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.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

Does anyone happen to know when the Broncos will release tickets to their home games? (non-member here.)

 

[Volvo Driver]

If it were me, I think I'd be going:

1. Walsh
2. Cobbo (switching sides with Arthars)
3. Staggs (Shibasaki if Staggs doesn't get up)
4. Mariner (Sorry Gehamat, you just aren't in the same league)
5. Arthars
6. Hunt
7. Reynolds (c)
8. Carrigan
9. Paix (wk)
10. Haas
11. Gosiewski
12. Riki (But given a rocket to step up offensively)
13. Hetherington

14. Smoothy (I'm still tossing up Madden here to be honest)
15. Willison (Taupau if there is anything wrong with Xman)
16. Te Kura
17. Piakura

18. Hunt

Harsh on Taupau and Jensen but they will get their chances through injury, origin and giving Te Kura breaks because you aren't getting a full season out of him at this stage most likely. I just think this side would be frightening to face fired up in round 1.

Was there any reason why Willison didn't back up after the all-stars game?

 

[McHunt]

Was there any reason why Willison didn't back up after the all-stars game?

Going easy on the Bulldogs?

 

[McHunt]

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.

I haven't been following his dramas closely, but is it true there might be a slight possibility he has a few, how do you say, "bad habits?"

 

[davidp]

Really keen to see the systems and structures evident in the trials come to fruition in the season proper. Even though we were clunky on the weekend, you could still see the systems the TEAM were working towards. Besides a couple of personnel changes, if the whole team buys in, we have the group to go very deep this year

 

[heartly87]

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.

It may even lower the impact on the body and give him an extra season.

 

[McHunt]

Really keen to see the systems and structures evident in the trials come to fruition in the season proper. Even though we were clunky on the weekend, you could still see the systems the TEAM were working towards. Besides a couple of personnel changes, if the whole team buys in, we have the group to go very deep this year

We will ream them a new asshole, with clockwork precision.

 

[Elcapitano20]

What I think will happen:

1. Walsh
2. Cobbo
3. Staggs(if not injured)
4. Mariner
5. Arthars
6. Hunt
7. Reynolds
8. Carrigan
9. Piax
10. Haas
11. Gosiewski
12. Riki
13. Hethrington

14. Walters
15. Jensen
16. Willison
17. Piakura

I think even though Piakura did well he will commit to him as a bench 2nd rower for impact, going for a more safe team to start the season.

This is the most likely side. Piakura suits coming off the bench.

 

[Manofoneway]

Really keen to see the systems and structures evident in the trials come to fruition in the season proper. Even though we were clunky on the weekend, you could still see the systems the TEAM were working towards. Besides a couple of personnel changes, if the whole team buys in, we have the group to go very deep this year

I didn't see a whole lot of structure to be honest. Just less errors and better discipline really. Maybe defensively more resolute but we had that in spades at the start of 2024 as well.