PRE-GAME Round 10 - Sea Eagles vs Broncos

[1910]

So he's played the majority of his season in the halves and is in good form over the last month..? Thank you for agreeing with my comment, it's always nice to have your positive reinforcement.

No terrible form at half- opposite of what you said.
Great form at fullback- not a half.

In summary they didn't pick their form ISC half- they picked their form ISC fullback.

 

[WASSHHH]

Titans are in the same position as us right now, they only have one good half, started the season with a natural 6 in Elgey (Nikorima), dropped him for an overpaid NSW player who fancies himself a half in Cartwright (Bird).

This really puts things into perspective for me.

As bad as Bird has been going, at least we don’t have Bryce Cartwright in our team. Everyone knows Bird has upside and runs on the board.

Cartwright still “has so much potential” all these years after his debut.

He really is the Rugby League epitome of the ‘things could always be worse’ expression.

 

[Wild Horse]

Dont see the point of Tommy on the bench in all honesty. Would rather see another forward there.

Still not convinced either Bird is doing enough to warrant a place. I think we are trying to shoehorn him in now because he costs a fortune.

If that's the case I'd like to see Bird put back at centre for the time being. He's never going to be our future long term 7 or 6.

Bird back at center and give Dargan a crack at halfback IMO.

 

[roo-ted]

Forgot about that! For some reason I thought he was eligible for NSW lol.

He is eligible for NSW he just told them to go punch it because if he played for them he couldn't play for Tonga

 

[Wolfie]

If that's the case I'd like to see Bird put back at centre for the time being. He's never going to be our future long term 7 or 6.

Bird back at center and give Dargan a crack at halfback IMO.

He really has to perform this week wherever he plays. We have blokes who put their heart and soul into playing for the Broncos and never complain and whine about where they are put like Kahu and Opacic waiting in the wings to play center, so its time for Bird to step up even though he doesnt want to play there.

I'd still get the move to lock going personally.

 

[Morkel]

Nikorima at 7 and Bird at left centre is fine by me.

Nikorima is still our most viable halfback option, and Bird is too out of form to be played in such a vital position.

I still haven't seen anything concrete that Bird only wants to play in the halves or at lock. Niko is a better halfback for now, and we're stacked for options in the #13, so as long as he can do his job defensively then left centre is a good spot for him to work himself in to form. Doesn't have to think about organising. If he wants more ball he can come & get it from dummy half or put his hand up for some ruck runs. Otherwise, he can run as hard as he can, and tackle whatever comes his way, and just concentrate on improving week to week.

Feel sorry for Opacic but at least he's still in the 17.

 

[Morkel]

This really puts things into perspective for me.

As bad as Bird has been going, at least we don’t have Bryce Cartwright in our team. Everyone knows Bird has upside and runs on the board.

Cartwright still “has so much potential” all these years after his debut.

He really is the Rugby League epitome of the ‘things could always be worse’ expression.

Completely agree. Cartwright is just another talent that has a lot of skill but almost no work ethic. Add him to the Chris Sandow & David Taylor list of players that could have been anything but just wanted to do the fun stuff you do in the backyard as a kid.

 

[Wolfie]

Nikorima at 7 and Bird at left centre is fine by me.

Nikorima is still our most viable halfback option, and Bird is too out of form to be played in such a vital position.

I still haven't seen anything concrete that Bird only wants to play in the halves or at lock. Niko is a better halfback for now, and we're stacked for options in the #13, so as long as he can do his job defensively then left centre is a good spot for him to work himself in to form. Doesn't have to think about organising. If he wants more ball he can come & get it from dummy half or put his hand up for some ruck runs. Otherwise, he can run as hard as he can, and tackle whatever comes his way, and just concentrate on improving week to week.

Feel sorry for Opacic but at least he's still in the 17.

You dont have to take my word for it, but he apparently cracked the shits big time when he was moved there against Melbourne to the point two of our blokes flat out told Bennett they didnt want him at center if he was going to come with that sort of attitude. Publicly he isnt going to come out and say he only wants to play halves or lock ( he has made it clear in interviews he see's lock as his best position though ) but he doesnt like center and he does seem to make a lot of comments about how the game passes him by and he tends to go missing if he gets no ball at center.

 

[Porthoz]

Better to stick with underperforming halves that are at least conditioned to the rigours of the NRL then throw an underperforming rookie into the big time and give up completely.

You're right. Better to keep insisting on what definitely doesn't work, than something that might...

Give what up btw?

 

[broncos4life]

You're right. Better to keep insisting on what definitely doesn't work, than something that might...

Give what up btw?

If they aren’t killing it in the lower grades they will be destroyed in the NRL.

 

[Broncos Maestro]

Haas, he has no Payne!

That’s because he BRINGS IT!!!

 

[Broncos Maestro]

Better to stick with underperforming halves that are at least conditioned to the rigours of the NRL then throw an underperforming rookie into the big time and give up completely.

Even though I know Wayne won’t do it, I always rubbish the saying that you shouldn’t try playing (on limited minutes) someone in a lower grade. How else will they get their chance to grow as a footballer?? I’m a big fan of the “sink or swim” school; you can tell the true character of a person when they are completely out of their comfort zone.

 

[winslow_wong]

You dont have to take my word for it, but he apparently cracked the shits big time when he was moved there against Melbourne to the point two of our blokes flat out told Bennett they didnt want him at center if he was going to come with that sort of attitude. Publicly he isnt going to come out and say he only wants to play halves or lock ( he has made it clear in interviews he see's lock as his best position though ) but he doesnt like center and he does seem to make a lot of comments about how the game passes him by and he tends to go missing if he gets no ball at center.

If this is true then wouldn't he be crying like a baby after the teams were named today? And wouldn't there be other players kicking up a stink as well? If all of this player unrest is true then we could be in for a tough night this Saturday.

 

[Morkel]

You dont have to take my word for it, but he apparently cracked the shits big time when he was moved there against Melbourne to the point two of our blokes flat out told Bennett they didnt want him at center if he was going to come with that sort of attitude. Publicly he isnt going to come out and say he only wants to play halves or lock ( he has made it clear in interviews he see's lock as his best position though ) but he doesnt like center and he does seem to make a lot of comments about how the game passes him by and he tends to go missing if he gets no ball at center.

If that is true, I wonder how much reality has sunk in for him. Either he realises he has a lot to work on and should be thankful to still be in the top 17 for now, or he hates the joint and has resigned himself to just do what he's told while his manager tries to get an SOS out to any other club that will take him.

 

[Alec]

If that's his attitude, he's gotta go, doesn't he? We didn't tolerate it with Hoffman or Norman. But then Wayne might be different, he might turn him around.

 

[Porthoz]

This really puts things into perspective for me.

As bad as Bird has been going, at least we don’t have Bryce Cartwright in our team. Everyone knows Bird has upside and runs on the board.

Cartwright still “has so much potential” all these years after his debut.

He really is the Rugby League epitome of the ‘things could always be worse’ expression.

He's David Taylor mark II.

 

[Porthoz]

If they aren’t killing it in the lower grades they will be destroyed in the NRL.

That's generally true for forwards, but not for the skill positions. Spine players depend as much on the team around them, as the team around them depends on them.

A capable ISC half, even if less talented than either Kodi or Bird, could very well do the job we need and they have demonstrated not being able to. It's not like we'd be losing much anyway.

 

[broncos4life]

That's generally true for forwards, but not for the skill positions. Spine players depend as much on the team around them, as the team around them depends on them.

A capable ISC half, even if less talented than either Kodi or Bird, could very well do the job we need and they have demonstrated not being able to. It's not like we'd be losing much anyway.

Agree to disagree.