Round 18 - Panthers vs Broncos - Pre-Match Discussion

[KingWebcke]

Hoffman has to be at 5/8 beceuase of no other options. Milford will put an end to that

 

[Ari Gold]

Hoffman has to be at 5/8 beceuase of no other options. Milford will put an end to that

Gillett and Hodges would both do a better job as a make shift five eight than what Hoffman does. Ditto Barba and maybe even Granville. Like others, open also to giving [MENTION=2221]Porthoz[/MENTION] a run there.

 

[Porthoz]

I'm picturing one of the Burgii boys running at me... :shocked:

 

[Rally Towel]

Gillett and Hodges would both do a better job as a make shift five eight than what Hoffman does. Ditto Barba and maybe even Granville. Like others, open also to giving @Porthoz a run there.

Yeah, as much as I like Hoffman, he's so far out of his depth in that position. Assuming Hook ever went a little left field with his selections, this is what I'd like to see.

1. Ben Barba

2. Josh Hoffman (Rekindling his combination with Reed from 2013)

3. Jack Reed

4. Dale Copley

5. Daniel Vidot

6. Justin Hodges (Minimal kicking duties, but not like Hoffman does much of that)

7. Ben Hunt

8. Josh McGuire

9. Andrew McCullough

10. Corey Parker

11. Alex Glenn

12. Corey Oates (The lad needs more game time)

13. Matt Gillett


Interchange.


14. Jake Granville

15. Ben Hannant

16. Sam Thaiday

17. David Hala / Todd Lowrie (Hala preferable but entirely dependent on match fitness. Lowrie isn't flash but is reasonably dependable)

This assumes that Kennedy never steps up (though he could contest that #17 if he did), and that Stagg is mercifully put out to pasture (respect and all, but he is the weakest link).

We retain the nucleus of our side, get some more nous and vision in the halves, and we have a bench with some potential for impact. Thaiday can play reasonable minutes as it is but if he comes off the bench he could really tear in. Both he and Hannant bring a good mix of experience, impact and ball playing. Hala can be our wrecking ball or Lowrie can be used to shore up the defensive line if we're under pressure (replacing a fatigued back rower). Despite Macca being good for 80, we can bring on Granville judiciously to switch up our attack at key moments and catch teams off guard.

 

[Morkel]

There is another positive to Hodges at five-eighth. And that's structure. At the moment when he takes the ball it's ad-lib and often ends on an error. If the team trains with him in the 6 though they can all get on the same page. If Hodgo sees something, at the moment he goes solo. Imagine instead he has a decoy back-rower drawing defenders and Barba looming.

 

[rnabokov]

I am resigned to Hoffman remaining where he is.

It is good coaching to create and maintain a stable team structure. It is also necessary for good coaching to build combinations which create opportunities, options, and then execute plays well.

For mine, that means our future this year almost entirely hinges on 2 things: rock solid defence, and Barba's heavy involvement as 2nd playmaker.

If that happens in this game, we should win. In fact, we can win, and not just this game, but most.

I am ever the eternal optimist

 

[theshed]

I completely agree with comments saying this team needs a bit of mongrel. Hodges and Thaiday used to have it but I feel it's been coached out of them and gaining captaincy/aging had a lot to do with it.

I saw a drunk JWH once and I was actually terrified. Kasiano and Frank Pritchard are monsters, Ennis is the best niggler in the game. It used to be the main job for a hooker or half back.

I was talking to some Sydney team supporters the other day when hodges came up, and all they said was how good a player he is. What the hell happened? I remember even mentioning Hodges name a few years back would almost start a civil war.

We just aren't an intimidating team physically anymore.

 

[theshed]

I am resigned to Hoffman remaining where he is.

It is good coaching to create and maintain a stable team structure. It is also necessary for good coaching to build combinations which create opportunities, options, and then execute plays well.

For mine, that means our future this year almost entirely hinges on 2 things: rock solid defence, and Barba's heavy involvement as 2nd playmaker.

If that happens in this game, we should win. In fact, we can win, and not just this game, but most.

I am ever the eternal optimist

I can see the logic behind leaving hofman at 5/8 at this point in the season. I don't necessarily agree with it but I get it. The issue is, he never should've been our 5/8 at this point in the season.

 

[Alec]

If the opposition has to think twice about tackling a player, they shouldn't be playing first grade. :001_tongue:

 

[CaptainHook]

Interesting to see Tyrone Peachey named in the halves. How many games has he played? Couldn't be that many. Is Ivan Cleary taking a chance on a rookie in the halves...?

Personally, I'd shift Josh Mansour into number 6.

 

[Big Pete]

Personally, I wouldn't give up my day job. :laugh:

Peachey has played 20 games, 7 before arriving at Penrith and does a bit of ball-playing already.

 

[Unbreakable]

Doesn't Penrith have Isaac John running around in NSW cup or something? He's pretty good.. I'd take him in a heartbeat over Hoffman.

 

[Big Pete]

Doesn't Penrith have Isaac John running around in NSW cup or something? He's pretty good.. I'd take him in a heartbeat over Hoffman.

Out for the season.

 

[broncos4life]

Interesting to see Tyrone Peachey named in the halves. How many games has he played? Couldn't be that many. Is Ivan Cleary taking a chance on a rookie in the halves...?

Personally, I'd shift Josh Mansour into number 6.

Shift their best winger into the halves?!? You are griffin aren't you? Lol

 

[vertigo]

Shift their best winger into the halves?!?

thatsthejoke.jpg

 

[Big Pete]

Aren't jokes supposed to be funny? :shot:

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think with our full Origin contingent back we should beat the Panthers. Wallace is a big loss for them. He organizes their team and Soward just does as he pleases.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Aren't jokes supposed to be funny? :shot: