Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2024

[McHunt]

Well covered in the 3/4's... I'm not so sure.

Outside of the starters (Cobbo, Arthars, Mariner and Staggs), it's Oates and then 30yr old Pereira and 29yr old Hoeter who have played a combined 17 games over the last 3yr of NRL... 17 out of a possible 144 games between the two of them.

Cobbo being the depth for fullback means Oates comes in as cover... but anymore changes beyond that and it's Pereira or Hoeter coming in.

If Cobbo is playing left center next year but covering fullback that would mean a new fullback, new center (Mariner/Arthars to cover Cobbo) and new winger... to compensate one player being out. It's a lot of moving parts rather than next man up.

What's the point of having Periera and Hoeter on our books if they're not useful?

 

[Sproj]

Depth Chart

Fullback:
1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Sailor
4. Arthars

Wings:
1. Cobbo
2. Arthars
3. Mariner
4. Oates
5. Pereira
6. Hoeter
7. Leota

Centres:
1. Staggs
2. Cobbo
3. Mariner
4. Arthars
5. Hoeter
6. Oates
7. Riki

Halves:
1. Mam
2. Reynolds
3. Madden
4. Rogers
5. Sailor
6. Paix
7. Walters

Middles:
1. Haas
2. Carrigan
3. Hetherington
4. Willison
5. Baker
6. Jensen
7. Taupau
8. Te Kura
9. Hunt

Backrow:
1. Riki
2. Piakura
3. Carrigan
4. Staggs
5. Baker
6. Hunt
7. Te Kura
8. Oates

Hooker:
1. Walters
2. Smoothy
3. Mozer
4. Paix

There is no doubt we have one hooker too many, probably one depth centre short but can definitely get by with what we have. The glaring issue is second row, hands down. Surely there is someone in Cup who can be signed as a depth option if needed.

I actually am really warming to this now Capes is gone:

1. Walsh
2. Arthars
3. Staggs
4. Cobbo
5. Mariner
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Willison
9. Walters
10. Haas
11. Piakura
12. Riki
13. Carrigan

14. Smoothy
15. Baker
16. Hetherington
17. Oates

Oates could come on either as a forward or a back depending on the game situation. Staggs could be injected into second row as needed as well or get Cobbo to do the roving commission he had a couple of times this year that worked quite well.

 

[ZTop]

The left field solution for 2nd rower depth is staggs

 

[McHunt]

Depth Chart

Fullback:
1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Sailor
4. Arthars

Wings:
1. Cobbo
2. Arthars
3. Mariner
4. Oates
5. Pereira
6. Hoeter
7. Leota

Centres:
1. Staggs
2. Cobbo
3. Mariner
4. Arthars
5. Hoeter
6. Oates
7. Riki

Halves:
1. Mam
2. Reynolds
3. Madden
4. Rogers
5. Sailor
6. Paix
7. Walters

Middles:
1. Haas
2. Carrigan
3. Hetherington
4. Willison
5. Baker
6. Jensen
7. Taupau
8. Te Kura
9. Hunt

Backrow:
1. Riki
2. Piakura
3. Carrigan
4. Staggs
5. Baker
6. Hunt
7. Te Kura
8. Oates

Taupau can play lock.

 

[Mick_Hancock]

Not sure where to post this, however since this is a signings and salary cap convo, CHECK THIS SHIT OUT

 

[BroncsFan]

What's the point of having Periera and Hoeter on our books if they're not useful?

I'm starting to think the same... I'm thinking you'd be happy to carry one of them, but then the other being a guy that's coming through the ranks (i.e. Mariner last year)... but that's why I'm hoping to hell that the coaching staff has a plan for depth if needed next year.

Our outside back depth coming into last year was
- Arthars (NRL standard) and Mariner (talent coming through)... Oates ended up being the depth by the end of the year
- Sailor to cover fullback (NRL standard)

Arthars, Oates and Mariner played 30 regular season games between them... considering either Arthars or Oates were a starter for pretty much all of them that means the depth played 6-8 games across the season.

At this stage Arthars and Mariner are both starters and therefore Oates will be the 6-8 games, but we were also pretty damn healthy last year... if we get the same level of health next year then we'll be sweet, but that means we're asking Mariner to replicate Herbie's 23 out of 24 games.

1. Walsh (19 NRL games... suspended for 2 and missed the Rd 27 game)
2. Cobbo (21 NRL games)
3. Staggs (23 NRL games... only missed the storm Rd 27 game)
4. Herbie (23 NRL games... only missed the storm Rd 27 game)
5. Arthars/Oates (one or both started in every game except Rd 22 & 24)

 

[BroncsFan]

Depth Chart

Fullback:
1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Sailor
4. Arthars

Wings:
1. Cobbo
2. Arthars
3. Mariner
4. Oates
5. Pereira
6. Hoeter
7. Leota

Centres:
1. Staggs
2. Cobbo
3. Mariner
4. Arthars
5. Hoeter
6. Oates
7. Riki

Halves:
1. Mam
2. Reynolds
3. Madden
4. Rogers
5. Sailor
6. Paix
7. Walters

Middles:
1. Haas
2. Carrigan
3. Hetherington
4. Willison
5. Baker
6. Jensen
7. Taupau
8. Te Kura
9. Hunt

Backrow:
1. Riki
2. Piakura
3. Carrigan
4. Staggs
5. Baker
6. Hunt
7. Te Kura
8. Oates

Hooker:
1. Walters
2. Smoothy
3. Mozer
4. Paix

There is no doubt we have one hooker too many, probably one depth centre short but can definitely get by with what we have. The glaring issue is second row, hands down. Surely there is someone in Cup who can be signed as a depth option if needed.

I actually am really warming to this now Capes is gone:

1. Walsh
2. Arthars
3. Staggs
4. Cobbo
5. Mariner
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Willison
9. Walters
10. Haas
11. Piakura
12. Riki
13. Carrigan

14. Smoothy
15. Baker
16. Hetherington
17. Oates

Oates could come on either as a forward or a back depending on the game situation. Staggs could be injected into second row as needed as well or get Cobbo to do the roving commission he had a couple of times this year that worked quite well.

Yeah I'm starting to think Oates could be the best option in the 17 jersey next year.

There would be concerns about his fitness in the middle or on an edge, but our 17 jersey is usually playing like 15-20mins a game... I'd say Oates would be able to handle that. If we lose a forward during the game, it's most likely Haas, Patty or Kobe picking up the extra minutes, but Jensen is another that has played long minutes across his career.

Being a utility off the bench would also increase Oates' value within a squad and possible career longevity.

 

[McHunt]

Yeah I'm starting to think Oates could be the best option in the 17 jersey next year.

It's his to win.

 

[Santa]

I don't know why everyone's worried about depth. No ones getting injured.

 

[Painin the Haas]

I really feel people are overestimating our second row depth. If Riki or Piakura go down for the season we are in trouble.

Willison, Hunt, Baker, Te Kura are either too big, lack mobility or are simply not good enough to be full time second rowers.

Staggs and Carrigan could do a job there yes but with the loss of Herbie and Flegler/Palasia we cannot afford to move them away from the preferred positions or else we are just weakening the team more

Oates could be an ideal utility on the bench but he can’t play anything close to 80 minutes

 

[Sproj]

I really feel people are overestimating our second row depth. If Riki or Piakura go down for the season we are in trouble.

Willison, Hunt, Baker, Te Kura are either too big, lack mobility or are simply not good enough to be full time second rowers.

Staggs and Carrigan could do a job there yes but with the loss of Herbie and Flegler/Palasia we cannot afford to move them away from the preferred positions or else we are just weakening the team more

Oates could be an ideal utility on the bench but he can’t play anything close to 80 minutes

I don't think anyone is overestimating second row depth, I think everyone knows it is our biggest issue.

 

[Foordy]

Ideally we'd have another specialist back rower as depth.

although IMO Carrigan, Hethrington, Baker, Willison or Hunt could play there at a pinch, maybe even Staggs or Oates.

but we also need to remember that we have at least one roster position still available, surely there is a good depth option for the back row that we could utilize from one of our feeder sides. it's up to those guys to step up in the pre-season

 

[Fitzy]

First grade:
1. Walsh
2. Arthars
3. Staggs
4. Mariner
5. Cobbo
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Jensen
9. Walters
10. Haas
11. Riki
12. Piakura
13. Carrigan
14. Smoothy
15. Hetherington
16. Baker
17. Willison

Reggies:
1. Sailor
2. Oates
3. Hoeter
4. Leota
5. Oates
6. Rogers
7. Madden
8. Taupau
9. Mozer
10. Te Kura
11. Hunt
12. Patson (T&T)
13. Ferguson (T&T)
14. Paix
15. Saitua (T&T)
16. Page-Wilson (T&T)
17. Butler (T&T)

I think this is pretty indicative of the need for some back rowers. No team is going to be able to have 12 middle spots covered so that isn’t the worst ever. Rory Ferguson on a devs deal wouldn’t be the worst as just a tertiary specialist lock option as well as the ability to play SR. Otherwise we really just need to get ourselves a specialist SR.

We currently have 27 players. I’d be going 1 spot free, SR and EQW.

An extra utility back with size, reliability, nrl experience (not much but some) and is well versed in how shit runs up here can never hurt especially with slight depth concerns specifically in centre. EQW is all of that at minimum cap spend

Leave 1 spot free for some cap relief and/or for the ability to go after someone/promote within if someone knocks the door down.

Second rower… Without going into Super League territory:
- Dominic Sifakula
- Brodie Jones
- Joe Stimson
- Klese Haas
- Dylan Lucas
- Faitala-Mariner (cut price/unlikely)
- Jackson Topine
- Joe Chan
- Luke Garner
- Bryce Cartwright
- Jacob Host

*Really the only ones remotely pryable at this stage

If Paix leaves I’d promote Rogers.

Heaps to get done still. I’d try and front load a fair bit of contracts next year but it can be quite risky running short of depth quality to do it. I just don’t agree with the Capewell release this early IMO at all.

Relatively injury free our 17 can win the comp. Love the bench. The left edge will need to find a new combination but there is just as much potency there as ever. Needs to be premiership level in defence which I’m a bit concerned about. I’m a bit worried about the size and metreage of our outside backs with Herbie gone and Oates not in the starting side anymore. Arthars definitely improved in that regard but Mariner will have to do a fair bit of work as well plus Kotoni and Selwyn going up a gear again. Spine I have no issues at all depth included. Middle forwards I’m happy with, its still very good but it would be awesome if by finals time either Baker or Willison have cemented themselves in the starting side and a high quality prop. Second row as already said is an issue in the fact we need a formidable 3rd option. Outside of that there is a million options in our squad with the ability to play there but we most definitely need a 3rd specialist. Sifakula, Jones or Host would be my options. After that Chan, Topine, Stimson wouldn’t be bad either. I think the others are either unrealistic or just not quite good enough to rely on time and time again. Interested to see others thoughts on who we could realistically snag at SR.

 

[NSW stables]

Due to the loss of experience on our left edge, I would be tempted to move arthars into centre for defence and the left centre (cobbo/mariner) to the wing, and them swap back for attack.

Reason being is that centre is probably one of the hardest places to defend. Arthars has a bit more experience, maturity, and footy IQ to read the attack and louder in communication. Cobbo still switches off at times, and mariner would likely be targeted.

 

[Unbreakable]

First grade:
1. Walsh
2. Arthars
3. Staggs
4. Mariner
5. Cobbo
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Jensen
9. Walters
10. Haas
11. Riki
12. Piakura
13. Carrigan
14. Smoothy
15. Hetherington
16. Baker
17. Willison

Reggies:
1. Sailor
2. Oates
3. Hoeter
4. Leota
5. Oates
6. Rogers
7. Madden
8. Taupau
9. Mozer
10. Te Kura
11. Hunt
12. Patson (T&T)
13. Ferguson (T&T)
14. Paix
15. Saitua (T&T)
16. Page-Wilson (T&T)
17. Butler (T&T)

I think this is pretty indicative of the need for some back rowers. No team is going to be able to have 12 middle spots covered so that isn’t the worst ever. Rory Ferguson on a devs deal wouldn’t be the worst as just a tertiary specialist lock option as well as the ability to play SR. Otherwise we really just need to get ourselves a specialist SR.

We currently have 27 players. I’d be going 1 spot free, SR and EQW.

An extra utility back with size, reliability, nrl experience (not much but some) and is well versed in how shit runs up here can never hurt especially with slight depth concerns specifically in centre. EQW is all of that at minimum cap spend

Leave 1 spot free for some cap relief and/or for the ability to go after someone/promote within if someone knocks the door down.

Second rower… Without going into Super League territory:
- Dominic Sifakula
- Brodie Jones
- Joe Stimson
- Klese Haas
- Dylan Lucas
- Faitala-Mariner (cut price/unlikely)
- Jackson Topine
- Joe Chan
- Luke Garner
- Bryce Cartwright
- Jacob Host

*Really the only ones remotely pryable at this stage

If Paix leaves I’d promote Rogers.

Heaps to get done still. I’d try and front load a fair bit of contracts next year but it can be quite risky running short of depth quality to do it. I just don’t agree with the Capewell release this early IMO at all.

Relatively injury free our 17 can win the comp. Love the bench. The left edge will need to find a new combination but there is just as much potency there as ever. Needs to be premiership level in defence which I’m a bit concerned about. I’m a bit worried about the size and metreage of our outside backs with Herbie gone and Oates not in the starting side anymore. Arthars definitely improved in that regard but Mariner will have to do a fair bit of work as well plus Kotoni and Selwyn going up a gear again. Spine I have no issues at all depth included. Middle forwards I’m happy with, its still very good but it would be awesome if by finals time either Baker or Willison have cemented themselves in the starting side and a high quality prop. Second row as already said is an issue in the fact we need a formidable 3rd option. Outside of that there is a million options in our squad with the ability to play there but we most definitely need a 3rd specialist. Sifakula, Jones or Host would be my options. After that Chan, Topine, Stimson wouldn’t be bad either. I think the others are either unrealistic or just not quite good enough to rely on time and time again. Interested to see others thoughts on who we could realistically snag at SR.

I'd be ok going after Klese Haas on a minimum deal, he was starting to show a bit of promise at the back-end of the season for the Titans, and is obviously no chance of cracking first grade when Fifita & Fermor are fit, and is still competing with guys like Stimson & Alick if one of those two go down.

 

[Sproj]

I'd be ok going after Klese Haas on a minimum deal, he was starting to show a bit of promise at the back-end of the season for the Titans, and is obviously no chance of cracking first grade when Fifita & Fermor are fit, and is still competing with guys like Stimson & Alick if one of those two go down.

Good call. There was talk of us looking to sign him I think and then it died down. Wonder if it might pick up again now.

 

[Painin the Haas]

I'd be ok going after Klese Haas on a minimum deal, he was starting to show a bit of promise at the back-end of the season for the Titans, and is obviously no chance of cracking first grade when Fifita & Fermor are fit, and is still competing with guys like Stimson & Alick if one of those two go down.

Might help to keep Payne on in the future too

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Might help to keep Payne on in the future too

More chance it'll work against us. He's signed for 4 more years. If his brother comes and is unhappy being 3rd or 4th string he could kick up a whinge (highly likely within 4 years) and then payne doesn't re-sign or asks for a release due to the "unfair treatment" of his brother (aka roosters "find" cap space).

I like him as a signing for depth but only because I trust DD and Walters judgement. They think it will get more out of haas and all parties agree that he is likely depth then go for it. If not, don't.

Surprised sione matiuatai and Curtis sironen aren't getting more of a shout here.
They might be gettable with a "one final shot" carrot in their 30 year old faces. Experienced, quality back ups, could come cheap if the negotiations are handled well too. Shot at a premiership, redemption, living in Oz, all that crap, then the super league transfer fee doesn't go on our cap either.