Hook a retrospective thought

[gordjw]

Yep it certainly is but by the same token the amount of hate and vitirol being directed at him is misplaced.

I truly believe we're in with a good shot in 2015/16.

Misplaced? No. Excessive? Probably.

When you find yourself wondering if the players actually do anything at training, because of the lack of structure, depth, direction, I think that's a coaching issue.

Anyway, at least we had a crack, and I agree that somehow we're still looking good for next season. I think WB's discipline is going to be a shock for many of our guys, and I couldn't be happier for his return.

 

[Big Pete]

Both.

I'd say the biggest issue with the Broncos is that they didn't have anybody to replace Lockyer. How is that Hook's problem when he was the NYC coach when Hunt walked out and was the Assistant when GI couldn't catch a plane?

Junior development also went downhill big time after he left his post among other issues.

 

[Broncoman]

Anthony Griffin my honest opinion

His tenure was always going to be tough with the Broncos most challenging years in the club's history. Locky retiring was always going to be like Newcastle post Johns so he had to make the best of it. I felt he has did some good. He made the transition from under 20's to NRL smooth and easy for the players he coached in 2008, gave Ben Hunt a permanent halfback position so he found as halfback and a halves pairing for the future, signed Milford and released Wallace which was a win-win in the end but I felt it was tough call as Wallace was a loyal servant for us and he also took us to 2 finals appearances in his 4 years with a top 4 finish in 2011 although I would agree that some of his coaching methods were bizarre like his use of the bench and style of play which caused problems but overall I thought he did his best and I wish him the best for the future. I've meet him a couple of times and had a conversation with him and he seemed like a down to earth and likeable bloke, he was very easy to talk to as well.

 

[gordjw]

Both.

I'd say the biggest issue with the Broncos is that they didn't have anybody to replace Lockyer. How is that Hook's problem when he was the NYC coach when Hunt walked out and was the Assistant when GI couldn't catch a plane?

Junior development also went downhill big time after he left his post among other issues.

Well none of those things are his fault of course.

My point is that it's his fault that we stand flat footed and walk upfield. That we can go for 3 sets in a row on the goal line without looking threatening once. You don't need Locky to tell you not to do that.
It's either him or the players, and I've seen most of them consistently play well before. (Though they certainly shouldn't escape criticism either)

I was excited when Hook took over, given his record with this group of boys in the U20s. And yes hindsight is a wonderful thing, but maybe that's his best place in the system. Looking after the boys in a team where the actual coaching is less technically demanding. As the saying goes, everyone gets promoted until one level past their competence.

 

[Big Pete]

My point is that it's his fault that we stand flat footed and walk upfield. That we can go for 3 sets in a row on the goal line without looking threatening once. You don't need Locky to tell you not to do that.
It's either him or the players, and I've seen most of them consistently play well before. (Though they certainly shouldn't escape criticism either)

That wasn't a problem exclusive to Hook nor did the boys always play like that all the time. I agree that the team lacked structure at times but that's how they played without Lockyer the majority of the time - even when they had stars like Karmichael Hunt, Justin Hodges, Shaun Berrigan, Brent Tate, Petero Civoniceiva, Shane Webcke, etc. etc. to guide the way.

Was those in patches outside of them getting 30-40 routinely posted on them?

 

[gordjw]

Well we will have to disagree about where the blame goes then. It's clear now that Locky was practically captain-coach, and I cannot fault either Henjak or Griffin for letting him be that way.

But I do give Hook a large portion of the blame for the basics not getting done now. Think of it this way, either they never practice things like running with depth, or Hook never enforces any discipline for not following the training in-game.

Or to put another way, it's up to him to demand quality play. How would Trent Robinson handle his players standing flat footed for large chunks of a game? Macguire, Bellamy?

 

[Big Pete]

My point is that these problems existed with these players and this team before Hook even took over.

Yes, he should take a fair share of the blame, but not all of it.

I suspect we'll see plenty of instances next season where the players are flat footed. Heck I bet I'll see it from the Roosters & Rabbitohs too and I have this season.

 

[Alec]

The team has played far below what it should be capable of, and this is coming from someone who doesn't rate McCullough, or Barba in the halves. Griffinball was a real thing, and I hope we never see it again.

 

[Foordy]

The team has played far below what it should be capable of, and this is coming from someone who doesn't rate McCullough, or Barba in the halves. Griffinball was a real thing, and I hope we never see it again.

We wont see Griffinball again... We will see Bennettball instead, on first look they appear to be the same thing, but Bennettball is a slightly upgraded version of Griffinball

 

[austin71]

Something Hook said Friday is the reason we needed to get rid of him in my opinion. "I'm leaving this club is a strong position" .. Now to me... With the roster we have, finishing out of the finals last year and we could have finished 10th but got lucky in the last round and had a 12 win and 13 loss record for the year... Or something similar... That's not in a strong position! I think he tells himself he's doing a good job and that's enough for him. Playing Hoffman at five eighth most of the year was the dumbest move in history. Goodbye Hook. Welcome home Wayne and Kevie!

 

[Super Freak]

Well he is in a way.

We have more depth than what we had in previous years and we finally have a squad that can win the premiership, we just didn't have a coach capable of delivering one.

 

[Mr Fourex]

^^^ pretty much

 

[Socnorb]

I know everyone saying " with the squad we have". Who from the current broncos side would walk into a top 4 side?

 

[Allo]

I know everyone saying " with the squad we have". Who from the current broncos side would walk into a top 4 side?

The fact that majority of them have played SoO/ international footy says that most would.

Penrith have made the prelim's on the back of good coaching, team culture and a couple of (losing) NSW halves.

 

[Socnorb]

The fact that majority of them have played SoO/ international footy says that most would.

Penrith have made the prelim's on the back of good coaching, team culture and a couple of (losing) NSW halves.

Some have played SOO simply because they're at the broncos, and are queenslaners.Hoffman ,Glen and Reed are internationals but they would never have made a broncos side of old. I agree about Penrith , punching above their weight. But in all honesty you would have to say this is one of the weakest bronco rosters ever.

 

[Big Pete]

The fact that majority of them have played SoO/ international footy says that most would.

Actually only 9/25 have played to that sort of standard and that's including Jharal who retired at the start of the season.

Penrith on the other hand have 11/25 with that sort of experience.

That isn't taking anything away from Penrith. I believe Ivan and Gus have done a remarkable job and despite a mounting injury toll have only gotten stronger which is fantastic but I thought it was worth pointing out because you wouldn't think that would be the case. I reckon there's a few Broncos player in that line-up - your Josh McGuires, Ben Barbas etc who would have gone close but just missed out for one reason or another.

 

[Allo]

Some have played SOO simply because they're at the broncos, and are queenslaners.Hoffman ,Glen and Reed are internationals but they would never have made a broncos side of old. I agree about Penrith , punching above their weight. But in all honesty you would have to say this is one of the weakest bronco rosters ever.

Well we'll never have a team like 06 again. That side was just ridiculous when you think about. It's an issue that's gonna be constantly brought up every time we have a bad season. We've been awfully spoiled. I mean I hope Wayne can recreate that when he's back, but the days of us supplying 13 of 17 Origin or Test players are long gone.

And BP, I know you knew what I meant, but do you think a Gillett, Glenn, Parker, Thaiday, Hodges, Hannant, Reed and Hoffman outweighs a Soward, Wallace, McKendry, Kite, Whare, Manu, Idris, Taylor and Grant ?

(I'd call our 'potentials' about even fwiw)

And if you rate them about the same, does that not add more weight to how bad our boys have been coached the past few years?

 

[Huge]

I have little doubt that WB will be a substantial improvement on the shithouse the Broncos became since the idiotic decision to oust him. As a consequence the Broncos will again supply players to both state teams over the next three years and I expect we will see a very well run club with Bronco standard performances expected. It is true to say that WB will inherit a solid team and some of that will be down to Griffin but I think that only part of that is Griffins doing. When WB was here, he virtually ran the show and set the tone and I believe that was what cost him his place.

I doubt Griffin had the same influence and as a consequence others would have played a big part in making the Broncos what they are today...a middle of the road type team ,perhaps even mediocre overall. Griffin had a chance but sadly is not a good coach. He had good points but they were outweighed by his stubbornness and very poor selections, individually for games and collectively over the season. Highlights for mine were his dreadful persistence with Hoffman, and insane use of the bench players.

Will not be missed.