PRE-GAME Round 21 - Roosters vs Broncos

[Big Pete]

"As for being strong-willed, hey, the fans and the family, sometimes the players, they'll all be telling you what should be done. Start listening to fans though, and it won't be long before you're over there sitting with them.

That's a key part, standing by decisions, being confident that you're going to make enough good ones. Having a plan, and changing it rarely. Poor coaches change it often.

The biggest mistake a coach can make is to not be himself, to be manipulated. You can have love affairs with players - and that's OK - but remain strong enough to know when they're using you up. People say I have favourites. I do. But they're all good players.

And that reminds me of the wag in the grandstand at a time when one of my so-called favourite players was well and truly out of form. The wag stood up, and yelled: Bennett, why don't you do the right thing and marry his mum?" I liked that.

Bennett & Crawley 2002; 43

 

[Sproj]

In reference to Maranta? I would find it hard for anyone to argue he is a 'good' player though.

 

[Big Pete]

The first thing I always tell my young players is don't put yourself on a pedestal, and don't believe what anyone says or writes about you. The more notoriety they get, the more I try to be there to keep an eye on how they handle it all.

Because I've seen the after-effects on too many occasions. A player can be in a form slump and work his way-out. But if he's in a form slump and copping heaps of criticism and he doesn't know how to handle the criticism he's going to be caught in that form slump for a whole lot longer. Again, I'm not saying players should not be criticised - I'm saying they have to know how to handle it. And because the weight of criticism can hurt a player, I believe the press makes too many instant heroes and take no responsibility for the damage.

There are agendas. One of those agendas is to tear the Broncos apart.

Bennett et al; 52

 

[Alec]

Do you think Maranta knows that he's pretty shit?

 

[Rico]

The last time these two sides met.

Why can't we play like this?

Didn't we play some great football in that heritage jersey last year! Maybe we need to bring it back. Half that performance will get us home on Thursday ...hoping we can turn it around

 

[Aldo]

Everyone was buzzing and just having a red hot crack at it. Can't believe how far we've fallen this year.

 

[_wwong]

Just don't get flogged ffs.

Maranta... It's who you know isn't it...

 

[broncos4life]

Do you think Maranta knows that he's pretty shit?

He would have to at least have a suspicion.

 

[Foordy]

The last time these two sides met.

Why can't we play like this?

I just pinpointed why we haven't played anywhere near as well this season ...

we don't wear the heritage jersey...

must be it

 

[Bucking Beads]

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got"

I love this quote. It's perfect for what's gone at the Broncos this season.

 

[lionred]

Hope Gillett dosent rush back too early. Even though

 

[lionred]

Hope Gillett is not rushing and is 100. As much as his form hasnt been to his best, we need him. Maybe he should start on bench and we use him only if we need to. I think with the circumstances we are facing, Maranta is the only safe choice.

 

[Milford6]

We need all 17 players to fire on Thursday night if we want to win. I expect a big game from Ben Hunt, Darius Boyd and Corey Parker. The return of Matt Gillett on the edge should help us extremely but like Gorden Tallis said on Fox Sports, our forwards are being bullied, bashed and aren't aiming up. I dare say a Ben Hunt magical moment will win us the game.

 

[Super Freak]

Ben Hunt tends to lift against the Roosters. In the past 4 games, he has scored 5 tries and produced 6 try assists. Will we see that Ben Hunt tomorrow night?

 

[Big Pete]

It's going to be another tough game for Su'A.

Pearce loves to play short to Cordner who maybe the best fringe running forward in the business.

I'm sure he'll give his all like he has done this season, hopefully it works out for him.

 

[mitch222]

It's going to be another tough game for Su'A.

Pearce loves to play short to Cordner who maybe the best fringe running forward in the business.

I'm sure he'll give his all like he has done this season, hopefully it works out for him.

Isnt he 18th man or do you know something already?

EDIT - just saw Gillett is still out. **** me this is going to be tough now with 3 rep forwards out

 

[Big Pete]

Gillett failed to complete training this morning.

It's on the website.

 

[mitch222]

Well all these kids have been hyped up, lets see what they have got