Broncos Player Movements and Rumours 2013

[nopatience101]

Widdop as a FB would pretty much offer us what Norman does but maybe a bit more polished and he would cost about the same as it would have to have kept Norman. I think hes also probably at the peak of what hes capable of. The club is probably better off not rushing into signing someone and being stuck with the best of a limited choice.

 

[Alec]

I thought Widdop was pretty impressive in games where the Storm had their players out on Origin duty. He had to lift to make up for the 3 amigos not being there, and even though they clearly weren't as good, he was still impressive IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

I see what you're saying np but we need a first-class fullback and I'm unsure if we've got one in our squad.

Hoffman seems to be a backline Mr. Fix It as opposed to a fullback specialist, Hodges can't last a game at the back and Bond is yet to even make his first grade debut.

I'm not saying we should go gung-ho after Widdop but he's definitely a worthy nominee and it's the role I'd want him in if we did sign him. I really don't rate him as a playmaker.

I would really like Hook to use Hunt more as a halfback. Whether it's for Norths (or another Qld Cup affiliate) or the Broncos, I like what he offers and believe it'd go a long way to fixing our problems. Unfortunately, Hunt always seems to have one coach killing mistake in him and he only seems to get a chance when players are out so he never really gets a chance to prove himself. I defend Hook a lot, but I really don't like how he's handled our halves development since he took over in 2011. He got it wrong, Norman/Hunt should have been playing QCup together. Gagai, Baptiste & Copley should have been playing up there with them too, but the call to promote the 20s was a year too late.

And bring Riccardi into the squad.

 

[Pigskin]

Another thing players join a club for is for the chance to play under a top coach. Not saying Hook is the worst, but he isn't gonna attract any players.

How much does it cost for - available at the end of this year

Widdop - can't pay overs here, and Pete is right, fullback, not in the halves
Jarrod Croker ? ... I think he is decent, and would solve goal kicking for a long time
Joel Thompson
Aiden Tolman
Jasen Bukuya
Lama Tasi
fark ... i can't find any decent outside backs

end of 2014 available

Jack Wighton - I really like this guy
Kevin Gordon - be nice to pinch one from the Tits for a change, genuine pace !
Justin O'Neill - injury prone, but might be awesome by this time
Josh Mansour - strong bugger

the more I look through this list, the more I think ... we aren't gonna buy anybody

So, that being the case ... we need to blood some young blokes ... I would rather come 14th and find out what some young blokes have than come 10th like we are going to

Do we have any stars in the outside backs of U20's ?

Oink !

 

[Porthoz]

Looking at what is available out there and what our main problems are in order of priority:

- Fullback: Tomkins or Widdop, unless someone like Kahu get a red hot go at it. I don't think Hoffman is the bloke for the job...

- Hooker: Internally, either by moving Wallace there or giving Baptiste a red hot crack. Btw, while still a rookie and very green, Jayden Berrell of the U20's is a gun.

- Halves: Hunt should be given a chance alongside Prince if Wallace is moved to the 9, but Prince is nearing his career anyway, so I'd take the gamble with Carney. I've heard good things about this kid Nikorima, but haven't seen him play yet...

- Backs: We've been pretty unlucky with injuries, but if Yow Yeh manages a comeback to full fitness, we have a very capable bunch of backs in Hoffman, Copley, Hodges, Yow Yeh and Kahu, with Reed, Maranta, Berryman and Kemp as a backup, I don't see the need for external recruitment, even if I agree with @Pigskin about Jack Wighton. The kid has something special.

- Front row: Once again, I think we are well served in that department with Hannant, McGuire, Anderson, Dodds and I would move Parker in there too, even if we need to bring some more impact on the bench with the likes of Hala, Timu, Wallace and Molo.

- Second row: Same as above, with Thaiday, Glenn, Gillett, Stagg, Macca (yeah yeah, I know how hilarious this is, although no one has been able to explain why) and a couple of very handy backups in Gibb, Lui, Slyney besides the up and coming kids from the U20's with Corey Oates leading the ranks.

Conclusion: I don't think we need more than a couple of surgical strikes on the market to become a contender, and I would say that Widdop/Tomkins for fullback and Carney (or possibly Shaun Johnson) for the halves would be all we need...

 

[Big Dave]

Another thing players join a club for is for the chance to play under a top coach. Not saying Hook is the worst, but he isn't gonna attract any players.

How much does it cost for - available at the end of this year

Widdop - can't pay overs here, and Pete is right, fullback, not in the halves
Jarrod Croker ? ... I think he is decent, and would solve goal kicking for a long time
Joel Thompson
Aiden Tolman
Jasen Bukuya
Lama Tasi
fark ... i can't find any decent outside backs

end of 2014 available

Jack Wighton - I really like this guy
Kevin Gordon - be nice to pinch one from the Tits for a change, genuine pace !
Justin O'Neill - injury prone, but might be awesome by this time
Josh Mansour - strong bugger

the more I look through this list, the more I think ... we aren't gonna buy anybody

So, that being the case ... we need to blood some young blokes ... I would rather come 14th and find out what some young blokes have than come 10th like we are going to

Do we have any stars in the outside backs of U20's ?

Oink !

I stop reading after I read Jarrod Croker. He's an average player, can't defend for shit. His goal kicking isn't that great either. Like Parker, he misses the important shots.

 

[Splinter]

Mmmm, yeah I didn't really buy that story from the CM. Sure, he supported the Broncos when he was younger, but how many players supported another team when they were younger only to end up somewhere else and never end up playing for them? It was a good thing that he ended up in Melbourne because I don't think he'd be half the player he is if he wasn't surrounded by the players he is.

My issue with signing Widdop as a half is that I really don't see him as that good a play-maker. Good incisive runner but it's not like his passing, kicking or organising is that exceptional. It's his running game that sets him apart, and it helps when you have Slater there to put the defence in two minds.

Sorry disagree with you here. As Fullback is now part of the play making I think Widdop could become a top notch goal kicking fullback for the Broncos.
1. Widdop
6. Wallace
7. Hunt
9. Macca maybe

 

[Bucking Beads]

There really isn't a lot of top line talent on offer for us to sign for next season. Perhaps we need to target the younger brigade and buy back the farm so to speak. Sign the likes of Milford, Moga amongst others instead of wasting big coin on an ok player.

 

[Alec]

I reckon Sam Williams could be a genuine star player.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I reckon Sam Williams could be a genuine star player.

He would probably be the best of our options I would think.

 

[Charmamba]

- Second row: Same as above, with Thaiday, Glenn, Gillett, Stagg, Macca (yeah yeah, I know how hilarious this is, although no one has been able to explain why) and a couple of very handy backups in Gibb, Lui, Slyney besides the up and coming kids from the U20's with Corey Oates leading the ranks.

Dude tackles like a machine and can defend, It's just his service out of dummy half that lets him down. Going to agree with you here and go with moving him into the second row. Lock?

11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Macca

As for your suggestion of Carney.... Yes x100

 

[Big Dave]

If Hopoate is still coming that solves our fullback or centre issues
It will only take one week of preseason at Red Hill to put his weight back on

 

[Big Dave]

Kevin Naigama is killing it in NSW cup at fullback. Nabbing 5 tries in 3 matches. Bit like Bond last year except young Kevvy is built like a mutherfucker

 

[Donald]

Folau anyone? I know he is a money hungry douche sometimes but he knew how to find the try line.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I'd be keen on Kevin Naiqama. Sounds like Dragons, SHarks and Roosters are also keen but he wants to stay at the Knights.

 

[Donald]

Folau anyone? I know he is a money hungry douche sometimes but he knew how to find the try line.

I think he is only signed for this year too.

 

[Big Dave]

More likely he'll go to the Panthers with his brother. James McManus recently signed a new 3 year deal.. so I doubt he's going to hang around Newcastle

 

[nopatience101]

If Hopoate is still coming that solves our fullback or centre issues
It will only take one week of preseason at Red Hill to put his weight back on

he never was.