Broncos vs Sea Eagles Game Thread (teams announced)

[Coxy]

If the Broncos can get back to the defence they showed against the Cowboys in round 3, which really focussed on pressuring Johnathon Thurston (in this case, Matt Orford) then they'll rack up a similar win. Maybe not 36-2, but may well be 24-6 or thereabouts.

Another positive is the Eagles have a front rower in the Test. They'll suffer fatigue more than Hodges (if he plays).

 

[rnabokov]

If the Broncos can get back to the defence they showed against the Cowboys in round 3, which really focussed on pressuring Johnathon Thurston (in this case, Matt Orford) then they'll rack up a similar win. Maybe not 36-2, but may well be 24-6 or thereabouts.

Another positive is the Eagles have a front rower in the Test. They'll suffer fatigue more than Hodges (if he plays).

Time for Henjak to show his wares.

 

[Clintos]

Broncos by 7

 

[666]

Womanly:

1. Brett Stewart
2. Michael Robertson
3. Steve Bell
4. Steve Matai
5. David Williams
6. Jamie Lyon
7. Matt Orford
8. Josh Perry
9. Matt Ballin
10. Brent Kite
11. Steve Menzies
12. Glenn Stewart
13. Luke Williamson

14. Vic Mauro
15. Glenn Hall
16. Adam Cuthbertson
17. Mark Bryant
18. Heath L'Estrange
19. Nick Bradley-Koala
20. Phil Morwood

we're f**ked they have a Koala, you can't compete with that.

 

[Clintos]

Brett Stewart is in doubt for this weekend. Rated himself 50/50.

 

[666]

Brett Stewart is in doubt for this weekend. Rated himself 50/50.

don't we have Hodges, Carroll and someone else in doubt?

 

[Clintos]

Hodges is not expected to play either the test or for the Broncos. Carroll should be right to play.

 

[rnabokov]

This match will go down to the wire.

If we win, or lose by only a few points - particularly without Lockyer and Hodges, then we we are REAL premiership contenders.

 

[Phuzzlecash]

Uh... it's only round 8. Save that kind of talk until after the origin period when the pretenders have fallen away.

 

[mrslong]

This match will go down to the wire.

If we win, or lose by only a few points - particularly without Lockyer and Hodges, then we we are REAL premiership contenders.

Not really, they have a few key players out/in doubt too...

 

[Coxy]

We ARE premiership contenders. There's no reason with the style of play and the players we have on our roster that we can't challenge for the title, therefore, we are premiership contenders.

Whether we remain that way depends on form and player health.

However, Manly will be in the top 8 come finals time, so a win against them now is a good psychological bonus. Plus the more points we can rack up before the State of Origin series the better. No, we won't have as many players in it this year, but those that are in line for selection are key players - Lockyer (if fit), Hodges, Hannant, Thaiday, Hunt (based on the talk that he will be selected if fit).

 

[mick]

Spot on, Coxy. I think the team has proven enough in the past eight weeks to definitely be premiership contenders in the sense that a finals berth *should* happen from here and we'll take everything after that as it comes.

However, individual games still before the Origin period don't prove everything and I don't think so much is riding on this one. We have this year finally shown that we can do it without Locky, though, and I can't remember the last time there was only one Bronco in a trans-tasman test. Brilliant!

 

[Coxy]

I think it would've been 1999 that only one Bronco featured in a Test team, during the end of season Tri-Nations...BroncoMatt, can you confirm? :P

 

[Big Pete]

I think it would've been 1999 that only one Bronco featured in a Test team, during the end of season Tri-Nations...BroncoMatt, can you confirm? :P

You'd have to go as far as last year for that stat.

During the Trans-Tasman test only Petero Civoniceiva featured for the Kangaroo's.

 

[Coxy]

[icon_lol1. Good point. Hodges was ruled out injured, I forgot.

 

[Foordy]

Lockyer, Berrigan, Hunt and Tate were all also ruled out with injuries and all who probably would have played [icon_non

 

[Coxy]

Lockyer, Berrigan, Hunt and Tate were all also ruled out with injuries and all who probably would have played [icon_non

Yeah, but all 4 of them had suffered season ending injuries, so they weren't selected and then ruled out.

Hodges and Civoniceva were picked in the team, and Hodges withdrew after the medical.

 

[renouf]

Hodges should be able to backup, unless his shoulder gets real sore during the Test match I can't see why he wouldn't