PRE-GAME Finals Week 1 - Eels vs Broncos

Good to hear Lodgey's mind is well and truly on making an impact. When I recall his standards at the beginning of the season I have to say he has been fairly quiet over recent weeks.

Controlled aggression mate, that's what we need to support our two young guns. Also, Joffa is back hopefully his origin experience this year will give him an edge.
 
Huge said:
I'm willing to bet Isaako would make a fine fullback, a fine 5/8 and a fine centre. I'd bet also that he can kick any type of kick and pass both left and right quite capably. I think he may be the future in two years time if given a chance. I'd audition him at 5/8 in the preseason with a longer term view. A little taste or carrot if you'd like. Mind you I'd want to see what he thinks first of course but I'd definitely try him there.
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But surely the place to try these things out is at training first? I mean, if he honestly had a talent for it then you'd like to think someone at Red Hill has noticed it and they've looked into it already? The fact we haven't seen any of it at this point suggests that he most likely doesn't have a lot of those skills, or the less likely alternative that literally no one has ever thought to ask or test it out, which would be really concerning indeed. Surely you don't get to the end of your second season at NRL level before anyone realises you actually have this great kicking and passing game?
 
Nashy said:
Tells you something about the expectations some of us fans have then. A lot higher than the shit we've been given this year.
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Must admit my expectations were also high particularly towards the end of the pre-season but came down with a thud early on and was left completely flat on more than one occasion.

After I accepted our lot and realised it was going to take this year and perhaps next it made life look a bit clearer. Knowing Wayne pushed so hard for next year gave me further belief where we stood.

Making the top eight was totally unexpected for me and although I am happy for small mercies and have little confidence in the team going much further, boys against men and all that, doesn't mean I won't support them or have any less pride in them having a go regardless.
 
Allo said:
The problem is the walk is hardly ever walked, yet the talk keeps coming
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Would you prefer him to say he thought we were in for a thrashing so he’s not to going to try.
 
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pagey said:
No I'm stating that he doesn't enjoy it.
I have watched him play and he's a 7 in my eyes and he will play next year at some point, so I don't understand your random position remark.
I did say to play half didn't I? Seggy is 14 and turpin can go to 9 aswell.
Shiba didn't play one second of footy last week, so how is it disruptive if paix takes his spot?
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Call me crazy, but I reckon it’s pretty hard to take Shibasaki’s spot when he wasn’t in the 17 last week.
 
JAHHW said:
Call me crazy, but I reckon it’s pretty hard to take Shibasaki’s spot when he wasn’t in the 17 last week.
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You're right, the week before. But he is this week
 
Dazza 92 said:
yes agreed; this time (1997-1998) represented the height of the Langer-Walters-Bennett triumvirate, they were inarguable the best club rugby league side on Earth for those 2 years, nearly unbeatable against any opposition...

however, they barely got above 20K fans through the gate for games and that included a few semi final games at home too. Brisbane fans voted with their feet those years, showing you cannot take their loyalty for granted regardless of what team you put out there.

Thankfully, nowadays we have great healthy crowds coming to see the team and i think its worth putting that into perspective; most clubs would kill to draw such crowds.

We just need to sort out some positions and players futures with us and the future is looking so bright..!
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A huge part of that was the super league war. It tore the game part, and a lot of the anti-broncos sentiment was give a focus with short life of the crushers. Crowds were split between the two.
Despite that, the players were truly playing magnificent football and it continued after a short hiatus in 1999 into 2000 when those big forwards were the impetus. By that stage age was catching up with a lot of our backs. So it was in decline even then.
There were a lot players that were integral to all our premiership teams that few people recall today in "best of" lists. Players like matterson, mark hohn (much underrated prop), like severe, berrigan.
They just seemed to fit a whole we had at the time and kept showing up.
We seem to think we can fill sides with superstars and potentials, but every side needs a smattering of honest toylers to complement the lockers, lancers and milf's.
I see that in the likes of glenn, turpin and even lodge. They won't win a game on their own but without them you soon find a whole in your side that's not easy to fill.
I liked oppacic for that reason as well, but understood the reasons for him going. I farnsworth is another in that mold, and he looks the kind of player that will settle in whatever role you throw him into.
 
kooly87 said:
But surely the place to try these things out is at training first? I mean, if he honestly had a talent for it then you'd like to think someone at Red Hill has noticed it and they've looked into it already? The fact we haven't seen any of it at this point suggests that he most likely doesn't have a lot of those skills, or the less likely alternative that literally no one has ever thought to ask or test it out, which would be really concerning indeed. Surely you don't get to the end of your second season at NRL level before anyone realises you actually have this great kicking and passing game?
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Err, what makes you think I wouldn't find out at training ? You may well be right and he doesn't have much skill and everyone 'knows it'. He may be a quiet type that's not been given an opportunity. It really doesn't matter anyway, it's just I'd try him out with kicking and passing first. I'd get him bombing, chipping, chip and regather, grubber, both long and short, 40/20 from his wing spot to the opposite side and banana kicks on his side, long range purely for distance. Then to passing and you can figure out the drills yourself. I'd see if he could run a few plays in the classroom, understand them and see if he could organize the simplest ones first.

I don't care if WB and Seibold and Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer ALL say he's hopeless, I'd still find out for myself.
 
Allo said:
I’d prefer them to say nothing
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unfortunately it doesn't work that way ... you can't put the entire club on a media ban ... especially during the finals, the NRL won't allow it
 
Thelmus said:
A huge part of that was the super league war. It tore the game part, and a lot of the anti-broncos sentiment was give a focus with short life of the crushers. Crowds were split between the two.
Despite that, the players were truly playing magnificent football and it continued after a short hiatus in 1999 into 2000 when those big forwards were the impetus. By that stage age was catching up with a lot of our backs. So it was in decline even then.
There were a lot players that were integral to all our premiership teams that few people recall today in "best of" lists. Players like matterson, mark hohn (much underrated prop), like severe, berrigan.
They just seemed to fit a whole we had at the time and kept showing up.
We seem to think we can fill sides with superstars and potentials, but every side needs a smattering of honest toylers to complement the lockers, lancers and milf's.
I see that in the likes of glenn, turpin and even lodge. They won't win a game on their own but without them you soon find a whole in your side that's not easy to fill.
I liked oppacic for that reason as well, but understood the reasons for him going. I farnsworth is another in that mold, and he looks the kind of player that will settle in whatever role you throw him into.
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....yes in 1999 we did lose quite a few legendary back line players, 2 that come to mind was Alf & Renouf leaving..

Im pretty certain those type of glue guys, the 7/10 players week in and week out are already here. Pat Carrigan is one for the forwards, do we have one for the backs..?

Maybe Glenn if he stays..??
 
Our scramble defence is garbage because half the line doesn't move when the opposition quickly changes sides.

Players are drilled in training to not leave holes in the line so that's why you never see Isaako and Staggs spreading wide to tackle because the line it self isn't moving sideways, even if they did go they will just leave an inside hole.

Structure like that takes time, it's been a major weekness with us all season, It's a trust issue that will happen with teams where you have alot of new players and existing players in new positions.
 
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Mustafur said:
Our scramble defence is garbage because half the line doesn't move when the opposition quickly changes sides.

Players are drilled in training to not leave holes in the line so that's why you never see Isaako and Staggs spreading wide to tackle because the line it self isn't moving sideways, even if they did go they will just leave an inside hole.

Structure like that takes time, it's been a major weekness with us all season, It's a trust issue that will happen with teams where you have alot of new players and existing players in new positions.
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What’s Melbournes defensive structure? I mean apart from being offside most of the time.

On our right side they always seem to bunch right near turps and then it’s all over from there is it Gillo? Or is it staggs? I’ve been giving shit to isaako but the more I watch the more it looks like he doesn’t really have a choice but to come in.
 
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