Round 22 - Broncos vs. Dragons - Pre Match Discussion

[Alec]

Glenn was at his best last season when he was used as an angle runner in the oppositions 20 metre area which is why he was our top try scorer last season, can't say I have seen the Broncos use him in that role all season which is a real shame.

Now that Norman is gone, the halves will hopefully stop going to the fullback 101% of the time. I'd like to see Glenn play outside of Hunt, I think he'd dominate if Hunt plays like last friday.

 

[Socnorb]

The great thing is that Hunt is playing what he sees .opportunities arise for all who are prepared to back and stay alive in the play. Perfect for Glenn and Gillet

 

[ivanhungryjak]

THE death of a friend ensured Andrew McCullough was a training no show on Tuesday but the Broncos hooker is expected to run out for Sunday's crunch NRL clash against St George Illawarra.

Alarm bells were ringing when McCullough was not sighted at Brisbane's afternoon session along with the club's resting Origin contingent of skipper Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker.


However, a Broncos official revealed McCullough had been granted compassionate leave after learning upon completing the morning training session that a friend had died from an illness.


But the Broncos official remained hopeful that McCullough would play after being named as starting rake for their first afternoon home game in more than 12 months.

No Cookies | Herald Sun

 

[jarro65]

Danger game !!

The Dragons can play some pretty ad-lib stuff at the line, so it may give our big forwards a few dramas.

Ad to the fact Dugan is playing pretty well and making lots of tackle/line breaks .... we'll have to have some good intensity in 'D'

Still, we should win this, and win it well.

Get our for-and-against in a healthier state :winky:

 

[Big Pete]

I'm really looking forward to us playing our first Sunday (and perhaps, first Sunday game of the season...) since the Warriors heart-breaker. I believe the conditions suit our boys and a healthy Suncorp crowd should hopefully get the boys through a game which could give them some hope and encouragement.

I wouldn't be too concerned about adjusting our gameplan on the day. Kick-chase will be very important given the class of their back three but otherwise I'd focus on developing the gameplan we were showing in patches against the Cowboys + Knights. Specifically, a varied passing game, some interplay between the forwards and some directness from dummy half. If we can somehow tune out a consistent 80 minute performance we certainly have the fire-power to win and comfortably to boot.

 

[subsbligh]

Back at Suncorp on a Sunday awesome.

Back on Sunday, awesome.

Good to see a few "Friday night footy on TV suits me and I never actually go to the games" BHQ'ers making the effort to attend on the more convenient Sunday timeslot.

 

[Morkel]

The Dragon's pack is really light. Creagh playing prop! I wouldn't be surprised is he switches with Merrin (named at lock), in fact I'm surprised they remained competitive with the Bulldogs for 60 minutes. I guess that all came down to Dugan, who is really on a mission at the moment.

There are really only 3 threats here - Dugan, Morris & Merrin. Parker will make sure Merrin gets absolutely nowhere after letting him through for the Origin try. Maranta will need to stay awake marking Morris, but I can't see Green giving Hodges too many headaches. In fact, in attack, you'd hope Hodgo has a field day. Vidot has turned in to a monster, but his defensive reads at centre haven't been the best, so Reed & Oats should have a bit of success there. Hopefully Hannant & McGuire can really tear into the Dragon's smaller pack and give room to the outside men. That just leaves Dugan. Hopefully keeping pressure on him, staying mentally alert, and wearing down his confidence will panic him in to a few brain-fart moments.

 

[hayseed]

Danger game !!

The Dragons can play some pretty ad-lib stuff at the line, so it may give our big forwards a few dramas.

Ad to the fact Dugan is playing pretty well and making lots of tackle/line breaks .... we'll have to have some good intensity in 'D'

Still, we should win this, and win it well.

Get our for-and-against in a healthier state :winky:[/QUOTQUOTQUOTQUOT

Danger game? Having won 8 of our last 26, every game is a danger game but I agree with a healthier for and against, we might finish 11th instead of 12th

 

[noisetheory]

had eye surgery the other day and was told two weeks off work. expected to miss this game but got the OK to go from the doc and bought my tickets. eff yeah cant wait. sunday arvos at suncorp are fantastic.

 

[Harry Sack]

Same doctor that's treating Milfords Dad?

 

[vertigo]

had eye surgery the other day and was told two weeks off work. expected to miss this game but got the OK to go from the doc and bought my tickets. eff yeah cant wait. sunday arvos at suncorp are fantastic.

Sounds like you got LASIK, enjoy the game in full HD :thumbup1:

Remember to be extra careful with the sun, its pretty bad sitting in the Eastern half of the stadium during a day game.

 

[Mister Wright]

Same doctor that's treating Milfords Dad?

If he had Milford's doctor he wouldn't be allowed to travel to the game.

 

[rnabokov]

Glenn was at his best last season when he was used as an angle runner in the oppositions 20 metre area which is why he was our top try scorer last season, can't say I have seen the Broncos use him in that role all season which is a real shame.

Not only that, Prince used Gillett the same way against the Titans 1st game. Once. Since then, the short pass to a back rower running an angle at speed? I can't remember.

I keep saying it, we squander 2 of the best back rowers in the NRL.

As Alec posted, maybe Hunt can restore those killer plays, although I'd rather Gillett on the left with Glenn helping Prince on the right. He'll need it. The Dragons have been treacle slow in their line speed in most games so Hunt should have plenty of options.

And if our wingers come in off their opposite, the Dugan 2nd man plays will get them tries down the vacant corridor. That's about it for the Dragons attack save for Merrin running or offloading close to the line.

 

[KingWebcke]

And if our wingers come in off their opposite, the Dugan 2nd man plays will get them tries down the vacant corridor. That's about it for the Dragons attack save for Merrin running or offloading close to the line.

Yes, I think the Dragons success out wide will depend far more on our defence than their prowess. Their halves are not great at spreading the ball and Dugan is pretty ordinary at passing too - well at least he doesn't pass well enough to unlock the defence unless we help him by rushing in unnecessarily.

 

[rnabokov]

Yes, I think the Dragons success out wide will depend far more on our defence than their prowess. Their halves are not great at spreading the ball and Dugan is pretty ordinary at passing too - well at least he doesn't pass well enough to unlock the defence unless we help him by rushing in unnecessarily.

Absolutely! They go laterally way too much. Kinda like us, although I hope Hunt changes that too.

There is no doubting Dugan's talent and skills, but there is also no denying he has glaring flaws, particularly in some defensive reads and catching high balls. Nevertheless, in broken play he can be unstoppable if we leave holes and are flat footed

 

[jarro65]

Danger game !!

The Dragons can play some pretty ad-lib stuff at the line, so it may give our big forwards a few dramas.

Ad to the fact Dugan is playing pretty well and making lots of tackle/line breaks .... we'll have to have some good intensity in 'D'

Still, we should win this, and win it well.

Get our for-and-against in a healthier state :winky:[/QUOTQUOTQUOTQUOT

Danger game? Having won 8 of our last 26, every game is a danger game but I agree with a healthier for and against, we might finish 11th instead of 12th

And the Dragons have won less than us, so will be even more motivated .... as most teams are that play us at Suncorp, to beat us.

I just hope we're switched on and ready to go.

No excuses really.

 

[Morkel]

And the Dragons have won less than us, so will be even more motivated .... as most teams are that play us at Suncorp, to beat us.

I just hope we're switched on and ready to go.

No excuses really.

Their season is officially dead though, playing for pride and awaiting 2014 with a new halves pairing. We still have mathematical hope!

 

[rnabokov]

Like jarro65 posted, no excuses for this one.

Assuming we have learned something from last week, for mine, we should have a winning margin of at least 16.

On the other hand, if our wingers come in off their opposite, and we don't keep a straight line in defence giving Dugan and Morris space, we will have a losing margin of at least 16