Round 2 - Broncos vs Cowboys - Post Match Discussion

[Rally Towel]

By their standards? I don't think so.

I believe people have this perception that the Cowboys are one of the top teams in the competition and they haven't been since 2007 when Bowen/JT were both at the peak of their powers. I think it's pretty clear they're in that second tier below Melbourne/Sydney/Souths/Manly. So by their standards, I thought they played to standard.They have a great pack that are going to roll through teams no matter what and when you give their playmakers that sort of space, they're going to make you pay. Fortunately, Brisbane were able to recover and while they kept testing us with inside balls (which is good coaching IMO) we were just better on the evening.

Brisbane were still pretty patchy with the ball, still plenty to work on but you can't doubt their character. Before last year, I wrote that as long as the team showed some character, an unwillingness to succumb to defeat I'd gladly cheer them and tonight was that sort of performance.

I'm not sure about you, but I'm content to enjoy this win for the rest of the weekend.

Well said mate. I really thought they'd put it to us but pleasantly surprised at the result.

They're not exactly a one man band like some suggest, but limiting opportunities for JT really stifles their attack.

Still got a long season ahead, but I'll be behind them every step of the way. Tonight was likely indicative of the way it'll play out for us, IMO. Not pretty, but heart and conditioning will keep us in games we would have given away last year.

I won't complain if Kahu or someone else would come into the halves and get out attack firing. However improbable.

 

[Alec]

The awesome thing about Copley is that he'll probably keep getting better too - he missed almost a whole year.

 

[Danoz Direct]

I hope Reed does not go to second row, he isn't big or heavy enough and just doesn't bend the line.

 

[Unbreakable]

i think sandow's camera pointing days are well and truly over

I'm not entirely sure what that means.. but Sandow has a far superior kicking game to Hunt, he's also a more dangerous runner of the ball, fair enough he's a liability in defense, but if tonight was anything to go by, it's not our defense that is going to lose us games this season.

 

[Brett]

I think we need to get a hold of Chris Sandow's mobile number, the time has come. Even if it's not to get Hunt on a first class ticket back to Queensland Cup, at the very least to play along side him in the halves and do the bulk of the kicking, but I'm not sure how much more babysitting we can do for this bloke, he's had a million chances now.

Sandow over Hunt. You're a laugh a minute tonight.

 

[GCBRONCO]

I wasn't ever sure on Copley, ball handling has always been a concern but his improving(tonight's error excluded), his definitely becoming more dangerous with the ball in his hands and that's great to see, come Hodges return it's going to be tough finding space for Vidot, Copley and Maranta if they all keep doing well.

 

[vertigo]

Winning with such gumby halves.. even I'll take that.

2014 Round 2 Cowboys (A) v Brisbane Broncos - Teams & Discussions - Page 8

It's like looking in a mirror when we lose haha.

 

[Kimlo]

Get Kahu in the halves, Hoffman at centre, Reed to take the 17. off Wallace (but actually play), Hodges in with Maranta out and we have a much stronger all round team. Maranta out because I think Vidot, Barba, Hodges, Copley, Hoffman are all ahead of him but he'll be first pick to cover injuries.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Lets not forget too Oates will be returning hopefully soon.

 

[Unbreakable]

Sandow over Hunt. You're a laugh a minute tonight.

Ben Hunt is the worst Halfback in the NRL at the moment.

 

[Kimlo]

Sandow can kick and pass, so he's already ahead of Hunt. Hunt is an awful kicker of the ball, his midfield bomb cost us a penalty! And I lost count of how many poor passes he threw. Combine his defence and attitude with Sandow and we'd have a quality halfback.

 

[Kimlo]

I actually wish Prince stayed on one more season until Milford was here.

 

[Alec]

Sandow can kick and pass, so he's already ahead of Hunt. Hunt is an awful kicker of the ball, his midfield bomb cost us a penalty! And I lost count of how many poor passes he threw. Combine his defence and attitude with Sandow and we'd have a quality halfback.

His midfield bomb was one of the few literally "midfield" bombs, lol. And he kicked it from like 40 out.

 

[Unbreakable]

I actually wish Prince stayed on one more season until Milford was here.

Was thinking the exact same thing watching the game tonight, at least then we wouldn't be subjected to Hunt's kicking game as much.

But even then, who's to say Hunt will be any better next year when Milford comes? I hope I'm extremely wrong with this, but I just haven't seen anything positive out of him in the nines / trials / first 2 games.

 

[Dexter]

To be fair I think Hoffman played fairly well, setting up a try, defending well and generally just being dangerous. Hunt was not as bad as people think, although he still has ALOT of work to do.

Hoffman did play well, he is a good player just not a 5/8 or a fullback. His defence was exceptional tonight and they could have scored a few tries if someone smaller was there. He still kills any wide movement by going back inside.

As for Hunt he only looks truly comfortable when he is working a blind, he couldn't kick his nanna down the steps, and too many passes go slightly or well behind his receiver and destroys our momentum.
Still we are on 2 wins and he could improve his passing game fairly quickly if there, Maranta is showing what a bit of confidence can do.

Does anyone else think the commentators have been asked to give him a wrap? I mean he's going well but they are raving every time he does something above average.

 

[Broncoman]

I thought Hoffman's ball running was good but didn't offer much else apart from his grubber.

Hunt hasn't improved at all

 

[GCBRONCO]

Sadly, I'd have to agree. And not even tonight, he is building his own reputation on the back of <insert "development/confidence/excuse/excuse/excuse"> and he really needs to be dropped to QCup to find form or a place where he belongs... He does NOT belong in first grade, currently.

I think you misunderstand the position the take on his development, having him play on the bench in the role his not suited as for so long did impact on his development as a player, they should have had him playing Queensland Cup in the 7 after he left the NYC to prepare him longterm for the halves. In no way was that pushing for him to have some rock solid claim to the 7 jersey, rather the disappointment in a continuing disappointing development of our halves since after Lockyer came on the scene. His been disappointing so far this season definitely, no denying that and if he doesn't improve soon then you need to look at alternatives, I would however like to think we can do better then just jumping at Sandow.....

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Hunt is a liability and needs to be dropped. Bring Strasser or Nikorima in. At least they have some semblance of a kicking game.