Round 20 - Cowboys vs. Broncos - Post Match Discussion

[Kimlo]

WTF is up with this "1300 Smiles Stadium" ........??

Has there ever been a more ridiculous name for a RL ground?

What happened to Dairy Farmers .....?

Lol, I agree, I always thought it was a stupid name for a stadium.

 

[ningnangnong]

Pretty much everything has been covered in this thread, so I'll just give a big shout out to Josh Hoffman.

Everyone on here seemed to put him in the 'never put him at fullback again' basket after his poor second half of the season last year, but I think ya'll were a little hasty in your decision making.

Of course a one-off performance tonight is hardly the basis upon which I can claim that Hoffman should be our fullback for the next five years, but it reminded me of why I am such a big fan of Hoffy. Despite what he said at the end of last season about maybe not trying his hardest, he's always struck me as a player with heart, as a player who'll always put in no matter how bad a day he's having. He won't hide. Polar opposite to Corey Norman.

Sure, he still might not have the ball-playing ability that the modern game dictates a fullback needs to have, but I think he has every other desired fullback attribute nailed down. His kick returns were the highlight for me tonight. He cleaned up the ball in some really dodgy positions, and we could've found ourselves in a few precarious situations with the Cowboys defence on top of us, but not only was Hoffman there to pick up the difficult kicks, he also managed to make a decent number of metres when it looked for all money he'd be shut-down. Big props to my main man.

What he displayed tonight was why I wanted him at fullback this year - http://broncoshq.com/brisbane-broncos-talk/21224-fight-fullback.html#post2472386

 

[Broncoman]

Wasn't the best performance but so happy we finally got a win. I thought Hoffman was outstanding at fullback and really put his body on the line and hopefully he keeps Norman out of first-grade for the rest of the year and I also thought Hunt played an encouraging game at halfback but as usual the whole team busted their guts.

I LOVE YOU HODGO YOUR THE MAN

 

[rnabokov]

Wasn't the best performance but so happy we finally got a win. I thought Hoffman was outstanding at fullback and really put his body on the line and hopefully he keeps Norman out of first-grade for the rest of the year and I also thought Hunt played an encouraging game at halfback but as usual the whole team busted their guts.

I LOVE YOU HODGO YOUR THE MAN

His performance was like a good 5/8: the pass to Oates, the try. And he talks a lot.He is the man.

 

[Browny]

First time in a while Thaiday actually had a go at the refs about their inconsistency, pity he went about it the wrong way

 

[Foordy]

I mentioned it in match thread, but I reckon if we had Norman at the back tonight, we that game. There was at least 2 times in that match where he put his body on the line and cleaned up Thurston kicks and saved tries. Awesome effort.

IMO, the only change we should make for next week is Hannant to come in if fit.

 

[theshed]

I haven't watched the game yet but I do want to defend Wallace. I like him as man, and player but I agree our teams needs have changed and he needs to move on. Some people were talking about him being a good fit as a bench DH, why? I've only seen him play there once and he was terrible. He isn't a bad traditional half back but he isn't a dummy half. Unfortunately, he either has to be picked as halfback or not at all and according to the wraps Hunt received in here I guess the answer is not at all.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Pretty much everything has been covered in this thread, so I'll just give a big shout out to Josh Hoffman.

Everyone on here seemed to put him in the 'never put him at fullback again' basket after his poor second half of the season last year, but I think ya'll were a little hasty in your decision making.

Of course a one-off performance tonight is hardly the basis upon which I can claim that Hoffman should be our fullback for the next five years, but it reminded me of why I am such a big fan of Hoffy. Despite what he said at the end of last season about maybe not trying his hardest, he's always struck me as a player with heart, as a player who'll always put in no matter how bad a day he's having. He won't hide. Polar opposite to Corey Norman.

Sure, he still might not have the ball-playing ability that the modern game dictates a fullback needs to have, but I think he has every other desired fullback attribute nailed down. His kick returns were the highlight for me tonight. He cleaned up the ball in some really dodgy positions, and we could've found ourselves in a few precarious situations with the Cowboys defence on top of us, but not only was Hoffman there to pick up the difficult kicks, he also managed to make a decent number of metres when it looked for all money he'd be shut-down. Big props to my main man.

What he displayed tonight was why I wanted him at fullback this year - http://broncoshq.com/brisbane-broncos-talk/21224-fight-fullback.html#post2472386

Hoffy was great tonight. He was playing injured last year and that affected him. The only issue with him down back is his lack of ball playing ability. Hodges showed what a fullback needs to do with a few of his superb passes when he was in the backline play as fullback. Hoffys attack on the ball was a thing of beauty and saved us a few times.

 

[broncos4life]

Pretty much everything has been covered in this thread, so I'll just give a big shout out to Josh Hoffman.

Everyone on here seemed to put him in the 'never put him at fullback again' basket after his poor second half of the season last year, but I think ya'll were a little hasty in your decision making.

Of course a one-off performance tonight is hardly the basis upon which I can claim that Hoffman should be our fullback for the next five years, but it reminded me of why I am such a big fan of Hoffy. Despite what he said at the end of last season about maybe not trying his hardest, he's always struck me as a player with heart, as a player who'll always put in no matter how bad a day he's having. He won't hide. Polar opposite to Corey Norman.

Sure, he still might not have the ball-playing ability that the modern game dictates a fullback needs to have, but I think he has every other desired fullback attribute nailed down. His kick returns were the highlight for me tonight. He cleaned up the ball in some really dodgy positions, and we could've found ourselves in a few precarious situations with the Cowboys defence on top of us, but not only was Hoffman there to pick up the difficult kicks, he also managed to make a decent number of metres when it looked for all money he'd be shut-down. Big props to my main man.

What he displayed tonight was why I wanted him at fullback this year - http://broncoshq.com/brisbane-broncos-talk/21224-fight-fullback.html#post2472386

100%

If Norman was at the back there are at least two or three tries that get put on us. Hoffy!!!

 

[Coxy]

Just happy to win. Great heart shown. And some lovely touches of class early in the game. finally, some hope!

 

[jarro65]

Just happy to win. Great heart shown. And some lovely touches of class early in the game. finally, some hope!

Well said, my sentiments exactly.

 

[Culhwch]

Hodges was phenomenal. Easily one of the greatest servants the club has ever had.

Pretty ordinary performance otherwise. Fell back into negative football too quickly after running away to that early lead. Couldn't capitalise on some excellent chances throughout - including that very first set. When Gillett didn't score off the kick recovery I just knew we weren't going to crack the line there.

Would echo the praise for Hoffman. Loved seeing him back at the back, though it was a reminder of the punishment he always takes back there. I seem to remember almost every game last year he'd take a hit that left him slow to get up. Hopefully his body holds up.

Gillett looked good in flashes, but he's far too inconsistent. Needs to choose his moments better.

Hunt was very promising. Great vision and support on that first try. I look forward to watching him for the remainder of the year.

 

[redbur95]

WTF is up with this "1300 Smiles Stadium" ........??

Has there ever been a more ridiculous name for a RL ground?

What happened to Dairy Farmers .....?

Well, the Sharks' ground was renamed Remondis Stadium. Remondis is a waste management company. I'll let you make your own crappy jokes.

 

[animal eater]

First post here. Howdi.
Last nights impressions - Like everyone else I agreed that Hunt showed some promise. Hoffman defensively and even in attack far better than Norman and happy to see there. People forget the guy is the Kiwi fullback so he has got some game.

Twenty minutes into the game, spacing offensively went south. While I like Hodges getting more ball, it did screw up the spacing on the left side in attack. Fortunately he showed some brilliance to get the game winner. Still no space, no attack.

Gillette was superb last night and while I think Wallace is a good citizen and tries hard, it is time to go in another direction. Thaiday had one of the worst performances of the year. Because he isn't fit, he can't log those kind of minutes period. More time to Tsai and Dodds. Both get some meters.

 

[Kimlo]

Welcome to the forums animal eater!

One thing I really enjoyed about Hoffman was his support behind the play, he was always up in support of the ball holder in case there was a break on, Norman rarely ever did this. Hoffman also put his body on the line and returned every kick full of energy, while his ball playing in the attacking zone is lacking he is still far better than what Norman has dished up this entire year and doing a switch with Hodges while in the attacking zone is working very well. Hodges has the talent to set up tries and score on his own when inside the attacking zone and Hoffman has the energy, physical fitness and determination to defend and return the ball at 110% every time.

 

[Alec]

Remember that one game last year (I think) where Thaiday ran for 1m total in 80 minutes of footy?

 

[rnabokov]

It would be good if Hodgo could kick. Our answer to Inglis. I loved the way Hodges set up the plays last night

Much more of that please ... so much more effective than Prince

 

[jarro65]

It would be good if Hodgo could kick. Our answer to Inglis. I loved the way Hodges set up the plays last night

Much more of that please ... so much more effective than Prince

It was great to see him more involved in attack.

I never knew he could throw such a good pass .... great stuff !!

Having Hodges move to the fullback position in attack is a great move, and one that should have been taken up earlier on in the year when we were struggling to score points.