Out of the 8, second year in a row... And we're in!

[Harry Sack]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

I was joking too ... just used it to have another dig at Stuart
:takdir:

Oh thank god. Thought we'd lost you there for a moment Foordy lol

 

[Alec]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

You know who was even better than Oates on the wing? Hoffman.

 

[Huge]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Broncos defence would have been even worse and half the board would be bitching that Oates isn't being developed properly.

You're welcome.

Oates is a fine player but I'd hardly think his defence in the middle, with the extremely limited minutes he gets would make such a big difference .You're welcome. Also, half the board would be pleased that his abilities would be given a chance to shine through. You're welcome.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Oates is a fine player but I'd hardly think his defence in the middle

Wasn't talking about Oates' defence.

Also, half the board would be pleased that his abilities would be given a chance to shine through.

Which isn't different to how it is now.

The only difference is that you belong to the other half. :)

 

[Huge]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Wasn't talking about Oates' defence.



Which isn't different to how it is now.

The only difference is that you belong to the other half. :)

Then I'm unsure what you meant when you said our defence would be worse. Are you saying that Barba would have been a liability in defence ? If that is so, perhaps you would be right but countering that may have been a significantly greater number of tries scored. We do seem to be better with Barba at 5/8 and even the maligned Reed seems better served.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

A minimal improvement in Reed doesn't equate to a "significantly greater" increase in points.

Regardless, my point is that your hypothetical situation brings about it's own share of problems and isn't something I believe everybody can agree with.

Then again, I find most counterfactual arguments to be rather superfluous. If your aunt had balls, she'd be your uncle.

 

[Huge]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

A minimal improvement in Reed doesn't equate to a "significantly greater" increase in points.

Regardless, my point is that your hypothetical situation brings about it's own share of problems and isn't something I believe everybody can agree with.

Then again, I find most counterfactual arguments to be rather superfluous. If your aunt had balls, she'd be your uncle.

No problem Pete but seeing as you made the statement about defence I'm just wondering what you meant if not a reference to Oates. Also with regard to Reed I concede it is not presently a great increase but more to the point is how many points may have been produced if Barba had of kicked off the season.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Yes, to clarify on the matter I was referring to Barba. I thought the process of elimination would have tipped you onto that and didn't require it but there it is.

As for points - could be more, could be less. No way of knowing and there isn't much of an indication to point out whether the Broncos chances would have been better in the long run.

 

[theshed]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

The issue with Big Pete's arguement is that Barba has been solid in defence.

In his first free games at 5/8 he only missed 3 out of 40. His current stat stands at 9/60.

Comparing Barbas 12 tackles per game with a 1.8 missed tackle average (at 5/8th) to Hoffman's 11 tackle, 2 missed tackle (season) average I can't see too much strength in Big Pete's argument.

Barbs has however scored 4 tries in 5 games in the halves ( Hoffman has 1). He has also ran more metres and made 1 more line break than Ben Hunt during the games where they've both been in the halves.

Of course we can't just assume that would've have seen similar stats had Barba played there all season but to dismiss the argument that we would have been better off with Barba in the halves all season due to defensive issues isn't based on any real fact at this point.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Defensive issues would be only one of my concerns but it is the major one.

The problem with your post is that it's entirely based on statistics. They rarely if ever tell the whole story and it's worth sitting down, watching the games and making observations based on those games. Of what I've seen, Barba struggled against teams like the Warriors, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs & even Canterbury to an extent in defence.

Factor in his ankle issues at the start of the season and it's difficult to envision it being that much of an improvement, if at all.

It also helps Barba that he was able to cash in against a team like Newcastle who were absolutely dreadful on Saturday.

Maybe if the Broncos had have shown more consistensy as a team I'd be able to agree with this hypothetical situation but if anything they're even more inconsistent now than they ever have been. They've put away a few out of form dud teams who shot themselves in the foot and then had their asses kicked by teams who actually went out there looking to play football.

 

[CaptainHook]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Can someone please tell me how many top 8 teams we have beaten this yr

Just had a look at the ladder. We've beaten Manly, Cowboys and Bulldogs.

 

[theshed]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

I don't think you can fault Barbas defence. It's as good as most halves and not far enough below Hoffman's standard to have much effect on our defensive starch. He is however, undeniably better in attack than Hoffman.

Interestingly (and I know stats don't mean everything but it's worth noting) our points scored and conceded since Barba shifted to 5/8 pretty much completely reflects our season average. This could possibly be accounted to the fact that Hoffman was still (until recently) a spine player. The next two rounds without him will probably give us a better idea of his effect on the broncos this season.

For the record, I have no dog in this fight and completely agree that we can't just assume our season would have been better off had Barba started in the 6. We will never know. I just wanted to point out that there was no strong evidence our defence would have been significantly effected.

my personal opinion is in retrospect Barba would have been a better option for this season, and that even without retrospect Hoffman was never the right choice.

 

[theshed]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

All shoulda coulda wouldas aside, what do we need to happen now to make the 8?

 

[Foordy]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

All shoulda coulda wouldas aside, what do we need to happen now to make the 8?

we have to start by beating Melbourne ... then hope one of the teams above us drop one (or in the Storms case 2)

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

we have to start by beating Melbourne ... then hope one of the teams above us drop one (or in the Storms case 2)

Roosters would have to be a big chance of beating the Storm.

 

[Super Freak]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

All shoulda coulda wouldas aside, what do we need to happen now to make the 8?

Best case scenario, if Eels lose both games and Warriors lose 1, our win against the Dragons will be enough.

 

[Harry Sack]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

Best case scenario, if Eels lose both games and Warriors lose 1, our win against the Dragons will be enough.

That's what I wanted to hear. I don't want to be playing the Storm for a place in the finals.

Secretly, I kinda do. Kicking them out of the race would be soooo good.

 

[Splinter]

Re: Out of the 8, second year in a row

I would like to see Storm lose to the Roosters which sets up a blockbuster against us which we win to knock them out of the finals