POST GAME Finals Week 2 - Cowboys vs Broncos

[Willek]

A kick is only as a good as its chase. The amount of uncontested high balls from our kicks are quite disappointing. Have a look at the Cowboys, and even the Titans in the previous week. They were hardly perfect kicks, but it was made into a contest. With the pressure applied through just being in the picture, it forced a few errors.

Hunt pretty regularly hits a good bomb, that is neither too deep, nor too short, so why aren't we contesting any of them? There's a lot of kicks that aren't even that bad, but the opposition get an easy run back from their 10m mark because of a lack of a serious chase.

And those are things developed in the pre-season. Which is apparently where Bennett is the best.

 

[dtmtrano]

Whilst our halves were poor, I think one area we're REALLY BAD in is our wingers....

How many times this season have we seen our wingers NOT compete for the high ball, and if they do, they knock it on?? How many times have we seen our wingers come in for no reason. Jonus Pearson was really hard to watch. The guy was cominy in from his winger just to miss his tackles. His knock on lead to one of Oneils try and also he was seen walking/jogging back to the line... Like wtf have u done thats made u more tired than McCullough or Boyd??

Also, why was Jai Arrow getting more gametime than TPJ??

There were so many 1%ers that would've made the difference in this game. Had someone helped out during that breakaway that ended in Gillett's tripping, Gillett would've made that tackle. It would've been a similar scenario where Coen Hesse pushed Oates towards the sideline helping Coote mark Boyd.

AND YOU KNOW WAT HURTS THE MOST? The way Hunt lost that ball in that breakaway... Reminded me of 2015 Grand Final.

Thats two club legends we failed to send off properly. Sorry Parker and Hodges.

 

[dtmtrano]

We do but he didn't get used.

Tpj?

 

[winslow_wong]

Tpj?

Yes

 

[rnabokov]

Well a lot of Cronks game is manufactured, pre-planned and structured. There's nothing about reading a game in what he does. Yes, he has over the years learned to read a game better, but even still, Its all just him executing a game plan. Everything he does in a game, he has done countless times at training that week. He barely plays what he sees. The beauty in his game is that all his work is done outside the actual game. A large part of the credit deserves to go to the coaching staff at Melbourne as well as the players around him. The likes of Proctor and Harris have tremendously helped Cronks game, by being where they need to be when he hits them off a short ball.

Hunt is a different type of play who doesn't do well in structure. He plays what he sees like a natural playmaker, but often his teammates don't put themselves in a position for Hunt to do anything. They all just stand flat footed without even trying to push up in support. If one of our players for once charges forward at speed on the inside or outside hip of Hunt, it provides him with options, and the opposition gets worried. That's when Hunt is dangerous. We don't need Hunt to pre plan a decision, we want the opposition to make the decision for him. We have seen many times, when the defence is in two minds, Hunt picks the right option, whether it be dummy and go himself, play the short side, or a cut out pass on the edge for a try. We just have to provide him those opportunities away from the try line as well.

As for Thurston, its the same with him. The players around him give him options. When he has options, he makes the opposition make the decisions for him and its simple from there. Its why when teams targeted Thurston, they not only cut out his time, but they cut out the time of the players around him to get in position. By doing that, Thurston looks both ways and he has no one to pass it to, and becomes easy pickings for the defence.

Great post.

I think much the same applies to Milford and Roberts, which perhaps might go some way to explaining why Roberts was so damaging last year where he wasn't muzzled by rigid structures at the Titans.

For us, maybe 2015 was a good year since Hunt and Milford were exploring their brand new combinations unfettered, whereas this year, they were set in stone so to speak. For mine, Milford was trying too hard to play a role with which he was unfamiliar, and just doesn't suit his style, something I reckon Walters understands, or understood.

Next year will be interesting indeed

 

[kat00]

I'm not blaming the ref I think we were beaten by a better team in a great game of footy but how come Gould and Sterlo were not outraged when Morgan was obviously offside and we were only awarded a scrum? It got a passing mention and that was it as opposed to 75 minutes of bewildered outrage.

As one eyed as I am, I dont think it was a penalty.
The fist indiscretion kills the play, they knocked on, scrum.

 

[dtmtrano]

As one eyed as I am, I dont think it was a penalty.
The fist indiscretion kills the play, they knocked on, scrum.

Tbh had it been an insignificant player like Asiata or Bolton, refs wont even bother calling it back. They were letting the game run fast, pree sure it would've been the same way if it wasnt Jt falling over.

 

[Super Freak]

As one eyed as I am, I dont think it was a penalty.
The fist indiscretion kills the play, they knocked on, scrum.

It was a penalty and it should have been a penalty.

Morgan knew he was offside, and it wasn't accidental contact. He went for the ball. And IIRC, denied us the chance to get a 7 tackle set.

We would have had more time to set up for a field goal and more time to take it.

They denied us that chance by intentionally breaking the rules. It definitely should have been a penalty.

We got pinged for that in Round 4. It should have been a penalty this time, as well.

 

[Danoz Direct]

It was a penalty and it should have been a penalty.

Morgan knew he was offside, and it wasn't accidental contact. He went for the ball. And IIRC, denied us the chance to get a 7 tackle set.

We would have had more time to set up for a field goal and more time to take it.

They denied us that chance by intentionally breaking the rules. It definitely should have been a penalty.

We got pinged for that in Round 4. It should have been a penalty this time, as well.

There were at least 2 occasions that we should have got a penalty for that, but it was a night where we seemed to get rough end of the stick and the Cowboys got pretty much everything their way in terms of calls.

 

[tommy]

As one eyed as I am, I dont think it was a penalty.
The fist indiscretion kills the play, they knocked on, scrum.

I would say a knock on doesn't kill the play because if we pick it up it's play on. Morgan killed the play. But anyway it's history now.

 

[BRC088]

A game almost desinged for Roberts. A fatiguing opposition he would have had for breakfast. Never mind. Would love to know what the Cow's put in their drinks at about the 60 min mark.

 

[winslow_wong]

EDIT: Defamatory

 

[Big Pete]

It can be a cruel game Rugby League.

66th minute, Cowboys off a penalty and a repeat set look to put the game to bed. The Broncos are out on their feet only for Glenn and Thaiday to make two big hits to lift the troops. Last tackle and the Cowboys throw everything at the Broncos, yet somehow, someway the Broncos manage to hang in there.

A few moments later, Brisbane are on their haunches, Boyd spots a gap and sends Oates on a 75m sprint to the line. It was courageous stuff from the Broncos, the type of play that has typified their past couple of seasons.

Unfortunately it just wasn't enough.

Not against this Cowboys outfit. Over the past three seasons, they've built an incredible roster based around one of the greatest players to grace the sport and it's paid dividends. Hats off to them, it was a spectacular victory and they're loving it up there.

However if it's any consolation, the reason it meant so much to them is because of the effort the boys put in. They didn't beat a bunch of mugs, they know they beat a quality opposition and this rivalry means as much to them as it does us.

Unfortunately there's got to be a winner and a loser. Lately we've been on the opposite side of the coin, but the tide will turn.

This game reminds me a lot of the 1989 Grand Final in the sense that there were so many what if moments. What if McGuire didn't fumble the ball in the first half? What if Oates didn't come racing in on Feldt and miss? What if Opacic held onto Glenn's pass? What if Wallace passed it on after the Opacic break? What if Gillett played right instead of dancing around in circles after the Wallace offload? What if Milford didn't lose the ball twice? What if Hunt chased harder on the grubber? What if Hunt held onto the ball after his break?

Etc.

That isn't to say the Cows didn't deserve the victory. They were the more composed side on the evening, they had better structures in play and they made the most of their opportunities.

However it just highlights the areas where Brisbane are lacking.

A lot was made of the Pangai Jr substitution.

I'm trying to wrap my head around our sub situation, I believe it went...

#1 Wallace For Blair
#2 Glenn For Parker
#3 Arrow For McGuire
#4 Parker For Wallace
#5 McGuire For Arrow
#6 Blair For Opacic

Am I missing anyone? I remember hearing the Broncos made 7 with about 15 to go but for the life of me I can't think of who the interchange would be for.

Sounds like Wayne went for his most experienced line-up for the final period. I can't fault the logic, nor the decision to give Parker moments of the match. Unfortunately it backfired and Pangai Jr should have come in for Parker. I think Wayne knows that, he just wasn't going to make that decision, not with Corey.

Also I think it goes to show how badly Ofahengaue let the team down this year. We really needed his size to come off the bench and help bend the line. From what I saw, his form along with Ese'ese and Fai's were quite strong in the closing weeks for the Magpies. Hopefully they can develop over the off-season as we'll need at least two of the three to perform off the bench.

We also missed a fully fit Gillett. You can't convince me he, Kahu or Opacic were right out there. All three seemed to be carrying some sort of injury as they seemed hesitant to make contact.

One of the underrated aspects of this season, one of the reasons why Brisbane failed to reach the heights expected of them was the left centre position. All four tries came down that fringe and as per usual we lost a player in that position. That constant reshuffle hurt the team and yet you rarely hear it mentioned. It's been the story since Round 1 when Kahu went off.

Overall, another cruel result for the Broncos faithful. Thankfully this season is finally over. Must admit, it's been tough being constantly reminded of the 2015 Grand Final every week and having just about every performance scrutinized to the enth degree. I don't believe we were ever afforded too many compliments and the media was very quick to lay the boot in whenever they got the chance. It's been a tough couple of weeks to be a supporter. I don't think I've ever been made to feel more upset about a win than the Titans game. It seemed like the media were out for blood and thankfully they got their wish. Hopefully now the club will have them off their backs, they can write the team off and the boys can go about their business.

 

[Horseheadsup]

It can be a cruel game Rugby League.

66th minute, Cowboys off a penalty and a repeat set look to put the game to bed. The Broncos are out on their feet only for Glenn and Thaiday to make two big hits to lift the troops. Last tackle and the Cowboys throw everything at the Broncos, yet somehow, someway the Broncos manage to hang in there.

A few moments later, Brisbane are on their haunches, Boyd spots a gap and sends Oates on a 75m sprint to the line. It was courageous stuff from the Broncos, the type of play that has typified their past couple of seasons.

Unfortunately it just wasn't enough.

Not against this Cowboys outfit. Over the past three seasons, they've built an incredible roster based around one of the greatest players to grace the sport and it's paid dividends. Hats off to them, it was a spectacular victory and they're loving it up there.

However if it's any consolation, the reason it meant so much to them is because of the effort the boys put in. They didn't beat a bunch of mugs, they know they beat a quality opposition and this rivalry means as much to them as it does us.

Unfortunately there's got to be a winner and a loser. Lately we've been on the opposite side of the coin, but the tide will turn.

This game reminds me a lot of the 1989 Grand Final in the sense that there were so many what if moments. What if McGuire didn't fumble the ball in the first half? What if Oates didn't come racing in on Feldt and miss? What if Opacic held onto Glenn's pass? What if Wallace passed it on after the Opacic break? What if Gillett played right instead of dancing around in circles after the Wallace offload? What if Milford didn't lose the ball twice? What if Hunt chased harder on the grubber? What if Hunt held onto the ball after his break?

Etc.

That isn't to say the Cows didn't deserve the victory. They were the more composed side on the evening, they had better structures in play and they made the most of their opportunities.

However it just highlights the areas where Brisbane are lacking.

A lot was made of the Pangai Jr substitution.

I'm trying to wrap my head around our sub situation, I believe it went...

#1 Wallace For Blair
#2 Glenn For Parker
#3 Arrow For McGuire
#4 Parker For Wallace
#5 McGuire For Arrow
#6 Blair For Opacic

Am I missing anyone? I remember hearing the Broncos made 7 with about 15 to go but for the life of me I can't think of who the interchange would be for.

Sounds like Wayne went for his most experienced line-up for the final period. I can't fault the logic, nor the decision to give Parker moments of the match. Unfortunately it backfired and Pangai Jr should have come in for Parker. I think Wayne knows that, he just wasn't going to make that decision, not with Corey.

Also I think it goes to show how badly Ofahengaue let the team down this year. We really needed his size to come off the bench and help bend the line. From what I saw, his form along with Ese'ese and Fai's were quite strong in the closing weeks for the Magpies. Hopefully they can develop over the off-season as we'll need at least two of the three to perform off the bench.

We also missed a fully fit Gillett. You can't convince me he, Kahu or Opacic were right out there. All three seemed to be carrying some sort of injury as they seemed hesitant to make contact.

One of the underrated aspects of this season, one of the reasons why Brisbane failed to reach the heights expected of them was the left centre position. All four tries came down that fringe and as per usual we lost a player in that position. That constant reshuffle hurt the team and yet you rarely hear it mentioned. It's been the story since Round 1 when Kahu went off.

Overall, another cruel result for the Broncos faithful. Thankfully this season is finally over. Must admit, it's been tough being constantly reminded of the 2015 Grand Final every week and having just about every performance scrutinized to the enth degree. I don't believe we were ever afforded too many compliments and the media was very quick to lay the boot in whenever they got the chance. It's been a tough couple of weeks to be a supporter. I don't think I've ever been made to feel more upset about a win than the Titans game. It seemed like the media were out for blood and thankfully they got their wish. Hopefully now the club will have them off their backs, they can write the team off and the boys can go about their business.

Do you think we have a chance next year big Pete?
What do you think we should change or who would you sign up

 

[Big Pete]

I'm undecided whether it's a personnel issue.

In theory, Brisbane have the roster capable of winning a premiership. However, the key components didn't have the best season and the team didn't gel as well as they had the previous season. The latter can be fixed with good preparation and Wayne is one of the best at forming a strong unit. We'll see about the personnel, a few of them need to make changes. Their willingness to accept and make them will determine their future at the club.

 

[Horseheadsup]

I'm undecided whether it's a personnel issue.

In theory, Brisbane have the roster capable of winning a premiership. However, the key components didn't have the best season and the team didn't gel as well as they had the previous season. The latter can be fixed with good preparation and Wayne is one of the best at forming a strong unit. We'll see about the personnel, a few of them need to make changes. Their willingness to accept and make them will determine their future at the club.

Something to think about..thanks.

 

[Wolfie]

It can be a cruel game Rugby League.

66th minute, Cowboys off a penalty and a repeat set look to put the game to bed. The Broncos are out on their feet only for Glenn and Thaiday to make two big hits to lift the troops. Last tackle and the Cowboys throw everything at the Broncos, yet somehow, someway the Broncos manage to hang in there.

A few moments later, Brisbane are on their haunches, Boyd spots a gap and sends Oates on a 75m sprint to the line. It was courageous stuff from the Broncos, the type of play that has typified their past couple of seasons.

Unfortunately it just wasn't enough.

Not against this Cowboys outfit. Over the past three seasons, they've built an incredible roster based around one of the greatest players to grace the sport and it's paid dividends. Hats off to them, it was a spectacular victory and they're loving it up there.

However if it's any consolation, the reason it meant so much to them is because of the effort the boys put in. They didn't beat a bunch of mugs, they know they beat a quality opposition and this rivalry means as much to them as it does us.

Unfortunately there's got to be a winner and a loser. Lately we've been on the opposite side of the coin, but the tide will turn.

This game reminds me a lot of the 1989 Grand Final in the sense that there were so many what if moments. What if McGuire didn't fumble the ball in the first half? What if Oates didn't come racing in on Feldt and miss? What if Opacic held onto Glenn's pass? What if Wallace passed it on after the Opacic break? What if Gillett played right instead of dancing around in circles after the Wallace offload? What if Milford didn't lose the ball twice? What if Hunt chased harder on the grubber? What if Hunt held onto the ball after his break?

Etc.

That isn't to say the Cows didn't deserve the victory. They were the more composed side on the evening, they had better structures in play and they made the most of their opportunities.

However it just highlights the areas where Brisbane are lacking.

A lot was made of the Pangai Jr substitution.

I'm trying to wrap my head around our sub situation, I believe it went...

#1 Wallace For Blair
#2 Glenn For Parker
#3 Arrow For McGuire
#4 Parker For Wallace
#5 McGuire For Arrow
#6 Blair For Opacic

Am I missing anyone? I remember hearing the Broncos made 7 with about 15 to go but for the life of me I can't think of who the interchange would be for.

Sounds like Wayne went for his most experienced line-up for the final period. I can't fault the logic, nor the decision to give Parker moments of the match. Unfortunately it backfired and Pangai Jr should have come in for Parker. I think Wayne knows that, he just wasn't going to make that decision, not with Corey.

Also I think it goes to show how badly Ofahengaue let the team down this year. We really needed his size to come off the bench and help bend the line. From what I saw, his form along with Ese'ese and Fai's were quite strong in the closing weeks for the Magpies. Hopefully they can develop over the off-season as we'll need at least two of the three to perform off the bench.

We also missed a fully fit Gillett. You can't convince me he, Kahu or Opacic were right out there. All three seemed to be carrying some sort of injury as they seemed hesitant to make contact.

One of the underrated aspects of this season, one of the reasons why Brisbane failed to reach the heights expected of them was the left centre position. All four tries came down that fringe and as per usual we lost a player in that position. That constant reshuffle hurt the team and yet you rarely hear it mentioned. It's been the story since Round 1 when Kahu went off.

Overall, another cruel result for the Broncos faithful. Thankfully this season is finally over. Must admit, it's been tough being constantly reminded of the 2015 Grand Final every week and having just about every performance scrutinized to the enth degree. I don't believe we were ever afforded too many compliments and the media was very quick to lay the boot in whenever they got the chance. It's been a tough couple of weeks to be a supporter. I don't think I've ever been made to feel more upset about a win than the Titans game. It seemed like the media were out for blood and thankfully they got their wish. Hopefully now the club will have them off their backs, they can write the team off and the boys can go about their business.

Opacic went off because he picked up another injury earlier in the game.

 

[sus]

Are some of you forgetting when hunt took hit ups inside our 20m mutliple times, as noone else was putting their hand up. Our problem is our kicking and game management and the refs.

Put Taumalolo in our team and we win by 30. Simple as that.

shrewd observation, even Milf was left running it up with no one in support and we all saw Boyd digging in repeatedly - I have to think this has more to do with our fitness, and the reason taama'lolololol stood out so much is his intensity in contrast to our fatigued smaller pack... but who would've thought it at the start of the season? I was rubbing my hands together like a ch9 exec at nrl broadcast contract renewal time in February with the reduced interchanges and such a mobile pack, but FMD we looked smoked so many games towards the back end of halves and unfortunately, with a few wiley old timers at the end of the warez and slowly building rep squad we just couldn't build the depth to have consistent reliable benchies to cover

#2 priority (behind training our halves in compsure, #1): sack our conditioning guys FFS lol

I actually love Hunt, I genuinely think he has great skills and the ability to become an amazing player, and I hope he stays at the club. But I just don't think the coaching staff are doing him or Milford any favours.

I admittedly didn't watch a lot of St George games when Bennett was coach, so I'm genuinely interested in the opinions of others who did - did Soward and Hornby improve as halves under Bennett? My recollection is that Soward was a pretty handy organising half who had a really good kicking game before Bennett arrived, and remained so afterwards, and that suited the grinding style Bennett brought to the club. But as I said, I didn't watch them a lot so I could be way off.

have to admit I didn't watch heap of the 1st, was just catching up with a mate's mate playing a bit of NYC so tended to stick around on occasion for a free feed and a chance to bump into the Great Man (WB, lol.. not their halves - which never transpired) but from what I saw WB simply guided them with confidence and coached the tactical fortitude and self-reliance into their games.

Soward definitely had the boot well before he arrived at StMerge, cant say how much Hornby improved, but they were playing with some real experience and mistake-free guys there, but I can't imagine he's trying to do much different here... get the guys prepared for war and the attrition of 80min of defence and completions. if he can do it with Lockyer/Perry and Hornby/Soward, surely its a matter of time here? dunno, but if he's tapped Hodgo then Parker on the shoulder, **** he better have a plan hahahah

I don't want to get too much into the Late 80's/early 90's cause it might go off topic but bringing a new franchise in is a hard comparison where the majority of players were used to the Brisbane competition which granted was superior to the current intrust cup, wasn't to the same standard of the NSWRL, Players had to adjust and you had a mixture of the younger players alongside the seasoned campaigners in Lewis, Miles, Conescu, Dowling etc who were at either their peak or nearing the end of their careers.

The Lewis decision was an extremely tough one to make because the club needed to look to the future and the salary cap had just been introduced. Do you keep on the older players who are nearing the end of their careers, have serious injury concerns or do you concentrate on locking up your key players for the future for which the club had a staggering amount to keep. A lot of criticism was directed at the club, especially Bennett for it but the truth is tough decisions needed to be made.

For 2017 we have a ton of players off contract, Bennett will review the past two seasons and consider who he believes fits into the clubs future, some decisions people will like, some they won't, have to wait and see.

stellar post GCB, cheers mate. well yeah hard to see that WB is doing much different given the Hodgo/Parker scenarios, interesting Gillett's long term deal though (though I do believe he's been playing absolutely busted since S.O.O.) and Thaiday's extension to a lesser degree.

to briefly digress - I think injuries (combined with the Roberts brain snap) has played a massive part in 2016, with the perpetually disturbed backline/left edge, Gillett/Oppas shoulders and apparently Milf's knee (anyone except C.Garry can confirm that??).. at any time that shit sucks, all combined - you'd need a miracle; at the death of extra-time knockout finals footy against the Cowboys who have now made us their bitches in a humid Townsville with reduced interchanges and an inexperienced bench...

****

props to the team, hard to look back and figure how we'd really even get this far, for all the dickhead moves and mistakes these guys mostly all dug in, all year

.

another quality post BP, fucking cruel and what could haunt you would be all the what-ifs

Cows went from being down 4-1 down in the penalty count to up 7-4. Amazing show of discipline to not give away a single penalty in the second half.

At least channel nine got good television. The wrong side lost the super league war.

aside from this forum which is great for these times, and which I joined during the 'dark ages' to snoop out for potential off-season signings, it sure does help to know these incompetent backwards ass corrupt fuckwits at Artarmon and Moore Park would dare taunt this snake that is the Broncos much more than the past season and this last week in particular, we'd take half your fucking viewership and sponsorship dollars in a breakaway you rambling remedial ***** in suits

oh well, 2017.. still keen

/rant