- Sep 6, 2013
- 65,764
- 83,999
Well I’m no spring chicken but that’s gonna put you in the henhouse
PRE-GAME [Round 17, 2026] - Broncos vs Roosters
- Thread starter ningnangnong
- Start date
Well I’m no spring chicken but that’s gonna put you in the henhouse
- Feb 23, 2014
- 12,073
- 17,619
After watching the Billy Walters face to face last night, and it having highlights of our finals run, I went back and watched Penrith game and Storm (GF) game.
It's not going to be news to anyone, of course, and it's nothing that hasn't already been said, but boy are we slower around the ruck currently. Both sides of the ball.
Maybe it's just the likes of Kobe/Smoothy were able to consistently get to their front and we are really missing them, maybe we are gun shy about just blatantly walking off the mark, maybe we are gun shy about slowing too much on the defensive side, but it was night and day to what we are seeing this year.
The big thing though was defensively. We weren't an elite defensive unit at all for the season. Anyone telling you that is pushing a Teo agenda, however what we did, and did well at times, was scramble like our lives depended on it. It was chaos, but we found a way. Especially in those 2 games. Set after set, we defended dumb errors, not with elite defensive structures, but with energy, desire and fight. They found a way. That apart from 1 or 2 games, just isn't happening this year. Be it lacking trust of the guys around them, confidence just shot to bits. No idea. It's not like we didn't concede penalties and 6 agains deluxe last year, we just handled them so much better.
The other thing that stood out to me massively, was our back field carries had a lot more energy. Now maybe they were just up for the 2 big games, but man Mariner and Karapani were launching themselves at speed into the defensive lines on kick returns. Staggs and Shiba were taking the 2 and 3 carry with venom, and getting a quick play the ball. On Shiba, he was running good hard lines when we were attacking inside 20. He was always an option, and a good option most times. He just is not getting himself involved or in those situations this year, and he isn't running with the same venom on yardage carries either, which means no quick play the ball, and impacts the next person taking a hitup.
Big wall of text later, maybe this year is done, but I wanna see more of that fight to scramble in defence that we saw last year, and more of the fight to win a quick bloody play the ball. Those 2 things alone will make a monumental difference. Both those games btw, still incredible to watch even after so many times.
It's not going to be news to anyone, of course, and it's nothing that hasn't already been said, but boy are we slower around the ruck currently. Both sides of the ball.
Maybe it's just the likes of Kobe/Smoothy were able to consistently get to their front and we are really missing them, maybe we are gun shy about just blatantly walking off the mark, maybe we are gun shy about slowing too much on the defensive side, but it was night and day to what we are seeing this year.
The big thing though was defensively. We weren't an elite defensive unit at all for the season. Anyone telling you that is pushing a Teo agenda, however what we did, and did well at times, was scramble like our lives depended on it. It was chaos, but we found a way. Especially in those 2 games. Set after set, we defended dumb errors, not with elite defensive structures, but with energy, desire and fight. They found a way. That apart from 1 or 2 games, just isn't happening this year. Be it lacking trust of the guys around them, confidence just shot to bits. No idea. It's not like we didn't concede penalties and 6 agains deluxe last year, we just handled them so much better.
The other thing that stood out to me massively, was our back field carries had a lot more energy. Now maybe they were just up for the 2 big games, but man Mariner and Karapani were launching themselves at speed into the defensive lines on kick returns. Staggs and Shiba were taking the 2 and 3 carry with venom, and getting a quick play the ball. On Shiba, he was running good hard lines when we were attacking inside 20. He was always an option, and a good option most times. He just is not getting himself involved or in those situations this year, and he isn't running with the same venom on yardage carries either, which means no quick play the ball, and impacts the next person taking a hitup.
Big wall of text later, maybe this year is done, but I wanna see more of that fight to scramble in defence that we saw last year, and more of the fight to win a quick bloody play the ball. Those 2 things alone will make a monumental difference. Both those games btw, still incredible to watch even after so many times.
- Sep 6, 2013
- 65,764
- 83,999
Unfortunately, so are we...just more so.
Waynesaurus
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 3, 2013
- 5,011
- 8,669
Yeah, well, losing to both the Dragons and Titans and then seeing how we just followed it up with even worse against Souffs will sort of suck any faith or belief in the this team right out of you.
Broncapz
NRL Captain
- May 1, 2016
- 3,745
- 9,134
Honestly, optimistic with out Reynolds hand breaking our attack.
He needs to get out of jogging wide out of his game and run more direct. He uses up all the space and opposition KNOWS he isnt going to run.
Dozer has a running threat in this game that we're missing at 7.
He needs to get out of jogging wide out of his game and run more direct. He uses up all the space and opposition KNOWS he isnt going to run.
Dozer has a running threat in this game that we're missing at 7.
- Sep 6, 2013
- 65,764
- 83,999
Its also going to be interesting to see how Duffy goes because there is no Mam on the bench this time hanging over his head. That might free him up a bit. If it doesn't work, I guess we shoehorn Difference back into 6 next week if he gets through Q Cup unscathed.
- Mar 4, 2008
- 38,183
- 48,850
I think this is on the mark. After the changes to the 6 agains.
After a poor start, we recovered in particular against Melbourne who were flying at that point.
But then in back to back games, we were smashed by 6 agains in the first 10 minutes effectively killing those games and our confidence ... Not to mention making us gun shy trying to avoid repeating the experience
- Oct 17, 2013
- 13,330
- 16,220
I just want one of our halves to focus on long kicking. We are honestly better off just kicking it dead and copping a 7 tackle set, because we are already giving away a six again late in the set. At least we can set our defensive line and have a bit of time to relax.
- Oct 17, 2013
- 13,330
- 16,220
Payne being named captain pisses me off, probably irrationally. We need to be using this time to set up for the future. I would have given Walsh a go, because the viewer in me wants to see him interact with refs. But also when you give an ADHD kid extra responsibility it helps channel their energy and improve focus.
- Sep 6, 2013
- 65,764
- 83,999
Yeah even though we suck at the moment, we're a proud club. Traitors should not be rewarded after stringing the club along for ages and then defecting. He might be the best guy for the day but I don't care. He's leaving, doesn't deserve this honour as a result.
Big Del
State of Origin Rep
- Apr 22, 2017
- 7,562
- 8,766
I think those dayz are in the rear view mirror .
When was the last time he busted a tackle and set up his supports ?
Organising , reading the play and kicking are where he`s at about now I reckon .
His defence since his come back from knee injury has been terrible . Can`t defend on the edge and not in the middle either .
Unless he improves a lot in the next few weeks coming back from that injury that he returned from early . I just can`t see why they signed him on for another year other than as an opposition player for training or assistant coach , but Reyno already has that job ??
Wasted money IMO . Not competitive anymore .
- Feb 23, 2014
- 12,073
- 17,619
Haas (C) does raise a question about who else is in our leadership group that will still be here next year.
I believe I've seen it mentioned that Staggs is in it, he'll be playing 80 mins for certain (Haas might too I guess), will be here next year, and is a rep level player for state and country. Surely, if he is in the leadership group, this is the type of game he would be chosen to captain over someone who is already announced as leaving?
We've got Hunt too, now signed on for next year, never captained the Broncos but captained the Dargs.
The only thing I really question about it, is if you're giving the (C) to a younger guy, why not give it to someone like Reece, as above has been said, really let it be known this is his team, we want him to be here for years to come. Why would we give this honor/privilege to someone who is leaving?
Dunno, maybe am giving it too much value.
I believe I've seen it mentioned that Staggs is in it, he'll be playing 80 mins for certain (Haas might too I guess), will be here next year, and is a rep level player for state and country. Surely, if he is in the leadership group, this is the type of game he would be chosen to captain over someone who is already announced as leaving?
We've got Hunt too, now signed on for next year, never captained the Broncos but captained the Dargs.
The only thing I really question about it, is if you're giving the (C) to a younger guy, why not give it to someone like Reece, as above has been said, really let it be known this is his team, we want him to be here for years to come. Why would we give this honor/privilege to someone who is leaving?
Dunno, maybe am giving it too much value.
- Feb 21, 2024
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dejan
QCup Player
- May 14, 2025
- 259
- 732
Surely Madge makes a late change to bring Semu in.
I really don't like the idea of having PRiki, Haas and X all on the field at once. They don't generate fast PTBs. So, we'll have to rely on JRiki and Piakura to do it.
I'd say, move X to bench. Bring on Talty or Semu in lock for faster PTB and ruck defense.
Then bring X on for 60 minutes after PRiki plays 20minutes into the prop position. With either Talty or Semu the main lock rotation. JGos with a SMALL 20minute stint over the half time break for when Haas needs a rest.
None of the props, second row or lock need to worry about passing unless it is a clean offload. And the only "link" passing should be to Walsh or the halves. Make Paix or Mozer tell the forwards where to run with Walsh, Hunt and Duffy overcalling. That way, Paix/Mozer know who is fatigued the most and can run and gain momentum through the ruck like Grant/Robson/Brailey do.
And we'd have no worries with bench rotation since we are carrying a genuine hooker if Paix gets gassed.
I really don't like the idea of having PRiki, Haas and X all on the field at once. They don't generate fast PTBs. So, we'll have to rely on JRiki and Piakura to do it.
I'd say, move X to bench. Bring on Talty or Semu in lock for faster PTB and ruck defense.
Then bring X on for 60 minutes after PRiki plays 20minutes into the prop position. With either Talty or Semu the main lock rotation. JGos with a SMALL 20minute stint over the half time break for when Haas needs a rest.
None of the props, second row or lock need to worry about passing unless it is a clean offload. And the only "link" passing should be to Walsh or the halves. Make Paix or Mozer tell the forwards where to run with Walsh, Hunt and Duffy overcalling. That way, Paix/Mozer know who is fatigued the most and can run and gain momentum through the ruck like Grant/Robson/Brailey do.
And we'd have no worries with bench rotation since we are carrying a genuine hooker if Paix gets gassed.
Volvo Driver
NRL Player
- Jul 9, 2020
- 1,119
- 1,600
Could be that Haas, as someone who leaves everything on the field, sets the example for the rest of the team? Who knows and frankly who cares as long as the players look up to him.
I can't believe people are suggesting Walsh. He's under immense pressure to find his form and giving him the captaincy on top of that is a disaster waiting to happen. He needs to focus on getting his game right before anything else.
- Feb 23, 2014
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- 17,619
I'm not disagreeing about the qualities Haas has and displays, or that he would be a good option if he hadn't already decided to leave. Captaincy should be held in high regard and just think we shouldn't hand it out easily to someone who's already decided their future is elsewhere.
All I was saying is I would have preferred other options, like Hunt or Staggs over anyone (which you removed from the quote), but if the goal was to go a younger guy, why not use it to try and bring something additional out of Walsh's game? A guy we are clearly going to go all in on for our future successes.
