Round 13 - Broncos vs Knights - Post Match Discussion

[mArKuS]

I'm also starting to get a little worried about Jack's Reed's in defence (lolololol). Today wasn't the first time he's made a poor read and conceded a soft try. Last season he was an extremely reliable defender for us, so it's a bit of a surprise to see him getting done up increasingly often. I think he lacks faith in Copley and it's causing him to be indecisive.

I can't see how u can blame reed for copley not moving up the line!!! Copley is a terrible winger. He is the main reason why reed is looking quite ordinary at defence. 2nd try today, friction copley was never came of the line leaving a massive hole. This is happening every game he play!!!

 

[ningnangnong]

Whether you want to blame Norman, Reed or Copley for that left side defence, the fact is it's not good enough and is something we clearly need to work on.

I think all three deserve to be held accountable, although perhaps some more than others.

 

[user_nat]

Even Glenn has been a little suspect in D over the last few games.
Maybe it was Wallace making them look good last year.

 

[noisetheory]

is there anywhere specific to see the post match press conference? ie is it posted online somewhere every week?

 

[rnabokov]

Where are Hoffman's baggers this week?

Not bagging Hoffman. He's excellent at what he does - it's just a case of the team having one less playmaker when more are needed. He seems, at this stage of his career not to have any ball playing instincts/skills.

That means ALL the pressure is on Macca, Wallace and Norman made worse by the fact that the constant flat attack strategy leaves few options other then the equally predictable ball-out-wide or the kick.

I wish the game plan included using our back rowers more than battering rams. Against top defences, our relatively limited and predictable attacking structures will not bring in the points.

Take Hodges out of this side and we are in strife.

 

[The Brizz]

On the Hoffman not being a ballplayer, I think it is time Gillett was made our starting 13. He gives us the extra ballplaying option and a different dynamic in our backrow. Parker is a good player but especially with Civo finishing I think he should be used as a forward utility that plays both prop and backrow and doesn't necessarily play 80 minutes. A lot of his hitups are prop-esque and he is very similar in his style as Gallen (although not nearly as effective) and Gallen has certainly shown this style of player can play the prop role.

Next year I want to see.

1. Hoffman
2. Copley
3. Reed
4. Hodges
5. Yow Yeh
6. Norman
7. Wallace
8. Parker
9. McCullough
10. Hannant
11. Glenn
12. Thaiday
13. Gillett

14. McGuire (coming on after 20 and playing the final 60)
15. Hala
16. Lui
17. Hunt

 

[andrewhaigh]

The Broncos iPhone app seems to upload it first... if no iphone you can try foxsports.com.au/league

 

[rnabokov]

On the Hoffman not being a ballplayer, I think it is time Gillett was made our starting 13. He gives us the extra ballplaying option and a different dynamic in our backrow. Parker is a good player but especially with Civo finishing I think he should be used as a forward utility that plays both prop and backrow and doesn't necessarily play 80 minutes. A lot of his hitups are prop-esque and he is very similar in his style as Gallen (although not nearly as effective) and Gallen has certainly shown this style of player can play the prop role.

Next year I want to see.

1. Hoffman
2. Copley
3. Reed
4. Hodges
5. Yow Yeh
6. Norman
7. Wallace
8. Parker
9. McCullough
10. Hannant
11. Glenn
12. Thaiday
13. Gillett

14. McGuire (coming on after 20 and playing the final 60)
15. Hala
16. Lui
17. Hunt

THat's pretty much what I would like to see, only it should happen from now. However, I can't see Gillett (and Thaiday) doing much different other than just running it. In fact I am becoming somewhat disillusioned with Hook's game plans. Yes, he has done great things with defensive structures and motivation, although that seems to have diminished lately. Maybe it is Origin, but I doubt it.

Quite frankly - aside from our earlier fantastic efforts in defence, I don't see too much different from the game plans of previous coaches. It's the same old forward bash and barge usually one out, then spin the ball predictably out wide and hope Hodges is magic, hope someone is in the mood to run hard in support, or take the kick lottery.

The flat attack - quick play the ball tactic is ok but it won't work against the top defensive sides, unless their is some smart 2nd phase plays. Manly (gag) are very very good at that with G. Stewart and Lyon getting involved. Stewart's plays last match were fantastic. It should be how we use Gillett - with the ball, in space behind the line with runners in support.

(At this stage of the year, I am seeing Manly and the Storm as the top 2 who yet again will be there at the end. The Dogs and Sharks are the only other 2 sides with any real creativity in their attack, and maybe the Rabbits with Inglis up front but then they are too disorganised in defence at present to be a real threat.)

 

[Alec]

I think Alex Glenn has shown to be the most likely to end up as a ball playing back rower. Firstly, he is the safest (and likely smartest) back rower we have, he never really overplays his hand and tries to put something that's not on. Secondly, he's shown he has a bit of a passing and a smart offloading game at times.

 

[Dexter]

Yes, we have a few areas to improve on, but we have far more positives than negatives and we are outright 2nd on the ladder.

Anyone would think we are missing the 8 judging from some posts.

Gillett has been getting good time on the field but the simple fact of the matter is his form is down from the start of the year. Maybe it's Origin that's distracting him but his current efforts are not enough to force Parker out of the run on side.

 

[broncos4life]

pffffft. Our best chance is this year. Our side will be weaker next year with the departure of Te'o, Beale and Petro

Seriously? this is one of the most stupid things I have read. This is our best chance? You really think we will miss those guys that much? I love Petro but another forward will be able to match the output he is giving at this point of his career.
Beale - oh no who will recieve quality ball from hodgo and run fast??? I'm sure there is no other winger in our squad that can do that
Teo is Teo - He is good but Dodds is a big hitter too and IMO offers much more in defence... all this before looking at recruiting with the obvious spare cap space we have

 

[Broncoman]

Happy we had a win but I still think there is still a lot of room for improvement. We seemed to turn off completely after leading 24-0 and we let Newcastle back into the game and conceded some soft tries. We need to play the full 80 if we are going to be a formindable opponent against the top teams, the Storm would've punished us badly if we were playing them yesterday.

Does anyone agree with me since Bennett took over at the Knights Uate has lost some of his attacking flair. He only made 54 meters from 6 runs yesterday and has only scored 6 tries so far this year. I think Bennett's style of coaching has deluded him of attacking power.

I score yesterday's performance 7.5/10.

 

[broncos4life]

OK don't get me wrong, this team has alot to work on, especially in defence, but seriously anyone reading this forum would think we are cellar dweelers. While there is nothing wrong with expecting the best from the team (as I also do) I think some broncos 'fans' need a bit of a reality check. This is our first year with arguably the best player to have ever played the game, and who we structured our whole game around, no longer in the side. We are far exceeding any reasonable expectations and to heap criticism on Norman after 2 games we he has played below the standard he set (while still not being awful) is just appalling.

Think back to before this season started, if someone told you that halfway through the regular season the broncos would be second on the ladder you would have taken it any day of the week. I'm not saying there isnt things to be worked on by the team but reading some posts anyone would think we were just beaten 70 - nil by parra

 

[Anonymous person]

Our entire prop rotation barely got any minutes. They averaged 38 minutes each.

Sometimes I wonder about Hook's forward rotation.

its been getting worse and worse too.

glenn was killing it when he was only playing ~45 minutes, now hes back up to 80. why?
mcguire was killing it when playing 65+ minutes, now the last few weeks hes gotten about 30. wtf?
parker is now getting subbed! wtf?! parkers value is that he can play 80 minutes, and play as well in the 80th as he does in the 1st. not to mention the fact that we're now subbing our primary goal kicker - its a recipe for disaster.
thaiday got 73 minutes - for how hes been playing, why is he getting so many minutes? hes been ordinary at best for most of the year.
why even bother with dodds? 7 minutes. stupid.
gillett got 53 minutes, but has been ordinary for a number of weeks, and had a very poor game yet he stayed on. why?

on the actual game - terrible. to let a 24-0 lead go is unforgivable. against newcastle its downright laughable. first and last 20 were good, but in between was utter rubbish. i actually enjoyed the *gulp* afl game i went to more than that game!

the referees were doing their hardest to keep newcastle in the match too, lots of dodgy relieving penalties and just bad calls in general. i thought we were in with a very good chance at a premiership after the first 7-8 rounds. after the last month, its a very different tune. we're gonna struggle for top 4 at this rate.

 

[Big Pete]

His use of the bench should definitely come into question but I've got to ask, what awesome games did Glenn have when he only played around 45 minutes? Since he made the move to the forwards he's mostly played 80.

I also thought Gillett was one of our best against Melbourne. I don't have an issue with Hook giving him more time but he should have been taken off earlier than what he was.

Thaiday is the captain so it puts Hook in a bind. Can't keep him off the field for too long.

McGuire was buggered too, 31 tackles in his stint.

 

[Anonymous person]

His use of the bench should definitely come into question but I've got to ask, what awesome games did Glenn have when he only played around 45 minutes? Since he made the move to the forwards he's mostly played 80.

apologies, looks like i thought there were more games where he played less minutes than he actually did - only a handful of shortened games from what i can see. guess that means he just went missing for stretches in the other ones so i thought he was off again lol.

mcguire wasnt buggered - he has played 80 minutes comfortably, 60 minutes in his sleep, and makes a billion tackles. at about the 65th minute i think it was he was on the sidelines again ready to go on, replacement card in hand, yet for some reason he never came back on? dunno what the deal was there.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't remember McGuire making 30+ tackles in a 30 minute stint and going onto play 60 minutes. I'll have to check your claim on the replay. That definitely strikes me as odd if that happened.

Interchange is definitely an area we can look at. As I said earlier, we're victims of our own quality.

 

[Anonymous person]

I don't remember McGuire making 30+ tackles in a 30 minute stint and going onto play 60 minutes.

why does he have to have made that many in that time? all you had to do was watch the game and you could see he wasnt struggling, and was even wanting to come back on.

some of his other good matches this year:

round 1 - 45 minutes, 41 tackles 13 hitups
round 4 - 54 minutes, 45 tackles 15 hitups
round 8 - 37 minutes, 28 tackles 9 hitups
round 9 - 35 minutes, 32 tackles 10 hitups

mcguire is a big minute, big working player. hes being used horribly this year. he didnt even get get 60 minutes against the storm, 2 days after both of our props played state of origin. that was a game where he shouldve been on for all 80.