Call me a sucker for punishment, but figured I would pull together a player ratings:
1. Isaako - 5: just not physical enough. Too often he gets tackled 1-1 and shuts down the sweeping plays. He did some nice things in the back end of the game, and in the end he was probably our best spine player (which is not good)
2. Coates - 7: Reasonable game, but our halves need to realise that Coates is our get out play. When a set isn't going anywhere and there doesn't look to be a kick on, just heave one over to him. We are struggling to score points so having a go to 'set play' that is just get to last and kick to the wing is a no brainer that this team should look to exploit.
3. Herbie - 5: I didn't notice him too much, which means he was probably reasonable in defence. He had a drop inside our 20m after a good run, and then fucked a play the ball trying to milk a penalty. I feel he is trying to do a little too much, which isn't fair on him that he feels he needs to make the difference for the team.
4. Niu - 7: He had some extremely poor defensive plays on Fifita, as he was always going backwards instead of just being up in his face. In attack he had some great speed, likes to have a run and can bust a tackle. Thought he was one of our brighter hopes with the ball in hand, but he needs to sort out his defence ASAP.
5. Mead - 6: Had some good touches but very quiet compared to last week. Holds his place for next week. His defence has surprised me... chooses the right time to rush up in defence (although he's coming extremely far in field).
6. Milf - 2: Diabolical game tbh. Can't recall him doing anything good. Lack of composure with his kicks and unable to create any pressure despite some great field position in the first half. Didn't engage the defensive line at all and was happy to channel BHunt with his dump off passes for nothing settlers. Some horrendous defence on his edge, and was then completely invisible for the last 20mins of the game when he switched sides. Absolutely horrendous game
7. Croft - 4: Had a poor kick in the first half (was premediated on 3rd tackle) and in the 2nd half he was basically playing a lone hand as Milf had fallen off the face of the earth. He was trying hard, but just lacked any ability to create anything (bust a tackle, break the line, etc.)... I think he probably put Riki through the hole though (he was on that side at the time)? All in all the halves need to be smarter. The game wasn't that hard to control given Titans were giving us good ball and Coates was having a field day out on the wing towering over his opposite. Just some really poor composure and lack of patience in the first half by both halves cost us the game.
8. TPJ - 8: Agree with Wolfie here that he was near invisible in the first half and I feel he is definitely subdued in the way he plays due to all the suspensions... at one point he was cut in half by Brimson 1v1. 2nd half was a different story with some nice attacking play and an obvious effort to go after Fifita, but where was that at the start of the game!
9. Turps - 5: Can barely recall him with ball in hand and was looking out on his feet with about 20mins to go. I would say that we need a utility, but I want Paix to stay in qld cup. For us to be successful we need to be getting something from Turps for those ptb's within 5m of the try line. We need some nice decoy running close to the ruck and Turps picking the right pass to get TPJ, Haas, etc. 1v1, in the exact same way that Jolliffe and Wallace got their tries for the titans. We need some simple footy that can get us simple tries... the 1m dummy half runs, 2m prop runs off the dummy half or cross field kicks to the wingers. Hell even the cross field kicks to a tall athletic 2nd rower (Hello Riki!!). They are simple plays and they're all worth the same amount of points.
10. Flegler - 5: I thought he was better, because he didn't seem to give away any ridiculous penalties, but I can barely recall him on the field after the first 20mins.
11. Glenn - 5: Had some solid efforts in defence, but was another who appeared to go missing
12. Riki - 8: Here is one guy that did some serious work and I'd say he was probably broncos best on the night when you consider the whole game. He was on the same side as Fifita, but I think Fifita was doing most of his damage on Milf's outside shoulder. I don't think he should be playing 80 at this stage, but his interchange is currently having to wear the 8 jersey, and the back up interchange in Teo is having to do work in the middle thanks to Haas having a night out in the GC, and Lodge being made of tissue paper. He looks a very promising player for us moving forward and the halves really need to be better at getting him 1v1 close to the line OR using him effectively as a decoy and then getting the ball to Niu 1v1. I think he'll start to get some notoriety as a good line running 2nd row and the opposition defence will need to start taking notice, but our halves need to utilise him better.
13. Carrigan - 4: I think he really needs to reduce his minutes. I think he is quite good at making meters when he is fresh, but his defence lapses as he fatigues. His hands were just horrendous tonight, but I don't think that's his usual game. He looked really off tonight, not sure what was wrong with him tonight. We desperately need Lodge and Haas back, and injuries need to go our way to allow us to ease the middle rotation this year.
14. Asiata - 4: I thought he looked alright when he was on, but he just didn't seem to get a lot of minutes... maybe they gave him less time due to the neck injury?
15. Kennedy - 5: Limited minutes, but looked pretty decent when he was on... might be a guy that can only really get through 20-30mins a game, which is not great when our big minute middles are sitting on the sideline, and TPJ needs 3 stints to get through the game
16. Bull - 6: Looked good when on and looks really suited to the current game. Has speed, footwork and strength to make meters in the middle. I think if we can work him up to 30-40mins a game off the bench he could make a great one-two punch with his prop partner (TPJ/Carrigan) when Lodge and Haas are back
17. Teo - 5: Came on as the first change middle around 20min mark. I think he got through his work well, but then I can't recall him on the field in the 2nd half. Would be interested to see the minutes for the forwards in this game
All in all I think it was our spine that cost us tonight
