Round 23 - Broncos vs. Eels - Post Match Discussion

[Splinter]

An 80 minute player is a luxury which allows a team so much more flexibility for its bench, as well as, in Smith's and Farah's case, it provides continuity in the team's direction. Mind you, Hook's use of the bench negates any advantage that would give us.

I would love Macca to play 80. His contribution last night for mine was special, not just individually, but the way he focused the team. Fortunately, Wallace didn't derail things when he came on.

Having said that, I now concede that Macca just isn't blessed with Smith or Farah's level of fitness, so we just hope that when he has a rest, Wally doesn't blow the momentum. Last night he didn't do too badly at all.

As for Hayne, looking at THAT pass, for mine, it was just desperation. His winger should have been more switched on and he was standing too far back: he didn't read the play, and the FB who was coming up, also read it badly. He left his run too late. In any case, I reckon we had that play covered.

More worrying for me was the way we let Hayne dictate play on 3 occasions. The above one, which might have been more of a problem if they had an extra man up, and they were all in position as we were when Gillett set up Reed; the play where we just let Hayne run to set up their first try - that was dreadful. We know what Hayne can do and we just let him have all the time in the world to do his stuff which was all class.

Third, and this does really concern me, was when we let Hayne get outside Kahu, and it was good play by Hoff (and good luck Hayne had no support) or it would have been a certain try.

If those 3 lapses happen again against better sides , it will cost us dearly. Our defensive line structures need serious work.

I think all you guys are a little harsh on Macca. When Storm bought Hinchcliffe originally they used him to give Smith a break and I think early on in Farah's career he used to get a rest as well. Macca is 23 and still getting into the pace of the game. Ennis, Luke and Ballin were also replaced in their younger years. I think you might find most of them got to 80 minute players around 26 or 27

 

[rnabokov]

I am not having a go at Macca. As I see it, more often than not, our game hiccups or goes backwards when he is replaced. I am really warming to his game over the last 3 weeks. What I am saying is that either Macca is, well, genetically not blessed with say, Smith's stamina, or we are not conditioning our players as best we could. And that goes for others, not just Macca.

If a player gets pulled after the same minutes every game, how do you expect them to gain fitness? I think it's the same with Hunt. He is still not there as an 80 minute player 'cos he's been playing say, 40, for years.

Whichever is the case, it makes our bench "utiitity" absolutely central to our success. I see Macca's greatest asset is, when he is on his game, his ability to stabilize the centre, and let Hunt explore wider. When he is hooked, I see us lose some structure.

Maybe I'm imagining things.

 

[Morkel]

I am not having a go at Macca. As I see it, more often than not, our game hiccups or goes backwards when he is replaced. I am really warming to his game over the last 3 weeks. What I am saying is that either Macca is, well, genetically not blessed with say, Smith's stamina, or we are not conditioning our players as best we could. And that goes for others, not just Macca.

If a player gets pulled after the same minutes every game, how do you expect them to gain fitness? I think it's the same with Hunt. He is still not there as an 80 minute player 'cos he's been playing say, 40, for years.

Whichever is the case, it makes our bench "utiitity" absolutely central to our success. I see Macca's greatest asset is, when he is on his game, his ability to stabilize the centre, and let Hunt explore wider. When he is hooked, I see us lose some structure.

Maybe I'm imagining things.

You have to look at all of this in perspective with what's been said previously - and that's that McCullough does the same defensive workload of the 80 minute players, but in a lot less minutes. Already that would take more stamina than Smith / Ballin / Farah. So you have two options. One would be the same workload-per-minute, and expect him to be the Gallen of hookers (but without the needles and at a much younger age) and do it for 80 minutes. The other option is to slow him down, get him to pace himself, and risk having a lot looser defensive structure in the middle.

 

[rnabokov]

Well, my first question to help gain perspective is why does Macca do so much work, when the others, in teams way ahead of us (Farah excepted), do less? Seems odd to me, when I look at the ladder.

 

[vertigo]

on a gigantic upside... including a bye and a draw, it has been 5 weeks since the broncos lost a game.:thumbup1: That is refreshing considering they had lost 20 of 27 prior to that.

Is there anyone else who thinks Wallace somehow slows down the rest of the side around him, both physically and mentally? Like no one really looks comfortable with him on, not just Ben Hunt.

No coincidence we haven't lost a game since Wallace was told to **** off, and his pathetic attempt at a field goal was the reason for that draw.

 

[Splinter]

I think Macca will get smarter and pace himself better as he gets older plus I think hookers just take longer to reach full playing time potential. He is only 23 I think.

 

[Splinter]

Macca improved and then plateaued for 18 months or more, maybe what we have seen the last 3 weeks is another spurt of improvement. The learning curve rising again

 

[rnabokov]

I just want Macca Mk.2 on the field for as long as possible. In general we play better with him there.

 

[hayseed]

It was definitely a battle of the lightweights but I''ll take a 10 pt win any day of the week, especially this season. Parra has to be the worst NRL side in at least 5 years, Macca got 2 line breaks, enuff said. Macca, Princey, Polar bear all had great games. Ben Hunt was horrible and it has made us realize that the halfback crisis is far from over and Princey will be playing a bigger role next season than most people think. Sammy is nothing but novelty value these days. He (along with Hook) are the 2 biggest headaches confronting the organisation atm. 6 mins for Jared Wallace, that is just plain disrespectful, will go on a week long bender when this wombat is shown the door.

Josh Hoffman was outstanding, his intercept was top class and I can't imagine even Barba having a better game than what Josh produced last night, he was definitely the difference. Barba might be more explosive and more of a game breaker but Josh is a better all round player, he is much smarter and doesn't have a mass of personal problems. Don't get me wrong, would love to see BB at the club next year but if it means Josh eventually moving on then don't bother, Josh will be much more valuable to the club in the long run than a troubled Barba.

4 game unbeaten streak now and possibly only 2 more wins to make the playoffs but reality says that our win tally will remain at 9. We haven't beaten anyone of any merit yet this year and whilst Penrith aren't exactly merit, going up there on a cold Fri nite with this weak squad and producing a victory is probably a bit beyond us. Newc and Cant, forget about it. It's sad to say but judging on last night"'s performance, Mad Monday is just around the corner.

 

[noisetheory]

penrith are terrible. we can beat the other two teams as well.

 

[hayseed]

penrith are terrible. we can beat the other two teams as well.

Hope u r right but don't bet your real estate portfolio on it.

 

[winslow_wong]

Is there anyone else who thinks Wallace somehow slows down the rest of the side around him, both physically and mentally? Like no one really looks comfortable with him on, not just Ben Hunt.

Anyone other than FourEx that is.

totally agree. it's like everyone is hoping wallace will do something and direct the play as he is a senior player. i think wallace just needs to come out and show a lot of energy, quick runs out of dummy half. keep the pressure on the markers that macca has built up.

 

[Mr Fourex]

It would be nice to be able to bring someone on for McCullough who could offer something to the team.

Granville got the one shot at it......give him another go ffs.

Wallace comes on and all we end up doing is treading water........

 

[Socnorb]

It would be nice to be able to bring someone on for McCullough who could offer something to the team.

Granville got the one shot at it......give him another go ffs.

Wallace comes on and all we end up doing is treading water........

I agree mr fourex. It would be interesting to see how Granville would go now that our forwards are getting more of a roll on . Seems to me the sort of player who could make something happen there with a bit more speed than Wal

 

[Splinter]

It would be nice to be able to bring someone on for McCullough who could offer something to the team.

Granville got the one shot at it......give him another go ffs.

Wallace comes on and all we end up doing is treading water........

Maybe the other clubs just had to shutdown Macca while Wallace was in the team and now he is gone it is opening up room for Macca

 

[Mister Wright]

on a gigantic upside... including a bye and a draw, it has been 5 weeks since the broncos lost a game.:thumbup1: That is refreshing considering they had lost 20 of 27 prior to that.

With Manly losing Friday night I think only the Roosters have a better record than us over the last 5 rounds.