PRE-GAME Finals Week 1 - Eels vs Broncos

[1910]

So you think he's better off playing from the bench in a position he's not enjoying, in a comp that's inferior?
How many minutes is he getting with redcliffe?

I don’t understand the enjoyment part. I haven’t commented on his enjoyment.

Are you even sure his form is NRL worthy? Just selecting random guys in random positions you haven’t watched play just doesn’t seem sound to me.

Too much disruption to carry a back that can only play seven. He’s half or not there because his 14 form isn’t up to it yet.

He got 30 minutes last week.

 

[Dee]

The standard changed during the Henjak/Hook era when a powerhouse club was reduced to mere mortals and mediocrity was accepted as a "the future is bright" slogan. Bennett returned and the club became instant contenders again despite him stating that it would take him five years to mop up the mess that Hook left behind.

Bennett has now moved on and now we are back to the stage where Hook left it in 2014. Run again by incompetents who are again staining the legendary status of the club and all with the same promise for a brighter future.

Many of today's diehard fans weren't around in the hearty days of the 90's and 2000's and have no idea of the standards set during those eras. The older diehards like myself are rare because many aren't near as passionate anymore or have ditched the game completely. That just leaves the younger modern fan who easily accept mediocrity in the hope that the future yields a dynasty. A dynasty may occur in the future but the current admin and coaching crew will be long gone.

Well said. I've been a Broncos supporter since the early 90's and I grew up in Sydney. I remember the days when every team and their fans hated us because we were simply way too good. I remember the days of excellence and the highest possible standards. Barely making the 8 back then would of been an absolute disaster. Today? It's accepted as successful.

I will never buy into that and in my opinion that is what is killing the club. I have no doubt Seibs and the organisation want to win and succeed but part of our winning culture has eroded because standards have dropped. We have excuses. "Oh, it's a young team, we are building, wait a few more years and we'll be great!" - there are no guarantees. We need to be successful now and also plan for the future. Why are the Roosters and Melbourne so good at this but we aren't? It's not that it's impossible it's because the people at the Broncos haven't got "it", whatever "it" is which is excellence, extremely high standards and a take no shit mentality.

 

[Aldo]

I don’t understand the enjoyment part. I haven’t commented on his enjoyment.

Are you even sure his form is NRL worthy? Just selecting random guys in random positions you haven’t watched play just doesn’t seem sound to me.

He got 30 minutes last week.

Sounds a bit like Seibold.

 

[Nashy]

There are eight teams that didn’t scrape in, be at least proud your team wasn’t one of them. I’m the first to admit they have a long way to go and making the finals this year is something I didn’t expect but is a big part of the journey. No, I don’t expect everybody to be on that train but what I suspect and hope for is the players are on it and if so I hope they are listening to me and with respect not you.

It would make a change to see them on your side. But I can't see it.

There is no pride. Truth be told, I'd rather have missed the finals so the new coach could feel the full wrath of the cities team not making finals.

 

[BroncsFan]

If he had a a good general play kicking game (I'm not saying he doesn't) then I just don't understand why we haven't seen it even at training yet?

If he could bring that to the table I'd love to see him given a run at Fullback but at this stage there isn't any real evidence for that kicking game or playmaking ability and he's hardly our most devastating ball runner, and without either of those two things you really can't cut it as a Fullback in the modern game anymore.

He has been called on to kick for touch on penalties and he looks nervous af.

It's very odd, because natural strikers of the ball (Norman, Moses, Reynolds, etc.) are usually very adept at kicking long and accurately with nice weight on the kicks.

Isaako clearly strikes the ball well, but doesn't necessarily have the accuracy or feel on his kicks.

Even his kick offs... he can make them very difficult for the opposition to catch, but is still a risk of kicking it dead. Compared to someone like Fieldt who seems to have better control on his kicks.

 

[_wwong]

Do they look as totally clueless at training as they do in a game?

They only jog up the field and pass it down the line.

 

[pagey]

I don’t understand the enjoyment part. I haven’t commented on his enjoyment.

Are you even sure his form is NRL worthy? Just selecting random guys in random positions you haven’t watched play just doesn’t seem sound to me.

Too much disruption to carry a back that can only play seven. He’s half or not there because his 14 form isn’t up to it yet.

He got 30 minutes last week.

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?

 

[jarro65]

Anyway, the boys looked sharp at training today.

Lots of time spent on stopping offloads in tackles during opposed session.

Tons of talk and enthusiasm out there, in fact a little too much enthusiasm with 'Webcke' Flegler landed a jab on Farnsworths chin !! Much laughter from teammates but Flegler was pretty firey.

Defensive drills right in front of me with Staggs and Isaako looking good....reading things well and talking heaps. Conversely, Oates and Glenn stuffed things up a bit....Oates did to be precise. He really doesnt seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed [emoji2955]

Forwards looked very impressive .. lots of 'unders' balls to Fifita coming back against the grain. The kid is indeed a freakin monster !! Macca working on running out of dummyhalf and turning balls back inside. Lots of angled runs from everybody.

Bird was running freely down one end of the field, as was Dearden. I actually heard Bird tell a fan he was right to play now but the club were being overly cautious with him. He looked ready to go imo .... very fit.

Anyway, from what i saw at this training session i would say that complacency is not an issue

 

[Gaz]

It would make a change to see them on your side. But I can't see it.

There is no pride. Truth be told, I'd rather have missed the finals so the new coach could feel the full wrath of the cities team not making finals.

For all the support they’re getting on this site you’d be forgiven for thinking they had.

 

[CountingMaccasDiet]

Defensive drills right in front of me with Staggs and Isaako looking good....reading things well and talking heaps.

Reports coming from The Oval nets that David Warner has been creaming cover drives against tall right handers bowling around the wicket. Some sort of double between Broncos right side defence and Aus opening partnership gonna pay heaps this weekend.

 

[Nashy]

For all the support they’re getting on this site you’d be forgiven for thinking they had.

Tells you something about the expectations some of us fans have then. A lot higher than the shit we've been given this year.

 

[Huge]

I'm not looking to be negative and I do think making the Finals is far better than not. I just think that maybe this year more than most is a stark reminder of how the Top 8 Finals system satisfies TV ratings with extra games and appeases fans, but it definitely doesn't reflect well on the standard overall when teams can get there on 25 points.
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If he had a a good general play kicking game (I'm not saying he doesn't) then I just don't understand why we haven't seen it even at training yet?

If he could bring that to the table I'd love to see him given a run at Fullback but at this stage there isn't any real evidence for that kicking game or playmaking ability and he's hardly our most devastating ball runner, and without either of those two things you really can't cut it as a Fullback in the modern game anymore.

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.

 

[1910]

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?

It’s random because you can’t guarantee he will play half and it is not where he’s been playing. So if he ends up at centre on debut in a final what then? Or are you going to make three changes just to accommodate him at half?

No injuries you just take off a half just because. You need to plan for the worst which is him having to play a position he isn’t equipped for for 75 minutes.

 

[_wwong]

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.

He probably does possess all those skills but I’m not sure he’d know how and when to use them. I see him more as a finisher than someone who’d set up plays for guys around him. I’ve heard people here, that seem to have followed his career more than I have, say he isn’t one to pass very much.

 

[BruiserMk1]

Anyway, the boys looked sharp at training today.

Lots of time spent on stopping offloads in tackles during opposed session.

Tons of talk and enthusiasm out there, in fact a little too much enthusiasm with 'Webcke' Flegler landed a jab on Farnsworths chin !! Much laughter from teammates but Flegler was pretty firey.

Defensive drills right in front of me with Staggs and Isaako looking good....reading things well and talking heaps. Conversely, Oates and Glenn stuffed things up a bit....Oates did to be precise. He really doesnt seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed [emoji2955]

Forwards looked very impressive .. lots of 'unders' balls to Fifita coming back against the grain. The kid is indeed a freakin monster !! Macca working on running out of dummyhalf and turning balls back inside. Lots of angled runs from everybody.

Bird was running freely down one end of the field, as was Dearden. I actually heard Bird tell a fan he was right to play now but the club were being overly cautious with him. He looked ready to go imo .... very fit.

Anyway, from what i saw at this training session i would say that complacency is not an issue

Thank $&@# for a worthwhile read.
Have been avoiding this cesspool this week.

 

[pagey]

It’s random because you can’t guarantee he will play half and it is not where he’s been playing. So if he ends up at centre on debut in a final what then? Or are you going to make three changes just to accommodate him at half?

No injuries you just take off a half just because. You need to plan for the worst which is him having to play a position he isn’t equipped for for 75 minutes.

This is why I suggested it , I am planning for the worst! I'd make 3 changes, it's not like seibold doesn't like making silly changes

 

[Gaz]

Broncos' Lodge promises NRL fireworks

• Laine Clark

NRL

Brisbane prop Matt Lodge is primed for a big game against Parramatta in the NRL finals.

Fired-up prop Matt Lodge has predicted early fireworks in Brisbane's NRL elimination final against Parramatta on Sunday as the underdogs aim to turn around their poor Sydney record.
Lodge said the Broncos pack would be out to prove the critics wrong, after claiming there had been talk that they could be bullied, with a fast start at Bankwest Stadium against the Eels - who finished the regular season fifth.

Lodge backed fellow prop Payne Haas and back-rower David Fifita to lead the way for Brisbane who have largely been written off after scraping into the finals in eighth spot.
"They (Eels) start fast but I am backing our guys to start fast as well, there should be some fireworks at the start of the game," he warned.

"A few people have said we can get bullied through the middle but I don't think people are going to have too much luck bullying guys like Payne or Dave; we can't wait for Sunday.
"Hopefully there is going to be some big contact and there are a few shots for people to watch when our packs go head to head."
Brisbane will need to overcome a woeful 1-4 record in Sydney this year in which they have conceded 164 points - including a 38-10 thrashing from Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium in round 14.
Not that Lodge had to be reminded.
"To be honest we have been pretty s**t in Sydney. Everyone knows that," he said.
"But it is a different ball game now. It is knockout footy.
"We will go down there with a different mindset.
"We are not going down there thinking we are underdogs. I am confident we can get the job done."
Lodge said he would not be losing sleep over the critics writing off their chances of ending their longest premiership drought and winning their first title since 2006.
"There are probably some people writing us off but there is belief in the group," he said.
"I think the more games we win the more people will shut up, that's the only way to do it."
Lodge said Brisbane would take confidence out of their 17-16 golden point win over the Eels at Suncorp Stadium two weeks ago.

"We played them a couple of weeks ago and we had a tight game which could have gone either way, so we will have to improve a few things from that game but all the boys here are confident," he said.

Broncos' Lodge promises NRL fireworks

Complacency may have been an issue last week but Brisbane's Matt Lodge has promised that won't be the...

www.canberratimes.com.au

 

[_wwong]

Broncos' Lodge promises NRL fireworks

Complacency may have been an issue last week but Brisbane's Matt Lodge has promised that won't be the...

www.canberratimes.com.au

More promises and talking up a big game.