How much stock do you put in trial matches?

[Big Pete]

It seems like every year without fail, fans get excited about their first taste of Rugby League of the season until they're met with the thought that 'it's only a trial'. It can either be a relieving or sobering thought and one that I think that's worth exploring.

Obviously these matches mean nothing as far as the premiership table is concerned but does that necessarily mean that they're useless altogether and that we should simply ignore them as mere training drills?

 

[Big Pete]

It's an interesting dilemma.

I remember last year when the Broncos were flogged by the Warriors we had a few fans come out of the wood work and write the season off as a wooden spoon year. Naturally I scoffed and basically treated the game as an aberration. It was a disappointing afternoon sure, but it barely made me sweat and I thought we'd still beat the Bulldogs in Sydney with Hoffman at 6. Now that turned out to be true but was it all dumb luck?

Trials to me are a lot like the Auckland 9s. It's a different game with different tactics and so on but as far as seeing who is and isn't in good knick, I believe they're valid but I don't think it's worth going all in. Make the comment but don't go ahead and write their season off.

At least that's my approach, I'd be interested to hear your takes on it?

 

[Harry Sack]

I place very little stock in it personally, bar the last trial. In the last trial I would expect to see an almost full strength side and therefore be hopeful of a win.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

I place very little stock in it personally, bar the last trial. In the last trial I would expect to see an almost full strength side and therefore be hopeful of a win.

Yep, agreed. But even then, if I'm someone who's spot in the team is guaranteed, I'm not going to go all out and bust a nut with a long season around the corner.

 

[Art Vandelay]

For individual form I take a decent amount of notice, but for team form the correlation just isn't there.

 

[Unbiased Nostalgia]

Depends, some smartasses like to think it's a reflection of what's to come and they say that only because they're bitter.

 

[Ari Gold]

For a team it doesn't matter but I think it does reflect on the players quite a bit more. Especially those who aren't established rep players.

 

[GCBRONCO]

They can be, then again like Ben Hunt last season it doesn't always indicate what's ahead for them.

 

[Broncoman]

Trial games are very important for the up and coming youngsters in the squad and under 20 players to get tested and it's a good opportunity to give experiential combinations a chance to gel and some game time for depth players and the like some game time. I don't take the results that seriously but I always want the team to do well

 

[Porthoz]

I am moderately optimistic about this season, trials won't make a difference in my view, unless serious injuries to key players happen during those (knock on wood!).

I expect better ruck defense and more impact from the bench (Bennett factor), which with the quality of our roster, should be enough to make us Top 8 contenders.

 

[1910]

I think they're only of value internally. As a staff you know what you're aiming for and why you're doing things and also what you've done since November.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Trials have a tendency to get us fans very excited or very disappointed for no reason. The result has no real value at the end of the day. It is about getting some match fitness and also getting some combinations going with teammates.

 

[Huge]

I just see them as an opportunity to gain cohesion, get players used to the impact from someone who is trying to hurt you and give some insight to the staff. The scores don't really matter unless the team has been absolutely flogged...they certainly don't indicate how the season will unfold

 

[Kimlo]

Zilch. They never seem to be an indicator of season form. I'd still like to watch them if given the chance on TV just to see how some of the younger guys play around a mostly first grade squad.

 

[Tera]

In terms of actual results I couldn't really care less if we win or lose.

What I want to see is desire, effort and commitment. It may only be a trial but the boys - be they rookies or our stars are still pulling on a Broncos jersey and should be giving it their all.

 

[vertigo]

I place very little stock in it personally, bar the last trial. In the last trial I would expect to see an almost full strength side and therefore be hopeful of a win.

This.

We got flogged in both trials last year and I was really livid after the Warriors one, even if we won those trials I don't think it would've changed the fact that we couldn't beat the top teams when it mattered so I don't believe they have too much bearing on projecting regular season form.