Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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WAYNE Bennett has lashed Brisbane’s attack as “off the pace” and admits his chief strike weapon Anthony Milford is struggling mentally in his bid to secure a new contract.
In a major concern for Brisbane entering Thursday night’s clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, the misfiring Broncos have scored fewer points than last year’s wooden spooners Newcastle.
The lowly Knights, who won one game last season, have scored 92 points this season — 14 more than the Broncos.
In pre-season, new Broncos skipper Darius Boyd revealed Brisbane would unveil a revamped offence this season. The new system was to be driven by halves Milford and Ben Hunt, who were instructed to play direct and run the ball at every opportunity.
But after five rounds, Bennett has been left to lament a popgun attack that has seen the Broncos score just 12 tries in 407 minutes of football.
In the past three weeks alone, Brisbane have scored five four-pointers, which equates to a try every 48 minutes.
At the heart of the attacking malaise in Milford, who has been off the boil for the past month since his match-winning performance in round one against the Sharks.
Brisbane’s most dangerous attacking weapon remains off-contract and while he is expected to ink a new deal shortly, Bennett admits the uncertainty is messing with Milford’s head.
“It (being off-contract) affects everybody and Anthony is no different. It would be having some impact on him,” Bennett said.
“I don’t think anybody handles it well, to be honest with you. There is an issue of whether you stay at the club and then there’s an issue of other clubs chasing you and offering you more money than where you are at.
“I don’t think we are too far away (from securing Milford to an upgraded deal) ... it shouldn’t be too much longer.”
Milford’s patchy individual form has had ramifications for a Broncos attack that is lacking the firepower and rhythm to put away the NRL’s best sides.
While Brisbane’s tryline defence has been outstanding, their offence, spearheaded by Hunt and Milford, is failing to convert pressure and opportunities into points.
After five rounds, Brisbane have the worst line-break record in the league, averaging just 2.8 line busts per game. They are averaging just 2.4 tries per game, although the Broncos have faced five of the NRL’s top six defensive teams in Melbourne, Cronulla, the Cowboys, Canberra and Canterbury.
“We’re a bit off the pace with our attack,” Bennett said. “We aren’t finishing off what we start and we probably go into our shell for some reason.
“I’m not sure why it has happened, but we know what’s going on, we are on top of it and trying to get it sorted out. We’d like more points.”
Brisbane’s greatest tryscorer, legendary centre Steve Renouf, challenged the Broncos forwards to provide a platform for Milford and Hunt.
“The guys we rely on in attack haven’t found their spark yet,” Renouf said. “But the Broncos need to get that go-forward first.
“The Roosters have a huge pack and it’s important Brisbane’s forwards step up and give their backs some room to move.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...g/news-story/8dde4d06d2613bc15c4050a4e5298001
In a major concern for Brisbane entering Thursday night’s clash against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, the misfiring Broncos have scored fewer points than last year’s wooden spooners Newcastle.
The lowly Knights, who won one game last season, have scored 92 points this season — 14 more than the Broncos.
In pre-season, new Broncos skipper Darius Boyd revealed Brisbane would unveil a revamped offence this season. The new system was to be driven by halves Milford and Ben Hunt, who were instructed to play direct and run the ball at every opportunity.
But after five rounds, Bennett has been left to lament a popgun attack that has seen the Broncos score just 12 tries in 407 minutes of football.
In the past three weeks alone, Brisbane have scored five four-pointers, which equates to a try every 48 minutes.
At the heart of the attacking malaise in Milford, who has been off the boil for the past month since his match-winning performance in round one against the Sharks.
Brisbane’s most dangerous attacking weapon remains off-contract and while he is expected to ink a new deal shortly, Bennett admits the uncertainty is messing with Milford’s head.
“It (being off-contract) affects everybody and Anthony is no different. It would be having some impact on him,” Bennett said.
“I don’t think anybody handles it well, to be honest with you. There is an issue of whether you stay at the club and then there’s an issue of other clubs chasing you and offering you more money than where you are at.
“I don’t think we are too far away (from securing Milford to an upgraded deal) ... it shouldn’t be too much longer.”
Milford’s patchy individual form has had ramifications for a Broncos attack that is lacking the firepower and rhythm to put away the NRL’s best sides.
While Brisbane’s tryline defence has been outstanding, their offence, spearheaded by Hunt and Milford, is failing to convert pressure and opportunities into points.
After five rounds, Brisbane have the worst line-break record in the league, averaging just 2.8 line busts per game. They are averaging just 2.4 tries per game, although the Broncos have faced five of the NRL’s top six defensive teams in Melbourne, Cronulla, the Cowboys, Canberra and Canterbury.
“We’re a bit off the pace with our attack,” Bennett said. “We aren’t finishing off what we start and we probably go into our shell for some reason.
“I’m not sure why it has happened, but we know what’s going on, we are on top of it and trying to get it sorted out. We’d like more points.”
Brisbane’s greatest tryscorer, legendary centre Steve Renouf, challenged the Broncos forwards to provide a platform for Milford and Hunt.
“The guys we rely on in attack haven’t found their spark yet,” Renouf said. “But the Broncos need to get that go-forward first.
“The Roosters have a huge pack and it’s important Brisbane’s forwards step up and give their backs some room to move.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...g/news-story/8dde4d06d2613bc15c4050a4e5298001
