Pre-Season

[Foordy]

Reece already has a huge ego, not the type of guy you give a wrap to IMO. He's being smart.

it was a very Bennett-like comment designed to keep him grounded.

On the other hand, I really liked what he said about Madden.

 

[McHunt]

Sounds like Sailor might get a contract.

Precedent for TC there. Tristan was out of the game for 18 months waiting to be found not guilty of sexual assault.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Anyone know who of the train and trials have been the mos impressive so far?

 

[theshed]

Anyone know who of the train and trials have been the mos impressive so far?

If you trust Adam Reynolds opinion then Tristan Sailor

 

[McHunt]

If you trust Adam Reynolds opinion then Tristan Sailor

With Billy Who killing it at hooker, and Oloapu MIA, we've become light on halves depth. Looks like Sailor and Madden will be it.

 

[theshed]

With Billy Who killing it at hooker, and Oloapu MIA, we've become light on halves depth. Looks like Sailor and Madden will be it.

Yeah, pretty slim pickings.

The halves depth looks something like

Reynolds
Mam
Madden
Walters
Sailor/Walsh
Oluapu (if he changes his mind about never playing for the broncos)

Not much experience at all outside of Reynolds.

It probably sounds a bit cooked but I think Capewell could slot in surprisingly well at 5/8 next to Reynolds if we got really desperate.

 

[Harry Sack]

Yeah, pretty slim pickings.

The halves depth looks something like

Reynolds
Mam
Madden
Walters
Sailor/Walsh
Oluapu (if he changes his mind about never playing for the broncos)

Not much experience at all outside of Reynolds.

It probably sounds a bit cooked but I think Capewell could slot in surprisingly well at 5/8 next to Reynolds if we got really desperate.

I'd imagine in that instance, Staggs would slot in there tbh.

 

[Sproj]

Don't forget that the way this current regime runs the NRL, it is a good idea to have 200k sitting idly by until later in the season where one of the junk teams (hopefully not us) suddenly has some superstar become available for minimum wage to top up a contender (hopefully us).

 

[theshed]

I'd imagine in that instance, Staggs would slot in there tbh.

Yeah I think Staggs would get a run before Capewell, I just think Capewell would go alright a la Aubo at the roosters

 

[NSW stables]

For halves depth, we also have josh rogers on a development contract. He had a strong year in QCup last year.

I thought Jack ahearn was on a T&T and Has played 1, 6 and 7 and has usually done pretty decently in the halves leading the devils around

 

[Foordy]

Yeah, pretty slim pickings.

The halves depth looks something like

Reynolds
Mam
Madden
Walters
Sailor/Walsh
Oluapu (if he changes his mind about never playing for the broncos)

Not much experience at all outside of Reynolds.

It probably sounds a bit cooked but I think Capewell could slot in surprisingly well at 5/8 next to Reynolds if we got really desperate.

we're probably one of the clubs better served in the depth halves department. it's not really a position you can stockpile talent.

even the likes of the Storm, Roosters and now the Panthers (thanks to the Dolphins) don't have very strong depth in the halves.

IMO, we actually got lucky that Madden is taking the long term approach, rather than a quick fix.

 

[Swordfish]

Yeah, pretty slim pickings.

The halves depth looks something like

Reynolds
Mam
Madden
Walters
Sailor/Walsh
Oluapu (if he changes his mind about never playing for the broncos)

Not much experience at all outside of Reynolds.

It probably sounds a bit cooked but I think Capewell could slot in surprisingly well at 5/8 next to Reynolds if we got really desperate.

We also have Jack Ahearn who’s doing a t&t along with Sailor. Besides Adam, Ahearn I reckon is the only one who had experience(at least playing prolonged Qcup).

 

[BroncsFan]

Sydney media have set their narrative for the season... and now they'll have quotes from DD to add to it.

Just as a recap apparently our season is in disarray due to:
- TC sex assault charge (warranted disruption)
- Walsh having a chat with Fifita and then giving him a lift home
- Haas' mum being the worst

We're already a bottom 8 team, but prepare for this to be the narrative when we inevitably lose and Kevvie is sacked.

 

[Sproj]

Yep, Robati's isn't good for sure but Haas's relative (note no one in the actual squad) did something bad and Walsh got Fifita a cab, offseason from hell alright.

 

[McHunt]

Sydney media have set their narrative for the season... and now they'll have quotes from DD to add to it.

Just as a recap apparently our season is in disarray due to:
- TC sex assault charge (warranted disruption)
- Walsh having a chat with Fifita and then giving him a lift home
- Haas' mum being the worst

We're already a bottom 8 team, but prepare for this to be the narrative when we inevitably lose and Kevvie is sacked.

Yeah, dialed in that one. Lazy journalism at its laziest.
Did he attend even one training session? No.
Did he bother gauging the fans? No.

He's right that Donuts needed to front the press and do some damage control. But he still got most of the rest wrong. If he spent half an hour on this board he might've come to the same conclusion but for almost none of the reasons he stated.

1. Payne's drama is just a logical escalation of what he's been going through his entire life. The bloke is hard as ****. He's having a horrible time, but it's not going to **** up our season. Big story last week. But already last week's news.

2. TC Robati, on the other hand, is a real downer. He was on the cusp of a breakout year, and realistically threatening to usurp Jordan Riki. That's the expectation of fans. Point that out when you mention his name.

3. Tesi might be "highly rated" by you, but not by anyone at the club or its fans. He was offloaded. Same goes for Brenko, David Mead, Ryan James and Jake Turpin. Te Maire Martin, Tyson Gamble and Zac Hosking will be fondly remembered, but still surplus to needs.

4. The arrival of Walsh is a major coup and not to be underrated. His squabble with Fifita was trivial. Fans are excited about Jock Madden, who he failed to mention. He's happy. We're happy.

5. Meanwhile, there is a genuine story hidden from plain view: that fans were shell-shocked by the late season debacle, and are subdued, if not downright pessimistic about our chances this season. Normally by January we've forgotten the previous season and are starting to get cocky again. Or is it just me?

6. Bizarrely, he omitted the defection story he himself broke - Karl Oloapu - along with fellow junior Deine Mariner wanting to join the Dolphins. But even so, the reality behind both is neither have much chance of getting a game due to depth in their positions. Why not update us on Oloapu?

7. According to all but three fans (who happen to be anonymous posters on BHQ) the club's weakest link, the critical spine position who's front line of defence and handles the ball most, is the coach's son. Want to be the Mole? Find out if the other players are on the same page as the fans, who have littered comments with abuse towards both him and his father for it. Set the record straight. Or stir the pot. Your choice.

8. Meanwhile, two of the club's fan faves have returned with accolades from their World Cup campaigns. Both coincidentally were sidelined for most of the team's fall from grace at the end of the season. Having Herbie and Patty back, fit and at the top of their games, is anything but disarray.

So yeah, shit effort by the Mole. There is plenty to talk about there, that can be spun either way.

 

[theshed]

Yeah, dialed in that one. Lazy journalism at its laziest.
Did he attend even one training session? No.
Did he bother gauging the fans? No.

He's right that Donuts needed to front the press and do some damage control. But he still got most of the rest wrong. If he spent half an hour on this board he might've come to the same conclusion but for almost none of the reasons he stated.

1. Payne's drama is just a logical escalation of what he's been going through his entire life. The bloke is hard as ****. He's having a horrible time, but it's not going to **** up our season. Big story last week. But already last week's news.

2. TC Robati, on the other hand, is a real downer. He was on the cusp of a breakout year, and realistically threatening to usurp Jordan Riki. That's the expectation of fans. Point that out when you mention his name.

3. Tesi might be "highly rated" by you, but not by anyone at the club or its fans. He was offloaded. Same goes for Brenko, David Mead, Ryan James and Jake Turpin. Te Maire Martin, Tyson Gamble and Zac Hosking will be fondly remembered, but still surplus to needs.

4. The arrival of Walsh is a major coup and not to be underrated. His squabble with Fifita was trivial. Fans are excited about Jock Madden, who he failed to mention. He's happy. We're happy.

5. Meanwhile, there is a genuine story hidden from plain view: that fans were shell-shocked by the late season debacle, and are subdued, if not downright pessimistic about our chances this season. Normally by January we've forgotten the previous season and are starting to get cocky again. Or is it just me?

6. Bizarrely, he omitted the defection story he himself broke - Karl Oloapu - along with fellow junior Deine Mariner wanting to join the Dolphins. But even so, the reality behind both is neither have much chance of getting a game due to depth in their positions. Why not update us on Oloapu?

7. According to all but three fans (who happen to be anonymous posters on BHQ) the club's weakest link, the critical spine position who's front line of defence and handles the ball most, is the coach's son. Want to be the Mole? Find out if the other players are on the same page as the fans, who have littered comments with abuse towards both him and his father for it. Set the record straight. Or stir the pot. Your choice.

8. Meanwhile, two of the club's fan faves have returned with accolades from their World Cup campaigns. Both coincidentally were sidelined for most of the team's fall from grace at the end of the season. Having Herbie and Patty back, fit and at the top of their games, is anything but disarray.

So yeah, shit effort by the Mole. There is plenty to talk about there, that can be spun either way.

Pretty good summary. Could’ve also mentioned Cobbo came back fat

 

[Broncapz]

The only thing that's made this the offseason from hell is Hethringtons injury.

 

[Wolfie]

Yep, Robati's isn't good for sure but Haas's relative (note no one in the actual squad) did something bad and Walsh got Fifita a cab, offseason from hell alright.

We are an easy target for the media, but its not without justification. Whether we like it or not, this group of players is still one you always have a fear that one of them is going to get into trouble off the field, no matter how minor. I'd be hoping we are looking to change that perception and get a few years under our belt where we are incident free.