Round 1 - Bulldogs vrs Broncos; Pre-Match Discussion

[Broncojim]

They've clearly promised Hoffman the 6 (or just not the wing or centre) so he stayed with Brisbane and stopped all the release noise!

Its the only possbile scenario to justify Hoffman in the 6!

 

[Unbreakable]

Bulldogs


1. Sam Perrett
2. Mitch Brown
3. Josh Morris
4. Chase Stanley
5. Corey Thompson
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Ennis ©
10. James Graham
11. Frank Pritchard ©
12. Tony Williams
13. Dale Finucane


14. Josh Jackson
15. Pat O’Hanlon
16. Tim Browne
17. David Klemmer
19. Moses Mbye

 

[Broncoman]

Team List:

1 Ben Barba
2 Daniel Vidot
3 Jack Reed
4 Dale Copley
5 Lachlan Maranta
6 Josh Hoffman
7 Ben Hunt
8 Josh McGuire
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Corey Parker (c)
11 Alex Glenn
12 Sam Thaiday
13 Matt Gillett

Interchange

14 Ben Hannant
15 Martin Kennedy
16 Todd Lowrie
17 Jarrod Wallace
18 David Hala

Source: Broncos Ins and Outs - Round 1 - Broncos

Not a fan of Hoffman playing in the halves but I'm behind him and wish him the best. At least Hook has the decency to play Sam in the second row, keep Barba at fullback and select Vidot.

Maranta just isn't up to it and I would've like Granvlle on the bench.

 

[badyon]

Classic quotes from the Kennel this afternoon - re the Broncs side:

"That backline is pathetic. Plus Griffin is the worst coach in the comp along with Price. Playing Parker at prop and having 3 props on the bench? A halves pairing of Hoffman and Ben Hunt isn't scaring anyone.

I think points will be at a premium for both teams."

"I would say there might be some changes to their team otherwise the coach is really an idiot"


I hate doggie supporters, but that made me laugh.

 

[Renegade]

I would say those are pretty accurate comments, especially the points at a premium for both sides.

 

[Russell Coight]

First time I'm backing against the broncos in a tipping comp. I think this is going to be embarrassing.

 

[noisetheory]

well yeah, its basically the overall opinion of most on here.

 

[Unbreakable]

I'm still torn on tipping the Doggies.. I think we still have them beat in class, but our lack of play making ability is going to be costly.

 

[noisetheory]

I'm still torn on tipping the Doggies.. I think we still have them beat in class, but our lack of play making ability is going to be costly.

yet to see how barba fits in to play making role.

im sure it can work if we use thaiday properly on the right edge and glenn as a hole runner on the left, but both those things havent happened in so long its a wonder if they remember how to

at least copley and vidot are big strong bodies with pace who can hopefully find a try line.

doggies wont really know what to expect which may work in our favour

problem is broncos might not really know what they are doing which will end up in junk plays.

will certainly be interesting. im praying barba is fully fit and doesnt get hurt.

 

[jarro65]

I really really really really hope that we go back to the tip-on plays ...at the line... by our forwards, and just let Hunt/Barba play off that.

 

[subsbligh]

Who knows?

And what happens when Hodgo comes back and Hoffman is still at 6?

 

[subsbligh]

Maybe the Broncs should just ad-lib it and throw caution to the win.

I would prefer they played that way and got beaten by plenty then play Griffin ball and get beaten by the same margin.

 

[BroncosFan4Life7]

I'm happy with the line-up but not 100%. I thought that Barba should go wing, Hoffman fullback and Nikorima at five eighth. However, I'm trusting Hook that this year things will be different. Bring on 2014!

 

[GCBRONCO]

Definitely smells of a concession made by the Broncos to keep Hoffman happy by having him interchange with Barba here, quite frankly I don't see the benefit here from an attack perspective(defensively there's some benefit but is the trade off worth that?) over having Nikorima there if that's how you want the spine to operate, after all Nikorima is capable of playing in at fullback as well so that would still leave the door open anyway. To me losing Hoffman from the wing means Maranta is there so you already losing tryscoring potential and then we have Hoffman back in the spine and offers little as a playmaker to threaten any team in the competition. This might help get rid of Griffin quicker but its fustrating seeing the same crap dished out.

 

[subsbligh]

Also, for better or worse, from 1-6 pretty much is perform or perish.

I can see Griffin booting any outside backs that don't live up to the hype or throwing Kodi Nikorima a jersey if the Hoffman experiment doesn't work.

 

[noisetheory]

I'm happy with the line-up but not 100%. I thought that Barba should go wing

what?

 

[GCBRONCO]

Just out of interest, why would you have Barba on the wing, not having a dig at you mate just interested?

 

[BroncosFan4Life7]

what?

Well he played wing in nines and did a splendid job. It's just my opinion...