Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2023

[Battler]

People that genuinely think that the Dolphins don’t want to rip the Broncos apart are having a laugh.
They will go after every single one of our unsigned guys. This is a massive coup for the Dolphins and they have finally gotten one over the Broncos, zero doubt about it.
This one hurts.

Like every signing, rorters excluded, it entirely depends on what they signed him for. I think anything over 750k is ridiculous for any centre in the game (Manu excluded, but he's really a FB playing centre in a 100% cap compliant side) and if I had to bet The Dolphins probably exceeded that amount.

It is silly that we seem to be the only side in the comp who cops these sort of kamikaze contracts where rival clubs offer insane overs (hunt, fifi) with no regard for the rest of their side. Like Hunt and Fifi, this will backfire for The Dolphins if they have paid him FB money with the intention of playing him there and carrying the side.

 

[Wolfie]

Wonder if this has been known for a while and its why Kevvie didnt give him that shot at fullback when Walsh went down.

 

[upthebroncs]

He's been fine on the wing when he has been there for Wynnum. He isnt a left side center anyway, better for him to play consistent NRL footy on the wing to learn.

Fair enough, can imagine his kick returns being decent. I just like what he provides at centre.. Can eat the metres up with his runs and he defends well.. Has a good base.

 

[upthebroncs]

Wonder if this has been known for a while and its why Kevvie didnt give him that shot at fullback when Walsh went down.

Seems more like a domino effect from them missing out on Dom Young? Was Herbie their second option? haha

 

[BroncsFan]

Only positive is that Mariner now has a pathway to first grade... play Qcup this year with some first grade sprinkled in ... line up as a first grade regular for next year.

It was always concerning to me that Herbie kept signing 1yr deals... so I feel this was always a risk.

Moving forward we might be looking at:
2024
1. Walsh
2. Oates
3. Staggs
4. Cobbo
5. Mariner (with a view that Mariner moves into the centres eventually)

I think a bonus out of this is that Cobbo looks every bit a left centre and now he has a pathway to that position as well.

He talks about playing fullback, but I think he's a long way from that at the moment.

 

[upthebroncs]

Only positive is that Mariner now has a pathway to first grade... play Qcup this year with some first grade sprinkled in ... line up as a first grade regular for next year.

It was always concerning to me that Herbie kept signing 1yr deals... so I feel this was always a risk.

Moving forward we might be looking at:
2024
1. Walsh
2. Oates
3. Staggs
4. Cobbo
5. Mariner

Yep, lets hope he doesn't ask for a release again now

 

[Wolfie]

People that genuinely think that the Dolphins don’t want to rip the Broncos apart are having a laugh.
They will go after every single one of our unsigned guys. This is a massive coup for the Dolphins and they have finally gotten one over the Broncos, zero doubt about it.
Would have preferred to have lost staggs or Mariner and retain Herbie.
This one hurts.

Watch us now go into damage control and pay a stupid amount to retain Fleggs.

I think they are like any club, they will go after quality off contract players they can fit in their salary cap, just sucks for us that we happened to have one available. Cant see them doing what you are suggesting about going after every one of our unsigned players. I dont see them taking any more who are available for 2024.

 

[Wolfie]

Seems more like a domino effect from them missing out on Dom Young? Was Herbie their second option? haha

I wouldnt think so. Herbie is a center, possibly a fullback. Young is a winger. They would have the cap to sign both if they could have got Young.

 

[BroncsFan]

Wonder if this has been known for a while and its why Kevvie didnt give him that shot at fullback when Walsh went down.

I feel Herbie looked a bit off in the trials he played compared to his performances in the World Cup... but figured it may have been him playing within himself to prime for the NRL season.

 

[BroncsFan]

Yep, lets hope he doesn't ask for a release again now

I think he was only after a release to get a quick pathway to NRL and a payday.

He's signed to 2025, but looks to have a starting spot opening up for him from round 1 next year.

Pending how Herbie goes throughout the year and whether his mind is elsewhere they could start to look at integrating him from the second half of the year onwards.

I only hope that they don't try to shoehorn him into left centre when Cobbo looks absolutely perfect for the role.

Have Mariner learn his craft on the right wing and then use it as a shootout between him and Staggs for the right centre role long term.

 

[Wolfie]

I feel Herbie looked a bit off in the trials he played compared to his performances in the World Cup... but figured it may have been him playing within himself to prime for the NRL season.

Could have been. He hasnt played that much footy i guess since his injury so maybe he is just a little rusty. Shame really we have lost him, he's got a good attitude and works hard and isnt any trouble off the field. I'd have preferred we kept him over our other centers but it gives somebody else a chance to stake a claim now.

 

[BroncsFan]

I think they are like any club, they will go after quality off contract players they can fit in their salary cap, just sucks for us that we happened to have one available. Cant see them doing what you are suggesting about going after every one of our unsigned players. I dont see them taking any more who are available for 2024.

Flegler is off contract next year as well... could be another target for them... but I think they need to focus on spine players instead of stealing role players from us

 

[Wolfie]

Flegler is off contract next year as well... could be another target for them... but I think they need to focus on spine players instead of stealing role players from us

I dont think they will go anywhere near Flegler tbh. I think you hit the nail on the head, they need spine players, although after watching them the other day, they do probably need centres more than anywhere. Lee and Niu were embarrassingly bad. I think if we had any spine players off contract they would be looking at them.

You cant really be too critical of any club who targets good players who are available. I'd be disappointed if we didnt do it and i have been in the past. Its just how the game is, players move on because of the cap.

 

[the_next]

I think they are like any club, they will go after quality off contract players they can fit in their salary cap, just sucks for us that we happened to have one available. Cant see them doing what you are suggesting about going after every one of our unsigned players. I dont see them taking any more who are available for 2024.

Wouldn’t be shocked if they’re talking about Fleggs right now.
No doubt they’ll go after Haas when he’s off contract. They’ve tried to get mariner and oloapu (both who weren’t coming off contract).
If we aren’t smart enough to have Patty and Cobbo extended, they will no doubt go after both.
They tried to get Alf ffs.

 

[BroncsFan]

Wouldn’t be shocked if they’re talking about Fleggs right now.
No doubt they’ll go after Haas when he’s off contract. They’ve tried to get mariner and oloapu (both who weren’t coming off contract).
If we aren’t smart enough to have Patty and Cobbo extended, they will no doubt go after both.
They tried to get Alf ffs.

I think if their focus is role players then they're going down the same path as us... having Haas and Flegler hasn't really increased our chances of getting a premiership.

Patty is the key to our pack and needs to be a priority extension for the club.

 

[Wolfie]

Wouldn’t be shocked if they’re talking about Fleggs right now.
No doubt they’ll go after Haas when he’s off contract. They’ve tried to get mariner and oloapu (both who weren’t coming off contract).
If we aren’t smart enough to have Patty and Cobbo extended, they will no doubt go after both.
They tried to get Alf ffs.

As i said just before, i dont see Flegler going there. Too expensive for what he brings. Carrigan i could see them going after, but Payne is another, even though Wayne bought him to Brisbane, i just dont think for the money he will want it would be a smart move for the Dolphins to blow so much on him. Cobbo is probably the big one they could target from us. Unless we really lowball Patty and give Flegler and Haas big contracts, i dont see Patty leaving.

 

[McHunt]

Spectacular fail by Badel on Herbie. Got the timing right. Just the wrong club.

Still not a massive surprise though.

 

[McHunt]

F*ck me dead.

Our most exciting outside back, gone. Of all the guys in our backline he is the one I am most convinced will reach his potential and I was most keen on extending... and now he is gone.

This sucks. Massive loss and a even more concerningly, perhaps a sign of things to come.

Not even our third most exciting outside back:

1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Staggs/Mariner/Oates