PRE-GAME [Round 2, 2026] - Broncos vs Eels

[Renegade]

Let's see who's learnt the most from their respective shellacking's.

 

[Morkel]

Mam to start at 6.
Riki to wear headgear.
J. Hunt over Gos.

Was a tough watch but I'd be happy with these changes, and cut out the errors.

Agree with that, but I think we're splitting hairs with J Hunt and Gos. Both have shown to look good on some occasions, then look like park footballers the next play and completely **** us over.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I'm sure Gosiewski will be picked because Piaks is apparently close to returning but I really think he and Tawha should be on notice to lift their games. Staggs, Paix and Reynolds should be too but they have runs on the board obviously, especially Reynolds and Staggs.

In any case, we need to hold the ball. It has been an issue in both games so far this year. You aren't winning games with these ridiculous six again rules if you have 40% of the ball or less.

I know this won't happen but I'd go:
1. Walsh
2. Karapani
3. Anderson
4. Shibasaki
5. Mariner
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Jensen
9. Bunt
10. Haas
11. Staggs
12. Riki
13. Carrigan

14. Mozer
15. Willison
16. Semu
17. Arthars
18. Junt
19. Duffy

I am glad you arent madge.

Terrible.

 

[Dexter]

Mozer was named on the bench for Burleigh last weekend.
Does anyone know how much gametime he got and how he played.

 

[Big Pete]

Mozer was named on the bench for Burleigh last weekend.
Does anyone know how much gametime he got and how he played.

Came on after 30 right after the Bears took the lead. Barely got his hands on the ball, the Bears kept turning it over so he was asked to do a lot of defence. The Dolphins targeted him, but he held his own.

Had more chances in the second half and was starting to run more and split the defence but to no avail. Both teams struggled with the conditions and he came off right before the Dolphins reclaimed the lead.

There was some discussion over in the QCup thread if you want more information. Basically he got through but given how wet the conditions were it wasn't an ideal return.

 

[Rally Towel]

Agree with that, but I think we're splitting hairs with J Hunt and Gos. Both have shown to look good on some occasions, then look like park footballers the next play and completely **** us over.

We may well be, but consider it the lesser of two evils.

Love it if Tawha or someone can force Madge's hand, but we're not in that position yet.

SOS Piakura!

 

[Brocko]

Apparently Addo-Carr is a chance of returning for Eels

 

[1910]

I certainly don't think Hunt screamed pick me on Saturday. Didn't get off the line for the Eggerling try and mistakes with the ball.

No real enthusiasm or energy in anything when Wynnum needed it in the second half. Anderson was doing everything.

 

[Super Freak]

Same team expected.

 

[1910]

Came on after 30 right after the Bears took the lead. Barely got his hands on the ball, the Bears kept turning it over so he was asked to do a lot of defence. The Dolphins targeted him, but he held his own.

Had more chances in the second half and was starting to run more and split the defence but to no avail. Both teams struggled with the conditions and he came off right before the Dolphins reclaimed the lead.

There was some discussion over in the QCup thread if you want more information. Basically he got through but given how wet the conditions were it wasn't an ideal return.

No runs stood to me that I can recall, but the official stats say he didn't run at all.

28 tackles
4 missed
0 runs
0 metres

Bears had so little ball- 43% that it could be right- Dolphins had it for seven minutes longer than Bears.

 

[Big Pete]

No runs stood to me that I can recall, but the official stats say he didn't run at all.

28 tackles
4 missed
0 runs
0 metres

Bears had so little ball- 43% that it could be right- Dolphins had it for seven minutes longer than Bears.

I don't think they count it when the players are looking to draw and pass.

It was bread and butter stuff from Mozer. Quick play the ball, so he drifts across field looking to get his runners 1-1 with the defence. He did it twice attacking the Dolphins line and the Bears looked likely but the Dolphins ultimately got there.

 

[Fitzy]

I wouldn't say he had what you'd call an official run. But with the weather and I thought Redcliffe were quite good in the ruck. Wasn't really to much on offer. I thought it was a decent game from Mozer, his energy was a little underwhelming in defence especially considering he was targeted. It was a 35ish minute stint in his first game of footy for 9 months in the pissing down rain. I'm not going to take to much of the game into account. Burleigh got the win and he did his job without mistakes.

Edit: Not expecting to see him in a maroon and gold jersey this Thursday.

 

[beaseagull]

I'm sure Gosiewski will be picked because Piaks is apparently close to returning but I really think he and Tawha should be on notice to lift their games. Staggs, Paix and Reynolds should be too but they have runs on the board obviously, especially Reynolds and Staggs.

In any case, we need to hold the ball. It has been an issue in both games so far this year. You aren't winning games with these ridiculous six again rules if you have 40% of the ball or less.

I know this won't happen but I'd go:
1. Walsh
2. Karapani
3. Anderson
4. Shibasaki
5. Mariner
6. Mam
7. Reynolds
8. Jensen
9. Bunt
10. Haas
11. Staggs
12. Riki
13. Carrigan

14. Mozer
15. Willison
16. Semu
17. Arthars
18. Junt
19. Duffy

Semu's fitness is still shot, he looked gassed after 5 minutes in cup. I thought Arthars threw in the towel and just flat out wasn't even trying for Souths, meanwhile Anderson was one of Wynnum's best only second to Farr I'd say.

 

[Sproj]

Semu's fitness is still shot, he looked gassed after 5 minutes in cup. I thought Arthars threw in the towel and just flat out wasn't even trying for Souths, meanwhile Anderson was one of Wynnum's best only second to Farr I'd say.

Yeah I think moving Staggs in my side rewards Anderson but also puts a rocket up Staggs who has been awful in both games this year. Obviously Anderson isn't replacing him when Piaks is fit but this gives some short term reward to a guy who really put in.

In terms of Semu, yeah he's still a work in progress but I've just been so underwhelmed with Tawha, I just think it might be a good opportunity to give Semu Tawha's junk minutes.

 

[Fitzy]

Semu's fitness is still shot, he looked gassed after 5 minutes in cup. I thought Arthars threw in the towel and just flat out wasn't even trying for Souths, meanwhile Anderson was one of Wynnum's best only second to Farr I'd say.

To me it really did seem strange. Makes me wonder the legitimacy of that Warriors trade deal because Arthars was 100% having a sulk on the weekend. You are playing in a game against your competition not only for a spot on the extended bench but also as first drop into the first grade side and you play like that. Not that he did anything wrong but he simply just did not put his hand up for ANY runs or involvement. I thought it was really poor to be honest. Anderson played 20 different positions on Saturday and comfortably outperformed Arthars in every last one. PULL YOUR HEAD IN MATE.

Va'a was average wasn't he. Didn't do much wrong but he really didn't stand out. Was the pissing down rain game is part of footy and you have to aim up but lets see him on a dry track next week and make our judgements from there.

 

[Fitzy]

Will give a shoutout to Duffy as well he was excellent in every facet on the weekend. A STARK CONTRAST to a Black led Magpies side.

 

[BroncsFan]

In terms of Semu, yeah he's still a work in progress but I've just been so underwhelmed with Tawha, I just think it might be a good opportunity to give Semu Tawha's junk minutes.

There's one thing to give Semu junk minutes, but it seems like we need that 2nd row coverage for the team.

Willison was sent out to left edge when Gos was finally hooked, but he finished his stint in the middle and was gassed when he got moved there.

I dont want to see Willison spending less minutes in the middle to cover edge, especially if Semu is getting a junk 10mins because he's barely fit enough to play Qcup

 

[1910]

Semu's fitness is still shot, he looked gassed after 5 minutes in cup. I thought Arthars threw in the towel and just flat out wasn't even trying for Souths, meanwhile Anderson was one of Wynnum's best only second to Farr I'd say.

It was a hard slog, but he didn't get amongst it at all. Coster put him to shame.

Coster is 32 and I would take him over Semu at the moment.