Round 19 - Broncos vs Titans - Post Match Discussion

[Professor47]

Hook shouldn't mess around too much though, depth and competition is good but not to the point where we have a different 3 quarter line too often.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Gagai has shown some improvement but I wouldn't go as far to say his improved every week his played in first grade, his shown his own defensive issues just as Copley has(just as Yow Yeh did in the same game you bag Beale) when his out on the wing and his lack of experience at the run towards the finals also goes against him. Beale on the otherhand while I agree his best position is fullback(I could also argue Gagai's a better performer there as well) has been consistently performing well be that at fullback, centres or the wing, his contributed heavily this season in making metres for the side and scoring tries, he has earnt his position at present and until he believes otherwise Hook won't change that.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Gagai should certainly take Beales wing spot because he is related to Josh Hoffman. Makes sense to me.

 

[Jack]

Gagai has shown some improvement but I wouldn't go as far to say his improved every week his played in first grade, his shown his own defensive issues just as Copley has(just as Yow Yeh did in the same game you bag Beale) when his out on the wing and his lack of experience at the run towards the finals also goes against him. Beale on the otherhand while I agree his best position is fullback(I could also argue Gagai's a better performer there as well) has been consistently performing well be that at fullback, centres or the wing, his contributed heavily this season in making metres for the side and scoring tries, he has earnt his position at present and until he believes otherwise Hook won't change that.

Beale has been consistently well as a fullback.
He has never play well on the wing. So I don't know how you come to the conclusion he has been performing well on the wing? You mention Beale has making ground and scoring tries. But all this was done at fullback. What has been Gagai been doing? He's been doing the exactly the same but as a winger. He has scored 4 tries from 6 games.
After the poor Raiders game, Gagai bounced back against the Storm. Was solid all game and scored a great try from the high ball, made something out of nothing. Something that I have never see Beale do. Against the Raiders in round 14, he was bombarded with bombs but stood up and caught some difficult bombs. Then his most recent game against the Eels was his best of the year.
So how is that not improvement from his round 2 Raiders shocker?
Hook even when Beale was playing poor in the centres early in the year was praising Beale.
Hook continually picking Norman and Hunt as the utility when the team has Baptiste is just another example of his questionable selection.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Fair enough Jack I will grant that Gagai is improving but I still think your being harsh on Beale claiming he hasn't played well outside of fullback this season, nor made metres or scored tries(He made 112m against the Titans in wet conditions and he scored tries in round 13 and 14 in the centres), potentially at present Gagai is probably the more damaging on the wing but I still think there are areas in his game that similarly Beale had last season in first grade that he needs to show improvement for him to be a realistic fulltime prospect in firstgrade. I'm happy to look at either Gagai or Copley if the situation calls for change, but at present it doesn't. So lets agree to disagree shall we?

As for Hooks selections I think thats being a bit harsh actually. If anything this season his shown a lot of faith in his youth this season(at times even during the rep season prepared to rest our experienced rep players in games they could play). Including Baptiste who Hook showed confidence in him when he was selected to continue to do so for quite a period of time and really the only thing that has hindered his progression in first grade was his injury prior to that Hook was showing confidence in him. Besides Baptiste has been re-signed to a longer contract and I doubt we will be seeing the last of him in first grade and in a lot of ways IMO this is Hunt's last chance to show his worth on the bench and for a fulltime spot next year before Hook looks to other options.

 

[Seagullsrock]

Beale was good on Friday night and has been the Broncos best back all year. He is also the quickest at Red Hill. Give him time on the wing to use this speed. He'll eventually end up as a center and he'll be good as Hodges and Renouf. I would have Shea Moylan over Gagai and Copley on the wings.

 

[Porthoz]

Gagai should certainly take Beales wing spot because he is related to Josh Hoffman. Makes sense to me.

:eyebrow: :rash:

 

[Kimlo]

Beale was good on Friday night and has been the Broncos best back all year. He is also the quickest at Red Hill. Give him time on the wing to use this speed. He'll eventually end up as a center and he'll be good as Hodges and Renouf. I would have Shea Moylan over Gagai and Copley on the wings.

I find it extremely hard to believe he is the quickest at the club.

 

[Burg]

This is the one game that I worry about all season. There is only one team I cant stand losing to and that's the Storm add to that, from what I recall they have a 66% winning record against us. IMO this IS our game of the regular season, we will have no excuses for a loss. IMO I think if we play smart, tough and apply consistent pressure we will win. The Storm have not been playing all that well and have racked up scores against teams, like the Raiders that give them cheap ball in good field position. Kick to the edges and smother Slaters kick return, good line speed in defence reducing Smith and Cronks options. And in attack, the inside pass does not work too well against the Storm as the Raiders proved. I think the wide running plays work best against them, sweeping back line movements to get on the outside of their wingers as they like to jam in, in defence and back their scramble. If we are on our game we should win, if not, then the Storm have enough quality players to put plenty of points on us, I'm nervous but can't wait.