PRE-GAME Round 17 - Titans vs Broncos

[Morkel]

Not sure the thought process of Master Coach for majority of the season but I notice that we've been playing with 15 or max 16 players each game. Our 17th player doesn't get any minutes at all and our 16th player (irrespective of the number on their jumper) doesn't get any minutes either.

I do not understand why Mago keeps getting named at 14 when he doesn't contribute much at all. He barely stays on the field and don't have any sort of impact. He could very easily be replaced with Carrigan or even give Fifita another chance just to get him more confident. In all honesty, Fifita did not do any harm v Raiders infact, he excelled in it and deserves to be in 17. Carrigan too deserves a chance and I reckon it's about time to find out what he can offer.

There are 2 teams I want the boys to flog this season - Titans & Manly. They served us @Suncorp & it's our time to flog them miserably. Whenever we play any other team, I want the boys to win but against these 2 teams, I want FLOGGING! Could be a nice way to get into the +ve on the ladder board.

Come on guys, flog the Titans!

My guess is because fitness-wise we are up there with the best. It's rare that we get slaughtered in the last 15-20 minutes, so obviously our forwards are all capable of playing to *whatever* level consistently and for long minutes. I remember that carrying a centre on the bench saved our arses for heaps this year due to Kahu, Opacic, even Roberts recently limping off.

That last forward spot is purely being used for blooding, which is a long-term strategy, and has worked wonders for our young forwards. Something Hook was criticised for rightly or wrongly.

 

[Sproj]

Oates has been spending more and more time in the second row throughout games, particularly late in halves, having Opacic on the bench (albeit it unused last week) means he can slot in to wing/centre to free up Oates in that desired role of his more. Also allows Oates to roam back to wing as well.

 

[Thelmus]

I don't mind opacic on the bench, depending on the game. When we need someone to slot in the backs but keep it tight defencively, he's your man.
Against loose attacking teams with defensive vulnerabilities, I'd go for staggs. He seems to be a more gifted attacker, albeit with some flaws in his defence. He could possibly cover more of the spine (he played in the halves in 20s) too.
But if your team is putting it together in attack and needs some security to see it through opacic is proven.
They're horses for courses in my opinion, though possibly staggs has more upside going into next year.
I wouldn't be surprised if opacic ends up a casualty of our salary cap, eventually. It would be a shame as he has been nothing but consistant, but that's football. Either he or Kahu will be gone at their next contracts, if not both.

 

[Accept]

Not sure the thought process of Master Coach for majority of the season but I notice that we've been playing with 15 or max 16 players each game. Our 17th player doesn't get any minutes at all and our 16th player (irrespective of the number on their jumper) doesn't get any minutes either.

I do not understand why Mago keeps getting named at 14 when he doesn't contribute much at all. He barely stays on the field and don't have any sort of impact. He could very easily be replaced with Carrigan or even give Fifita another chance just to get him more confident. In all honesty, Fifita did not do any harm v Raiders infact, he excelled in it and deserves to be in 17. Carrigan too deserves a chance and I reckon it's about time to find out what he can offer.

There are 2 teams I want the boys to flog this season - Titans & Manly. They served us @Suncorp & it's our time to flog them miserably. Whenever we play any other team, I want the boys to win but against these 2 teams, I want FLOGGING! Could be a nice way to get into the +ve on the ladder board.

Come on guys, flog the Titans!

A flogging is highly unlikely considering that their two best attacking options are playing on Wednesday. Their defense will need to be sound on Sunday because I don't see this lineup scoring more than two tries.

 

[Wolfie]

I don't mind opacic on the bench, depending on the game. When we need someone to slot in the backs but keep it tight defencively, he's your man.
Against loose attacking teams with defensive vulnerabilities, I'd go for staggs. He seems to be a more gifted attacker, albeit with some flaws in his defence. He could possibly cover more of the spine (he played in the halves in 20s) too.
But if your team is putting it together in attack and needs some security to see it through opacic is proven.
They're horses for courses in my opinion, though possibly staggs has more upside going into next year.
I wouldn't be surprised if opacic ends up a casualty of our salary cap, eventually. It would be a shame as he has been nothing but consistant, but that's football. Either he or Kahu will be gone at their next contracts, if not both.

I dont think Tom is going to start actually on Sunday. He wont be a victim of our cap either.

 

[Foordy]

He wont be a victim of our cap either.

I agree, he isn't on enough money to be squeezed out since we would just have to replace him with someone on similar money.

 

[winslow_wong]

A flogging is highly unlikely considering that their two best attacking options are playing on Wednesday. Their defense will need to be sound on Sunday because I don't see this lineup scoring more than two tries.

Nikorima usually scores a try against the titans. He'll be safe for another 6 weeks

 

[Wolfie]

I agree, he isn't on enough money to be squeezed out since we would just have to replace him with someone on similar money.

Think he is here for another 2 years

 

[Accept]

Think he is here for another 2 years

I thought he was off contract after this year unless he has recently re-signed and I never read about it.

 

[Wolfie]

I thought he was off contract after this year unless he has recently re-signed and I never read about it.

From what i understand he has signed for another 2 years. Not sure though

 

[GCBRONCO]

Pre Match looks interesting.

The Deadly Choices All Star Invitational kicks off at 2:10pm with the highly anticipated NRL match between the two Queensland rivals kicking off at 4:10pm.
This is a match not to be missed and tickets are selling fast.
Gold Coast team
Preston Campbell, Scott Prince, Chris Walker, Anthony Laffranchi Ash Harrison, Kevin Gordon Matt Petersen, Clinton Toopi, Luke Capewell, Josh Graham, Brad Davis, Sel Birdie, Clint Amos, Esi Tonga, Peter Gill, Shannon Walker, Adrian Vowles, and Kevin Campion.
Brisbane Team
Petro Civoniceva, Wendell Sailor, Steve Renouf, Steve Michaels, Casey McGuire, Terry Matterson, John Plath, Ben Hannant, Brad Thorn, Sean Berrigan, Darren Smith, Tom Learoyd Lahrs, Paul Stephenson, John TeReo, Denan Kemp, Dane Carlaw, and PJ Marsh.

 

[Morkel]

Pre Match looks interesting.

The Deadly Choices All Star Invitational kicks off at 2:10pm with the highly anticipated NRL match between the two Queensland rivals kicking off at 4:10pm.
This is a match not to be missed and tickets are selling fast.
Gold Coast team
Preston Campbell, Scott Prince, Chris Walker, Anthony Laffranchi Ash Harrison, Kevin Gordon Matt Petersen, Clinton Toopi, Luke Capewell, Josh Graham, Brad Davis, Sel Birdie, Clint Amos, Esi Tonga, Peter Gill, Shannon Walker, Adrian Vowles, and Kevin Campion.
Brisbane Team
Petro Civoniceva, Wendell Sailor, Steve Renouf, Steve Michaels, Casey McGuire, Terry Matterson, John Plath, Ben Hannant, Brad Thorn, Sean Berrigan, Darren Smith, Tom Learoyd Lahrs, Paul Stephenson, John TeReo, Denan Kemp, Dane Carlaw, and PJ Marsh.

That looks fucking awesome.

But sorry Steve Michaels, you're one of them now. Swap jerseys with Prince, please.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Based on that Broncos side:

1. Wendall Sailor
2. Steve Michaels
3. Steve Renouf
4. Darren Smith
5. Denan Kemp
6. Casey McGuire
7. John Plath
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Shaun Berrigan
10. Ben Hannant
11. Dane Carlaw
12. Brad Thorn
13. Terry Matterson

14. PJ Marsh
15. Paul Stephenson
16. John Te Reo
17. Tom Learoyd Lahrs

 

[WASSHHH]

Pre Match looks interesting.

The Deadly Choices All Star Invitational kicks off at 2:10pm with the highly anticipated NRL match between the two Queensland rivals kicking off at 4:10pm.
This is a match not to be missed and tickets are selling fast.
Gold Coast team
Preston Campbell, Scott Prince, Chris Walker, Anthony Laffranchi Ash Harrison, Kevin Gordon Matt Petersen, Clinton Toopi, Luke Capewell, Josh Graham, Brad Davis, Sel Birdie, Clint Amos, Esi Tonga, Peter Gill, Shannon Walker, Adrian Vowles, and Kevin Campion.
Brisbane Team
Petro Civoniceva, Wendell Sailor, Steve Renouf, Steve Michaels, Casey McGuire, Terry Matterson, John Plath, Ben Hannant, Brad Thorn, Sean Berrigan, Darren Smith, Tom Learoyd Lahrs, Paul Stephenson, John TeReo, Denan Kemp, Dane Carlaw, and PJ Marsh.

As a whole, that’s a better line up than the one that’ll play NRL.

Any chance we can swap them around?

 

[Black Philip]

Steve Michaels brings back memories of a really ordinary chapter in our clubs history. I feel bad that he blew out his knee (thanks to that uncoordinated dickhead Nigel Vagana), but he was so awful after he came back that we were literally cutting him out of every play. I can't for the life of me remember why we persisted with him for so long.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Shame it wasn't the people's immortal instead playing on sunday:emoji_disappointed:

 

[Sproj]

Based on that Broncos side:

1. Wendall Sailor
2. Steve Michaels
3. Steve Renouf
4. Darren Smith
5. Denan Kemp
6. Casey McGuire
7. John Plath
8. Petero Civoniceva
9. Shaun Berrigan
10. Ben Hannant
11. Dane Carlaw
12. Brad Thorn
13. Terry Matterson

14. PJ Marsh
15. Paul Stephenson
16. John Te Reo
17. Tom Learoyd Lahrs

That team is over the cap (and hill), the game is pointless.

 

[Morkel]

Steve Michaels brings back memories of a really ordinary chapter in our clubs history. I feel bad that he blew out his knee (thanks to that uncoordinated dickhead Nigel Vagana), but he was so awful after he came back that we were literally cutting him out of every play. I can't for the life of me remember why we persisted with him for so long.

He wasn't that bad the whole time though. IIRC he was on our left side in 2009 that managed to outscore our right side of Hodges & Folau. Though that was because having those two meant that the defence was always bunched there to cover for them.

It was also later that year that he got the yips in defence and we lost multiple games in a row by big points - the telling blow being 50+ to 0 against the Raiders. It's amazing how much one player could drag down a defensive line, like worse than playing with 12 players. He was booted, and we were immediately contenders, until Wallace got injured and we were smashed by the cheatingest team ever.