NEWS Pre-season Challenge 1: Broncos 24 drew Titans 24

NRL Pre-season Challenge 1: TITANS - Feb 12, 7:05pm (Sunshine Coast)

Broadcast on Fox/Kayo only.

Broncos v Titans

Brisbane Broncos versus Gold Coast Titans match centre includes live scores and updates. Includes official live player and team stats. Run metres, fantasy points scoring.

www.nrl.com

Broncos v Titans | Sunshine Coast Stadium

Catch the NRL pre-season trial between the Broncos and Titans on Sunday 12 February.

www.sunshinecoaststadium.com.au

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[Thelmus]

Yeah for sure but you know Jock is 23 in a few weeks, he has spent years plying his trade in reserve grade and has 17 NRL games to his name. The young half argument doesn't necessarily work on him anymore. Obviously having a 20 year old next to him makes it a bit more of an issue but at the end of the day Ezra might lack experience but in the eyes of the coaches and most on here he is the best half of the 3. Obviously Jack Ahearn is an incredible player for only ever having played reserve grade and he is far more capable than his inability to move up from Reggies suggests but the reality is if the pairing of Madden and Ezra would be a problem for a trial it is tough to see how we could have any success this year with Reyno's inability to stay on the field if Jack won't be there to hold Ezra's hand or Jocks for that matter. If this truly was the problem they would be more likely to pair Ezra with Rogers who is on a development contract and would be relied upon before Ahearn. I personally don't think that this is the reason for Ahearn playing and I think it's purely to get Ahearn and Rogers more game time idea. Which you know is fine but I would like Madden and Ezra to play as much time together as possible and that can't happen if he gets left out.

I might be wrong but the the QRL site says he was born in februrary 1993. That makes him 30.
It a good age for an experienced fill in that can get the job done.
I reckon at that age he might have learnt a thing or two (even if it is "what not to do")

 

[Big Del]

Yeah for sure but you know Jock is 23 in a few weeks, he has spent years plying his trade in reserve grade and has 17 NRL games to his name. The young half argument doesn't necessarily work on him anymore. Obviously having a 20 year old next to him makes it a bit more of an issue but at the end of the day Ezra might lack experience but in the eyes of the coaches and most on here he is the best half of the 3. Obviously Jack Ahearn is an incredible player for only ever having played reserve grade and he is far more capable than his inability to move up from Reggies suggests but the reality is if the pairing of Madden and Ezra would be a problem for a trial it is tough to see how we could have any success this year with Reyno's inability to stay on the field if Jack won't be there to hold Ezra's hand or Jocks for that matter. If this truly was the problem they would be more likely to pair Ezra with Rogers who is on a development contract and would be relied upon before Ahearn. I personally don't think that this is the reason for Ahearn playing and I think it's purely to get Ahearn and Rogers more game time idea. Which you know is fine but I would like Madden and Ezra to play as much time together as possible and that can't happen if he gets left out.

Madden is recovering from surgery .
Source @1910 .

 

[Fitzy]

If they're serious about Sailor, he should get a run in the halves. We don't need him at the back.

I reckon we do need him at the back but I agree he needs to have that versatility if he wants the 30 spot. For short or even possibly long term injuries I'd lean towards Sailor playing fullback rather than rejigging our outside backs. I guess really whether you would lean towards Cobbo/Herbie or Sailor would depend on how Mariner or other outside backs are performing in cup as well as obviously Sailor. In saying that for the trial game the 7 is really the focus and for mine Sailor isn't a 7 and you wouldn't be having Mam trial at 7, 2 weeks out from the comp.

 

[McHunt]

I reckon we do need him at the back but I agree he needs to have that versatility if he wants the 30 spot. For short or even possibly long term injuries I'd lean towards Sailor playing fullback rather than rejigging our outside backs. I guess really whether you would lean towards Cobbo/Herbie or Sailor would depend on how Mariner or other outside backs are performing in cup as well as obviously Sailor. In saying that for the trial game the 7 is really the focus and for mine Sailor isn't a 7 and you wouldn't be having Mam trial at 7, 2 weeks out from the comp.

By rights, Herbie should be getting a crack at 1 in the second half. That was the deal, wasn't it?

 

[Fitzy]

I might be wrong but the the QRL site says he was born in februrary 1993. That makes him 30.
It a good age for an experienced fill in that can get the job done.
I reckon at that age he might have learnt a thing or two (even if it is "what not to do")

Yeah no sorry if I didn't make that clear I meant madden was turning 23. However playing on that point there is absolutely nothing wrong with Ahearn I think there is a role for him in a lot of teams 17 in the NRL not just getting a contract at all. Good, experienced player who has genuine versatility where he can pull out an outstanding match consistently in either 7, 6 or 1 but I just meant that in general I think we have the least to gain from starting the train and trial player when we have a development and at the time I thought Madden was fit. But look Ahearn is a great player and if this is a sign he is close to signing with us whether that be development or he continues his train and trial for the rest of the season I am over the moon.

 

[Fitzy]

By rights, Herbie should be getting a crack at 1 in the second half. That was the deal, wasn't it?

I think that was more along the lines of Karl Oloapu can meet the coach sort of agreement rather than a written clause but at the end of the day he has had very much had a part pre-season where it was practically conceded that Reece was the fullback before or around when he returned. He might get the crack but I reckon considering in opposed sessions Sailor and Ahearn have been the fullback that you can expect he probably doesnt play fullback in the trial. He very well could as along the lines of what was sort of agreed but for better or worse (to be determined) the club have kind of steered away from what was agreed there around Fullback. Another thing to consider it is the first trial game I can't see him or Staggs playing anymore than 40-50 minutes so that probably rules out any sort of meaningful stint at the back.

 

[McHunt]

I think that was more along the lines of Karl Oloapu can meet the coach sort of agreement rather than a written clause but at the end of the day he has had very much had a part pre-season where it was practically conceded that Reece was the fullback before or around when he returned. He might get the crack but I reckon considering in opposed sessions Sailor and Ahearn have been the fullback that you can expect he probably doesnt play fullback in the trial. He very well could as along the lines of what was sort of agreed but for better or worse (to be determined) the club have kind of steered away from what was agreed there around Fullback. Another thing to consider it is the first trial game I can't see him or Staggs playing anymore than 40-50 minutes so that probably rules out any sort of meaningful stint at the back.

Herbie: I'll sign for another year but I want to trial at fullback.
Club: No worries Herbie, have a chicken sandwich.
Herbie: I'm ready to trial at fullback.
Club: LOL

 

[1910]

Herbie doesn’t care about fullback. He knows the go with Walsh there and has accepted that.

 

[McHunt]

Herbie doesn’t care about fullback. He knows the go with Walsh there and has accepted that.

Remind us again what the club's word is worth on promises like this.

 

[Footy Fanatic]

 

[Footy Fanatic]

Herbie doesn’t care about fullback. He knows the go with Walsh there and has accepted that.

What does Cobbo think?

 

[BroncosFever]

Herbie at fullback was media hyped crap, they've probably had him training there as a just in case but I doubt the club would let him hold them at ransom and not sign a deal unless he was promised fullback

It's got as much credibility as when Kotoni re-signed with the promise of playing 5/8

 

[WASSHHH]

What does Cobbo think?

Based on his recent podcast comments, I’ve fixed this for you.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Herbie: I'll sign for another year but I want to trial at fullback.
Club: No worries Herbie, have a chicken sandwich.
Herbie: I'm ready to trial at fullback.
Club: LOL

 

[McHunt]

Herbie at fullback was media hyped crap, they've probably had him training there as a just in case but I doubt the club would let him hold them at ransom and not sign a deal unless he was promised fullback

It's got as much credibility as when Kotoni re-signed with the promise of playing 5/8

He said it in multiple interviews. It came from his mouth, not a journalist. He was very clear about it.

 

[BroncosFever]

He said it in multiple interviews. It came from his mouth, not a journalist. He was very clear about it.

It was probably a loaded question. "Herbie, would you like to play fullback?".. what, is he supposed to say no? Has any backline player ever said no to that question?

 

[Culhwch]

He said it in multiple interviews. It came from his mouth, not a journalist. He was very clear about it.

I remember. You were mad he was showing such disrespect to Te Maire Martin. Now you're mad the club is showing him disrespect by not giving him a shot?

 

[McHunt]

It was probably a loaded question. "Herbie, would you like to play fullback?".. what, is he supposed to say no? Has any backline player ever said no to that question?

Why are you going on with this if you didn't watch the interview?