Round 2 - Broncos vs Cowboys - Pre Match Discussion

[Rally Towel]

Credit to Sammy for his candid response, but really no other way to look at it.

Hoffman is meant to have a post match interview on Broncos Insider about his first game at 5/8th. Interested to see how he perceived it...

 

[Broncoman]

Strasser will need to show some great form in QLD cup before he can get a run in the halves. I thought he looked out of his depth and didn't do enough in the trial i saw. Hoffman was ordinary in the halves on Friday but I would much rather go with a player who is proven at this level than someone who isn't.

 

[1910]

I think we were better off when we had the one QLD Cup team to send our excess players too. and i think we should go back to that

I disagree, I think it has a few advantages as it currently is set up. The players love going back to their club, how unfair is it if you take Granville from Wynnum then he plays against Wynnum for someone else?

It exposes the players to different coaches and ideas. Also saves money and lets you have deals in different areas. if the Broncos just have their own team and no deal with other areas, they're not having a profile in those areas.

Do you think if you don't have an affliation with the Jets or Reddy they're going to tip you off to players or guide players to you?

Toowoomba had lots of draw backs- players didn't have an affliation with the club, they just drove to 'Woomba on a Saturday and drove home. 'Woomba people hated the team- 17 drop ins and nothing to do with me.

 

[Alec]

Strasser will need to show some great form in QLD cup before he can get a run in the halves. I thought he looked out of his depth and didn't do enough in the trial i saw. Hoffman was ordinary in the halves on Friday but I would much rather go with a player who is proven at this level than someone who isn't.

Then play literally anyone else who is a proven player at 5/8th, they are all better ball players than Hoffman.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Then play literally anyone else who is a proven player at 5/8th, they are all better ball players than Hoffman.

I think we've established that.

 

[broncos4life]

Then play literally anyone else who is a proven player at 5/8th, they are all better ball players than Hoffman.

So your saying hoffman isn't a good ball player?

 

[Harry Sack]

Assuming Macca cops a week from the judiciary (hoping he doesn't though): Are we comfortable with Granville @ 9 for the full 80 (or the greater part)? I like Jake as an impact player later in games, but not sure if he's the right fit.

Even if Macca doesn't cop a week, I'd still have him in the team if this is the way Griffin intends to use the bench. I'd rather have an impact player of some description than a prop that we don't use.....even when we're a player down.

 

[Culhwch]

Hunt should have been brought straight into Halfback 4 years ago and partnered with Lockyer for 2 years. 2 years under Lockyer in his preferred position and he's a completely different player and this conversation is about needing a 5/8 to partner the experienced Ben Hunt. But, I digress...

Yeah, this, sadly.

I don't think there is any chance of a change in line up this week. And then even if the Cows belt us, same again next week. I'm in the Barba to five-eighth camp. Hoffman to the wing, and either Maranta or Copley at the back. Parker out of the front row, Hannant or Kennedy in, Thaiday to the bench to come on as an impact forward. And someone other than Griffin managing the interchange.

 

[noisetheory]

Then play literally anyone else who is a proven player at 5/8th, they are all better ball players than Hoffman.

yeah! theres 3 of them just lining up waiting to go! why wont we play them!

getting tired of the hoffman bashing. no ones arguing that he IS a good ball player, so to just keep banging on about it is pointless.

while i dont think he should be 6 i'll give them a few weeks. barba will get better as a second play maker outside hunt. they will work on their combinations and hopefully aim play which brings in hoffmans strengths rather than his weaknesses.

 

[Danoz Direct]

yeah! theres 3 of them just lining up waiting to go! why wont we play them!

getting tired of the hoffman bashing. no ones arguing that he IS a good ball player, so to just keep banging on about it is pointless.

while i dont think he should be 6 i'll give them a few weeks. barba will get better as a second play maker outside hunt. they will work on their combinations and hopefully aim play which brings in hoffmans strengths rather than his weaknesses.

Now that makes total sense :takdir:

Love it

 

[Alec]

yeah! theres 3 of them just lining up waiting to go! why wont we play them!

I think my post was misunderstood. I meant take literally any player with FG experience we have, play him at 5/8th and they'd do a better job.

Hoffman at 5/8th is an embarrassment not just for the Broncos, but Rugby League in general... but I've said enough about that, and there's no point discussing it anymore, I'll just have to wait patiently for him to finally be dropped.

 

[noisetheory]

I think my post was misunderstood. I meant take literally any player with FG experience we have, play him at 5/8th and they'd do a better job.

there isnt anyone man.

 

[Allo]

I get what Alec means. For instance you could put a ball-playing forward there. At least he could run over people or offload. Kinda like Sutton. You'd basically have to teach him the same things you need to with Hoffman anyway: kicking and passing

 

[noisetheory]

ok yeah fair enough, i didnt think of that.

personally i'd prefer hoffman than one of hte backrowers.

 

[Sproj]

Interesting thought, what about Reed? We know he can pass and he can also kick in short game terms anyway. Do a Berrigan with Reed?

 

[Allo]

Berro also played hooker. Much closer skilled to a 5/8th than a centre/maybe 2nd rower.

I wouldn't be against putting Gillo back there again. He did an ok job when Locky was injured (setup a try or two v Manly who won the title that year). Sure we lost (and I think any other game or two he played there) but he likes to pass and kick so already he's ahead of Hoffman in that respect. Also let's Hook keep him, Glenn and Thaiday on the field AND Cozza can go back to Lock. If need be he can sub back into the forwards and they can play around with the positions if they want Granville and Macca on the field at the same time (although not to the point it was done last year in the Warriors game I think it was when we got pumped). Puts Hoffy back to the wing or even centre if Reed is underwhelming and Maranta keep form from Rd 1.

So

Barba
Vidot
Reed/Hoffman
Copley
Maranta/Hoffman
Gillett
Hunt
McGuire
Macca
Hannant
Glenn
Thaiday
Parker

Granville/Lowrie
Kennedy
Hala
Wallace

 

[Ari Gold]

I would totally prefer Gillett to Hoffman at five eight. Not only would it allow Kennedy to start and Parker to return to lock, but Gillett is a better defender than Hoffman and he has a better passing and kicking game. I also feel that Gillett possesses impressive vision and reading of the game. I know he misses a few one on ones now and then but some of the tackles he makes display a great reading of the game.

I can also remember a game where Gillett chipped for himself and forced a drop out. I doubt Hoffman could do that -- at least not on purpose.

 

[Big Pete]

Only two more games till Jordie Kahu comes back. Don't see the point in moving anybody else there and despite what others have said, Hoffman didn't have the worst game of all time at five eigth so keep him there for the time being.