we would have a much more competitive team. Problem is, both Williams and Marshall are asking for too much, Marshall wants a million which I don't think he's worth and Williams wants around 300k but he has potential to exceed that value over a 3 year contract so it's not necessarily a bad signing even at 250-300k.

Marshall is a pipedream as I heard he doesn't want to leave Sydney (relationship reasons) and if he did the Warriors are seriously keen on him. But I also suspect the $1 mill figure is basically a way of saying 'I don't like Potter but I'll stay if you pay me a mill'. A club might be lucky to get him for less but only if the coach & team suit his style. IMO he'd do well in a structured team where the others lay the platform and give him the freedom to roam & probe. Like the Broncos. The Warriors have little structure and too many loose canons and they'll all just trip each other up. But he is a Kiwi.