Hoffman in the halves

[1910]

And also, I definitely think Strasser or Nikorima deserved it. Maybe Nikorima isn't playing his best now because he was told the better option would get the job, he was the better option and they chose a winger.

How much of them have you seen this season?

Why are they ready?

 

[Cult]

Nikorima can't even start as a half in the NYC... they have moved him to fullback. so if you can't start as half in the NYC then you certainly can't be a half in the NRL

Yeah you missed the point of my post. Hey maybe we should do the same thing with our five-eight who isn't good enough. Check mate.

 

[Porthoz]

It really speaks volumes that none of you are confident enough to put your stakes behind one player.

That isn't good enough to play first grade. You've got to earn it.

What really speaks volumes is that the overwhelming majority of people want Josh out of the 5/8 position, some even want a wheelie bin ahead of him!

It's an absolute fallacy that a player has to play the house down in a lower grade to warrant a look in the NRL.
I do agree with 1910 about being physically and skill ready, and there is no way most ISC halves aren't...

One thing is for sure, as Ari said, Hoffman is certainly physically ready, but he is nowhere near close to skill ready for that position!

 

[Bucking Beads]

I am happy enough to stick with Hoffman now but if Milford changes his mind (I don't think he will) then we should look to blood a young half where possible.

 

[1910]

Isn't that pretty much the same level as the Holden cup?

Yeah that's my point, he played a lower level and played well thus moved up.

I said name a player specifically halves that hasn't played a lower level well and played NRL with success.

 

[Cult]

How much of them have you seen this season?

Why are they ready?

Yeah we get it, 1910 watches every QCup game every week everybody! I haven't seen a lot of them this year dude. But as I said, they were told the best performer will get the spot. Both of them were replaced by someone who was not a better performer in the slightest. That could have something to do with their form.

 

[1910]

Yeah we get it, 1910 watches every QCup game every week everybody! I haven't seen a lot of them this year dude. But as I said, they were told the best performer will get the spot. Both of them were replaced by someone who was not a better performer in the slightest. That could have something to do with their form.

So how do you make the statement they're playing well?

 

[Cult]

So how do you make the statement they're playing well?

I'm not sure I did, but if I did I apologize and will admit I could be wrong. I don't remember saying they are currently playing well though

 

[Alec]

I'd pick Strasser right now, but even if we picked an NYC half, you'd think NOT playing in that turd competition would do more good for their development. And besides, if it does "ruin" them, they obviously were never good enough to make it anyway.

 

[1910]

What really speaks volumes is that the overwhelming majority of people want Josh out of the 5/8 position, some even want a wheelie bin ahead of him!

It's an absolute fallacy that a player has to play the house down in a lower grade to warrant a look in the NRL.
I do agree with 1910 about being physically and skill ready, and there is no way most ISC halves aren't...

One thing is for sure, as Ari said, Hoffman is certainly physically ready, but he is nowhere near close to skill ready for that position!

Most halves- that's a huge statement.

The halves at Broncos' ISC clubs;

Mark Johnstone and Duncan Paia'Aua
Todd Murphy and Sam Foster
Ben Cronin and Matt Seamark
Adrian Davis and Zach Strasser
Oli Olds and Dane Phillips

They're not even all contracted but for arguments sake who are you picking?

 

[Porthoz]

Yeah that's my point, he played a lower level and played well thus moved up.

I said name a player specifically halves that hasn't played a lower level well and played NRL with success.

Okay, we got our wires crossed. I was indicating that you don't need to play well as ISC level to warrant a look in the NRL.

No one here is asking for a miracle solution, only for someone that can do a better job than Hoffman, in the transition period towards 2015 with Milford here hopefully.

It couldn't hurt to get someone like Strasser or Paia'aua to start from the bench, get the feel of the NRL pace and physicality, as well as show their skills as a half. It definitely would hurt less than persist with someone that has unequivocally proven he doesn't have the skills for it!

 

[Ari Gold]

I think 1910 is right for the most part. I'd have been willing to gamble on Strasser or Nikorima though, in part because once Milford and Hunt are around it is unlikely they are to get a look in, so it would be a chance to have a peek at them. Frankly what is in some ways more disappointing to me is that one of them wasn't blooded from the bench instead of having J Wallace sit on it the first couple of rounds. That would have been a nice way to check them out without putting too much pressure on them.

That said, I'd still put either Hodges or Gillett at five eight ahead of Hoffman. They are both more skillful players -- with Hodges you ditch reed, move Hoffman to centre and bring Maranta back to wing, whereas with Gillett you move Parker back to 13 and start Hannant or Kennedy. IMO both make for a better all round squad than having Hoffman at 6.

 

[Porthoz]

Most halves- that's a huge statement.

The halves at Broncos' ISC clubs;

Mark Johnstone and Duncan Paia'Aua
Todd Murphy and Sam Foster
Ben Cronin and Matt Seamark
Adrian Davis and Zach Strasser
Oli Olds and Dane Phillips

They're not even all contracted but for arguments sake who are you picking?

I'm not picking, I don't watch enough of the ISC to be able to go one way or the other, but talent wise, I think Paia'aua and Strasser might be worth the shot.

Is it a risk? Yeah, for sure.
Is it worth the risk? **** yeah!

 

[Broncoman]

You make a good point Ari Gold by giving Strasser or Nikorima a shot this year because Milford is coming next year and they would be unlikely to get a peak next year.

Strasser didn't look up to standard in the trial against the Warriors and I would much rather have someone who is up to NRL standard than someone who isn't no matter how well the incumbent is playing.

 

[Cult]

You make a good point Ari Gold by giving Strasser or Nikorima a shot this year because Milford is coming next year and they would be unlikely to get a peak next year.

Strasser didn't look up to standard in the trial against the Warriors and I would much rather have someone who is up to NRL standard than someone who isn't no matter how well the incumbent is playing.

You know who else didn't look up to standard in that Warriors game? The whole team..

 

[Super Freak]

Wouldn't call it a bombed try on that particular play but definitely an error since he lost the ball in the tackle.

Glenn wasn't running a good line, seemed like he was running back inside instead of through the gap. Still should have given it but not a bomb try.

I found it funny the last time we ran through the video review, we were all happy to criticise Hoffman, but the next night on Sterlo they showed about 3 Barba bombed tries which didn't even rate a mention.

Do you remember when they were exactly? At the top of my head, I can't think of any. I will definitely post the videos.

 

[Foordy]

I am happy enough to stick with Hoffman now but if Milford changes his mind (I don't think he will) then we should look to blood a young half where possible.

If Milford backflips then the situation changes significantly, to the point where our 5/8 is no longer just a "stop gap". and in that situation we should definitely risk it.

Assuming Milford backs out of the deal with us, then i'm hoping that by round 13 someone like Duncan Paia'Aua will have had more experience in the ISC and thus be better placed development wise to succeed in the NRL.

but while the Broncos 5/8 position remain a "stop gap" until Milford arrives in 2015, then i don't want to rush the young talent. if later in the season one of them demands selection, by all means give them a go, but until then let them develop at their own pace, they are just going to lose the place to Milford next season anyway

 

[Big Pete]

Do you remember when they were exactly? At the top of my head, I can't think of any. I will definitely post the videos.

Memory is foggy, believe two of them were in the second half where Barba went short when he should have gone long. Both were going down the left hand side and I believe he went Glenn and Reed when the next man was the right option.

Think the other example was in the first half.