Rep Round Reflections

[heartly87]

Hay thought it could be fun to get some thoughts together on how everyone actually feels we are going, would love to hear what people have liked so far this year, best players, best surprises, most memorable moment so far. Things like that, If possible lets try to avoid derailing into the Milford to fullback argument unless we really have to.

What I have really enjoyed so far this year is our steely resolve in Defence, I believe we have really been able to stay in the game this year and that has a lot to do with our defence. I think Blair has been a solid pickup for us, still working on increasing his running game but feel he has given us a solid middle in D. At the moment our backline has been good without being spectacular. I think the true difference between this year and recent years is that our forward pack seems more determined and is sharing the workload.

For me the most memorable thing from these first 8 games was Thaidays performance against the SCR. Best try hands down to Milf length of the field. Biggest surprise for me anyway is Niko coming in off the bench he really adds to our game.

 

[BroncosAlways]

You lost me at Hay.

On a serious note, I agree in watching Thaiday really rise to the occasion after his public warning. It could of ended badly in the way of him searching for new club and/or being dropped altogether, but he put his head down and has been showing how much he wants to stay.

Of course every time I see Milford in our squad I still get excited,no matter what number he has on his back.

 

[heartly87]

Thanks for the input Broncosalways

 

[Kimlo]

For me the biggest highlight is not losing matches in the dying minutes, and actually feeling genuinely optimistic about our chances since the year our greatest ever player retired.

It's good!

 

[Super Freak]

The change of attitude and the self belief. It's crucial and we are seeing a massive improvement this year.

That's what I have enjoyed the most.

 

[Big Pete]

Brisbane have started well but plenty of room for improvement.

Whether they'll be able to achieve that improvement within the season will be the biggest challenge for the club. I can certainly see improvement, but can also see regression too, especially when the fatigue of the season begins to take hold.

For mine, I'm not overly concerned about the way the Broncos win matches until Round 20. For now, it's just about winning and getting themselves in a position to play in the finals.

Best Player - Corey Parker. He's not playing the best football I've seen but in regards to overall contribution, Parker is the player keeping them in a lot of these arm wrestles.

Best Surprises - Corey Oates. I don't think many thought he'd play wing after his shift to the backrow but he's been very strong out-wide. Many wanted the switch and I believe they've been justified. Only concern is his ability under the high ball and his defence. Will need to improve those if the Broncos are to compete in September.

Memorable - Ben's Golden Point Try. Sealed the Broncos sweetest victory since the 2011 Qualifying Final.

 

[Huge]

Drunken old man thoughts. Greatest thing is the respect long lost being slowly reinstated. I was vocal about losing WB and that argument is not one I want revisited ! Biggest loss ? AP .... !!!! Shit I hate not being able to rub his stupid nose in it hah ha .

We are a force again, we are contenders and can no longer be ignored. Sure it's only a third of the way through and yeah, we could lose our way but at last, we fear no team and they are starting to fear us. We have another weapon coming in Boyd and if good fortune with injury comes our way we will be premiership favourites within a few months. Just Origin stands in our way and make no mistake, we are a threat this year, a genuine threat and that's something that hasn't been true for years.

Oates was absolutely no surprise for me, I wrote it was insane to move him to the pack when we had a battalion of foot soldiers already. I want him in the centres. I want Hodges retired or given a rocket, play like a centre or piss off. I don't want him trying to be all things to all people. I want to see Rod Griffin given a shot in the second row. How likely that is, I dont know.

Finally, I love seeing players motivated to please a coach and deeply grateful for the honour of wearing a Broncos jersey . My teams back, back in the New York groove ! Whatever the **** that means !

 

[Mr Fourex]

I like the fact that we can use our bench players and not cringe at the thought of what damage they'll do to the team while they're out on the field.

I look forward to Kodi, Wallace (Jarrod, of course), Dodds (until he was injured) coming on....seeing glimpses of Molo and Ofahengaue.

It's a nice change.
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[heartly87]

I also think oats could be a very potent centre and wrote something to thos effect a while back. It is great to see our boys respecting their club and coach. There appears from the outside at least to be a very big change in self beliefe amongst the playing group and to be honest everyone who has come into the side at different times this year has done a job. I hope we continue on this year with the current mind set as at this time it is getting results. I am really looking forward to boyds return. I dont know what to expect but i am optimistic. Thanks guys for continuing the positive conversation

 

[Sproj]

Is Lachlan Maranta the Qld version of Alex Johnston? Apparently a better fullback, safe as anything in defense and offer nothing in attack on the wing. I feel if Maranta was playing for Souths, he'd be getting the same wraps. I could very well be wrong but interesting thought though right?

 

[Ari Gold]

More James McManus I'd say.

 

[Morkel]

Is Lachlan Maranta the Qld version of Alex Johnston? Apparently a better fullback, safe as anything in defense and offer nothing in attack on the wing. I feel if Maranta was playing for Souths, he'd be getting the same wraps. I could very well be wrong but interesting thought though right?

Alex Johnson is a lot faster, a genuine finisher, but positionally very poor on the wing in defence.

 

[mitch222]

A few comments on how we are going so far
1. Ill give the halves a pass mark because even though they aren't exactly setting the world on fire, we are still 6-2 and in first spot. They are still finding enough points to win. I think having Boyd back at fullback will bring stability to their games because they have had up to 4 different fullbacks this year to gel with.
2. I have been pretty impressed with our forwards defence. We are no longer soft up the middle as we have been in the past couple of years. Blokes like Dodds (before his injury) & Wallace have been able to come on and be reliable to get the job done up the middle. Last year Hannant and McGuire were having to play 70 minutes a game because hook didn't have faith in the bench. This year Bennett has put some faith in them and they are paying him back handsomely. I know a lot of people on here don't really rate Blair but since he arrived we haven't looked weak up the middle anymore. And he has pretty much been the only change in our forward pack for this year too.
3. Its good to have Sam Thaiday back and I think he and Bennett deserve credit for this. First for Bennett for having the balls to drop your off contract rep player and tell him to lift his socks up. Second for Thaiday for not bitching and moaning, instead he comes out and is playing the house down. That's how you answer your coaches criticism.
4. I have been a bit disappointed with Gillett this year. He just isn't having the same impact like he has on past occasions. When he is going he can win games off the bat by himself. His defence however has been solid.
5. I have been really really really disappointed with Vidot. I thought when he finally made the side he would want to prove Bennett wrong but all he is doing is making Bennett 100% right with his views on him. He has had some pretty lousy efforts so far.
6. For all the bagging Maranta receives he has actually been pretty solid and reliable. I'm more than happy with his progress considering every game he plays he gets better and better and better which is all you can ask for.
7. I was a bit suspect about Nikorama on the bench to give Macca a rest mainly because of his defence but he has handled it superbly. He is also giving us a little spark out of dummy half when we need it to.


Overall, some players could improve and as a team our attack is at times still a work in progress but we are 6-2, sitting in first place and not travelling too bad. I would give us an A grade at this stage considering where we were to last year. We have improved of that I'm sure.

 

[subsbligh]

I'd like to say the Bennett factor is proof in the pudding. I could just as easily say, the bounce of the ball has us 6-2 rather than potentially 4-4 or worse (Roosters, Warriors, Sharks were tight games).

2012, 2013 we were rabble, but 2014 we had finally unshackled Ben Hunt behind the same stacked, occasionally brillant but often lazy forward pack as always. We just kept losing tight games and making crucial errors.

I prefer to put down our current position to the cultural shift and the professionalism of Wayne Bennett. Griffin was familiar, knew the system well, but was only ever a caretaker.

As an outsider viewing the tip of the iceberg of 80 minutes of 10,080 minutes that go into preparation each week, there is just something else, that extra 10% that is getting us home.

That, plus Milford running at about 70% potential form and Boyd still to add to the mix make me a bit excited about this year.

It will be very interesting to see how Bennett will manage the roster over the State of Origin period.