PRE-GAME Round 10 - Sea Eagles vs Broncos

[BroncsFan]

Don't really see the point in moving Haas to lock... he's already the big minute forward so it's not really changing anything.

I don't think it really changes anything to just put Flegler at 13 and bring Asiata onto the bench as a direct replacement.

1 Isaako
2 Oates
3 Herbie
4 Arthars
5 Coates
6 Milf
7 Gamble
8 Lodge
9 Turpin
10 Haas
11 Riki
12 TPJ (C)
13 Flegler

14 Levi
15 Asiata
16 Bullemor
17 Kennedy

I'm making minimal changes to the team. We've played well over the last few weeks so the players should be rewarded and allowed to build up some consistency.

There's also a lot of players still getting used to the consistency of playing in the same positions and with the same players week in and week out. I'm sure there will be calls to drop Coates and Levi, move Herbie to fullback, bring in Piakura, etc. but that is ridiculously reactive when the team is playing decent football that would otherwise beat most of the bottom 8.

Leave Piakura in ISC to continue to develop. We need a middle forward so it wouldn't make sense to bring a second rower in for the middle that we lost.

This is the opportunity to see if Asiata can make it. Flegler out there with Lodge and Haas to start and then sub him off for Asiata before he becomes a liability. Returns later on as part of the prop rotation.

Hopefully Asiata can build up to be the starting lock by the end of the year, because to be honest I'm not all that keen to see us finishing games with Flegler in the middle rotation. It would need to be a massive turn of form for me to have trust in Flegler to not **** up in the dying minutes of the game.

 

[Sproj]

Hetherington has been the best Broncos second rower in ISC. He should be next.

Yeah from what I've seen, I totally agree but being on the development list is why I didn't include him. I was also not sure about Robati, hence having Piakura ahead of him.

 

[BooKhaki]

Out of all of the props we have from last week, Lodge is the best option for 13. He at least has some ball playing ability and a good offload.

 

[heartly87]

I may be mistaken but didn't Kennedy put some time in as lock in the Titans game? I like him coming off the bench but, his body shape reminds me of Petro and it's a point of difference. Actually now I think of it his offload is also Petro style. Big Petro making his mark with this forward pack.

 

[Jedhead]

I may be mistaken but didn't Kennedy put some time in as lock in the Titans game? I like him coming off the bench but, his body shape reminds me of Petro and it's a point of difference. Actually now I think of it his offload is also Petro style. Big Petro making his mark with this forward pack.

I fully agree. I posted yesterday that both Flegs and Kennedy are being coached well and are improving week by week.

 

[Sproj]

I fully agree. I posted yesterday that both Flegs and Kennedy are being coached well and are improving week by week.

I think there is improvement across all the forwards, noticeably.

I think the backs have also started to improve, notably Coates and Herbie, even Oates.

The problem is entirely the spine. Turpin and Gamble are serviceable but are not what we need without a star 1 and 6. Isaako has all the physical aspects you could dream of in a player but I don't think he has it between the ears and that is where it all counts really. Milford is just a slug and can get by as a bit part player on his natural talent alone but will never be elite because he doesn't have the drive. It is a shame too, because the back end of 15 into mid-16, he looked like he was going to become one of the all time greats. Unfortunately, that was his peak and it has been progressively down hill since.

So, bring in two gun spine players and a couple of important supporting pieces and we are there or thereabouts with any other team up top. Not the best by any means but able to compete with them.

 

[Skyblues87]

Bullemor to lock. Copley to wing. Simples.

 

[Jedhead]

I think there is improvement across all the forwards, noticeably.

I think the backs have also started to improve, notably Coates and Herbie, even Oates.

The problem is entirely the spine. Turpin and Gamble are serviceable but are not what we need without a star 1 and 6. Isaako has all the physical aspects you could dream of in a player but I don't think he has it between the ears and that is where it all counts really. Milford is just a slug and can get by as a bit part player on his natural talent alone but will never be elite because he doesn't have the drive. It is a shame too, because the back end of 15 into mid-16, he looked like he was going to become one of the all time greats. Unfortunately, that was his peak and it has been progressively down hill since.

So, bring in two gun spine players and a couple of important supporting pieces and we are there or thereabouts with any other team up top. Not the best by any means but able to compete with them.

I think we can expect more from Turps. He seems to be too preoccupied with defence at the moment because....we’ll look at the teams we’ve played recentl.y. Once we start to get teams we can get on top of Turps will run more and he will then have time and space to improve his game. Isaako I think still has hope, but short of an attitude transplant Milf is no more.

 

[Fitzy]

I like Haas to lock, I think it is actually a no brainer, he could even play 80 there.

I'd be running out:

1. Niu
2. Isaako
3. Farnworth
4. Arthars
5. Oates
6. Milford
7. Gamble
8. Lodge
9. Turpin
10. Kennedy
11. Riki
12. Pangai Jr (c)
13. Haas

14. Levi
15. Flegler
16. Bullemor
17. Piakura/Robati

Yeah close but I would probably be swapping flegler with Kennedy (coin flip option tho). Also would still have Coates and Isaako at fullback

 

[theshed]

Flegler 13
Asiata bench
Otherwise unchanged
Judas still on wing

 

[ZTop]

Palaisa 18th man

 

[Foordy]

Palaisa 18th man

that doesn't really mean too much ... Kevvie can choose any one of the 21 to be 18th man on game day

 

[Super Freak]

 

[Huge]

I think Flegler at lock is interesting. I'd have thought Carrigan is a mobile type and his replacement would have been similar. Flegs seems a bit strange to me and he certainly hasn't been playing 80 mins lately. I suppose KW will have to be on the ball with his benchies.
So we'll have four props on to start and Riki.

I was hoping we'd seen the last of Milford but sadly I've been disappointed.

 

[theshed]

I think Flegler at lock is interesting. I'd have thought Carrigan is a mobile type and his replacement would have been similar. Flegs seems a bit strange to me and he certainly hasn't been playing 80 mins lately. I suppose KW will have to be on the ball with his benchies.
So we'll have four props on to start and Riki.

I was hoping we'd seen the last of Milford but sadly I've been disappointed.

Maybe Kev just named Flegler at 13 to keep things simple for the guy who irons the numbers onto the jerseys.

He may be starting at prop with either Haas or Lodge playing the lock role. I think Losge best suits it, with Asiata giving him a spell.

 

[broncos4life]

View attachment 12909

Boo Coates.

 

[Brocko]

Clearly we are just happy to play props at 13.

Would much rather have seen Coates dropped but anwyays...

The reception at Suncorp will be interesting.

 

[Hoof Hearted]

Great to see Gerard Kennedy in the 17 and hope he can add another try to his tally