POST GAME Round 2 - Broncos vs Warriors

[GCBRONCO]

Why not? If he's healthy he's the next best winger in our squad, he'd come straight in for Oates.

Agreed, the only thing really that would stop Maranta coming back into the side in Oates absence is his own fitness, otherwise he is definitely the man for the job in his absence, most experienced and really stepped up last season.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't know if anyone else saw it this way, but it seemed as if the Broncos got off to a nice start thought they could just roll through the motions and were caught out. Not sure what's happening in the ruck but the timing seems to be off and they're making far too many unforced errors in prime position. Tonight the Broncos just made too many and the weight of possession got them. In the end, all it took was a strong run by Luke and a feeble effort by Macca to earn their opening points.

That woke them up a little and I thought the defence from then on was quite good but still plenty of anxious moments. Particularly under the high ball where I thought Johnson was striking them incredibly well. It caused our boys plenty of headaches but fortunately the support around the ball was really good.

I thought there were a few pivotal moments in the contest. Firstly, the Reed try could not have come at a more opportunistic time. If the Warriors had have scored and made it a 14-6 game at the break, the Broncos would have been in some trouble but the work from Milford to draw Ayshford in was great. And of course ol' Jacky boy scored a good try that was very reminiscent of his rehab. He just kept pushing himself and pushing himself until he got over.

Biggest play of the second half came from Corey Oates. In the space of two sets, he did an amazing job to shield the ball over the in-goal line than another effort to force a goal-line drop-out. It gave the boys a much needed repeat set and they didn't make any mistakes with Boyd scoring a well deserved try.

Also note who played the ball. I don't think there's a better play-the-ball in Rugby League than Adam Blair at the moment. The way he finds his front or keeps his feet in traffic is unreal. As soon as he and Moose came on, they made a huge difference and it really steered the boys home.

Finally, loved the cameo from Big Joe.

Oh and PPS how good was the contact on Manu tonight? First from Kahu then from Wallace. It was unfortunate that he got injured but it was clear that they made it a mission and the boys really came through for us.

 

[Kaz]

I say this with all seriousness, I honestly think the refs from tonight need to be investigated. One of the worst performances from a group of officials I have seen in a long time.

Did you not see the refs last week during the Storm vs Dragons game.

 

[Sproj]

Did you not see the refs last week during the Storm vs Dragons game.

I was unfortunately there live, it was atrocious!

but tonight was every bit as bad if not worse.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't think the referees were THAT bad.

It just seemed like one of those games where one team got out to a big lead in the penalties and they became too self-concious. I think it's the worst trend in the game, the evening up of the penalty counts but it's so common that it's difficult to be that upset with it.

 

[mitch222]

Reed given 4 weeks to earn his spot, does it in 1.

Pretty sure that was bullshit
bennett knows what he brings to our team and he loves it

 

[Super Freak]

Motherfucking Jack Reed.

Good game, mate.

How good was that try? Unstoppable.

 

[Super Freak]

I call McGuire brisbanes best . Mistake free football .

Not exactly.

The mistake free part, I mean.

 

[Porthoz]

We're still a long way from mistake free footy, but despite that, we look so much in control of the game. The humid and hot weather doesn't help, making the ball very slippery, and the body suffers a lot in these circumstances. Were it not for Luke's sneaky effort, the Warriors wouldn't have troubled us defensively.
Speaking of defense, our right side is absolutely impregnable, especially when Kahu is there. Anyone who runs at him thinking he's only a small bloke, will regret it, right Manu? Even though he was clearly underdone, and the weather didn't help him with those cramps, he didn't put a foot wrong
Of course, Gillett is like a fucking giant vacuum cleaner in that whole general area, and Hoffman, Manu and Kata were just incapable of doing anything of relevance.

Boyd was fantastic from a defensive point of view, ran well too, and scored a relatively easy, but certainly deserved try.
Gillett's try was even more deserved and he had it coming for a long time, after several close misses in the near past. It was a great pass by Hunt, who seemed to shake the cobwebs off in that second half and take some control. His kicking game was one of the best I've seen of him too, so definitely an improvement from last round.

The left side was really just as good, even if the opposition wasn't too much to write home about. Milford is clearly more and more becoming our no. 1 half, showing poise and control well beyond his years. Then there is Glenn going gangbusters, Reed returning and playing like... well, Reed, and of course our own superman/winger Corey Oates. Here's hoping his injury is less serious than feared, and Matulino gets cited by the MRC for that fucking shoulder charge.

The engine room department deserves kuddos, with all the boys doing good work, despite that soft try conceded by Parker and Macca. I think they held themselves quite well against a massive Kiwi pack and finished well on top of them. All deserve credit and no one was a stand out negatively, not even Wallace...

 

[Mitch06]

I say this with all seriousness, I honestly think the refs from tonight need to be investigated. One of the worst performances from a group of officials I have seen in a long time.

It was an absolute joke. I couldn't believe it, how can you miss two shoulder chargers in one tackle, those refs were beached as. So many high tackles too.

 

[Broncoman]

The 15 point margin flatters me, we weren't anywhere near our best and the Warriors didn't even play badly at all but we were still good enough to win. Very good team effort especially defensively when the Warriors were attacking our line in the first half and had many plays inside our 20 yet were only able to score 1 try.

Boyd - Played his best game for a while. Was safer than a condom at fullback always cleaning up the loose ball and catching bombs under pressure. Came up with the try that killed the Warriors chances. 8/10

Oates - Did spectacularly well to score in the first half and was imposing with the ball in hand again. Sucks that he got injured he will be missed and hopefully not for long. 6/10

Reed - A solid all round game he did his job with no fuss. 6/10

Roberts - We aren't using him enough so he isn't getting any chances to show us what he can do. Had some touches and had a good run towards the end. 5/10

Kahu - Gutsy stuff playing on injured considering his history. 6/10

Milford - Was just great with the ball in hand creating chances left right and centre and catching the Warriors out with his kicking game. Great improvement on last week. 8/10

Hunt - Set up Gillett perfectly but I thought he was just solid without being great apart from that. 5/5/10

McGuire - Good through the middle of the field with the most carriers for our forwards, a good game but I don't think it's MOM worthy. 7.5/10

McCullogh - Wished he used his kicking game more often is capable of the odd 40/20. 4/10

Blair - Good without being outstanding like McGuire. 6/10

Glenn - Worked well on the fringes of the ruck but didn't have the impact like Gillett does but he was eager to get involved and I'll give him that. 6/10

Gillett - Another great game cutting down the opposition attack like a cattledog nipping at the ankles, running lines of Hunt and Milford. Made the most tackles for our guys and scored a great try. He is in great form to start the year. 9/10

Parker - When Parker just plays a good game some people think he was ordinary. Was solid not putting a foot wrong but didn't have the impact he usually does. 6/10

Wallace - Solid but wasn't noticed. 4/10

Thiaday - Brought a lot of impact of the bench and his chargers ensured we didn't lose momentum in attack at any time. 6.5/10

Ofa - Didn't notice him so I can't rate

Nikorima - Thought he added some spark and caused some problems for the Warriors when he came on. 5/10

 

[Super Freak]

One thing I liked about Boyd, he is bringing the ball back with more oomph.

He isn't bringing the ball back and slowing down when the chasers get to him. He is more willing to keep running and fight for every metre.

 

[Broncoman]

Josh McGuire Channel 9's MotM.

18 Runs
26 Tackles

Very good, loved his run before the Nikorima break.

McGuire had good game no doubt but I think Boyd, Milford and Gillett were all better. They just influenced the game a bit more and broke the Warriors open when the crunch was on.

 

[vertigo]

It's Round 2, rack up the W's then start critiquing our play after Origin.

Nice to see Reed & Kahu got through unscathed, shame about Oates though.

 

[mitch222]

Just had a look at fox sports and they have footage of Roberts touching the ref during the game (patting him on the shoulder)
bennett needs to pull him aside asap and let him know you can't do that
he could get suspended for something like that

 

[Fozz]

Why not? If he's healthy he's the next best winger in our squad, he'd come straight in for Oates.

Funnily enough, we ran into him outside the stadium after the game and he said he's still a couple of weeks away.

 

[Super Freak]

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Sheck's fall from grace could come quickly if he doesn't find some form. What is it about the Warriors that has made him go into his shell this much? The expectation?