POST GAME Round 12 - Broncos vs Sharks

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Much better effort and performance then previously. Dissapointing loss for a number of reasons, obviously it's a bit devastating to be the better side for 70 minutes and lose for the boys. But the bigger disappointment is the fact we didn't get a win prior to fifita coming back, now ANY win will be attributed to fifita and his "aura" by tallis and co. Staggs and turpin make a huge difference to us. Boyd played well at the back but let's see him do it for a few games before getting comfortable.

A few things I noticed in the game last night. First game I have watched in its entirety since the cowboys round 1. Reason isn't due to us being in it. It was purely because I didn't get frustrated by the "bad luck" referee decisions last night, also the first game for months I didn't mate the commentary. Coincidence I'm sure, but is it possible the NRL has had a little look at the tv ratings and shit themselves. If anyone doesn't think vlandys and politis doesn't have some casual chats to the refs I have a bridge to sell you. Channel 9 will be think i ng twice about investing even half of What they currently do next tv negotiations if Brisbane keep losing casual fans, hence the positivity about everything Broncos by the commentary team.

In regards to player performances.

Boyd had his 1 good game but he deserves some credit too.
Milf needs to go. He wasn't shocking, he is just the exact opposite of what we need at the moment. A cool head who thrives under pressure and puts in the extra effort. He'd thrive if the team was winning and his talent was the cherry on top due to everyone else doing the work, but we need 17 players doing the 1 percenters. He will be sweating on seibold getting the sack because a change in coach may give him another chance.

Farnworth is a talent and I can see why someone (1910?) Said he is a bit tate-like. Different body shape but some line running, support play, toughness and effort. Hope he adds in tates dummy half runs too. Loved, loved, bloody loved his support play of TPJ!! MORE PLEASE FROM EVERYONE.

I won't speak too soon but TPJ seems to have matured a little, he has a lot more steady games now rather then just rocks or diamonds. Loved his off loads, they've been killing us when the opposition has been doing it to us so nice to see us use the best offloader in the NRL FINALLY.
I get that the flavour of the month is grabbing one of the storm dummy halves but turpin is a good young player who has passion for the club, he made a yell of a difference last night. Grant had a higher ceiling and b Smith has more impact but I don't think they should be priority buys when turpin is great himself. Unless we get c Smith to teach our young team for 1-2 years I actually think fullback iis the spine position we should be focusing on tbh. Either Bird or niu may be the answers but there's a lot of ifs with both for different reasons.
Coates has some great talent but he still gets pushed back when he runs sideways, still a bit light maybe. And he needs to work on defence.
Staggs is a tank. He won the physical battle even after coming back from injury against the sharks young tank centre they had. He gives us enough strike on that edge for points regardless of losing fifita. An athlete with effort and a desire to win.
Dearden is mature beyond his years. And is bloody tough. Very impressive young player. He has all the signs of a great player that our recruitment team has been ignoring the last few years. Not just an athlete, he has a footy brain, likes the ball in his hand, big voice, doesn't get his head down with errors and likes the tough stuff.
Flegler is back. Seems like he was playing a little injured. That's a big difference in experienced players, they know how to play well still with injury. The missed tackle he did to the sharks player for their 2nsd try summed up what the young guys aren't getting yet to me. He freakishly caught him but all it needed was a simple mid section tackle but instead he tried to do a tallis-like origin tackle on him. He won't try that again. He also needs to be careful with his line defence, he makes a few poor decisions.
Haas is a freak but he needs to toughen up his goal line defence big time. You can't tackle like you do on the 50 metre line on your goal line. the opposing player will throw more at you, you need to stop them in their tracks or you will concede a try.
Ofa did ok. He cops a lot on here but he is a solid and pretty reliable. 1st grader. That's all though.
Carrigan is a freak. He has some rookie stuff still in him but you can see more and more why the club weren't stressed about arrow leaving. Absolute clone...
Kennedy, teo and bullemore did ok. Jeez teo has put on some weight, definitely more suited to the middle. Bullemoore showed the most promise I've seen. Luke was ok but there was a marked difference to dummy half service when compared to a not-yet fully match fit turpin. Shows the quality of turpin more then the poor ability of luke I believe. Again, I don't think turpin is going to be as good as grant or b Smith, but he will be a top 5 dummy half. He gets our forwards on the front foot with crisp service and he gives energy in defence and attack. Paix with his speed off the benchwill be a great 1-2 punch moving forward.

Sorry for the long comment everyone. Just got a bit excited that we showed a little glimpse into the future. It will also probably be the last game I watch for the year (I may go back on this), as I wouldn't be able to stomach the dribble coming from the commentators about fifita if we do win. Therefore it will suck if we win or lose so what's the point haha

 

[KnToad]

Now I’ve had time to calm down.
While seibold’s sure bench rotation surely contributed to the loss, that diabolical bomb from Milford after the sharks scored while we were up by 2 sealed our fate.
Kodi in the previous game had the presence of mine to kick for touch, braith dumbass Anasta called for the kick to touch and what does million dollars man do. A bomb to the winger on the 15m line.

Garn git, get outta my sight.

Couldn’t agree more

Add in his woeful defense and you have the complete shit sandwich.

It’s no coincidence that so many points have been scored against us down that side. It’s not only his shocking defense but it tears our whole defense apart on that side as his outside defenders are left pissing in the breeze when he screws it up.

 

[Great white hope]

After 170 or so games, you’d reckon the bloke wearing the 6 would finally know how to close out a game.
But obviously, that’s too much to ask.

That's a bit harsh given we barely had the ball during the last 10 minutes. I thought Deardon and Milford combined really well last night and there were multiple times that played together on the same side or at least both had possession in the same movement. Just showed how unnecessary Croft is.Unfortunately the lost ball from the drop out was what cost us . We were building pressure and had possession.

 

[Great white hope]

Unless other powers intervene to force him back into the side, I doubt we'll see Croft again this year, if at all. Milford and Dearden seem like the combination to persist with for the rest of the season. We well and truly aren't playing finals anyway so the club has one goal and one only: Avoid the spoon.

Agree with that. Deardon and Milford combination much more effective than any other combination they have played. No surprise we scored decent points in this game with those 2 in the halves. Thet have an actual combination rather than the dusjuonted rubbish we have seen since the resumption.

 

[lynx000]

Well, that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me last night, I think I am done for this year. Enjoy the rest of the season.

 

[Unbreakable]

Well, that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me last night, I think I am done for this year. Enjoy the rest of the season.

Cya next week

 

[Mr Fourex]

At times watching them in last night's game was actually enjoyable again.......I haven't felt that for fuckin ages.
Sharks have won what....5 from 7?

There were some good signs from us last night. Some people on here should learn to appreciate that....

It's not wrong to be positive every now and then.....

 

[lynx000]

Cya next week

No, I am done not going to watch another game this season.

 

[rnabokov]

At times watching them in last night's game was actually enjoyable again.......I haven't felt that for fuckin ages.
Sharks have won what....5 from 7?

There were some good signs from us last night. Some people on here should learn to appreciate that....

It's not wrong to be positive every now and then.....

There were indeed good signs. I watched the replay, again without the stress of a live game. We were a big improvement over last week. Things do look like they are getting better. Slowly but surely. The last thing we need now are yet more changes but with a few exceptions. When Fifita returns, move Offa to the bench. And I would definitely sub Paix for Luke. Luke was average last night whereas the last time Paix played I thought he was terrific. He sparks the attack from the middle with his passing and running game. He defends really well. He and Turps would be my dummy half rotation.

Milford was uneven - some very nice touches and some dumb plays. His kicking was ordinary this week whereas last week I think, it was great. Still he worked well as a halves pairing with Dearden. They should stay as our halves. Pity about Croft. Why did we buy him? Dearden is developing nicely, just needs experience. He ought to be our permanent 7.

For mine, Boyd at FB made a huge difference. Can't be understated. On that performance he just has to stay at the back. He looked like he was enjoying himself. He defended well, his cover defence was very good and he integrated our attack out wide and we scored good tries with him in the line. I'd like to see more of him behind the ruck working with Turpin.

As for Turpin, we did play a lot better with him at dummy half. However I think it wasn't so much because of his excellence from dummy half but his energy and defence. It lifted the side. His dummy half play was good, nice crisp service. But, he didn't run the ball to build momentum, then selecting the right pass to his supports. He just passes.

He ran the ball exactly twice, and, both times, he almost made a break. Tells you something. The 2nd time he ran he dug into the line with Dearden in support. It looked promising. As it stands, to me he plays like his mentor, Macca, only a high voltage version, which is, ok. I still prefer Paix. Hopefully Turpin will take on the line a lot more before just passing. I still believe on watching the replay that Brailey was much better. He was electric out of dummy half, running the ball and picking up supports, what Turpin didn't do much, if at all. I will say though that he set up Kennedy very nicely for his try.

Herbie is such a class act. His running - balance, agility and acceleration reminded me of Renouf. I am now more convinced than before that he is the ideal centre partner for Staggs, who is also such a class act, despite some silly mistakes which probably come from trying too hard to make every carry spectacular. Herbie may have the makings of an elite winger but what I saw of him showed he is much much more than an elite finisher. He ought to be our regular centre.

Finally, our overall defensive effort was way much better than before. Except of course, for our edges and where our wings remain exposed and continue to leak tries. I wish Seibold would do something to fix the edge defence. Coates in particular always has eyes for the centre and leaves his winger free. Every opposition can see that and will target it. As did the Sharks.

Overall, some very positive signs indeed. I am certainly going to keep watching and looking forward to improvements every week. After watching the replay, I can actually see this team becoming very competitive with the best sides.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Spot on.....

 

[Unbreakable]

Pity about Croft. Why did we buy him?

Because if we didn't then we would've come in to the season with Milford (out of form), Dearden (coming off an injury) and Gamble as our only depth in the halves.

O'Sullivan injured and Turpin / Paix are both clearly in their element at 9 and out of their depth in the halves.

I just hope we didn't pay much for Brodie, because he genuinely isn't good.

 

[rnabokov]

Because if we didn't then we would've come in to the season with Milford (out of form), Dearden (coming off an injury) and Gamble as our only depth in the halves.

O'Sullivan injured and Turpin / Paix are both clearly in their element at 9 and out of their depth in the halves.

I just hope we didn't pay much for Brodie, because he genuinely isn't good.

I know where you are coming from. Nevertheless, I still don't believe he was what we needed, but then I guess that's hindsight. Fair enough.

Although I think Paix is a great 9, he would also cut it at 5/8. I am unsure why you say he is out of his depth in the halves? Have we seen him in the halves? Anyway, it seems to me we have good cover in our halves, especially with SOS to return from injury, which makes 5 halves not counting Croft: Milford, Dearden, Paix, Gamble and SOS. That's enough for me.

As for Croft, I reckon he is a good half. He just hasn't adjusted to coming from a well drilled, disciplined Storm to our rabble.

 

[Huge]

I know where you are coming from. Nevertheless, I still don't believe he was what we needed, but then I guess that's hindsight. Fair enough.

Although I think Paix is a great 9, he would also cut it at 5/8. I am unsure why you say he is out of his depth in the halves? Have we seen him in the halves? Anyway, it seems to me we have good cover in our halves, especially with SOS to return from injury, which makes 5 halves not counting Croft: Milford, Dearden, Paix, Gamble and SOS. That's enough for me.

As for Croft, I reckon he is a good half. He just hasn't adjusted to coming from a well drilled, disciplined Storm to our rabble.

I agree and disagree! I think Croft has played injured in a very poorly drilled squad and think he still has much improvement left in him. In my mind a team has to persist with very young halves if that's all they have on their roster. I just cannot dismiss Croft's abilities at 22. I believe the best halfbacks need years of seasoning and most don't really start hitting their purple patch until 25 odd. Yes, Dearden is good at the moment but a couple of down games and he'd suddenly become a target.

Anyway, I respect that others hold these kids to a higher standard but having a son in the same age bracket makes me a little softer I suppose.

 

[Unbreakable]

Although I think Paix is a great 9, he would also cut it at 5/8. I am unsure why you say he is out of his depth in the halves? Have we seen him in the halves?

Yeah I've seen a little bit of him in the halves early on, so has the coaching staff. I think that's why they transitioned him into a 9, doesn't quite have the skill set to be an elite half. Could very well be a great 9 though.

The main issue with the Croft signing is that he was framed as a 'saviour' signing, instead of a depth piece who might be able to compete with Milf & Dearden for a starting halves spot, which he should've been.

 

[Huge]

Yeah I've seen a little bit of him in the halves early on, so has the coaching staff. I think that's why they transitioned him into a 9, doesn't quite have the skill set to be an elite half. Could very well be a great 9 though.

The main issue with the Croft signing is that he was framed as a 'saviour' signing, instead of a depth piece who might be able to compete with Milf & Dearden for a starting halves spot, which he should've been.

Just on age and halfbacks. I know this is a small sample size but I think it puts a bit of a different perspective on things. I had a look at this weekends halfbacks and their ages.
6 - 31+ years old
4 - 26+
1 - 24+
1 - 23+
2 - 22+
1 - 21+ (normally Townsend @ 29 years old)
AND Dearden at 19.

Successful teams: Current top 8 which will likely change after Sunday's games.
2x30+,3×26+,1×23+,1×22+,1x21+

It seems like teams are generally better or more likely to succeed with either a young very highly rated halfback(superstar rated) or a matured and seasoned halfback. Like I say, small sample size but the halfbacks most use regularly. 11 of 16 teams have halfbacks 29 to 35 years old!!

That's why I think 22 is too young to be discarded.

 

[Unbreakable]

Just on age and halfbacks. I know this is a small sample size but I think it puts a bit of a different perspective on things. I had a look at this weekends halfbacks and their ages.
6 - 31+ years old
4 - 26+
1 - 24+
1 - 23+
2 - 22+
1 - 21+ (normally Townsend @ 29 years old)
AND Dearden at 19.

Successful teams: Current top 8 which will likely change after Sunday's games.
2x30+,3×26+,1×23+,1×22+,1x21+

It seems like teams are generally better or more likely to succeed with either a young very highly rated halfback(superstar rated) or a matured and seasoned halfback. Like I say, small sample size but the halfbacks most use regularly. 11 of 16 teams have halfbacks 29 to 35 years old!!

That's why I think 22 is too young to be discarded.

Most people don't want him 'discarded', I think people are just saying that he's not the saviour that Seibold and the media made him out to be, he needs a LOT of work to be a great half. At the moment based on pure skill sets you'd have to put Dearden & Milford ahead of him, despite how shockingly out of form the latter is.

 

[Huge]

Most people don't want him 'discarded', I think people are just saying that he's not the saviour that Seibold and the media made him out to be, he needs a LOT of work to be a great half. At the moment based on pure skill sets you'd have to put Dearden & Milford ahead of him, despite how shockingly out of form the latter is.

Mmm, that's not what I take from the majority of Croft detractors. Most commonly it seems most of those posters want him gone altogether but viewing it differently is fine.

I just believe he isn't the bust that many appear to believe he is. I'm not saying he has great form, no not at all. I agree too that Dearden looks better in the small sample size just as Croft did in the first two wins of the season. I think he'll kick on when not playing in such a poorly performed team and when free of injury.

 

[Unbreakable]

Mmm, that's not what I take from the majority of Croft detractors. Most commonly it seems most of those posters want him gone altogether but viewing it differently is fine.

I just believe he isn't the bust that many appear to believe he is. I'm not saying he has great form, no not at all. I agree too that Dearden looks better in the small sample size just as Croft did in the first two wins of the season. I think he'll kick on when not playing in such a poorly performed team and when free of injury.

He certainly did look better in the first 2 games, let's hope the shoulder injury can be blamed for his form.

The alarming thing is that his numbers this year line up pretty well with the numbers over the rest of his career. A lot of people (myself included) had hoped his very poor attacking numbers from the Storm were a product of the dominance of Smith & Munster, unfortunately that's looking less and less likely to be the case.

I haven't completely given up on him yet though, a lot of players improve, especially in their early to mid 20's. Let's hope he's one of them.