Broncos Roster, Signings and Rumours Discussion 2025

[Bull Shark]

One thing is clear after this year's GF. Our fitness is more than one pre-season off. To get to the level both teams played at you need at least two real serious pre-seasons and a long run in the finals.

The only other alternative is some form of go-juice that has yet to be detected.

Whoever we sign from here on in needs to be able to push through the pain barrier on a regular basis and the guys we have now need to a heap of stamina work done on their legs and cardio.

I don’t think there’s more than a struck match between any given team in the NRL when it comes to ‘fitness’ .. they all do similar pre seasons, they all do similar maintenance during the season..

The reason certain teams appear to be ‘fitter’ than others imo, is the strength of their systems and their connectedness..

teams that are exceptionally well drilled don’t have individuals getting isolated as often or having to work significantly harder to compensate for deficiencies elsewhere in the team..

 

[McHunt]

Some of the players are definitely not fit but Patty and Haas might be 2 or the fittest players in the comp.

They just shouldn’t be playing the minutes that they are

Same with Walsh, he was pushing himself to vomit point every game. It wasn't lack of fitness or effort. It was taking on too much work, because Kevvie's main gameplan was get the ball to Reece.

I don't think we'll see that with Madge.

 

[McHunt]

I don’t think there’s more than a struck match between any given team in the NRL when it comes to ‘fitness’ .. they all do similar pre seasons, they all do similar maintenance during the season..

The reason certain teams appear to be ‘fitter’ than others imo, is the strength of their systems and their connectedness..

teams that are exceptionally well drilled don’t have individuals getting isolated as often or having to work significantly harder to compensate for deficiencies elsewhere in the team..

Yes, I've heard trainers say this. They're all fit. Bad coaching wastes their energy on inefficient play.

 

[1910]

He’s just gotta play cup if we’re even thinking he might be fighting out for a halfback spot when Reynolds retires. He might not be a star at 20/21 but he should be able to play a role for the team if Madge has a decent structure in place. That said ideally we’ve got a better option at halfback than taking a chance on a rookie.

Without Colts this is now going to come up more- players playing three years of Meninga instead of two and some Colts- which is what Mozer did.

I can see advantages, good way to start the year, up against Harrison again, wins Meninga which is over in May and then plays Cup full of confidence.

Negatives missed half a Cup year, maybe Souths are rubbish in Meninga and you put him 11 Cup games behind and if the situation arose where Reynolds was out you're not throwing him in from Meninga.

 

[theshed]

I don’t think there’s more than a struck match between any given team in the NRL when it comes to ‘fitness’ .. they all do similar pre seasons, they all do similar maintenance during the season..

The reason certain teams appear to be ‘fitter’ than others imo, is the strength of their systems and their connectedness..

teams that are exceptionally well drilled don’t have individuals getting isolated as often or having to work significantly harder to compensate for deficiencies elsewhere in the team..

Correct. Panthers out last everyone else because they have perfected a simple and repetitive game plan that is purely built around conserving their energy while winding down the oppositions, and they have the exact right players in key positions to do it.

It’s an advanced version of Griffenball. Bash the middle for 4 tackles and then kick to the corner. The Cleary touch is how he relies on his outside backs so much for metres to give his forwards a rest, and having areas of the field where Yeo becomes a halfback.

 

[Manofoneway]

Correct. Panthers out last everyone else because they have perfected a simple and repetitive game plan that is purely built around conserving their energy while winding down the oppositions, and they have the exact right players in key positions to do it.

It’s an advanced version of Griffenball. Bash the middle for 4 tackles and then kick to the corner. The Cleary touch is how he relies on his outside backs so much for metres to give his forwards a rest, and having areas of the field where Yeo becomes a halfback.

It seems though nobody can out panther the panthers. In fact I think the way to beat them is to play high risk high reward football that nearly got us there in 2023.

 

[Brocko]

Palasia got out quick, obviously saw the writing on the wall with RCG rumours before he signed and he couldn't really cement his starting spot this year when not injured.

He must be getting okay money because surely someone in the NRL would have taken him.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Palasia off to Leeds 2 yr contract.

Wowee, how about that for a fart in a balloon.

 

[Lazza]

We have Latrell Siegwalt as a backup half and fullback roles.

 

[theshed]

It seems though nobody can out panther the panthers. In fact I think the way to beat them is to play high risk high reward football that nearly got us there in 2023.

You might right to an extent. To beat the panthers you need to start really fast and hope you can hold on - which as we saw in the most painful way possible, you can’t really do that either.

I can’t really put too much weight in the fact that we got a strong lead and then were chased down because the panthers whole style is to show supreme patience and then kill you in the last 20 minutes once they’ve sapped all your energy. So while our performance against them seemed more spectacular, it was still entirely within their game plan.

We couldn’t really try to emulate the panthers anyway, we don’t have the team for it. Walsh is an exact opposite type of fullback to Edwards, who is such a massive part of the panthers system. We also don’t have the wingers to do it. Arthars doesn’t make enough post contact metres and Cobbo isn’t fit enough

 

[Manofoneway]

You might right to an extent. To beat the panthers you need to start really fast and hope you can hold on - which as we saw in the most painful way possible, you can’t really do that either.

I can’t really put too much weight in the fact that we got a strong lead and then were chased down because the panthers whole style is to show supreme patience and then kill you in the last 20 minutes once they’ve sapped all your energy. So while our performance against them seemed more spectacular, it was still entirely within their game plan.

We couldn’t really try to emulate the panthers anyway, we don’t have the team for it. Walsh is an exact opposite type of fullback to Edwards, who is such a massive part of the panthers system. We also don’t have the wingers to do it. Arthars doesn’t make enough post contact metres and Cobbo isn’t fit enough

Yep. I hope madge doesn't try and apply a one size fits all approach to the bronx in replicating the panthers style football. Honestly I think if our current crop can learn to defend their errors like they did in 2023 they will be able to beat any team including the panthers. Let's face it, there was less than a bees dick in our grand final loss. The Storm, eels, rabbitohs that came before us never really looked like winning.

 

[theshed]

Yep. I hope madge doesn't try and apply a one size fits all approach to the bronx in replicating the panthers style football. Honestly I think if our current crop can learn to defend their errors like they did in 2023 they will be able to beat any team including the panthers. Let's face it, there was less than a bees dick in our grand final loss. The Storm, eels, rabbitohs that came before us never really looked like winning.

I disagree about the storm. I think they mounted a fairly impressive comeback and got back on top of the arm wrestle. Regardless of how right or wrong the call was, that no try was the turning point that killed the Storm comeback. That and the Munster knock on.

Completely agree with you that defence is our biggest issue though. While I don’t want us to throw out the high risk attacking style completely, I would love to see some foundational structures to fall back on when needed.

We need to defend well and then build a platform to play high risk footy off of. That is, win the arm wrestle for 20 minutes and then chance the arm when the opposition is tiring.

 

[1910]

Correct. Panthers out last everyone else because they have perfected a simple and repetitive game plan that is purely built around conserving their energy while winding down the oppositions, and they have the exact right players in key positions to do it.

It’s an advanced version of Griffenball. Bash the middle for 4 tackles and then kick to the corner. The Cleary touch is how he relies on his outside backs so much for metres to give his forwards a rest, and having areas of the field where Yeo becomes a halfback.

Penrith pass more than any other team to get players where they want them and up against who they want them to be. I think it's one of the most undervalued parts of their attack. Martin's try was a great example. The ball does the work, most teams would have settled and gone back to Martin- opportunity lost more than likely.

Their defence is just phenomenal, to keep that Storm spine to six after they averaged nearly 30 in 24 is huge. It's very Bulldogs of the 80's- outside backs go high and stay up, herding you into their hit zone in the middle. If you want to throw the magic ball through the high defenders go for it. They take a lot of intercepts because they go high and stay there.

But they have so many dual contact tackles that just slow it down to their speed and they just keep repeating it over and over again until your forwards can't take it anymore.

 

[Big Del]

Penrith pass more than any other team to get players where they want them and up against who they want them to be. I think it's one of the most undervalued parts of their attack. Martin's try was a great example. The ball does the work, most teams would have settled and gone back to Martin- opportunity lost more than likely.

Their defence is just phenomenal, to keep that Storm spine to six after they averaged nearly 30 in 24 is huge. It's very Bulldogs of the 80's- outside backs go high and stay up, herding you into their hit zone in the middle. If you want to throw the magic ball through the high defenders go for it. They take a lot of intercepts because they go high and stay there.

But they have so many dual contact tackles that just slow it down to their speed and they just keep repeating it over and over again until your forwards can't take it anymore.

Panthers tackling efficiency and effectiveness is 2nd to none .
The ability to stop runners and put them on the ground with minimal effort is very impressive .
We have heard the back 3 story many times now . But the forwards don`t waste any energy in defence . Efficient tackling forcing the runners to get up off the ground again and again is a big factor in their game as well .

 

[Dexter]

Panthers tackling efficiency and effectiveness is 2nd to none .
The ability to stop runners and put them on the ground with minimal effort is very impressive .
We have heard the back 3 story many times now . But the forwards don`t waste any energy in defence . Efficient tackling forcing the runners to get up off the ground again and again is a big factor in their game as well .

Not to mention even when the attacking player wins the ruck they are allowed to 3rd man flop dwell then peel off.
Often they hold the ball and ball carrying arm as well on the way up.
Other clubs need to push a bit harder to clarify what is winning the ruck and what isn't.
This interpretation of the rule, which I still believe says the tackler must immediately release and get off is determining comps.
Penrith are elite at it and play on the refs tolerance and are happy to concede a 6 again in the early part of a set to get organised.
I find watching the cheats the most frustrating experience but at the same time admire it.

 

[McHunt]

I disagree about the storm. I think they mounted a fairly impressive comeback and got back on top of the arm wrestle. Regardless of how right or wrong the call was, that no try was the turning point that killed the Storm comeback. That and the Munster knock on.

Completely agree with you that defence is our biggest issue though. While I don’t want us to throw out the high risk attacking style completely, I would love to see some foundational structures to fall back on when needed.

We need to defend well and then build a platform to play high risk footy off of. That is, win the arm wrestle for 20 minutes and then chance the arm when the opposition is tiring.

A big part of the reason our defence is fucked is we have to do too much of it, thanks to giving away the ball via high risk that doesn't come off. We might have to reign in that high risk to medium high.

Also short kick restarts, Reyno is not our guy.

 

[Big Del]

A big part of the reason our defence is fucked is we have to do too much of it, thanks to giving away the ball via high risk that doesn't come off. We might have to reign in that high risk to medium high.

Also short kick restarts, Reyno is not our guy.

Actually having a plan in place for short restarts would be a start .
Go talk to some AFL mid fielders and ruckmen . Learn how to tap the ball down to your supports a lah Xavier Coates with bombs . Also positioning around the drop of the ball to maximise the chances of gaining possesion . ATM it looks like a Hail Mary situation .
Or Reyno tries some sneeky kick for the sideline that goes out on the full .

 

[Fernando]

You might right to an extent. To beat the panthers you need to start really fast and hope you can hold on - which as we saw in the most painful way possible, you can’t really do that either.

I can’t really put too much weight in the fact that we got a strong lead and then were chased down because the panthers whole style is to show supreme patience and then kill you in the last 20 minutes once they’ve sapped all your energy. So while our performance against them seemed more spectacular, it was still entirely within their game plan.

We couldn’t really try to emulate the panthers anyway, we don’t have the team for it. Walsh is an exact opposite type of fullback to Edwards, who is such a massive part of the panthers system. We also don’t have the wingers to do it. Arthars doesn’t make enough post contact metres and Cobbo isn’t fit enough

Agree. Also hard to believe given what he did to us but Cleary was hip dropped by Haas and picked up a PCL injury that ruled him out the end of year tests, and it was his edge that Mam went down multiple times. If a flashy side playing high risk football meets the Panthers in next years GF I think they handle them with ease, like they did against the Eels in 2022.

There's no quick fixes, just lots of hard work for the rest of the comp. The Panthers have perfected their system over many years, they are lightyears ahead of anyone not named the Storm. So the Storm are probably the only side that can match them, particularly with Stefano and Nelson and no Luai and JFH. Don't really like the chances of anyone else.