Paul Kents comment

[subsbligh]

I'm not sure about the 3 years part, but I think we'll miss the finals this year, and in the longer term that may not be a bad thing. I think on too many occassions post 2000 the broncos have just scrapped in to the finals, only to bow out without much fight, and it's allowed problems that should have been addressed to be somewhat glossed over while everyone pats themselves on the back and says job well done for making the finals.

I also think that we as broncos fans have been spoilt that our club has always had one of, if not the, top playmaker in the game at the time. That makes it much easier to build a very successful team around. The broncos no longer have that, and sadly I think we have become just another club - one that may not see the great success it once did for a number of years, if ever. It sort of makes you appreciate how the supporters of some clubs who haven't been successful year after year or who haven't won a premierhsip for 20+ years must feel. It's easy to support a successful team, but I really wonder how many "fans" would still go to broncos games if they lost week after week.

Exactly why the Storm will fall into a shit heap in 5 years time. At least the Broncos are in Rugby League heartland.

 

[Anonymous person]

i dont know about that. the storm are winners, and people want to go to teams that are winners. the same way players used to want to play for the broncos, people will want to play for the storm - especially if they can win another premiership or 2 with slater/smith/cronk there.

 

[noisetheory]

yes and we were winners a few years ago too.

just fyi i dont believe its all doom and gloom as much as others seem to think.

 

[Anonymous person]

we were winners for 1 year, for nearly every other year since 2000 we were pretenders when it came to the business end of the season.

 

[broncos4life]

we were winners for 1 year, for nearly every other year since 2000 we were pretenders when it came to the business end of the season.

As storm will be post slater, smith and cronk

 

[Bucking Beads]

It'll be interesting how the Storm go when the big 3 go. If they find adequate replacements they'll be fine but if they sign spuds like we have they'll be in trouble regardless of who their coach is.

 

[Anonymous person]

As storm will be post slater, smith and cronk

maybe, who knows. guess we'll see in a few years.

they are very well set up to be good after they leave though, as their whole game plan revolves around just choking the life out of the opposition and then allowing their attacking players to shine. their defence and gameplan wont suddenly become ineffective once they leave, just the scoring points will be harder.

 

[Coxy]

maybe, who knows. guess we'll see in a few years.

they are very well set up to be good after they leave though, as their whole game plan revolves around just choking the life out of the opposition and then allowing their attacking players to shine. their defence and gameplan wont suddenly become ineffective once they leave, just the scoring points will be harder.

The big IF is coming up with attacking players capable of doing that job. Smith-Slater-Cronk is arguably the best trio in the game since Daley-Stuart-Meninga terrorised defences in the 80s/90s. It could be similar to what happened when the Broncos bid farewell to Langer, Renouf, D.Smith etc...the defensive game solidified and attack was a lot more difficult. And the Broncos had the advantage of a young D. Lockyer to bridge some of the gap. Not seeing any such future talent coming through the Storm at the moment (Widdop nowhere near).

On the positive side, if Cronk/Smith/Slater don't suffer serious injury there's every reason to expect they'll keep going another 4-5 seasons and perhaps by then the new generation will emerge.

 

[tkday]

How scary is it to think that Cronk, Smith and Slater will still be around playing together for another 4 or 5 years.

 

[jakepearce94]

And the Broncos had the advantage of a young D. Lockyer to bridge some of the gap.

what about sailor, tuqiri, de vere, hancock.

 

[Coxy]

what about sailor, tuqiri, de vere, han****.

That helps, but without someone who can create holes, outside backs aren't as effective.

 

[nopatience101]

How scary is it to think that Cronk, Smith and Slater will still be around playing together for another 4 or 5 years.

Turns out cheaters do prosper, they prevented every other club from fairly competing for their signatures and that's why Melbourne's run is such an anomaly, any other club would have been forced to break them up. With three marquee players it's little wonder they have been so dominant and it's been to the detriment of the equality of the competition the salary cap is designed to regulate.

 

[subsbligh]

Turns out cheaters do prosper, they prevented every other club from fairly competing for their signatures and that's why Melbourne's run is such an anomaly, any other club would have been forced to break them up. With three marquee players it's little wonder they have been so dominant and it's been to the detriment of the equality of the competition the salary cap is designed to regulate.

Well, they're compliant now and still have Cronk, Smith and Slater and should enjoy another premiership or two during their respective careers.

After that, as a franchise in a foreign territory where AFL dominates, your casual fan (the Molly Meldrums) will drop off. As will the brand to allure the best players.

 

[subsbligh]

How scary is it to think that Cronk, Smith and Slater will still be around playing together for another 4 or 5 years.

10 in a row, another premiership and they'll be done.