New Bronco faces surgery

[andirect]

i predicted he'd be trouble (with injuries) when we signed him. what a waste of money.

 

[The Brizz]

Ah Luke Priddis the guy Wayne openly admits to regretting the most especially when he re-signed Meyers and Carlaw in the same year (the power of hindsight I guess). Puts a lot of pressure on Marsh and McCullogh but I think if they stay fit we will be fine.

 

[Clintos]

Marsh is still a quality hooker. I was very happy when the Broncos grabbed his signature in last years off-season, and I believe he can do great things for us. Add into the mix a young Andrew McCullough, who has been called the next Cameron Smith and I fail to see where the serious issue is. Gorrell was more than likely signed for roster depth, or should Marsh or McCullough have form problems. It's no loss we can't manage. If we lose another hooker during the year, then it might be time to panic.

 

[Hamm.0]

I heard Berro wanted back? Maybe the answer?

 

[Bucking Beads]

I heard Berro wanted back? Maybe the answer?

Berro is the Answer!!!!

 

[Coxy]

If mediocre jack of all trades utility is the question.

 

[Hamm.0]

If mediocre jack of all trades utility is the question.

......they brought Gorrell....from ESL.......

 

[The Brizz]

If Lauren's dreamboat is your question.

 

[Alec]

There are still question marks over McCullough on whether he is ready for a full season of NRL footy IMO. If he is - great...if he isn't, we are in pretty serious trouble.

 

[Jeba]

From what i have seen McCullough can't go the full 80 minutes yet either.

 

[dukey]

That's why you start Marsh at 9 and bring McCullogh off the bench for a bit every game until he is ready for the full 80.

 

[Professor47]

^
but where do we go once one of them falls out of form or injuries or more?
A drawback to not having a hooker that can go 80mins without any trouble imo.

But no need for the panic button just yet either.

 

[Kimlo]

I'd love berro back!

 

[Hamm.0]

Great points. like I've been saying for awhile (yes he has played a couple of NRL matches off the bench), TYC is NOT a guage on a player.

 

[craig88]

If the reports on Gorrell are true, my opinion would be to start Marsh as an 80 min hooker (the reasoning he left the Eels to sign with Brisbane to begin with) and have McCullough in the Qld Cup to gain a bit more experience against men rather than just teenagers.

I would be quite happy to start with this as all I hear about PJ is his great training ethic and how much he puts in (Even in last years finals series how hard he was putting in, even though he was on the outter with Wayne Bennett & stuck behind Michael Ennis).

Due to these reasons along with dealing with injury problems things didn't look great for PJ towards the end of 08 but the 1st quarter of 08 he filled a good void while Lockyer was slowly getting back into things (even getting a crack at origin again) & only once did he and Darren Lockyer lineup in the run on side together. (Rounds 1 & 2 Marsh started at hooker with Lockyer on the bench, Rd 8 & 12 Lockyer starting with PJ on the bench and every other round at least one of them wasn't playing at all).

Round 25 against the Bulldogs was the only round that both players started together, this only happening because Michael Ennis pulling out late with the flu & Wayne Bennett even opting to play Karmichael & Stagg at hooker during the game due to poor form from Marsh.

As I touched on earlier, PJ did fill a good void in the early part of the season and played some great footy alongside Peter Wallace thus getting a shock origin call up.

What im saying is I believe Marsh hasn't got an opportunity to build any form of combination with Lockyer, he got his shot alongside an unproven Peter Wallace and they showed the goods together & I believe that he at least deserves the 1st couple of rounds in 09 to be given that shot with a fully fit Lockyer, Wallace & K Hunt.

In saying all this though, I do believe McCullough should be blooded throughout the year slowly and given a bench spot as we don't have much depth in case of injuries & we don't want him being thrown in the deep end in case something happens to PJ.

McCullough is a great long term prospect & PJ has plenty of experience so IMO start with PJ as an 80 min hooker (rotating with Stagg, K Hunt or Wallace for short periods ONLY IF need be during a game) with McCullough starting in the QLD cup and then slowly gaining more and more NRL experience throughout the year with a bench spot.

 

[Alec]

Turns out it was BS.

Brisbane will consider prospect of David Stagg joining the Bulldogs
By Steve Ricketts
December 09, 2008


THE Brisbane Broncos are unlikely to stand in the way of David Stagg's move to the Bulldogs if the former Origin utility requests a release from the last year of his contract.

The Bulldogs have gone all out to entice the 25-year-old to Sydney after sacking former Australia forward Reni Maitua last week following an off-field incident.

Stagg is regarded by new Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore as an ideal fit as the club looks to rebuild after a disastrous 2008.

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said the club would consider any request from Stagg for a release but the coaching staff was keen for him to stay.

"If David came to us and said he had a fantastic offer and he wanted to go we would give it due consideration," Cullen said.

"We know the Bulldogs are talking to him and it could be they can offer him a longer term deal."

Stagg knocked back an offer from English club Salford to remain at the Broncos but a move to Sydney is not out of the question, particularly as 2008 Brisbane teammates Ben Hannant and Michael Ennis have signed with the Bulldogs.

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak said Stagg remained a key part of the Broncos' plans.

"He has indicated his intention to take up his option for 2009 and until he says something different we will go forward as planned," Henjak said.

Stagg can play five-eighth, centre, lock, second-row or hooker, and at one stage it looked as if his value at hooker might have been required next year after Super League signing Aaron Gorrell was sent for scans on a suspect knee.

But a specialist on Monday gave Gorrell the all-clear to continue with what has been an impressive pre-season.

"Aaron felt a click in the knee which required surgery in 2007 and there was minor swelling," Cullen said.

"Thankfully, there are no problems."

Gorrell has signed for only 12 months and this has contributed to speculation Gold Coast hooker Nathan Friend could join Brisbane in 2010, with contract negotiations at the Gold Coast at a standstill.

 

[Fozz]

Phew! I rate Gorrell. He was great for the Draqueens before they released him. Don't know why those nongs signed Woolford over retaining Gorrell.

 

[Hamm.0]

I saw Friend's article the other day, saying he won't do another 2 years behind another run on hooker.

Brisbane can't sign Friend and keep Marsh/McCullough