PRE-GAME PRE-GAME [Round 3, 2023] Broncos vs Dragons

[BroncsFan]

I'd consider having Haas at lock if Patty is out... our lock does a lot of ball playing, which is why it's immediately noticeable when Palasia is playing lock.

Haas probably has the next best pass out of our middle forwards.

The issue then becomes it being a completely different role to his bash and barge up the middle for 200m, because Patty does a lot of link play between the forwards when they're taking hitups and then link play with the backline.

Not sure Haas can do that level of ball playing as yet... so I get the feeling Palasia will end up playing lock (even though he's a handbrake in backline moves) or maybe Jensen... who got named there in one of the trials

 

[McHunt]

I'd consider having Haas at lock if Patty is out... our lock does a lot of ball playing, which is why it's immediately noticeable when Palasia is playing lock.

Haas probably has the next best pass out of our middle forwards.

The issue then becomes it being a completely different role to his bash and barge up the middle for 200m, because Patty does a lot of link play between the forwards when they're taking hitups and then link play with the backline.

Not sure Haas can do that level of ball playing as yet... so I get the feeling Palasia will end up playing lock (even though he's a handbrake in backline moves) or maybe Jensen... who got named there in one of the trials

I'd love to see Payne break out of his barge it up mode, but I can't see Kevvie doing something so radical. Agree about Palasia. He's been underwhelming for some time. From vague recollection, he was pretty good this time last year wasn't he?

It's time we got a better look at Piakura. Rip the bandaid off.

 

[Fitzy]

This is where Shalom would come in handy but he can’t play till round 10 or 11 or some time around then.

 

[BooKhaki]

I'd consider having Haas at lock if Patty is out... our lock does a lot of ball playing, which is why it's immediately noticeable when Palasia is playing lock.

Haas probably has the next best pass out of our middle forwards.

The issue then becomes it being a completely different role to his bash and barge up the middle for 200m, because Patty does a lot of link play between the forwards when they're taking hitups and then link play with the backline.

Not sure Haas can do that level of ball playing as yet... so I get the feeling Palasia will end up playing lock (even though he's a handbrake in backline moves) or maybe Jensen... who got named there in one of the trials

Palasia has a much better passing game than Haas. Start of last year he was excellent, but he was a dud when used off the interchange for low minutes.

 

[1910]

Not too much between the two on Saturday night, Piakura scored a good try down the left-hand side fighting hard to get the ball down. Madden went for it four tackles earlier, but it didn't come off and Piakua re-loaded and went again when they came back to get at Hamilton again.

I liked two things about it he went again and didn't stand there saying that sucks and he fought to get it down.

But classic Piakua then Hamiliton just walks past him in the Bears try down his side.

Pulled off a massive hit in the first half and played 80 minutes.

Willison lumbered through the game, he was pretty gassed by the end of the first stint 23 minutes.

I thought he was a bit lazy at times, Ahearn shouldn't be taking hit ups off your line. He defended well but rather see him not just lurch around.

In summary I think Piakura is more likely to offer you something from 15 minutes off the bench but neither are must picks at this stage.

 

[BroncsFan]

I'd love to see Payne break out of his barge it up mode, but I can't see Kevvie doing something so radical. Agree about Palasia. He's been underwhelming for some time. From vague recollection, he was pretty good this time last year wasn't he?

It's time we got a better look at Piakura. Rip the bandaid off.

I've felt that Palasia is good as a stock workhorse prop, but his ball playing is poor and he doesnt offer much on the edge.

Either last week or in the game against panthers we had a set inside 20m where the ball didnt get beyond the forwards and that's because Palasia wasnt able to get it out to the halves.

He's already had passes out the back that have gone to no one this year.

He just does not look natural in the role and it looks like something they're trying to add to his game, but it was evident last year and it's even more evident this year when we go from Patty's ball playing to Palasia trying to fill the role for 15mins to give Pat a break... there's a massive drop off

Haas close to the line last week had a nice pass out the back which almost ended up creating something.... it's not so much that he's some amazing Jurbo ball player, but moreso that his pass looks a little more fluid and gets to the halves on their chest in motion.

We've gone down the track of using Patty in the link plays now, so it's something that's ingrained in our structure. We need to make sure some or all of the middle forwards have some level of ball playing, otherwise any loss of Patty becomes a massive hole in the middle of the field and in our structure

 

[Mustafur]

Palasia has a much better passing game than Haas. Start of last year he was excellent, but he was a dud when used off the interchange for low minutes.

I don't know fully about that, when we where firing mid last season Haas had some good ball playing in that time, he kinda regressed a bit when we fell out of form and lost our PTB speed for space to make it happen but given how many defenders he attracts due to how easy he punches through lines(hello Ponga) he is the type of player where even average ball playing can have more effect than other players.

 

[Sproj]

While not wanting to mess with things unnecessarily, especially on the back of such a great start to the season, just don't play Patty. There is no need for the risk with big games to come and wisdom teeth extractions that lead to significant swelling are no walks in the park.

So for me, it comes down to two things:
1. Which of Piakura or Willison is more ready?
2. Which of the two are more likely to help the team now but also having a view to taking on Flegs' role next season?

I am not sure who I would go with. Willison is the heir apparent to Flegs' role but Piakura sounds more ready.

This is what I would go with:
13. Taupau

15. Flegs
16. Palasia
17. Piakura

 

[Mustafur]

While not wanting to mess with things unnecessarily, especially on the back of such a great start to the season, just don't play Patty. There is no need for the risk with big games to come and wisdom teeth extractions that lead to significant swelling are no walks in the park.

So for me, it comes down to two things:
1. Which of Piakura or Willison is more ready?
2. Which of the two are more likely to help the team now but also having a view to taking on Flegs' role next season?

I am not sure who I would go with. Willison is the heir apparent to Flegs' role but Piakura sounds more ready.

This is what I would go with:
13. Taupau

15. Flegs
16. Palasia
17. Piakura

Piakura is a second rower though, Willison has the body of a middle forward, I'm still of the opinion he isn't good enough yet to be Flegs replacement much more of a Palasia one for now.

Unless something big changes during the season we are going to need to sign someone if we don't want to be alot weaker in that area next season.

Ofcourse we still have Kobe who would take Palasias spot on the bench atm, but he isn't a Flegs replacement not unless he adds like 7kg to his frame.

 

[Footy Fanatic]

Piakura is a second rower though, Willison has the body of a middle forward, I'm still of the opinion he isn't good enough yet to be Flegs replacement much more of a Palasia one for now.

Unless something big changes during the season we are going to need to sign someone if we don't want to be alot weaker in that area next season.

Ofcourse we still have Kobe who would take Palasias spot on the bench atm, but he isn't a Flegs replacement not unless he adds like 7kg to his frame.

I feel as though you are stuck on having a like for like replacement for Flegler, but that just isn't going to happen.

Even if we sign someone, they likely aren't going to offer exactly what Flegler can offer us at the moment.

I am of the opinion that if Willison is able to stay fit this year and play consistent minutes in Q Cup and the NRL when needed, he will be ready to provide good impact off the bench for us next year.

 

[Mustafur]

I feel as though you are stuck on having a like for like replacement for Flegler, but that just isn't going to happen.

Even if we sign someone, they likely aren't going to offer exactly what Flegler can offer us at the moment.

I am of the opinion that if Willison is able to stay fit this year and play consistent minutes in Q Cup and the NRL when needed, he will be ready to provide good impact off the bench for us next year.

If he is ready for it then he wouldn't be behind Palasia at this stage(who is only there because Kobe is out), given he is replacing a rep quality forward.

I'm assuming you watched the last two games we had and the impact Flegs has made in both of them?

It's clear given the selection this year soo far that Marty has replaced where Palasia was last year and Palasia is occupying where Kennedy was, and Willison is behind even that and you want him to replace Flegler and think it will be fine?

 

[Strop]

How far off is Kobe? Any updates?

 

[BooKhaki]

I forgot Marty is available, I was certain he was gonna get a holiday for that hip drop.

 

[McHunt]

Everyone belongs (but game time not guaranteed):

 

[McHunt]

How far off is Kobe? Any updates?

Latest info I've heard is round 5:

OFFICIAL - 2023 TEAM UPDATE: SECOND BEST

Watch this space for latest injuries, suspensions and training updates. GRAND FINAL https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/grand-final/game-1/ SUSPENDED INJURED Willison: ankle, season over. https://www.nrl.com/casualty-ward/?competition=111&team=500011...

broncoshq.com

 

[Mr Fourex]

While not wanting to mess with things unnecessarily, especially on the back of such a great start to the season, just don't play Patty. There is no need for the risk with big games to come and wisdom teeth extractions that lead to significant swelling are no walks in the park.

Pffft.....losing teeth is no big deal.

Patty plays.....because he's hard as ****.

 

[Mum-the-meatloaf]

We don't need, nor should we aim for like to like replacements of players.
You identify players strengths and play to that.
If someone can offload, follow them.
Fast play the ball, be ready and pushing.
Footwork/passing - hands up and stay ready.
You then have you consistent players who just bend the line and don't make many errors.

Where you need balance is size/manoeuvrability. You don't want all big boppers who get gassed and have little skill. You don't want all high skill bit can't stop big packs.

 

[Browny]

Just win ffs