PRE-GAME Round 10 - Sea Eagles vs Broncos

[Wolfie]

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.

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.

He could just be a bit stroppy, which I think is the case rather than him having a generally poor attitude and not getting on with people. Players have blues all the time, they get over it.

He just needs a settled run now in whatever role we see for him long term imo.

 

[Wolfie]

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.

They could have all sorted it out tbf by now. I dont know if its player unrest as such, could just be frustration. Like I mentioned before, they get the shits with each other all the time and sort it out. Hopefully he does his talking on the pitch, an on form bird wherever he plays is an assett

 

[Brotherdu]

Like say, I don't know and just spit-balling here, but a kick on the fourth tackle of the very first set of a game straight down a fullback's throat from a certain hooker?

I agree, not a great kick, but you can put it down to Macca getting rid of the rust after a massively shortened injury layoff, if he kicked a 40/20 (I'm pretty sure he kicks the most for us each season) we'd all be jumping for joy.............on the other hand, I can't recall Niko ever kicking a 40/20 (maybe i've just never seen him do it) and he's supposed to be a half.

 

[roo-ted]

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.

I hear what your saying, but is there actual evidence to suggest he's having a cry about where he plays? The articles that I've read with him talking in it, he seems to just be beating himself up about his form

 

[Wolfie]

I hear what your saying, but is there actual evidence to suggest he's having a cry about where he plays? The articles that I've read with him talking in it, he seems to just be beating himself up about his form

He doesn't come flat out and say it, but he does go on a bit about how he goes missing at center and how he likes to be closer to the ball. I dont think any player is going to come out and refuse to play in a position in public.

 

[roo-ted]

He doesn't come flat out and say it, but he does go on a bit about how he goes missing at center and how he likes to be closer to the ball. I dont think any player is going to come out and refuse to play in a position in public.

Yeah true, unless thier name is Hayne

 

[Super Freak]

TPJ is only making 22 tackles a game. What's stopping Bird from playing lock and we keep the same defensive structure that allows TPJ to get away with not making a million tackles?

In the past two weeks since TPJ has started at lock, he has made double the amount of tackles Bird has made. 29 against Souths and 33 against the Bulldogs.

If Bird was at full fitness, I would be more willing. But he isn't. And opposition teams will look to exploit that. He is playing with an injury and his fitness is down, they will run big boppers at him all night long.

Personally, I would prefer to keep TPJ at lock. He has that freedom to roam at lock.

 

[rnabokov]

In the past two weeks since TPJ has started at lock, he has made double the amount of tackles Bird has made. 29 against Souths and 33 against the Bulldogs.

If Bird was at full fitness, I would be more willing. But he isn't. And opposition teams will look to exploit that. He is playing with an injury and his fitness is down, they will run big boppers at him all night long.

Personally, I would prefer to keep TPJ at lock. He has that freedom to roam at lock.

I am a fan of Jack Bird, however, I agree with this 110% especially since Bird is playing injured which, then makes me ask, why the hell is he playing injured, risking his own well being and that of this team.

 

[Number6]

He's David Taylor mark II.

Wondering if that’s a bit premature and harsh. Besides Dave Taylor had more ball playing skill...

Seriously guy is probably depressed injured, out of shape, new city none of old supports, in a team where unless your name is Boyd you aren’t treated like the superstar he probably feels he is. Not impressed so far but needs 8-10 years of failed potential to meet Taylor’s levels (not saying we should give him more than one or so kind you). Just like him to get some support, maybe freshen up in QCup to get his mojo back and see how he goes.

 

[Kyall]

During the game Niko will go back to bench, bird to HB and Opacic back to centres probably around the 50 min mark.

 

[Foordy]

Wondering if that’s a bit premature and harsh. Besides Dave Taylor had more ball playing skill...

Seriously guy is probably depressed injured, out of shape, new city none of old supports, in a team where unless your name is Boyd you aren’t treated like the superstar he probably feels he is. Not impressed so far but needs 8-10 years of failed potential to meet Taylor’s levels (not saying we should give him more than one or so kind you). Just like him to get some support, maybe freshen up in QCup to get his mojo back and see how he goes.

I think @Porthoz was refering to Cartwright as "Dave Taylor mark II" not Bird

 

[Porthoz]

Wondering if that’s a bit premature and harsh. Besides Dave Taylor had more ball playing skill...

Seriously guy is probably depressed injured, out of shape, new city none of old supports, in a team where unless your name is Boyd you aren’t treated like the superstar he probably feels he is. Not impressed so far but needs 8-10 years of failed potential to meet Taylor’s levels (not saying we should give him more than one or so kind you). Just like him to get some support, maybe freshen up in QCup to get his mojo back and see how he goes.

I think @Porthoz was refering to Cartwright as "Dave Taylor mark II" not Bird

Yes, correct.
I am not willing to make a judgement on Bird yet as a player for the Broncos, although he will never be a halfback imo.

 

[Splinter]

Bird to get a run at lock when TPJ has a rest

 

[Super Freak]

Looks like Haas is a certainty for Saturday's game.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Yeah proved to be a lesser sprain then initially thought.

 

[ZTop]

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.

He should join the new nrl touch comp next year

 

[Super Freak]

'I can't wait to see him get angry': Broncos issue ominous Haas warning

May 9, 2018

Being one of the most-hyped young forwards in the Telstra Premiership brings with it a large target. Haas has had one on his back since his impressive debut against South Sydney in round eight.

As was the case for Haas in the recent clash with Canterbury, Brisbane winger Corey Oates and prop Korbin Sims expect the 18-year-old to face a similar test against Manly at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Haas was expected to miss between two and four matches after suffering what was initially thought to be a high-ankle sprain in the win over the Canterbury Bulldogs last week.

The injury turned out to be a minor lateral ligament strain and Haas is ready to rock and be rocked.

David Klemmer lined up Haas in a confrontation in the Bulldogs match where the teenager's head collided with the NSW forward's shoulder.

It is expected the likes of in-form Manly giant Martin Taupau will be coming for him this weekend.

Oates issued a warning when asked by NRL.com if Haas was up to the challenge.

"If they don't get him, he is going to get them," Oates said.

"He is massive. He is so strong and I just can't wait to see him get angry. He'd be a scary man.

"I can't wait to see what he can bring to a big game and see his aggression take over."

Sims has backed Haas to handle what comes his way.

"Everyone sort of gets targeted as a young kid," Sims said.

"I was 21 when I made my debut and I was targeted at the front end of my career. I don't know how he thrives under big pressure situations yet but I am sure if he does get targeted during a game he will take care of himself."

Sims said it was a tough gig coming into the front-row in the NRL at such a young age but pointed out Haas had been eased into his role in the second half of both his Telstra Premiership games.

"You've still got to remember that he is quite young but that is what Wayne [Bennett] does well. His first two games he hasn't played him in the first half where the arm wrestle is won and lost," Sims said.

"He is going to do well for us this year, depending on how many games he plays."

Sims said Haas had been exemplary in rehab and would be right to play against Manly

"He's a tough dude and he's going to play and be very lively for us off the bench," he said.

Oates is just happy Haas is on his side.

"He's a great bloke to have in your team. He's a big man, fast ... fit and wants to work," Oates enthused.

"He is trying to cement a spot in the team and you can really see it with the way he goes about his football. When he comes on he really puts in so it is good to have him in the team and not miss a week.

"I'm really excited to see him develop as a player and as a person."

Source: NRL.com

 

[Sproj]

Top stuff.