Pre-Season
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I bleed Maroon
International Rep
- Apr 17, 2013
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- Oct 17, 2013
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Almost a month to go!!
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- Mar 5, 2008
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Shouldn't that be Spiderman...
- Mar 14, 2008
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nothing wrong with some filler.
- Apr 26, 2008
- 34,580
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Love it. I'm going to be unAustralian and say Cricket sucks. Bring on the Rugby League.
I bleed Maroon
International Rep
- Apr 17, 2013
- 15,879
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Nah I agree completely. Boring as batshit
- Thread starter
- #211
Crash:
DID you hear the one about the veteran Broncos player who lost his pants?
Nothing sinister about it. They just somehow went missing during the off-season.
But what happened next was more significant.
After having them replaced by the club the player was billed $40.
And if he loses the new ones he will be paying another $40 for the next pair.
You don’t win a premiership by charging players for lost pants but you can set a culture that will help you get there.
Returning coach Wayne Bennett has put a razor through some of the club’s off-field spending and is pushing in all sorts of novel ways to make players aware of what the club has given them.
This is where the 2015 model Bennett is a slightly different beast to the man who left six years ago.
During his previous two decade reign as Broncos coach, Bennett knew the club was looking after its players well but it took six years away for him to fully realise just how well they are actually catered for.
“Players get so much and I am happy for them to get it,” Bennett said.
“But I don’t want them abusing the system. If you can justify to the staff why you need a replacement for something that was given to you for nothing then that’s fine but if you can’t then you have to pay what we have to pay for it.
“You have to understand that I have been to two other clubs (Dragons and Newcastle) in the last six years. The Broncos get so much more than what the other clubs get in so many things and I don’t have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is people abusing the system.
“I won’t tolerate it. It does not create teamwork or harmony within the organisation.
“I remember going back all those years at the Broncos and we were lean and mean. I remember (the late foundation part-owner) Paul Morgan used to say to me ‘we do too much for them Wayne.’
“I said ‘we don’t do too much for them’ but I never want it to get to the stage where they don’t appreciate it.’’
Bennett noted a story published last year about the All Blacks custom of having senior players such as Richie McCaw sweep the dressingroom floor after a Test match as a way of ensuring the team stayed anchored and balanced after a win and reinforcing that even the game’s superstars should commit above life’s most menial tasks.
“I have read that story — it’s those simple values that still work,” Bennett said.
“People think teamwork involves a very complex set of things that have to happen. Actually it’s a lot of simple things and when you don’t pay attention to them you don’t get the team you want.”
The freebie culture runs rampant in sport and often its not the players fault that they get showered with so much.
I once had a game of golf with a former Test cricketer in the West Indies who spent the first four or five holes in a cranky mood.
When I asked what the problem was he said “I still can’t believe we had to pay for this ... it’s the first round of golf I’ve paid for in 20 years.”
Welcome to planet earth where most of us are forced to live.
Managing a modern football team is not easy because on one hand clubs feel obliged to stay in touch with big-spending rivals in the modern arms race which features the best gymnasiums, medical rooms and testing centres.
The Broncos are in the process of getting approval for a $27 million upgrade which would expand their Red Hill base and keep them in touch with many Australian football clubs doing the same.
The challenge for them, as Bennett said, is to recreate that “lean and mean” vibe which the club’s pioneers like Allan Langer never lost.
When Titans foundation coach John Cartwright resigned last year he mentioned at his farewell press conference about the spirit that gelled in the place when they made the top four two years in a row in 2009-10.
The facilities the club had when it started out were nothing special but they made the players feel as if they were battlers taking on the world, that nothing could be left for granted, that they had to scramble and scratch and scrape for everything they had.
It was a great bonding agent and once the club progressed to a more affluent base the us against the world vibe was lost and the club has never been the same since.
That’s why Bennett’s hard line on team gear is worth a try.
Even if it fails at least it shows who is wearing the pants.
DID you hear the one about the veteran Broncos player who lost his pants?
Nothing sinister about it. They just somehow went missing during the off-season.
But what happened next was more significant.
After having them replaced by the club the player was billed $40.
And if he loses the new ones he will be paying another $40 for the next pair.
You don’t win a premiership by charging players for lost pants but you can set a culture that will help you get there.
Returning coach Wayne Bennett has put a razor through some of the club’s off-field spending and is pushing in all sorts of novel ways to make players aware of what the club has given them.
This is where the 2015 model Bennett is a slightly different beast to the man who left six years ago.
During his previous two decade reign as Broncos coach, Bennett knew the club was looking after its players well but it took six years away for him to fully realise just how well they are actually catered for.
“Players get so much and I am happy for them to get it,” Bennett said.
“But I don’t want them abusing the system. If you can justify to the staff why you need a replacement for something that was given to you for nothing then that’s fine but if you can’t then you have to pay what we have to pay for it.
“You have to understand that I have been to two other clubs (Dragons and Newcastle) in the last six years. The Broncos get so much more than what the other clubs get in so many things and I don’t have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is people abusing the system.
“I won’t tolerate it. It does not create teamwork or harmony within the organisation.
“I remember going back all those years at the Broncos and we were lean and mean. I remember (the late foundation part-owner) Paul Morgan used to say to me ‘we do too much for them Wayne.’
“I said ‘we don’t do too much for them’ but I never want it to get to the stage where they don’t appreciate it.’’
Bennett noted a story published last year about the All Blacks custom of having senior players such as Richie McCaw sweep the dressingroom floor after a Test match as a way of ensuring the team stayed anchored and balanced after a win and reinforcing that even the game’s superstars should commit above life’s most menial tasks.
“I have read that story — it’s those simple values that still work,” Bennett said.
“People think teamwork involves a very complex set of things that have to happen. Actually it’s a lot of simple things and when you don’t pay attention to them you don’t get the team you want.”
The freebie culture runs rampant in sport and often its not the players fault that they get showered with so much.
I once had a game of golf with a former Test cricketer in the West Indies who spent the first four or five holes in a cranky mood.
When I asked what the problem was he said “I still can’t believe we had to pay for this ... it’s the first round of golf I’ve paid for in 20 years.”
Welcome to planet earth where most of us are forced to live.
Managing a modern football team is not easy because on one hand clubs feel obliged to stay in touch with big-spending rivals in the modern arms race which features the best gymnasiums, medical rooms and testing centres.
The Broncos are in the process of getting approval for a $27 million upgrade which would expand their Red Hill base and keep them in touch with many Australian football clubs doing the same.
The challenge for them, as Bennett said, is to recreate that “lean and mean” vibe which the club’s pioneers like Allan Langer never lost.
When Titans foundation coach John Cartwright resigned last year he mentioned at his farewell press conference about the spirit that gelled in the place when they made the top four two years in a row in 2009-10.
The facilities the club had when it started out were nothing special but they made the players feel as if they were battlers taking on the world, that nothing could be left for granted, that they had to scramble and scratch and scrape for everything they had.
It was a great bonding agent and once the club progressed to a more affluent base the us against the world vibe was lost and the club has never been the same since.
That’s why Bennett’s hard line on team gear is worth a try.
Even if it fails at least it shows who is wearing the pants.
- Mar 7, 2008
- 13,620
- 10,547
Good read and contains a real home truth. I don't expect a premiership rather I hope we see another in the coming years. What I do expect is to regain the lost respect from the opposition players and coaches and to have them hoping for a win against us rather than anticipating it. Good to hear the preseason is about hard work and humility with a sense of teamwork.
- Sep 8, 2009
- 7,720
- 8,944
The first thing I thought of when I read that was the marketing genius idea to send boxed Broncos jerseys to media types who then Instagrammed the crap out of them.
This pissed me off no end and I nearly cancelled my season membership because of it. Here am I shelling out $170 every year, not even worrying about the member discount because the cash goes back to the club, and they go and box them up and send them out to journos and the like who will probably never wear them and would probably never classify themselves as true fans.
I wonder if Bennett knew this was going to happen because it's the very thing he's trying to knock on the head as far as I can see.
This pissed me off no end and I nearly cancelled my season membership because of it. Here am I shelling out $170 every year, not even worrying about the member discount because the cash goes back to the club, and they go and box them up and send them out to journos and the like who will probably never wear them and would probably never classify themselves as true fans.
I wonder if Bennett knew this was going to happen because it's the very thing he's trying to knock on the head as far as I can see.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,144
- 25,824
The 'other' Parcell set to return after two years out injured
THE RETURN of versatile rising star Sam Parcell has given the Ipswich Jets a massive boost ahead of the Intrust Super Cup season.
Parcell, the 20-year-old younger brother of Broncos contracted hooker Matt Parcell, has not played for the Jets since 2013 when he suffered a serious knee injury.
Older brother Matt will have to bide his time behind first choice Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough but he has impressed at Brisbane's training and may push for a spot in the top 17.
If not, he will line up at hooker for the Jets during the Intrust Super Cup season alongside his younger brother.
Jets co-coach Ben Walker said Sam's return is a stunning achievement, after he was told he would never play again.
"Sam debuted two years ago in one of the earlier rounds," Walker said.
"We were playing Northern Pride and they made a long break and Sam chased after it, caught the bloke and saved a try but did his ACL. He hasn't played since.
"He was told he would never play again. He went overseas studying but he is back now.
"Sam is a ripper player, very much the same as Matt.
"He competes really hard, he's a great guy and an intelligent kid. He's the mirror image of Matt.
"He can literally play anywhere on the field...except front-row. I wouldn't do it to the kid."
Those kind of versatile players fit perfectly into the Jets structure.
Walker said Sam would likely put pressure on the halves and back-rowers for a position.
His talent is such that Walker can see him going all the way.
"Injury put Sam back a bit.
"His brother Matt is full-time at the Broncos and that is probably where Sam was headed. If Sam stands up there is no reason why he won't follow him."
"It is really exciting for us to have him back because he saw a number of specialists who all told him not to play again
"But Sam has tremendous speed and a will to win. It is hard to coach that."
http://www.qt.com.au/news/sam-defies-odds/2518900/
THE RETURN of versatile rising star Sam Parcell has given the Ipswich Jets a massive boost ahead of the Intrust Super Cup season.
Parcell, the 20-year-old younger brother of Broncos contracted hooker Matt Parcell, has not played for the Jets since 2013 when he suffered a serious knee injury.
Older brother Matt will have to bide his time behind first choice Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough but he has impressed at Brisbane's training and may push for a spot in the top 17.
If not, he will line up at hooker for the Jets during the Intrust Super Cup season alongside his younger brother.
Jets co-coach Ben Walker said Sam's return is a stunning achievement, after he was told he would never play again.
"Sam debuted two years ago in one of the earlier rounds," Walker said.
"We were playing Northern Pride and they made a long break and Sam chased after it, caught the bloke and saved a try but did his ACL. He hasn't played since.
"He was told he would never play again. He went overseas studying but he is back now.
"Sam is a ripper player, very much the same as Matt.
"He competes really hard, he's a great guy and an intelligent kid. He's the mirror image of Matt.
"He can literally play anywhere on the field...except front-row. I wouldn't do it to the kid."
Those kind of versatile players fit perfectly into the Jets structure.
Walker said Sam would likely put pressure on the halves and back-rowers for a position.
His talent is such that Walker can see him going all the way.
"Injury put Sam back a bit.
"His brother Matt is full-time at the Broncos and that is probably where Sam was headed. If Sam stands up there is no reason why he won't follow him."
"It is really exciting for us to have him back because he saw a number of specialists who all told him not to play again
"But Sam has tremendous speed and a will to win. It is hard to coach that."
http://www.qt.com.au/news/sam-defies-odds/2518900/
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,144
- 25,824
Emerging camp a top experience for Taylor
LUCKY for Ashley Taylor he has a promising rugby league career ahead of him as he concedes he is not cut out for the Army.
Taylor tackled a course at Enoggera Barracks at the weekend as part of the QRL's Emerging Maroons training camp.
He and fellow promising Queensland talents came together for the four-day camp based at the Queensland Academy of Sport but they also spent time at Enoggera Barracks.
The camp gives potential Maroons State of Origin representatives the chance to mix with fellow promising players from other clubs and former Brothers junior Taylor enjoyed the experience.
"It was a good weekend. I got a lot out of it," he said. "We went to Enoggera Barracks and did a course there.
"It is good to get away from the Broncos and meet some new lads."
Taylor helped the Broncos reach the under 20s grand final last year and the 19-year-old is part of the NRL squad for the second year.
He has been touted as a potential NRL playmaker and was proud to have been invited to the Emerging Maroons camp.
"It is definitely a big honour getting selected in the Emerging QAS squad. It was just a privilege to go to training and meet the lads," he said.
Former Toowoomba Clydesdales junior Jordan Drew was also part of the Emerging Maroons squad.
ASHLEY Taylor is unsure whether he is in contention for a spot in the Broncos squad for the Auckland Nines but would love the chance to play at the tournament.
NRL clubs will contest the second annual nines tournament on January 31 and February 1, with the Broncos to name their squad soon.
Taylor, who is part of the Broncos' 25-man NRL squad, could come into selection calculations as Wayne Bennett will likely have to rely heavily on youngsters due the club's representative stars coming back to training later than the rest of the squad.
But Taylor had no idea if he was being considered.
"I'm not too sure. We haven't really spoken about it at training," he said. "It would definitely be an honour to represent the Broncos over there."
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba-rugby-league-queensland-ashley-taylor/2516902/
LUCKY for Ashley Taylor he has a promising rugby league career ahead of him as he concedes he is not cut out for the Army.
Taylor tackled a course at Enoggera Barracks at the weekend as part of the QRL's Emerging Maroons training camp.
He and fellow promising Queensland talents came together for the four-day camp based at the Queensland Academy of Sport but they also spent time at Enoggera Barracks.
The camp gives potential Maroons State of Origin representatives the chance to mix with fellow promising players from other clubs and former Brothers junior Taylor enjoyed the experience.
"It was a good weekend. I got a lot out of it," he said. "We went to Enoggera Barracks and did a course there.
"It is good to get away from the Broncos and meet some new lads."
Taylor helped the Broncos reach the under 20s grand final last year and the 19-year-old is part of the NRL squad for the second year.
He has been touted as a potential NRL playmaker and was proud to have been invited to the Emerging Maroons camp.
"It is definitely a big honour getting selected in the Emerging QAS squad. It was just a privilege to go to training and meet the lads," he said.
Former Toowoomba Clydesdales junior Jordan Drew was also part of the Emerging Maroons squad.
ASHLEY Taylor is unsure whether he is in contention for a spot in the Broncos squad for the Auckland Nines but would love the chance to play at the tournament.
NRL clubs will contest the second annual nines tournament on January 31 and February 1, with the Broncos to name their squad soon.
Taylor, who is part of the Broncos' 25-man NRL squad, could come into selection calculations as Wayne Bennett will likely have to rely heavily on youngsters due the club's representative stars coming back to training later than the rest of the squad.
But Taylor had no idea if he was being considered.
"I'm not too sure. We haven't really spoken about it at training," he said. "It would definitely be an honour to represent the Broncos over there."
http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba-rugby-league-queensland-ashley-taylor/2516902/
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,144
- 25,824
Anthony Milford excited about Broncos’ future under Wayne Bennett
WITH his debut in Broncos colours finally within reach, star off-season signing Anthony Milford has opened up about his tumultuous journey “home” and the future his new club is building towards under legendary coach Wayne Bennett.
Normally considered to be one of the NRL’s most reserved and quiet characters, Milford has been “buzzing” since Brisbane’s full squad gathered to begin the final stage of pre-season training early in the new year.
The return of the club’s Test representatives for the final month of work before trial matches officially begin, inevitably pushes training levels into overdrive.
This year, however, has perhaps seen an even more significant lift, courtesy of the speed with which Bennett’s new playmaking core has evolved. The work of Milford in tandem with boom half-back Ben Hunt has been impressive.
Unquestionably the NRL’s most improved player in 2014, Hunt is determined to build on his growing influence at Red Hill, with the confidence gained after standout performances for the Kangaroos in the Four Nations tournament evident in the authority his words now carry among the group.
With Hunt and good friend Andrew McCullough taking responsibility for steering the team around the park, Milford will in turn be free to sit back and choose when and where to inject himself into Brisbane’s attack. Bennett is essentially handing his young gun a licence to roam and simply back his instincts.
“Wayne has just said to me he wants me to back myself in attack … he isn’t interested in having me locked in to any really set structure or keeping me pinned on one side of the field the whole time,” Milford said.
“I think we have a pretty good group filling those main ball-playing positions down the spine of the team.
“I think we are all pretty young, but the big thing is we all bring something different and I guess you would say complement each other.”
Milford was one of four new Broncos selected to play in the Auckland Nines along with James Gavet, Greg Eden and Matt Parcell.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/anthony-milford-excited-about-broncos-future-under-wayne-bennett/story-fnca0von-1227193805906
WITH his debut in Broncos colours finally within reach, star off-season signing Anthony Milford has opened up about his tumultuous journey “home” and the future his new club is building towards under legendary coach Wayne Bennett.
Normally considered to be one of the NRL’s most reserved and quiet characters, Milford has been “buzzing” since Brisbane’s full squad gathered to begin the final stage of pre-season training early in the new year.
The return of the club’s Test representatives for the final month of work before trial matches officially begin, inevitably pushes training levels into overdrive.
This year, however, has perhaps seen an even more significant lift, courtesy of the speed with which Bennett’s new playmaking core has evolved. The work of Milford in tandem with boom half-back Ben Hunt has been impressive.
Unquestionably the NRL’s most improved player in 2014, Hunt is determined to build on his growing influence at Red Hill, with the confidence gained after standout performances for the Kangaroos in the Four Nations tournament evident in the authority his words now carry among the group.
With Hunt and good friend Andrew McCullough taking responsibility for steering the team around the park, Milford will in turn be free to sit back and choose when and where to inject himself into Brisbane’s attack. Bennett is essentially handing his young gun a licence to roam and simply back his instincts.
“Wayne has just said to me he wants me to back myself in attack … he isn’t interested in having me locked in to any really set structure or keeping me pinned on one side of the field the whole time,” Milford said.
“I think we have a pretty good group filling those main ball-playing positions down the spine of the team.
“I think we are all pretty young, but the big thing is we all bring something different and I guess you would say complement each other.”
Milford was one of four new Broncos selected to play in the Auckland Nines along with James Gavet, Greg Eden and Matt Parcell.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/anthony-milford-excited-about-broncos-future-under-wayne-bennett/story-fnca0von-1227193805906
