Round 11 - Bulldogs vs. Broncos - Pre-Match Discussion

[ningnangnong]

Now, where were we...

 

[Kimlo]

Bulldogs got belted, we had a great win. I can see this being a really tough match with Bulldogs looking for redemption and us looking to build on a great win with another tough win. Would be really handy to get the win coming into the origin season.

I'm hoping Hodges will be fit for this one as Reed is gone for 4-6 weeks so we're already short on backs.

As it stands if Hodges is not fit this is what I would go for.
1. Norman
2. Maranta
3. Hoffman
4. Kahu
5. Kemp?

If Hodges is fit then push Hoffman Kahu to wing. With Reed out injured I'd love to see Hoffman take up the centre spot, I reckon he'd go even better there than wing but the dilemma is we will miss his finishing ability, Maranta has nothing on Hoffman in the finishing department.

Really hoping we get to see Granville in the team again regardless of Prince's fitness.

 

[rnabokov]

A fractured rib is sooo painful, I can't see Hodges playing even though I wish he would. If he does play, his ribs are going to be a target.

For mine, yes, Kahu and Hoffman to centres sounds good, but then, isn't Kemp on the nose at the Broncos? In which case, it will most likely be Glenn and Kahu. Glenn is running well and his footwork seems to have clicked into gear.

I just cannot see how everyone says we blew the Titans off the park. The Dogs won't give us a 10-0 against penalty count start + 12 men for 10 minutes, and yes, they know their season is on the line. I expect them to rip into us big time.

If Prince plays, which I hope he does, at least our right side attack will actually see some ball, but then, I can't see Granville playing, sadly, with the club's Macca love. I reckon Granville would run run right through the big Dogs pack from dummy half, which is one way to get them back pedalling.

This will be one terrific game.

 

[Bucking Beads]

If the best of the bulldogs show up I can't qqsee us winning.

 

[subsbligh]

It would be a good scalp for us.

Bulldogs are in the same spot as us - should be a top 4 side but playing below their ability.

Hopefully their big forwards don't get a roll on and allow Ben Barba to carve up our lazy forwards around the middle

 

[tkday]

I wouldn't go as far as to say we should be a top 4 side, definitely 8, but 4 I don't know.

 

[tkday]

It's funny how Thaiday has been good for a couple of games now. The pessimist in me is waiting for him to go back to being lazy. He's been struggling this year (and last year as well) so hopefully he can keep up this form. Although I think some of the young forwards will do a pretty good job. I just hope if McGuire is injured we don't call on Lui. I'll even take Anderson over him.

Thaiday's 2010 and 2011 form were great, I am not sure we will see that again. If Prince and McGuire are injured I think you will see Anderson start for McGuire with Wallace, Hala, Granville and Dodds/Lui on the bench. I wouldn't mind seeing Gibbs/Slyney/Whitchurch (although Whitchurch is probably more of a 2nd rower) have another turn at it instead of Dodds/Lui.

What will most likely happen is Hodges and Prince will play. Pushing Hunt back to bench, and our bench will look like Hala, Hunt, Wallace and Dodds (possibly Whitchurch instead Dodds)

 

[Bucking Beads]

I'm not sure how Whitchurch is going but he could be an option in the centres if Hodges isn't fit.

 

[Ari Gold]

Has Whitchurch come back from his back injury yet?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Has Whitchurch come back from his back injury yet?

I'm sure he has been playing for Redcliffe. Could be wrong though.

 

[tkday]

I don't mind him, he goes pretty good. Actually I like all the young guys coming through. I think it was Gibbs and Wallace who have put in strong performances off the bench?

 

[Big Pete]

Whitchurch was named to play last weekend, I'm sure 1910, Jeba, ethos or even BroncosMatt would know more.

From what I remember, Whitchurch is still a little underdone from the spinal surgery and hasn't been playing well since his shocker during the GF.

I wouldn't be so quick to rush him into the team, especially in an away game against last year's runners up.

I'd say...

IN: Hodges, Prince, Anderson; OUT: Reed, Granville, Stagg

 

[Kimlo]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...dogs/story-fni3gv5x-1226647152678#mm-breached

Looks like Stagg has done his MCL not his ACL. So he should be back this season. That's good news.

 

[Kimlo]

"Fortunately for Jack it is not a detached retina and for Staggy, I thought the worst but thankfully it is better than that.

That's awesome news for Reed because detached retina is what McGuire had and we all know what his injury was like. Happy for Stagg and Reed to have avoided serious injuries.

 

[Morkel]

I'm of the opinion mentioned above with regard to retaining Granville on the bench & Ben Hunt to Q Cup.

 

[rnabokov]

I'm of the opinion mentioned above with regard to retaining Granville on the bench & Ben Hunt to Q Cup.

Sadly, I think we have to resign ourselves to same old, same old when it comes to the treacle dished up from dummy half most of the time.

Sigh. Watching Granville play was perhaps the biggest highlight of the match for me

 

[Coxy]

On Reed's injury, I can't fathom why it's still legal to palm someone in the face, even as an attacker. I know, fends look orsm, especially the way Greg Inglis does them, but the danger posed to defenders' eyes has to be considered, surely. The bony bit of your hand just under your thumb is pretty friggin' hard and can do a lot of damage.

Certainly not implying anything malicious from Idris, but it just seems inconsistent that we punish guys for barely even hitting someone in the head, yet you can palm someone in the face and break their nose/jaw/eye socket and that's just fine.

 

[rnabokov]

Then there is turning your hip into a tackler going low. Nothing like a hip bone in the jaw, cheek, nose etc..

Where does it begin and end? NFL armour?