POST GAME Round 21 - Roosters vs Broncos

[Swazii]

Is there something going on within the team?... just by watching this game it looks has if there is something wrong...

 

[ccfcdownunder]

The whole club is in trouble. Our past success and legendary players only mask the deep problems we have. Why don't we ever have future origin stars coming though? All our apparent young talent gets let go because they are behind the likes of maranta and Macca. Something really stinks. And it's been rotting away for years. Now the stink lines are seeping out and no one knows what to do.

TBH I couldnt give a **** if we dont have any origin stars. The less the better. Its origin that ***** us up. Build a squad of non origin players that will be available all season. As for WB I love the guy to bits, but it appears he is clueless nowadays. The game has changed and he hasn't.

 

[holdzy]

Is there something going on within the team?... just by watching this game it looks has if there is something wrong...

Million dollar question. All we have is spec and week after week of depression watching our team.

 

[Stix]

Look at the last season when Bennett was coaching the Knights. Mid season Kevin Walter join the knight. The won last 12 games. So Walter gone join Broncos on Monday. If they perform well and win the game against dragon next Thursday. What will that meant to Wayne? I am looking forward next match against dragon. Just because of Kevin Walter. Tonight game young player played well, Tom opacic, TPJ, Herman eseese. There is no leader at moment in Broncos.

I don't know what he's going to do in a few days but hopefully he can add something over the next few weeks

 

[BroncosAlways]

Only good part of tonight was getting given this off Roberts on his way out. Shit game but cool as **** boots

 

[Clanga]

10 rounds in and things are great. Then gordon tallis takes out our hit man by messing with his reputation and head. Injuries happen and origin messes with our engine room. All Wayne can do is watch and hope to get through origin and try to regroup. Injuries, suspensions, tired old origin players, tired young origin players, growing loss of confidence leads to more losses. The coach cannot do a lot at this stage of the season due to recovery demands controlling each week. Waynes not stupid but he has no choice but to persist until the end of the season. Then watch out. He is too old to put up with crap.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Is there something going on within the team?... just by watching this game it looks has if there is something wrong...

I saw a rumor on Facebook earlier that suggested Hunt and McC aren't talking to each other at the moment. Dunno how true it is if at all. People on here closer to the club could say if they've seen anything to suggest it.

 

[Pushkin]

KEVIN Walters is bringing his Midas touch to Brisbane with Wayne Bennett giving the green light for the victorious Maroons coach to help reignite the battling Broncos.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Walters will resume his Broncos career on Monday after holding private talks with Bennett over the past week.
The return of Walters as a consultant is a major coup for the Broncos, who are desperately searching for a title-winning spark following a torrid Origin period that threatens their playoff ambitions.

Kevin Walters is set to resume his coaching role at the Broncos. Picture: Annette DewBennett urged Walters to stand down as Broncos assistant last summer to allow the 48-year-old to focus his energies on his maiden Origin series in charge of Queensland.
But after leading the Maroons to Origin glory, Walters is now back at Red Hill to inject a winning feeling and mentor struggling halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford.
Walters required the blessing of the Queensland Rugby League, but it is understood the QRL will not stand in the way of the Maroons mentor returning to the Broncos.
Brisbane board member Darren Lockyer said Broncos stars would relish the presence of Walters, who helped the club to five premierships as a player.
“It’s fantastic,” Lockyer said.
“Kevvie was there last year and at the moment the Broncos can do with a boost.
“The whole team is struggling, not just the halves, so it makes sense to bring Kevvie back.
“With the Origin series over, he has some spare time now so he can put his knowledge to work.”

Wayne Bennett and Kevin Walters at Brisbane Broncos training. Pic Darren England.Walters has been guarded about his Broncos return, telling the NRL 360 program on Wednesday night: “If it did bob up it’s something I’d have to speak to the QRL about.”

​

But The Courier-Mail understands Walters and the Broncos have been in negotiations in recent days. Bennett was supportive of the move, subject to final approval from the QRL.
QRL chief executive Rob Moore said it was important Walters’ Broncos consultancy cameo did not impact on his contractual obligations as Maroons coach.
“There is a provision where it could be allowed, but it would be subject to whether it would impact on his duties as Queensland coach,” Moore said.
“There are things Kevin has to do and they aren’t just confined to the Origin period.
“His role is broader than Origin, he’s also required for high-performance and coaching education.
“We would have to be convinced that it (working at the Broncos) wouldn’t impact on the delivery of the rest of his agreement with us.”

Anthony Milford will benefit from the return of Kevin Walters to the Broncos. Picture: Darren EnglandLockyer believes Hunt and Milford in particular have missed Walters’ mentoring ability as a champion playmaker.
“You only have to compare what the team did last year with Kevvie there and where they are at right now,” he said.
“With Kevvie back on deck, I’m sure he’s been watching the halves and can see a couple of things that he can do to improve the guys.
“The fun element is one part of it but Kevvie is also a very clever tactician. He knows how to get the halves working with the fullback and I’m sure that’s something Kevvie will be focusing on.”

 

[Super Freak]

Only good part of tonight was getting given this off Roberts on his way out. Shit game but cool as **** boots

Wait, you were at the game?

You could have warned us! I wouldn't have watched it had I known.

 

[BroncosAlways]

Wait, you were at the game?

You could have warned us! I wouldn't have watched it had I known.

Probably left my curse on Roberts as well now

 

[Big Pete]

McGuire, Thaiday, Gillett, Kahu and Eden due back next week.

Nikorima the week after.

As for the press conference, there was nothing too interesting to report. If you know what to expect from Wayne, it was what it was. Missing three Australian players is tough, and the situation was only made tougher when they lost a back within the first few minutes. He was happy with the effort, they created opportunities but the execution just wasn't there.

On the Ese'ese no-try, Bennett didn't really want to go into it but thought it'd just give the public ammunition and make them cranky. Parker felt like the amount of time it took for that decision and the Wallace call was frustrating.

No guarantees about next week, Bennett just wants them getting them to play the brand of football they're capable of. No thoughts of finals footy or top 4 at this stage, all about getting that right and building momentum heading into the finals.

For those wondering, Bernard Sutton was the Senior Review Official tonight. You may remember him from such classics as Origin III...

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I watched it as well

"I could tell you what (is going on), but we haven't got enough time"

"It is what it is"

Definitely some deep fractures in the playing group that is being kept hush.

 

[K-Style]

Can we please stop using Parker as goal kicker.

Practice passing the ball to Oates. Not above his head like last week or at his feet or behind as per this week. The kid needs a bit of confidence and crap passes won't do it. Though I'm starting to worry the dizziness is something very serious.

Move Glenn out of centre where he admitted a few games ago he doesn't know how to defend. Opa should be a fixture going forward. Perhaps we can play Whitchurch in defense and Roberts anytime catching the ball is required (though it might cost a few interchanges).

At this point I give in - we may as well give Hunt a run in the QCup. I still don't think he's the root cause of our poor performances but it will give him some perspective and possibly confidence. (Come play for Wynnum Benny - I'll give you some kicking tips too even though I haven't kicked a ball properly in years). We have Niko and Nicholls who could fill in.

The young guys all did well considering. It is not them letting the team down.

 

[abashii]

McGuire, Thaiday, Gillett, Kahu and Eden due back next week.

Nikorima the week after.

As for the press conference, there was nothing too interesting to report. If you know what to expect from Wayne, it was what it was. Missing three Australian players is tough, and the situation was only made tougher when they lost a back within the first few minutes. He was happy with the effort, they created opportunities but the execution just wasn't there.

On the Ese'ese no-try, Bennett didn't really want to go into it but thought it'd just give the public ammunition and make them cranky. Parker felt like the amount of time it took for that decision and the Wallace call was frustrating.

No guarantees about next week, Bennett just wants them getting them to play the brand of football they're capable of. No thoughts of finals footy or top 4 at this stage, all about getting that right and building momentum heading into the finals.

For those wondering, Bernard Sutton was the Senior Review Official tonight. You may remember him from such classics as Origin III...

No good Pete. This thread is apparently for rending your garments, tearing out your hair and proclaiming that Bennett/Hunt/Milford/Oates is past it and should go to a retirement home/reserve grade/fullback/hell. And making dire predictions that we won't win another game this year/decade/century because it's karma for letting Copley/Taylor/Granville/Barba/Hannant/Kemp/King Wally go. Unless you're planning to absolutely freak the **** out in the next post or two, in which case have at it. Don't forget to state that Wayne's too old to understand the game now and name a few players who wouldn't have changed shit anyway.

 

[Stix]

I watched it as well

"I could tell you what (is going on), but we haven't got enough time"

"It is what it is"

Definitely some deep fractures in the playing group that is being kept hush.

Deep enough issues to de rail a premiership?? Not everyone in a footy team have to like one another... Any chance you could elaborate?

 

[Number6]

Agree we are past panic stations. Time to focus on longer term cultural and structural problems that are eating at club.

Biggest issue seems to be attitude. Suggests significant disharmony in playing group. On top of that why would a player be happy at the Broncos with our style of football. Got a great offload, don't bother. Electric speed, pass it to slowest centre in the game instead. Like to bash other teams in defence, how about you instead stand back and let them run into you at full pace. Great ball runner why not have a shot at organising things and see how it goes.

Wayne has been a magnificent man manager but tactics leave a lot to be desired. And individually on paper we look good but as a team we are hardly cohesive. And as much as players seem to play for him in the past creating a halo effect for a premiership he has consistently left clubs worse off or underperform of late. We just didn't get our premiership.

Where do we go from here? Aside from turning back the clock and not giving away our likely future best 2 halfbacks and hookers maybe we try:

1 - fire or at least demote some big egos who are disrupting cohesion. You have dozens of Broncos legend who should be installing culture.
2 - move Bennet to a manager style coach. For attack get the walker brothers and defence someone who can put the starch back in (not Kearney).
3 - create some club cohesion. A month of pre season military boot camp stuck together sleeping in the mud maybe. I'm sure we can afford a few top sports psychologists too to repair some fragile players.
4 - create a team that can work. Milford is not a half and never was. Maybe in 5 years but the only way Milford works as five-eight is a cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith combo who can do most the organisation and kicking so he can be left to be a running five eight and a defensive speed bump. Hunt is a true five-eighth. Buy some big boopers and go forward.
5 - Create a game plan to match the team. The bonus of a small pack should be mobility and fitness. Get them fit and have them move up in defence fast in the opposition 50 rather than letting them walk over your or 70m a set. Get the forwards offloading after running hard with Milford or Roberts hunting for the space.
6. if you have a player on the bench use him rather than forcing other players to conserve energy. Impact players only need 15-20 minutes either side of halftime to conserve interchanges.
7. stop this p policy of playing numpty's like Maranta or Reed and create space so talented youngsters see opportunities here.
8. Accept we need to wrestle well. It isn't a great moral victory to be schooled every week. If you hate the wrestle use against the enemy. If great wrestling team argues to stop wrestling better chance of people listening.
9. Fire Macca, hard to win go forward with slow non threatening service and markers that have time for smoko if he runs. Is Parcell free next year?
10. Buy or develop what we need. An organising and kicking half, a big angry prop, a hooker who knows how to pass the f***** ball. With an organising half Milf can go to fullback, Boyd to centre (I know Australian fullback but he is not a fit Slater or Inglis at the back -and he can teach Milford to be a ball playing fullback and possibly best ever while filling our gaping centre and leadership hole Hodges left. Beside I am sick of watching Boyd giving up on chases in the in goal.

This year all I can suggest is a major Rocket for next week. Dump Blair and Wallace. Bench Parker and Sammy. Send Maranta to the opposition as a token of esteem. If we had a KNik I'd even drop Milford to the bench to use as impact. Get our GOAT halves on staff to actually teach our halves from dusk to dawn if need be. Get the team "bonded" - bring in a club legend for every player 1-1 to with a hard message to cut the crap, then lock them all in a hall for 2 days with a dozen kegs and the best 2015 games on a loop. Followed by a two week camp with no phone, Tv or hair product.

Hell i'm even desperate enough to try to hypnotise the lot of them myself if required.

 

[heartly87]

MCG and Hunt not talking, well on the field they seem to be doing enough yelling at each other. I keep seeing Hunt blaming other people for his mistakes this year, he blew up at Macca last week when he dropped the ball, he blew up at oats tonight when he chucked the ball at his feet. If this is the issue with our club, pointing fingers instead of owning your own game then Wayne needs to cut the rot and give them time in q cup or on another nrl roster.

 

[Alec]

You know, Roberts is actually fucking shit. Sometimes he has a good game, we get excited and forgive him. But he's shit.

Milford is fat as **** too. And he doesnt have anything other than running either. No footy playmaking brain.