PRE-GAME [Finals Week 1, 2023] - Broncos v Storm

[Foordy]

Ahhh, the arrogance of Storm 'fans'. Why wouldn't we be confident? Equal first to end the season, and I'm not sure how many times this year we even dipped below the top 4 and if we did, there's every chance it was due to all the bye rounds and free 2 points. That said, given the history between the 2 sides $1.60 for us is very short...it's a far more even contest than that.

We've been top 4 since round 2.

we were 7th after defeating the Panthers in round 1. Defeating the Cowboys in round 2 moved us to 4th and we've been in the top 4 ever since

 

[Big Pete]

Not a fan of the move at all.

The finals are all about the grind and Oatesy is such a pivotal part of that.

 

[Wolfie]

Not a fan of the move at all.

The finals are all about the grind and Oatesy is such a pivotal part of that.

I can see why Arthars could be considered, but its not like he was any better than Oates against the Storm anyway. Storm are very physical, and thats Oates bread and butter.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Not a fan of the move at all.

The finals are all about the grind and Oatesy is such a pivotal part of that.

I think it's harsh but I think it might be a genius move at the same time.
Huge Oates fan and at his best he adds SO MUCH to our team, but arthurs has been the better player for sure. Equally safe under the high ball hard runs from out end, amazing finisher, good defensive reads. Oates seems a bit slower at the moment coming back from injury, and his take off speed wasn't the best already, putting as at risk with chips and grubbers in behind the line.
Sends a message to the team too. "You aren't performing at 100% all game, every game there is someone there behind you who will get a chance of a premiership run"

 

[Super Freak]

Dropping Oates for the finals is a huge call.

It was bound to happen.

That bombed try where he was taken over the sideline against the Storm, a modern day winger needs to score those. Arthars would have. He’s lost a lot of speed and just seems too slow to be a winger in todays game.

He makes a lot of metres but we’ve barely missed a beat with him out of the side. I think he’s done as a regular, unfortunately.

 

[Wolfie]

Its certainley a big call. Kevvie is a genius if he does it and it works. If it backfires, he's going to cop heaps.

 

[Big Pete]

It was bound to happen.

That bombed try where he was taken over the sideline against the Storm, a modern day winger needs to score those. Arthars would have. He’s lost a lot of speed and just seems too slow to be a winger in todays game.

He makes a lot of metres but we’ve barely missed a beat with him out of the side. I think he’s done as a regular, unfortunately.

By the time Hoeter gave him the ball, Smith had already marked him, there weren't too many wingers who could have scored there.

If the penalties don't come (they rarely do) it's going to be fun watching the Broncos try and make it out of their own half.

 

[ZTop]

It's not like arthars isn't great at yardage, he personally has impressed me in yardage

 

[Big Pete]

It's not like arthars isn't great at yardage, he personally has impressed me in yardage

Sub 100m average.

He isn't great.

Oates averages nearly double that.

 

[vertigo]

Oates is slow but makes metres out of his own end. He's a bigger body like Cobbo who can throw himself around.

That being said I hope Arthars speed pays off.

 

[lynx000]

That is a small bench if that winds up being the make up. We are going to be down a lot of size when the big boys come off.

 

[TimWhatley]

Kevvie has made some ruthless calls this year and this one (if it's based on form) probably would've been the hardest to make. Personally I think it's the right call I just didn't think he would actually do it.

 

[Bish]

Definitely a case for either to play so I’ll just trust in Kev’s call.

Starting to get PMT already….. bloody hell

 

[thenry]

Not a fan of the move at all.

The finals are all about the grind and Oatesy is such a pivotal part of that.

Agreed. Oates is invaluable with his Play 2 hitups and casual 200 run metres.

 

[Galah]

I don’t like it, you give him this game and if he’s shit again then you make the call.

We need his meters against Melbourne.

 

[Culhwch]

I feel like putting money on an Arthars double.

 

[dudemcdude4976]

I’m Oatesy’s biggest fan. Bought his shirt on Friday even.

But he looked off the pace on Friday. Just look liked he was back “too early”. Which is a fucking shame.

 

[Sproj]

If it were Mariner, I'd be on board. For Arthars, nope not at all. Oates is just plain and simply a better player. I do wonder whether Oates got injured again though last week, he was hobbled over a few times.