Our chances of making the eight

[rnabokov]

I'm not going to complain if we do make the 8 because that means we've won our last 5 games but I don't see much value at all in getting knocked out in the first week of finals.

I reckon if we get our defence right, we will go a long way. Maybe not quite all thw way, but close.

If the defence stays as it was v Eels: broken line, slow speed and missed tackles (42) we will lose them all

 

[theshed]

Is there any scenario where we can lose a game and still make the finals?

 

[rnabokov]

Is there any scenario where we can lose a game and still make the finals?

We wouldn't deserve to

 

[Mister Wright]

Is there any scenario where we can lose a game and still make the finals?

If the Knights don't win again this seaon (25). The Titans only win 1 more (26). Raiders only win 1 more (26). Warriors only win 2 (26). Cowboys only win 2 (26). Of course this relies on us winning 2 of 3 (27).

This week Titans host Warriors and Cowboys host Knights.

 

[theshed]

If the Knights don't win again this seaon (25). The Titans only win 1 more (26). Raiders only win 1 more (26). Warriors only win 2 (26). Cowboys only win 2 (26). Of course this relies on us winning 2 of 3 (27).

This week Titans host Warriors and Cowboys host Knights.

I guess we should cheer for the Cowboys and Raiders this weekend then.
So the Cowboys would have to win this one and then the knights would have to lose the last two games.
and I guess we probably want the Raiders to win this one and hope they don't win again.

Math is fun!

 

[Dexter]

Glenn is also due back - a big plus, and Dodds who MUST replace Lui ASAP

Sorry to be Johnny raincloud but Dodds is gone for the season according to the Broncos website

 

[subsbligh]

This week is massive. Honestly if we can beat Penrith and the Knights that should be enough to get us in the finals.

The broom sweeping has been done and we have a good chance of some decent off season signings. Build for 2014. But put in some confidence building performances this year.

There is no way we have the class to beat any of the current Top 4 sides. If it were the finals next week and under the McIntyre system, we wouldn't get within 30 of Melbourne, Manly, Souths or Roosters.

With Hodges there and an off night... anything could happen. But with his achillies went any real chance for us.

 

[theshed]

With Hodges there and an off night... anything could happen. But with his achillies went any real chance for us.

I don't know, sometimes (though rare) a magical thing happens when the player the team depends most on is unavailable. Higher expectations on Hunt, coupled with more confidence in directing the backs now that such an intimidating presence is gone. A backline full of hungry young talent looking to earn a permanent spot next year. The whole team could lift in his absence.

...or maybe we'll do the same thing we've done all year except without Hodgo to pull the whole team kicking and screaming towards actually being a competitive force. time will tell.

 

[Alec]

It's hard to look at your own side objectively. The good players always seem that much better, and the poor players that much worse than with other teams. But even being a huge fan it's pretty easy to see we won't be able to match the better sides. Our defence just isn't up to it, we lack a bit of strike power in the backs with all the injuries, and our spine is unpredictable at best.

 

[rnabokov]

Sorry to be Johnny raincloud but Dodds is gone for the season according to the Broncos website

Damn. Thanks for that D.

At the same time, is it rocket science to keep a straight line in defence, a line that moves up as one, with speed, and malice aforethought?

Isn't that one of the first fundamental rules of engagement in football?

What are the Broncos, a bunch of careless schoolboys?


[h=1][/h]

 

[vertigo]

Kearney is our defence coach, nuff said.

I'm still puzzled as to why we signed him.

 

[Big Pete]

His signing certainly didn't pan out too well for us did it?

I believe Kearney was brought in because of his experience and under the logic of, "well, it can't get any worse than Langer".

But it did.

Mind you, I don't know if it's really his structure that's to blame or the personnel in the structure. There is no amount of coaching that's going to make Scott Prince for example, a quality defensive half. For mine, he's been the biggest difference out there.

Also, the Kiwi connection may have helped. Glenn and Hoffy seem pretty influential players and may have recommended SK.

 

[rnabokov]

At the risk of simplifying things too much, for mine, it is sub-zero IQ stuff to get a bunch of highly paid, intelligent (?) professional footballers to move up as one, quickly, so the opposition has minimal time to make decisions and set plays.

What? Are the Roosters intellectual giants compared to us?

In opposed training, Der ... excuse me, you, you and you didn't move up. You're all too slow. Go back and do it again. And again. You're not going home until you all do it right.

Hey, you, you came in off your wing, do that again and you're in Qld Cup.

I honestly can't believe that both team and coach can't get pre-school level stuff right. As for Prince, well, have him one-on-one with Benny H for a few hours.

He might decide to go to Super League sooner than later

 

[Alec]

I think I said it a while back, but the only 2 explanations for the lack of linespeed I can think of are the lack of fitness (with Griffin seemingly asking every player to put on size, whether it's muscle or just fat) or...they just don't want to/aren't told to. Which would be Griffin's or Kearney's fault too.

It seems like the first step is to get a above average defensive coach. And an attacking coach too, because we seem to lack structure/organisation a lot of the time and thus rely on the most basic of plays.

 

[rnabokov]

I think I said it a while back, but the only 2 explanations for the lack of linespeed I can think of are the lack of fitness (with Griffin seemingly asking every player to put on size, whether it's muscle or just fat) or...they just don't want to/aren't told to. Which would be Griffin's or Kearney's fault too.

It seems like the first step is to get a above average defensive coach. And an attacking coach too, because we seem to lack structure/organisation a lot of the time and thus rely on the most basic of plays.

I think you ar right on both counts. Nevertheless, it is plainly incomprehensible to me that a team like the Broncos can't get such a simple thing right. I mean, it's the most crucial part of the game, if for no other reason than it goes some way to compensate for limited creativity in attack.

As for attack, I'll say it again. For 15 minutes v Eels, and probably in most (not all) games, we have shown absolute class in our attacking plays.

Yet again. I find it incomprehensible that the mighty Broncos almost it seems, couldn't give a damn about the simplest elements of basic rugby league, and honestly believe that Barba and Milford will buy us a premiership

 

[Alec]

I wonder what happened at the Roosters? Last year they were just a poop side. OK, so they made some great signings this year, but how did their defence improve so much? Maybe we can steal their defensive coach?

 

[Broncoman]

I wonder what happened at the Roosters? Last year they were just a poop side. OK, so they made some great signings this year, but how did their defence improve so much? Maybe we can steal their defensive coach?

Trent Robinson is a genius the whole team is just playing sensationally.

 

[Kimlo]

Trent Robinson is a genius the whole team is just playing sensationally.

321 P/D, insane. Best attack, best defence.

This competition is really wide open.
Manly, Storm, Souths or Roosters are all a very real chance of winning with Cowboys and the dogs a possibility.

After 23 rounds I still can't confidently say who I think will win the comp, the finals series is going to be hugely exciting.