McHunt
International Rep
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- Aug 25, 2018
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Darren Lockyer is back at it again in the Courier Mail, this time responding to the near-unanimous calls for Milford to be stood down. He identifies himself as one of the obstacles to removing Milford from the position that is making a mockery of the Broncos attack:
He doesn't believe dropping him is the "singular answer to suddenly curing Brisbane’s ills" and although citing "Milford’s seeming reluctance to run the ball" that the bigger issue is the forwards not being able to "win the tackle, win the ruck and, subsequently, win field position for their playmakers."
9 out 10 BHQ members are wrong
He points out that the stats say Brisbane has gained 5584 metres compared to their opposition’s 8532, they have a problem with discipline is a problem and are "being dominated in midfield." He says the six again rule, while making the game faster, suits "flat, direct runners that can easily get over the advantage line once you’ve created some momentum." Brisbane's forwards, he says, "look to be playing too laterally". He says Haas is a "machine in terms of aerobic fitness but without Lodge, Alex Glenn and Tevita Pangai Jr in the opening weeks, he has had to shoulder an enormous workload and the signs of fatigue are showing. Maybe reducing Payne’s minutes even further can ease the strain on him and freshen him up to produce some of his stronger bursts."
Then for the elephant in the room, Milford: "most talented player down on confidence and second-guessing himself. At training, you don’t see signs that Anthony is not committed to the cause. If his preparation wasn’t adequate, then there would be an argument to demote him, but Milford can only be as good as the platform his forwards provide. I’ve been in some dark holes. I’ve had my confidence battered and my belief tested. Milford can’t feel sorry for himself. The criticism will always be there in this arena, so the best response from Milford is to block out the noise, put his head down and address the deficiencies in his game and respond with actions."
He assures us Milford know what he has to improve, and dismisses calls for Dearden to replace him because he hasn't been playing any lower grade football so would take time to "find his feet." Then goes on with that "good honest conversation" routine asking each other ‘why are we here’ ‘how do we fix it? He doesn't blame the change in rules because it's a level playing field for all teams.
The future isn't now
He says Brisbane doesn't have "five or six stars waiting in the wings in reserve grade. They have to dig themselves out of the hole and I know the talent is there when their confidence matches their ability. But only the current group can find the answers. There is no magic fix."
McHunt
He doesn't believe dropping him is the "singular answer to suddenly curing Brisbane’s ills" and although citing "Milford’s seeming reluctance to run the ball" that the bigger issue is the forwards not being able to "win the tackle, win the ruck and, subsequently, win field position for their playmakers."
9 out 10 BHQ members are wrong
He points out that the stats say Brisbane has gained 5584 metres compared to their opposition’s 8532, they have a problem with discipline is a problem and are "being dominated in midfield." He says the six again rule, while making the game faster, suits "flat, direct runners that can easily get over the advantage line once you’ve created some momentum." Brisbane's forwards, he says, "look to be playing too laterally". He says Haas is a "machine in terms of aerobic fitness but without Lodge, Alex Glenn and Tevita Pangai Jr in the opening weeks, he has had to shoulder an enormous workload and the signs of fatigue are showing. Maybe reducing Payne’s minutes even further can ease the strain on him and freshen him up to produce some of his stronger bursts."
Then for the elephant in the room, Milford: "most talented player down on confidence and second-guessing himself. At training, you don’t see signs that Anthony is not committed to the cause. If his preparation wasn’t adequate, then there would be an argument to demote him, but Milford can only be as good as the platform his forwards provide. I’ve been in some dark holes. I’ve had my confidence battered and my belief tested. Milford can’t feel sorry for himself. The criticism will always be there in this arena, so the best response from Milford is to block out the noise, put his head down and address the deficiencies in his game and respond with actions."
He assures us Milford know what he has to improve, and dismisses calls for Dearden to replace him because he hasn't been playing any lower grade football so would take time to "find his feet." Then goes on with that "good honest conversation" routine asking each other ‘why are we here’ ‘how do we fix it? He doesn't blame the change in rules because it's a level playing field for all teams.
The future isn't now
He says Brisbane doesn't have "five or six stars waiting in the wings in reserve grade. They have to dig themselves out of the hole and I know the talent is there when their confidence matches their ability. But only the current group can find the answers. There is no magic fix."
McHunt
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