Round 18 - Panthers vs Broncos - Pre-Match Discussion

[Big Pete]

Promoting a half for just one game seems to be like a real exercise in futility.

I'm all for using this time off to re-evaluate the halves situation and try something new since I don't believe what the Broncos currently have to offer is good enough to win a premiership but it's got to be something that you can see lasting until the season.

It's a real tight spot too. The Broncos NYC boys are playing well but that's in the NYC competition, anybody who watches a game at Suncorp can tell you it doesn't come anywhere NEAR the standard of first grade. In the ISC, none of the players in those teams have really put up a good argument. Strasser has been pretty disappointing for the Dolphins and I don't know if Nichols just picked a bad time but he's basically been apart of the Devils capitulation.

In my opinion, Hook either has to take a shot in the dark with Nichols OR move Hodges over who has a better running and passing game than Hoffman or Barba and have either Hoffman go to fullback or have Kodi Nikorima come in at fullback and see whether or not his speed catches players off guard and chime into the second man plays. I honestly don't think Granville is even in that conversation.

Regardless it's a dire situation, we can all agree with that but that was the reality in December. You can understand why people are tired of it because this conversation has endured since February and emerges no matter what the conversation is.

I can understand to an extent since it's the obvious elephant in the room but at other times it's just ridiculous.

 

[Huge]

My thoughts were more about having a look at a genuine playmaker in the role and truthfully, one game would tell us a lot. I totally agree that we need someone for the rest of the season but until an option is tried we can get no clearer picture. I've only seen a little vision of Nicholls but what I saw was quite reasonable. Maybe if I got off my arse and went to an ISC game featuring him I'd be better educated !

Funny thing is though, I can't shake the feeling that Lockyers advice earlier in the season to Hoggman was counterproductive . He encouraged Hoggman to just 'run the ball', I'm guessing he was trying to reassure him he didn't have to set up a big play. Now the ball seems to die with him practically every time he gets it. As for Granville, well that was really just a bit of tongue in cheek, I just wanted someone who would try something,anything...just not more Hoggman. I like the idea of him dropping to fullback when in attack and having Barba come forward.

 

[rnabokov]

What exactly is our natural game? Back in the 90's it used to be just balls out attack, and in 2006 it was more of a forward platform topped with this massive ****ing cherry called Lockyer.

But honestly, what is our "natural game" these days. We have Hoffman at five eight and McCullough is much more of an all round player than any great attacking weapon. There are times where we look lost with the ball in attack if Hunt isn't involved.

And our forwards whilst capable are no longer the dominant pack that we had in the 2000's, so I'm not really able to say that's our game either.

I honestly don't know if we have a natural game... just this structured version of Griffinball, which I'd much rather we didn't play for 80 minutes.

And whilst the last bit is my mandatory dig at Griffin, the rest is genuine ponderment. I really don't feel we have an identity in terms of style like we used to.

Our natural game "so to speak" is simple. Let the ball do the work. Forwards passing it, not dying with it. Offloading and support play, Barba and Hunt working with Gillett and Hodges, Hunt kicking for Reed and Vidot. Hoffman keeping out of the way and defending his heart out which is all he really is capable of doing. Relentless defence.

The way we beat Manly.

 

[Mister Wright]

At least we're not as bad as the Roosters.

 

[Big Pete]

Our natural game "so to speak" is simple. Let the ball do the work. Forwards passing it, not dying with it. Offloading and support play, Barba and Hunt working with Gillett and Hodges, Hunt kicking for Reed and Vidot. Hoffman keeping out of the way and defending his heart out which is all he really is capable of doing. Relentless defence.

The way we beat Manly.

I have a theory we're an afternoon footy team stuck playing Friday nights.

Much easier to play mobile footy in the sun then under lights.

 

[Allo]

I have a theory we're an afternoon footy team stuck playing Friday nights.

Much easier to play mobile footy in the sun then under lights.

I totally agree. At home at least

Sunday games by the year since 2010

2010: 44-16 over Sharks (H), 36-14 over Storm (A), 22-6 over Manly (A), 50-22 over Souths (H), 10-6 over Dragons (H)
2011: 25-24 over Canberra (H), 22-10 over Souths (H) and 18-10 over Manly (H)
2012: 50-24 over Newcastle (H), 40-22 over the Roosters (H), lost 28-12 to Canberra (A) and Dogs 22-14 (A)
2013: lost 18-16 to the Warriors (A), 26-24 over Dragons (H)
2014: 36-10 over Manly (H)

2009 is when we last lost a Sunday home game. But it's hard to say we play better as we have only have played 14 out of the past 111 games during the day. It'd need to be a closer ratio to be sure. But that double in 2012 when we put 90 points on and the Manly game this year shows we probably attack better (despite how different the sides are, there's still a fair few commonalities. One being Griffin)

 

[Mortician]

The players themselves have to be held accountable and I think Griffin is dealing with what he has, as good as any first grade coach in the NRL could.
.

The players have been accountable e.g. Thaiday losing the captaincy, whereas there is no accountability from Griffin. He should have been the one sacked after last years clusterfuck.

We have a great team and where we are on the ladder shows that in spite of having the gimp as coach and not as you put it "Griffin is dealing with what he has".

 

[Mr Fourex]

The players have been accountable e.g. Thaiday losing the captaincy, whereas there is no accountability from Griffin. He should have been the one sacked after last years clusterfuck.

We have a great team and where we are on the ladder shows that in spite of having the gimp as coach and not as you put it "Griffin is dealing with what he has".

Thaiday losing the captaincy .......now playing a lot better as just a "player"

Master stroke by Griffin..?

 

[Mortician]

Thaiday losing the captaincy .......now playing a lot better as just a "player"

Master stroke by Griffin..?

Masterstroke by playing him in the front row last year and then him being the scapegoat for not making the finals?

Yeah masterstroke....

 

[Brett]

All the Hoffman talk is becoming a bit redundant. Hodges should be 5/8 for the remainder of the season. Copley to right Centre, Hoffman to Left Wing outside Reed and Vidot to Right Wing outside Copley.

1. Barba
2. Hoffman
3. Reed
4. Copley
5. Vidot
6. Hodges
7. Hunt

 

[Huge]

Morty...that was obviously a bit of bait,that bit about a master stroke . I was at the last game from 2013 and Thaiday cost us a finals spot. He was lazy when he needed to be energetic but his worst sin was a two fold calamity. He was incredibly ill-disciplined and he failed to lead by example,ala Lockyer. He really always was a very poor choice as captain.

As for Griffin, well I'd prefer Nashy leading the Broncos........and I can't stand Nashy !!!!

 

[Huge]

All the Hoffman talk is becoming a bit redundant. Hodges should be 5/8 for the remainder of the season. Copley to right Centre, Hoffman to Left Wing outside Reed and Vidot to Right Wing outside Copley.

1. Barba
2. Hoffman
3. Reed
4. Copley
5. Vidot
6. Hodges
7. Hunt

Why not the smallest change...Barba comes forward when we have possession and Hoggman goes to fullback,the reverse in defence.

 

[winslow_wong]

Why not the smallest change...Barba comes forward when we have possession and Hoggman goes to fullback,the reverse in defence.

that's too much coaching already for Griff. give him some panadol

 

[Mr Fourex]

Hodges won't get through 2 games in a row at 5/8 before breaking down.

His body is too fragile.

 

[Brett]

Why not the smallest change...Barba comes forward when we have possession and Hoggman goes to fullback,the reverse in defence.

They already do that, only Barba doesn't usually get the ball at first receiver.

Hodges won't get through 2 games in a row at 5/8 before breaking down.

His body is too fragile.

I don't believe this for a second. He's much fitter this season than he was last season. I believe he's up to it.

 

[M.B.88]

I agree. The Hodges is too fragile thing is a little old. He runs in Centre of the field when he takes dummy half runs anyway. Gets tackled by front and back rowers. What you worried about 5/8th doing to him exactly?

 

[broncos4life]

Morty...that was obviously a bit of bait,that bit about a master stroke . I was at the last game from 2013 and Thaiday cost us a finals spot. He was lazy when he needed to be energetic but his worst sin was a two fold calamity. He was incredibly ill-disciplined and he failed to lead by example,ala Lockyer. He really always was a very poor choice as captain.

As for Griffin, well I'd prefer Nashy leading the Broncos........and I can't stand Nashy !!!!

For real? Nashys awesome

 

[Harry Sack]

For real? Nashys awesome

Nah, Huge is on the money here. Nashy's a massive ****.