PRE-GAME [Round 20, 2026] - Broncos vs Panthers

Let's assume we are full strength for this game, I'd start to have a bit of an eye on 2027. So I'd consider going:

1. Walsh
2. Karapani
3. Staggs
4. Mariner
5. Anderson
6. Mam
7. Duffy
8. Carrigan
9. Walters
10. Haas
11. Piakura
12. Jiki
13. Willison

14. Mozer
15. Semu
16. Talty
17. Francis
18. Reynolds/Bunt
19. Perham

20. Bunt/Reynolds

I know this won't happen.
 
This exactly where I'm at. Our defence has been shit for years, even during our last two grand final years. I don't think Teo brought that much to the table re: defence. I think the bigger issue was that the players seemed to love him being around. They all talked highly of him from what I've seen.

This. People have just latched on to the fact that Teo was our D coach, nevermind that our D has been shit for years. The players need a buffer between them and the coach, which he was and the loss of that can't be understated IMO.
 
Need a change at hooker. Someone that will keep the markers honest and give the boys front foot ball. I get Walters may be lacking match fitness, but fk it we've lost 8 in a row, something has to change. Start Walters, sub in Mozer after 30mins, then Walters comes back to close out to the last 15-20mins of the game.

Start Haas, X and PC in the middle, play them 60mins each, stagger their rest. Have Talty + 2 others spell them, and hope + pray they don't shit the bed during that time
 
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Not sure we'll see mass changes, but I would make the following:

Paix out - Billy to start at 9

Hunt out - Mozer to stay on bench

Shibasaki out - Mariner to centre, Karapani back to wing. If you can't bring him back due to his latest shit-4-brains episode then go with Arthars (unless Perham can play wing)

I think you would also need to consider bringing Mam back in. Duffy is a talented halfback, but I'm not sure he's working at 6. His running game seems to have been non existent in the 6 jumper
 
Francis big play yesterday was he got back and covered a kick from Woodbridge, great catch and great speed.

But worryingly I think he's showing signs of running out of steam. He doesn't have the enthusiasm he did six weeks ago.

Don't think it's helping that all the Bears are doing is defending at the moment. 45% of the ball last week and 41% yesterday.

Coates wasn't used at all.
Hoeter and Bradley didn't see much ball but were solid in defence.
Rogers won them the game at the end.
Walters more than did his job and now up to 80 minutes.
 
I think it's been pretty apparent, even by Billy himself in that latest interview he did with Jake Duke on fox, that Madge doesn't see him as a 9. So not sure we'll be seeing him in a starting 9 role. Also playing 6 in cup.

Bench spot that may play hooker due to match circumstances, maybe.

I'd probably like to see him at 9 too tbh, just not sure it's going to happen.
 
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