Live Chats with Hook and White

[Alec]

You were saying they'd see even a polite question as a personal attack?

 

[broncos4life]

You were saying they'd see even a polite question as a personal attack?

No that's the direct opposite of what I said. I said that if you ask politely (the first example was the polite one) it will be answered.

 

[88to2006Glorydays]

This thread would have to be the most depressing thread this year. All this confirms is that we are in fact stuck with Griffin for another year. There is no way the club would put him on this live web chat if he was about to get axed. Guttered. Forget about how nice the guy is, he has run our club into the ground.

 

[Renegade]

If we're not allowed to ask the hard questions, what's the point? Why not just do a little fluff CM/SM piece like they do every two weeks about how they're trying and they have a top secret recruitment plan that is perpetually in the works and never coming to fruition?

Seriously, they aren't going to answer anything juicey or insightful, it will simply be an extension of the "trust us, we know what were doing even though from the outside it doesn't" mantra. So, I guess in some ways, it'll be really good for the blind faith bandwagoners, they'll get their reassurance that everything's honkey dorey.

 

[Porthoz]

It's not about asking the tough questions, I for one hope they are asked...

It's about the way those questions are asked. What I think B4L meant, is that he expects people to be rude about the way they interact with Hook, not that the Broncos are going to view tough questions as rude!

As usual, people choose to emphasise the negative, instead of taking the offer at face value, and decide upon conclusion whether or not it was a worthy initiative.

Don't expect the Broncos to deliver answers about recruitment specifics though...

The questions I would like to see asked:

- We are one of the most disciplined teams in the NRL, with the best completion rate. Yet we also consistently have the highest missed tackles average. Why aren't we seeing improvement in this critical aspect of the game?

- Several players have been underperforming, yet none bar Maranta has been dropped, giving the fans the impression they are a protected species. Why is this?

- We play a very conservative brand of footy, but lack the defensive starch and attacking X-factor to justify it. Now we are desperate, players are calling for a more expansive approach. Why wait that long?

- Although he is probably the best choice for the position, Corey Norman is leaving to Parra and appears to have a slack attitude to his footy and team mates. Why not put someone there who wants to be at the club and at the same time, prepare a succession.

- Hunt has clearly stated that he is and wants to be a half. Yet, he is most often being used as a backup for Macca. Why not give him an extended stint in Qcup in his preferred position, allowing him to gain routine, become a valid alternative to our current halves, and use quality players like Baptiste or Granville to fill the hooker backup role?

- As hard as he works, it is clear to most people that Lachlan Maranta lacks attacking instinct and cannot play on the wing. That was recognised by the coaching team, as he was dropped for Jordan Kahu until the latter was injured. Are there no better wingers in Q-cup to fill the role?

- Speed is irreplaceable in Rugby League, yet we seem to value size and power over it, even in our backline. Doesn't the club acknowledge this deficiency, and is it pro-actively trying to solve this issue, or isn't this regarded as a priority by the coaching staff?

 

[Alec]

That's all I've been saying. I love those questions you've asked Porthoz, and I doubt members who are invited to participate would be rude. But I do hope the club really has to think about what's going on with them and give the fans honest answers. Simple generic questions will serve no one except look good on their PR record.

 

[Renegade]

Agreed to a certain extent that it depends on how they are asked, but these questions shouldn't sugar coated because if they are, they'll offer the easy line.

I wouldn't necessarily want a scenario like what happened to Parramatta few years ago where their whole side just got shreds torn off them by the public, I don't think that's healthy, but on the same token I think there should be some way, shape or form of communicating our utter disgust for what has transpired this season.

I guess the fact they're doing this shows that they are listening because as ning said, it's rare for the broncos to do this. I just hope something beneficial comes out of it rather than everyone going home feeling better without any real roadmap for future progress.

I don't give a shit if I sound like an entitled fan or whatever else, Brisbane was built on success and striving to be the best. We are so far away from that it's not funny, and to accept it with a shrug of the shoulders and go dems the breaks would simply reinforce how far this great club has fallen. Why should we start accepting mediocrity now, when it was never acceptable before?

 

[broncos4life]

I honestly don't see how my point has still been misunderstood...

 

[rnabokov]

It's not about asking the tough questions, I for one hope they are asked...

It's about the way those questions are asked. What I think B4L meant, is that he expects people to be rude about the way they interact with Hook, not that the Broncos are going to view tough questions as rude!

As usual, people choose to emphasise the negative, instead of taking the offer at face value, and decide upon conclusion whether or not it was a worthy initiative.

Don't expect the Broncos to deliver answers about recruitment specifics though...

The questions I would like to see asked:

- We are one of the most disciplined teams in the NRL, with the best completion rate. Yet we also consistently have the highest missed tackles average. Why aren't we seeing improvement in this critical aspect of the game?

- Several players have been underperforming, yet none bar Maranta has been dropped, giving the fans the impression they are a protected species. Why is this?

- We play a very conservative brand of footy, but lack the defensive starch and attacking X-factor to justify it. Now we are desperate, players are calling for a more expansive approach. Why wait that long?

- Although he is probably the best choice for the position, Corey Norman is leaving to Parra and appears to have a slack attitude to his footy and team mates. Why not put someone there who wants to be at the club and at the same time, prepare a succession.

- Hunt has clearly stated that he is and wants to be a half. Yet, he is most often being used as a backup for Macca. Why not give him an extended stint in Qcup in his preferred position, allowing him to gain routine, become a valid alternative to our current halves, and use quality players like Baptiste or Granville to fill the hooker backup role?

- As hard as he works, it is clear to most people that Lachlan Maranta lacks attacking instinct and cannot play on the wing. That was recognised by the coaching team, as he was dropped for Jordan Kahu until the latter was injured. Are there no better wingers in Q-cup to fill the role?

- Speed is irreplaceable in Rugby League, yet we seem to value size and power over it, even in our backline. Doesn't the club acknowledge this deficiency, and is it pro-actively trying to solve this issue, or isn't this regarded as a priority by the coaching staff?

I think your comment about "disciplined" is a bit of an oxymoron. We might do well in completions, but the rest of this season, especially consistent defensive line speed, one-on-one tackles, poor 5th tackle options, not using plays which have worked for us, or rather, using them once every 3-4 games, appalling support play: these serious problems tell me we are an utterly disorganized and undisciplined side.

That is the question I want asked and answered: why?

We have defensive starch. We just don't use it consistently ... and relate this question to the lack of consistent defensive line speed.

In fact, my biggest gripe with the team is we have shown we can compete with the best of them but we do it once a blue moon. Why? Surely the coach is responsible for ensuring the team executes the plays that are developed and stored in the arsenal?

 

[Porthoz]

I think your comment about "disciplined" is a bit of an oxymoron. We might do well in completions, but the rest of this season, especially consistent defensive line speed, one-on-one tackles, poor 5th tackle options, not using plays which have worked for us, or rather, using them once every 3-4 games, appalling support play: these serious problems tell me we are an utterly disorganized and undisciplined side.

That is the question I want asked and answered: why?

We have defensive starch. We just don't use it consistently ... and relate this question to the lack of consistent defensive line speed.

In fact, my biggest gripe with the team is we have shown we can compete with the best of them but we do it once a blue moon. Why? Surely the coach is responsible for ensuring the team executes the plays that are developed and stored in the arsenal?

I meant discipline as in the amount of penalties we conceed, not how consistent we are. :winky:

And defensive starch is imo being able to consistently maintain the same high standard, but I understand where you're getting. It is more a question of ability to keep our concentration, especially around the ruck, where we get raped as soon as we drop the intensity a little bit...

 

[rnabokov]

Good point P - intensity.

And focus, discipline and consistency

And PRIDE in the magnificent Broncos jersey

So far, it's been all talk and no action by coach and captain

 

[Broncoman]

How does Norman get picked every week when he obviously isn't playing at his best?. That's something I want to know

 

[FaithinHook]

Guys, I'm really loving some of the proposed questions posed - particular the excellent and insightful selection authored by Porthoz. I am just wondering, however, would Broncos management approve of any non-football questions being asked on the day? What I am thinking is that it would be kinda neat to maybe get inside the head of Hook and Whitey to find out a little more about what makes them tick. I think sometimes as fans we get a little too obsessed about the football angle, rather than focusing a little more on the human side of things.

Well just a thought fellas and be interested in hearing others thoughts.

 

[broncos4life]

Guys, I'm really loving some of the proposed questions posed - particular the excellent and insightful selection authored by Porthoz. I am just wondering, however, would Broncos management approve of any non-football questions being asked on the day? What I am thinking is that it would be kinda neat to maybe get inside the head of Hook and Whitey to find out a little more about what makes them tick. I think sometimes as fans we get a little too obsessed about the football angle, rather than focusing a little more on the human side of things.

Well just a thought fellas and be interested in hearing others thoughts.

So you're not HOOK anymore?

 

[MrMoore]

- Hunt has clearly stated that he is and wants to be a half. Yet, he is most often being used as a backup for Macca. Why not give him an extended stint in Qcup in his preferred position, allowing him to gain routine, become a valid alternative to our current halves, and use quality players like Baptiste or Granville to fill the hooker backup role?

Need this answer tbh

 

[john1420]

Guys, I'm really loving some of the proposed questions posed - particular the excellent and insightful selection authored by Porthoz. I am just wondering, however, would Broncos management approve of any non-football questions being asked on the day? What I am thinking is that it would be kinda neat to maybe get inside the head of Hook and Whitey to find out a little more about what makes them tick. I think sometimes as fans we get a little too obsessed about the football angle, rather than focusing a little more on the human side of things.

Well just a thought fellas and be interested in hearing others thoughts.

I follow a football team, and I want to hear answers to football questions

I don't give a crap about Hook's favourite movie or what song White likes to listen to for motivation

Football questions please!

Why not blood a youngster at fullback, with Norman no longer the future?

Why not give Hunt an extended crack in the halves like you did for Norman?

Why are we not seeing more of Granville/Baptiste?

Why is that we seem to be missing attacking structure?

 

[john1420]

So you're not HOOK anymore?

No, B4L, he is definitely still Hook

Trying to avoid the hard questions :)

 

[rnabokov]

Guys, I'm really loving some of the proposed questions posed - particular the excellent and insightful selection authored by Porthoz. I am just wondering, however, would Broncos management approve of any non-football questions being asked on the day? What I am thinking is that it would be kinda neat to maybe get inside the head of Hook and Whitey to find out a little more about what makes them tick. I think sometimes as fans we get a little too obsessed about the football angle, rather than focusing a little more on the human side of things.

Well just a thought fellas and be interested in hearing others thoughts.

Of course darling. Respect the human side of things. We can get better results if maybe we offer chocolates and flowers and ask our dummy halves nicely to throw a bullet pass? Please, please, be gentle ....

And yes, YES! Let us get inside Hook's and Whitey's heads. Hello? HELLO !!! Is anybody there??

Nope. Well that didn't work.