Broncos v Storm Redcliffe trial updates

[jarro65]

Nice work Aeetee icon_thumbs_u

 

[Big_Dave]

Ok guys thats a wrap.

big thank you to Broncomatt for sending all the updates and even "borrowing" his good wifes phone when his battery died icon_thumbs_u

He'll be on here soon with a full wrap up for you all.

Thanks buddy [eusa_clap.gi

 

[choper1981]

great work thanks for the updates

 

[GCBRONCO]

Thanks for the updates all those involved icon_thumbs_u

 

[tallis12]

Thank-you Aeetee and Broncomatt and Broncomatt's girl's phone [icon_razz1

Cant wait for the full wrap up ! will be interesting.

 

[ethos]

Yeah thanks Tee and BroncoMatt.

Pleasing score, to drag out the cliche, the most impressive part is not the points we scored but the fact we kept them to just six.

 

[Browny]

Good job with the updates but shit you scared me about Lockyer !!

 

[GCBRONCO]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl ... 6012586039

THE critical comeback of star centre Justin Hodges stalled as Anthony Griffin's reign at the Broncos began with a bang ... but also a major headache.

In an untimely scare on the eve of Brisbane's 2011 NRL season, their gun strike weapon broke down late in the first half of their 26-6 trial win against the Melbourne Storm at Redcliffe.

On a night Griffin officially took the helm as just the third coach in Broncos history, Hodges hobbled off Dolphin Oval with a left hamstring strain, but remains upbeat his fresh injury setback won't rule him out of Round 1.

The ex-Test star was playing just his second match in 15 months, having taken the first tentative steps back in Alice Springs last weekend after missing the entire 2010 season with a major achilles injury to his right foot.

Tonight, while wearing the No.4 jumper he has had a mortgage on at the Broncos, Hodges was replaced in the starting side by NRL bolter Jack Reed.

Having entered the fray after 15 minutes, Hodges showed enough glimpses of his trademark street smarts and skill to remind Broncos fans what they've been missing.

But after a fleeting 20-minute stint came his latest blow, putting the only major dampner on a night Griffin's Broncos stepped out in style.

Rookie flyer Dane Gagai, given a golden chance by Griffin to press his claims for an NRL jumper, was ice-cool during his try-scoring rehearsal.

Battling with speedster Denan Kemp to partner Gerard Beale on the left flank, Gagai has given Griffin a welcome selection headache.

Star halves Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace, enjoying their first tune-up together in six months, were prominent.

Club champion Lockyer was sharp and busy in his cameo before being placed on ice.

There was a distinct strut in the step of strike weapon Te'o, not to mention a handy offload in the make-up of seasoned big man Shane Tronc.

An upbeat Te'o, by his own admission playing for an NRL jumper amid Brisbane's bulging forward stocks, cut an imposing figure.

He broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, simply sliding on to a Darren Lockyer ball as the Storm's line cracked for the first time.

Four second-half tries, to Ben Hunt, Lockyer, Jharal Yow Yeh and Gagai, rounded out an encouraging Broncos showing.

While Hodges awaits scan results, it was also a bad night for Storm centre recruit Beau Champion (calf), who broke down in the warm-up.

Interestingly, Griffin and Storm coach Craig Bellamy were each asked during the week to describe what values they like in their football team.

Both coaches gave the same reply: "mentally and physically tough players".

Broncos fans should know, on Saturday night's early indicator, that's what they'll be getting from their team under Griffin in season 2011.

For the Storm, those same traits that pinned down their shattered empire remain, no question, but there is much work to do with a gap in class evident on what was displayed last night.

 

[BroncoMatt]

As far as trials go the Broncos looked very good tonight. The first 40 mins in particular was very impressive. The forwards dominated, the halves were sharp and the backs were dangerous. The 2nd half was a bit sloppy but that was to be expected with the amount of interchanges. Having said that their was still some brilliant attack.


1. Josh Hoffman - I've been watching Hoffman for the last 5 years and that is the best game I've seen him play. A faultless performance. He attacked the ball all night but always looked safe. He seems to have bulked up but he hasn't lost any speed.

2. Jharal Yow Yeh - Looked good also. Elusive as always. Started on the wing & end up right centre in the 2nd half. The try he scored off the Hunt Ball was a beauty. It looked like Walters to Renouf circa '93

3. Gerard Beale - Defended well but didnt do a whole lot in attack.

4. Justin Hodges - started from the bench. made 5 or 6 runs from Dummy half and then went off injured after pulling up short doing some cover defence. Initial reports was out for 6 weeks but the latest is maybe only 2 or 3

5. Dane Gagai - Looked very impressive. Great footwork and impressive speed. Looked safe under the high ball too. Looked dangerous everytime he touched the ball and made good ground with all his kick returns

6. Darren Lockyer (c) - Typical Lockyer performance. Steered the team around very well. The Storm ran a lot of attack his way but he was up to the challenge. He is looking super fit. He got rested for the last 20 or so minutes

7. Peter Wallace - Was solid, defended well as always but didnt stand out

8. Shane Tronc - Great performance. I know they can backfire at times but his offloads were freakish tonight. Very rarely did he die with the ball and his off loads set up some great 2nd phase play. At least 4 of his offloads resulted in Broncos line breaks

9. Andrew McCullough - Similar to Wallace. Solid, defended well but didnt stannd out. Spent some time in the halves when Locky went off

10. Scott Anderson - Tried hard but was behind Tronc, McGuire & Carlaw for mine.

11. Alex Glenn - Has really bulked up and seems to lost a yard or too of speed. Got through a stack of defence

12. Matt Gillett - Looked a little off the pace tonight. Although a couple of time his quick hands created space for those outside him

13. Corey Parker - Top effort. Tackled all night and ran with purpose

14. Ben Hunt - Looked good in a variety of roles. spent time at 6,7 & 9. Scored a nice try from a dummy and threw a great long ball for Yow yeh's try

15. Ben Te'o - Ran off Locky nicely for the opening try. Didnt get over invovled after that

16. Josh McGuire - He really impressed me tonight. He ran hard and made a heap of ground. Played with a lot of energy

17. Jack Reed - Started ahead of Hodges. Found himself in space a couple of times. Read the play nicely, drawing the defence and grubbering ahead. Resulted in one try and one near try. Was solid in defence. Moved to the forwards in the 2nd half. Probably secured himself a starting spot for Round 1

18. Dane Carlaw - If I didnt know it was Carlaw I would of been very excited about his performance. Ran hard all night and proved difficult to tackle. Got away some nice offloads too

19. Denan Kemp - Started the 2nd half in place of Gagai. Didnt see a lot of action but. He looked over weight to me

 

[Big_Dave]

So Matt, what would your team be for round 1 look like?

 

[ningnangnong]

Thanks for the rundown, Matt. Top stuff. icon_thumbs_u

Glad to hear about Troncy getting away a heap of offloads, it's something we need more of in our game.

 

[BroncoMatt]

My thoughts on a starting line up after tonight

1. Hoffman
2. Gagai
3. Glenn
4. Reed
5. Yow Yeh
6. Lockyer
7. Wallace
8. Hannant
9. McCullough
10. Tronc
11. Teo
12. Thaiday
13. Parker

14. Hunt
15. Gillett
16. McGuire
17. Carlaw

Yow Yeh did look good in the centres but I think while Hodges is out Glenn is the "safer" option

 

[Porthoz]

Locky off the field looks like his knee has been broken...... wait sorry hes just having a rest :mrgreen:

You f'ing piece of sh!t. You nearly gave me a heart attack! I just got home and decided to read the game thread without checking out the result and you do this? [icon_ee

[/rant]

Hey Tee, how you doing mate? :mrgreen:

 

[Jeba]

Like Matt said, a very encouraging performance tonight. Matt has already summed it up beautifully but just a few thoughts.

Have to mention Hoffman's performance. He was outstanding. Looked so dangerous with the ball every time he touched it. Made a great try saving tackle too.

Yow Yeh and Gagai were very good on the wings, and Yow Yeh looks a lot more confident than he did in any game last year.

Lockyer was a pleasure to watch. Got involved in everything, and tackled anything that came at him.

Ben Hunt was great off the bench. The pass he threw to Yow Yeh for the try was fantastic.

Tronc got through plenty of work when he was on and threw some great offloads, particularly in the first half. One wasn't far off resulting in a try.

Reed looked good in attack and defence.

Carlaw looked good when he came on. Threw the offload to Hunt who then dummied and scored. Always willing to get involved.

All in all a great hitout before the start of the season, and defence was nearly faultless.

 

[Kimlo]

Latest on Hodges

"I'm coming back from an Achilles injury and it feels awesome ... this is a just a little bump in the road," Hodges said, dismissing any concerns over his latest setback.

"I'll have scans on Monday but I've got a few weeks up my sleeve and I'm normally pretty good with hammys."

Still, the timing of the injury could not have been worse for Hodges.

"If I've got any doubts (about the hamstring) I won't play round one," he said.

"After all I've been through it would be silly to play five minutes, let my team and myself down and risk another long stretch on the sidelines."

http://www.nrl.com/hodges-hopeful-hammy ... fault.aspx

 

[Big Pete]

That's good to hear, I feared the worst when I heard he limped off the field.

I hope he doesn't rush himself, from reports Beale and Reed can cover nicely, especially for the Cows.

 

[Big Pete]

There's footage on the official Broncos website.

Gagai's try was great, Lockyer's was pretty special too - great touch pass by Te'o!

 

[Charmamba]

Impressed the team looked magical!