PRE-GAME Round 1 - Roosters v Broncos

[Brotherdu]

This game will be the perfect indicator for whether the boys have turned the corner in terms of attitude. Last year, we lost way too many games we should have won on paper, and you can only really put it down to attitude and drive to succeed.

On paper we should smash the Roosters. Barring Ezra and a few bench decisions, we are effectively as full strength as we could be. Madge has access to all the players on the roster that are fighting for a top 17 spot.

There are no excuses for not kicking the season off with a strong win.

 

[BroncsFan]

Apparently Brandon Smith was the only player not at their season launch last thursday. He's already been told he is not wanted next season so it's starting to look like he is well and truly on the outer.
I wouldn't be surprised if his injury takes 'longer than expected' to heal and he barely plays any games for them this year particularly if he signs with another club before the end of the season.

I'm not sure his management would be too keen on media releases that his injury is taking too long to heal.

He needs to find him a new contract for next year... they don't need rumours out there that his ACL isn't healing properly.

 

[ChewThePhatt]

This on top of their current loss of players, means we have no excuse to not put 50 on them.

Roosters imploding

 

[theshed]

Adam Reynolds is the perfect guy to make it work. He knows that he doesn't have to do everything just get the guys to the right areas of the field. He said as much about his time at Souths. He has had to do a lot more here over the last three years and I would assume he is excited to have Hunt who can take a bit more pressure of him.

If him and Hunt can find that understanding and not over call each other it will work. I believe they are old enough and experienced enough to play perfect fiddle with each other. Both providing the right amount of direction to utilise our weapons we have scattered over the park.

We have all the ingredients to be close to the most dangerous team running around this year. It's very exciting but a lot has to go right over a long season.

It’s a great point you raise.

Adam has made a career reputation out of being the safe, structured, controlling half outside of flashy superstars.

I think he revelled the opportunity to come to the broncos and show that he has flashy plays in him too, which he has done. He was completely unshackled and it was fun to watch but it was also frustrating at times that we hired this guy renowned for being safe and then he was taking some really high risks

I think having Hunt in the halves gives Adam a chance to tone it down just a bit and get the balance better. The shackles are removed enough for him to have some fun, but he really just needs to guide us around the park and kick teams to death.

If he really wants to go on another season, then transitioning back to that high % player he used to be is the best chance of that happening.