Round 17 - Storm vs. Broncos - Pre Match Discussion

[bb_gun]

Feeling a bit down as I've come to the realization that this match will probably end in another loss for us, I tried to think positive thoughts but let's face it - we suck and will lose. I was wondering if FaithInHook was still around somewhere to provide us with some inspirational words about our coach and team? :)







PS. I am actually trying to jinx us into winning this match by believing that we will get flogged, at this stage in the season I’m getting desperate.

 

[Mr Fourex]

If we replicate the effort earlier this year, we can beat them.

This is what I'm basing my blind optimism on.......

Broncs in a nail biter to win 22 - 18

 

[CaptainHook]

I expect the typical game plan we have used against the Storm since 2007. They have the game won at half time. We'll claw our way back only for the Storm to streak ahead again.

 

[Morkel]

There is not much chance of winning that one but it's not impossible. A couple of key notes & strategies:

* Slater is definitely injured. The Storm will never admit it because he is so vital, and I have no idea what sort of injury (it's not like he's limping), but he is only at 70 - 80% at best and is struggling to impact upon games. Let's drive that home. Kick early and low to the left corner (their right) where he has no ability to step, and send a solid defensive line. Thaiday was great last week at this, in fact so was the majority of the team. Belt the little f**ker. Use his injury as a platform & take him right out of the game.

* The Storm wingers are probably the worst they've been in years, at least in terms of defence and how well they combine with their inside defenders. The Tigers just smashed and smashed in the middle and then threw it wide and their fast men did their job. While we don't have their speed, we do have Hoffman, who went great against them last time and has the opportunity to do the same. On the other side, Hodges has had a bit of trouble creating opportunities in the last couple of weeks, however I think they'll have luck if he gets early ball, draws in multiple defenders, shapes to pass to Moronta but instead gets an inside ball to a trailing support runner (Norman or Prince). This will work best if Thaiday plays in the BLOODY BACK ROW and terrorises their edges there to give Hodges room.

* And yes, the one-out stuff may look boring, but it is the only way to make the hard metres, especially against the Storm. Quick dummy-half running, getting to ground early, negating their ability to wrestle etc is the way to win.

Let's just hope that Hook is reading my genius suggestions.

 

[noisetheory]

* And yes, the one-out stuff may look boring, but it is the only way to make the hard metres, especially against the Storm. Quick dummy-half running, getting to ground early, negating their ability to wrestle etc is the way to win.

far more effective to run as pairs. with the option for a short pass at the line the defense has to remain alive to two players. you run solely one out and its easy for them to gang tackle.

obviously a good dart from dummy half when the markers are asleep is important too.

 

[Foordy]

We need to kick like we did against the Warriors, aiming for the corners and turning their wingers around ... hitting Slater on the full is a recipe for disaster.

 

[subsbligh]

Are we still clinging to a Top 8 chance, or prepared to use this year as an audition for 2014?

The Broncos have no knock-out punch. They can play 100% completion rate football, but that is all.

They might fluke a 8 point lead when the whips are cracking but a Slater and Smith know how to manufacture points and win games, and the Broncos don't know how to win unless it's "get into winning position and complete all our sets".

Result: Storm 16-14.

Broncos to start well, 12-0.
12-6 (at the 38 minute mark after a knock on inside our own 40 after defending for 4 sets)
14-6 (penalty at the 65 minute mark)
14-12 (Chambers/Fonoa bullshit try about 72 minute due to Maranta knock on, followed by Norman lack of desperation to knock it dead)
16-14 Hinchcliffe or Ryles score a barge over in the 78 minute after a Smith->Cronk->Slater inside ball/chip 70 metre break.

Game, and season, over.

 

[Donald]

Are we still clinging to a Top 8 chance, or prepared to use this year as an audition for 2014?

The Broncos have no knock-out punch. They can play 100% completion rate football, but that is all.

They might fluke a 8 point lead when the whips are cracking but a Slater and Smith know how to manufacture points and win games, and the Broncos don't know how to win unless it's "get into winning position and complete all our sets".

Result: Storm 16-14.

Broncos to start well, 12-0.
12-6 (at the 38 minute mark after a knock on inside our own 40 after defending for 4 sets)
14-6 (penalty at the 65 minute mark)
14-12 (Chambers/Fonoa bull**** try about 72 minute due to Maranta knock on, followed by Norman lack of desperation to knock it dead)
16-14 Hinchcliffe or Ryles score a barge over in the 78 minute after a Smith->Cronk->Slater inside ball/chip 70 metre break.

Game, and season, over.

Haha how did you come up with that very discriptive analysis on how the game will turn out..?

Unfortunately the last line is at least half wrong because Im pretty sure Ryles did his Knee and is out injured.

Broncos by 22:biggrin:

 

[Ari Gold]

Fonua won't play. He is actually so bad that if he were I would give is half a chance. But he's not playing and any statements that we will win are just wishful thinking.

 

[Donald]

I think we are in with a solid if not good chance of winning.

The storm are coming off some poor performances and that may work against us but history will tell you that in the past couple of years if the storm lose they usually go onto lose four or five games and then come good again. If Cameron Smith plays they will obviously be a lot more organised and dangerous especially around the ruck. The Storm will be without Widdop who is dangerous and their forward pack is not that great. Hoffman and Bromich are probably the best players along with Smith and the rest are ordinary. If we dominate in the middle and our halves kick to the corners and dont hit Slater on the chest we can win.

It just depends on which Broncos team turns up.

 

[Huge]

I've had a strange feeling that Melbourne may slide for a little while longer. If we hurt them in the forwards ,no amount of Slater,Smith or Cronk brilliance will save them. I actually expect a win this week. Hungry, homesick and hurting will have them primed.

 

[1910]

And yes, the one-out stuff may look boring, but it is the only way to make the hard metres, especially against the Storm. Quick dummy-half running, getting to ground early, negating their ability to wrestle etc is the way to win.

Let's just hope that Hook is reading my genius suggestions.

The first bit of your plan means the second won't work.

If you're running one out- you're easy for gang tackling and will never get a quick play the ball, Storm will compress and just commit 4 to every tackle.

You're playing to the Storms' greatest strength.

 

[Unbreakable]

Exact same side named for the Storm game with J.Wallace as 18th man.

1. Norman
2. Maranta
3. Hodges
4. Reed
5. Hoffman
6. Prince
7. Wallace
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Thaiday
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. Hunt
15. Hala
16. Dodds
17. Lui
18. J.Wallace

 

[subsbligh]

Exact same side named for the Storm game with J.Wallace as 18th man.

1. Norman
2. Maranta
3. Hodges
4. Reed
5. Hoffman
6. Prince
7. Wallace
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Thaiday
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. Hunt
15. Hala
16. Dodds
17. Lui
18. J.Wallace

That's fine, everyone in that squad deserves their place again this week.

Except Corey Norman. This kid is going to be eating shit sandwiches every week next season at the Eels, albeit $1,300,000/(26 x 3) = $16,666.66 per game sandwiches.

Time's up. Hoffman to 1, Kemp or Kahu to 2.

Build for 2014.

 

[noisetheory]

norman tackled hurrell one on one which i just did not see happening.

point is.. kemp is obviously sh*t so until kahu is fit again then theres no point changing the back 3.

 

[Morkel]

The first bit of your plan means the second won't work.

If you're running one out- you're easy for gang tackling and will never get a quick play the ball, Storm will compress and just commit 4 to every tackle.

You're playing to the Storms' greatest strength.

Not if it's on the back of previous dummy-half runs and quick PTB's. The Broncos look most dangerous when rampaging with quick one-offs. Doing them against a compressed defence is always going to be tough, but after a decent scoot by Hoffman, a quick pass to an aggressive Gillett will normally have one defender skittled, Gillett half way through, on his guts, and a quick PTB ready for the next hard runner / belly flop / fast PTB. It's at that point, with a retreating or staggered defence that the ball should be spread. This is all Rugby League 101. You just have to get that one good scoot to build momentum and have the defence on their heels, which is why I groan every time Norman hits it up. Against Melbourne, momentum is everything.

 

[jarro65]

You never get quick play the balls against the Storm ... their wrestle is just too good.

We need to spin the ball wide and run them around, and have tip on plays from the forwards.

Also, ball security .... we need to cherish the pill !!!

 

[Charmamba]

norman tackled hurrell one on one which i just did not see happening.

point is.. kemp is obviously sh*t so until kahu is fit again then theres no point changing the back 3.

careful dude, they will eat you alive. :tongue_smilie: