Broncos Vs. Titans - Match Thread

[Foordy]

That sort of goal line defence reminded me of our defensive form towards the end of 2006.

The bad thing was how easy they got metres up the middle. They did it with EASE. However, if we can keep up that sort of goal line defence then it doesn't matter too much does it?

apart from the fact that we were always starting our sets from deep in our own half

 

[Nashy]

Our runners were trying to run up the ruck most of the night. Just most of the night it wasn't working.

 

[Coxy]

Our runners were trying to run up the ruck most of the night. Just most of the night it wasn't working.

And our service from dummyhalf meant going 2 passes wide was no point because the defence was in our face.

That's where the poor service of Macca was so noticeable.

 

[Nashy]

Yeah, but our backline has shown in the past that they can compensate with that by staying behind the line to get the ball out to the wingers. We wern't even attempting that.

 

[Kimlo]

We are also missing Hodges dummy half running. Our backs suck at dummy half running besides Folau, Hodges is awesome in this area seems to always make an easy 10 when we're stuck in our own end of the field. Folau is good but he doesn't do it anywhere near enough. Also K was pretty good at it too but he's gone as well.

Usually it's the dummy half running that gets team out of the 10/20 m zone but so many times our backs will grab it run 3 or 4 metres and get tackled. I remember in 06 especially in that grand final when we got pinned in our own halves, 5 of the backs all made awesome runs from dummy half and the momentum of the game seemed to turn with that set.

 

[Coxy]

We are also missing Hodges dummy half running.

you mean the times he stands up with the ball and tries to swat the markers away and makes about 3m up field? Yeah, we miss that so much.

 

[Porthoz]

We are also missing Hodges dummy half running.

you mean the times he stands up with the ball and tries to swat the markers away and makes about 3m up field? Yeah, we miss that so much.

There's that too, but I don't think our backs are that bad from dummy half. Besides Folau's strong runs, Hoffman has been really good and threatning (he's due a line break soon), Yow Yeh has had a couple of line breaks in recent games and Winter is always solid in his runs.
We can't expect our backs to make 10 mtrs out of dummy half each time though, that's the forwards job!

 

[Coxy]

Yeah, our backs are OK with the dummyhalf runs (games in recent weeks excluded). To suggest Hodges is a brilliant dummyhalf runner is a bit crazy.

 

[Jeba]

Yeah, our backs are OK with the dummyhalf runs (games in recent weeks excluded). To suggest Hodges is a brilliant dummyhalf runner is a bit crazy.

He does make a fair amount of line breaks from dummy half runs, but also a lot of 3 metre gain ones as well. He almost always runs from dummy half so he's bound to make a line break or two every now and then!

 

[Coxy]

Yeah, our backs are OK with the dummyhalf runs (games in recent weeks excluded). To suggest Hodges is a brilliant dummyhalf runner is a bit crazy.

He does make a fair amount of line breaks from dummy half runs, but also a lot of 3 metre gain ones as well. He almost always runs from dummy half so he's bound to make a line break or two every now and then!

Yep, and he relies on his strength both off his feet and his upper body.

I'd be concerned he'd struggle with the leg strength for a couple of months after returning from this, especially off the injured right foot. Just another argument to keep him out for this season IMO.

But as others have said, it's up to him, the medical staff and the coaching staff to make that call.

 

[Jeba]

Yeh, the more I think about it, the more I think he should sit out the season.

1) We have proven we don't need him to win a Premiership this season
2) Alex Glenn is doing a very good job filling in
3) Izzy can then stay on the right, and then next season Hodges just slots straight back in on his favoured side
4) Hunt or McCullough will have to be dropped, and at the moment the plan of gaining the advantage early with Macca's defence and then bringing Hunt on for impact against tired legs is working well
5) Massive chance of Hodges reinjuring himself

Honestly, the cons outweight the pros here. Have a rest Hodgo!!

 

[Coxy]

Yeh, the more I think about it, the more I think he should sit out the season.

1) We have proven we don't need him to win a Premiership this season
2) Alex Glenn is doing a very good job filling in
3) Izzy can then stay on the right, and then next season Hodges just slots straight back in on his favoured side
4) Hunt or McCullough will have to be dropped, and at the moment the plan of gaining the advantage early with Macca's defence and then bringing Hunt on for impact against tired legs is working well
5) Massive chance of Hodges reinjuring himself

Honestly, the cons outweight the pros here. Have a rest Hodgo!!

Agree 1000%. Especially when the only pro would be if Hodges came back and played in blinding form, which is hugely optimistic.

 

[Kimlo]

All sounds good but we all know if he's fit and ready to play Henjak will play him even if that's round 26, not that I agree btw.

If he's not back by round 22,23 or 24 at absolute latest then he should sit out till next year, we can't afford to carry a player finding his feet again(even if he is amazing) so close to the finals.

Part of me would like him to wait till next year, a fit and fresh Hodges with Inglis in the centres is pure awesome.
Imagine if Inglis loses 5 or 10kgs and Hodges gets back to his best, we will tear it up.

 

[Porthoz]

Bird is only out for a month...