Round 22 - Raiders vs Broncos - Post Match Discussion

[m1c]

I reckon we have a young, injury hit team who will be better for having another season of NRL under their belts. The Roosters are no different - as another young team they've been struggling for a few weeks now. Rarely can the young fella's see out a full season of first grade. It's not the coaches fault, it's just part of the development process.

Then of course it doesn't help when you're missing internationals Yow Yeh, Hodges, Reed, Parker for extended periods whilst others (Thaiday and Hoffman) are playing busted. That leaves Beale, Hannant and Petero - only three of nine internationals who aren't under the influence of some sort of ailment. In that context is it any wonder we're struggling?

 

[Bull Shark]

I reckon we have a young, injury hit team who will be better for having another season of NRL under their belts. The Roosters are no different - as another young team they've been struggling for a few weeks now. Rarely can the young fella's see out a full season of first grade. It's not the coaches fault, it's just part of the development process.

Then of course it doesn't help when you're missing internationals Yow Yeh, Hodges, Reed, Parker for extended periods whilst others (Thaiday and Hoffman) are playing busted. That leaves Beale, Hannant and Petero - only three of nine internationals who aren't under the influence of some sort of ailment. In that context is it any wonder we're struggling?

I reckon if the broncos persist with said squad again in 2013 we'll all be back here in 12 months time b*tching about the same thing again ....

 

[Big Pete]

That's a fair assessment m1c.

Here's my issue though. In 2010 we had a similarly disappointing end to the season that saw us miss the finals but at least we succeeded in finding Hunt's heir and blooding our next gen.

This season, we're no closer to answering who will fill in at half and with the loss of Beale + Gagai and injuries to Yow Yeh there are some really big holes to fill next year.

 

[Ari Gold]

I reckon we have a young, injury hit team who will be better for having another season of NRL under their belts. The Roosters are no different - as another young team they've been struggling for a few weeks now. Rarely can the young fella's see out a full season of first grade. It's not the coaches fault, it's just part of the development process.

Then of course it doesn't help when you're missing internationals Yow Yeh, Hodges, Reed, Parker for extended periods whilst others (Thaiday and Hoffman) are playing busted. That leaves Beale, Hannant and Petero - only three of nine internationals who aren't under the influence of some sort of ailment. In that context is it any wonder we're struggling?

The Roosters are different in that next year they have James Maloney replacing Anasta and SBW on the edge. Meanwhile, Brisbane welcome to their ranks... the indents of Teo's and Civoniceva's buttprints.

 

[m1c]

That's fine, but are they really good signings? They're losing their club captain and most consistent player. IMO Maloney is a downgrade on Anasta and SBW is going to negatively influence their list and cap in the future. BJ, Guerra and Cordner are all future rep players in the backrow, not to mention developed juniors ate cheaper on the cap than a mercenary like SBW. They'll struggle to keep all three.

 

[jarro65]

That's a fair assessment m1c.

Here's my issue though. In 2010 we had a similarly disappointing end to the season that saw us miss the finals but at least we succeeded in finding Hunt's heir and blooding our next gen.

This season, we're no closer to answering who will fill in at half and with the loss of Beale + Gagai and injuries to Yow Yeh there are some really big holes to fill next year.

Maranta and Whitchurch might have something to say about that.

Look, this is the same team that played the house down at the start of the year, so obviously it's become a confidence issue.

There's no reason to think that they can't get back into the same form before the end of this season, although they'd be the first to admit they might be leaving their run a little late.

 

[broncos4life]

I can see everyone's points here. I think most of the team will be much better for this year, but we still have not solved our halves crisis. Wallace has no f***ing idea what he is doing anymore and hook seems to be digging his head into the sand about it. This season can't be salvaged and it seems like the broncos just flat out do not buy players anymore, so the prospect of buying a half that knows what a football looks like isn't there. The smart thing to do now would be to put wallace into the Q cup to find some form (like any form would be better) and just stick norman and hunt in the halves for the rest of the year. It will give them great experience and they seriously could not do any worse.

 

[Steve]

I'd like to know what they do at training. Either Hook coaches constructive set plays and organisation, and the players deliberately fail to follow orders, or .... so what exactly do they do at training?

The Dogs, like the Storm, are entirely predictable, it's just that they do it so damn well and fast that it's so hard to defend. but it's possible. If we defended as well as we did early in the season, then I think we could contain both benchmark sides in this comp.

Trouble is, as a few of us observed about Rounds 6-8, there seems to be serious worries with our attack. So in simple terms, they will flog us, even if our defence turns up.

We just don't have the points in us, with this roster, coached the way it is, to trouble the Dogs.

Having said that, we will win by 12

From the footage I've seen they work on a lot of specific set plays at training. IMO that's a big part of our problem at the moment: we're just far too structured and predictable and when the plays don't work we don't have a plan B. Not to mention our second phase play is probably the worst it's ever been. I'm betting we haven't won the offload count in at least two months. The quality sides always manage to force an offload which opens up opportunities up the middle and the edges. We need to do much better.

When was the last time we saw some 'off the cuff' play? From memory it was the Hunt chip and Norman fluke regather for a try vs Souths over a month ago. Maybe Griffin should think about releasing the shackles and just telling them to play their natural game. Can't hurt...

 

[broncos4life]

From the footage I've seen they work on a lot of specific set plays at training. IMO that's a big part of our problem at the moment: we're just far too structured and predictable and when the plays don't work we don't have a plan B. Not to mention our second phase play is probably the worst it's ever been. I'm betting we haven't won the offload count in at least two months. The quality sides always manage to force an offload which opens up opportunities up the middle and the edges. We need to do much better.

When was the last time we saw some 'off the cuff' play? From memory it was the Hunt chip and Norman fluke regather for a try vs Souths over a month ago. Maybe Griffin should think about releasing the shackles and just telling them to play their natural game. Can't hurt...

I can't agree more. To be honest thats about all with have left. If we persist with what we are currently doing we will lose our next three games regardless, there is no denying that. TBH if I was Griffin I would give them a day or two off, cos they look spent and have them playing some touch footy and having fun together to get them to gel as a team and say to them on sunday to take of the chains, throw the ball around and enjoy it... how could this possibly go worse than the way they are currently playing, it might even pay off

 

[ivanhungryjak]

TBH if I was Griffin I would give them a day or two off, cos they look spent and have them playing some touch footy and having fun together to get them to gel as a team and say to them on sunday to take of the chains, throw the ball around and enjoy it... how could this possibly go worse than the way they are currently playing, it might even pay off

Hoffman on twitter this morning said they have two days off and are back Wednesday

 

[rnabokov]

Well, it's quite simple then - the set plays the team trains are not working. I would have thought that was obvious. How many of us here have posted about the fact that the "flat play" simply doesn't cut it against quality defence, at least not the way we use it.

The Dogs on the other hand use a "flat play" to rather good effect, the major difference being it is not a series of one-outs without thought of an offload: they have players almost always in support, they pass and pass off quick play the balls, and they have Barba floating around behind the line always prepared to take any opportunities.

This is not rocket science. It is coaching but one element of a game plan (amongst many) that well.. works.

Off-the-cuff is well and good, but only on the back of good structure, discipline and organisation.

 

[jarro65]

The thing that gets my goat, is that every bit of footage i see from Broncos training shows them running onto passes, cut out plays ... you name it, they do it !!

Why not at game time ?

 

[rnabokov]

The thing that gets my goat, is that every bit of footage i see from Broncos training shows them running onto passes, cut out plays ... you name it, they do it !!

Why not at game time ?

Well if that's what they do at training, and we are talking about professionals who then don't perform as they should, what do you do?

 

[jarro65]

Well if that's what they do at training, and we are talking about professionals who then don't perform as they should, what do you do?

Not sure really :001_unsure:

What's more worrying is that Hook hasn't done anything about it either ???

 

[rnabokov]

Not sure really :001_unsure:

What's more worrying is that Hook hasn't done anything about it either ???

Well he did get rid of Gagai ...

 

[Bucking Beads]

We don't really know what Hook and the boys are doing at training unless you are going to watch training. It is pretty harsh to say they aren't doing anything about it. The club just can't get out of these ruts even though they continually get stuck in them. Surely they need to review this shit. I am over this slump that rapes our season every year. It really isn't good enough for a professional football team.

 

[Big Pete]

Maranta and Whitchurch might have something to say about that.

Look, this is the same team that played the house down at the start of the year, so obviously it's become a confidence issue.

There's no reason to think that they can't get back into the same form before the end of this season, although they'd be the first to admit they might be leaving their run a little late.

Not really, as they already had a spot at the start of the year.

Besides, Whitchurch's future isn't in the backs.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Besides, Whitchurch's future isn't in the backs.

Whitchurch too slow to be a back?? :loool:

I think you maybe right although it would be great to have a big winger/centre that can trample over people.