PRE-GAME Round 23 - Broncos vs Eels

[Sirlee oldman]

Can't wait to see what team Wayne picks next week. Very interested to see whether Opacic or Maranta makes way for Kahu to come in. Personally I would drop Maranta and put Kahu on the wing but I'm not sure Wayne sees it that way. The bench is interesting too. Who will make way for Nikorima? Wallace and Glenn are probably automatic selections so from last weeks team either Arrow or Pangai Jr will go. I would keep Pangai Jr but Wayne didn't even play him last week so he might think differently. Theoretically we should have our best 17 on the field this week (excluding Reed who looks done).

 

[Super Freak]

Eels were very gutsy last night.

They showed they are still willing to fight.

If we don't turn up, it will be a long night for us. Eels have a good record at Suncorp. Playing there tends to make them go up a gear.

But if we turn up and improve on the other night, we got this.

Watching the replay from last night, Oates vs French is going to be an exciting match-up.

Opacic and Oates better make sure they are on their game defensively. Give him a sniff and he'll burn you.

 

[Super Freak]

I hope we see this Anthony Milford next week.

 

[jarro65]

I hope we see KNik back this week, we really miss his darts out of dummyhalf.

 

[Huge]

Have total faith. ..we will belt Parra. The Broncos may even have it won in the first half. There will be high fives all round. It's the week after that's the worry !

 

[Horseheadsup]

Have total faith. ..we will belt Parra. The Broncos may even have it won in the first half. There will be high fives all round. It's the week after that's the worry !

Agreed. On field start of Dragons game the boys in a circle huddled in the pouring rain. It looked like us against the world again...we can do this.
Yep reakon we'll smash the Eels!

 

[rnabokov]

I hope we see this Anthony Milford next week.

So what exactly is the difference between THAT Milford and this year's Milford (and I'm not focusing just on Milf the individual....)?

 

[Socnorb]

So what exactly is the difference between THAT Milford and this year's Milford (and I'm not focusing just on Milf the individual....)?

He's on everyone's radar. Is given no space. Ha sent figured out how to change up his game yet.

 

[ZTop]

Not really relevant, but how is Salesi Funaki going wherever He playing.

 

[Super Freak]

I think the biggest thing is confidence.

Not just his, but the whole team's confidence.

Milford's brilliance came off the back of the forwards rolling forward and everyone around him playing with confidence. It allowed him to just do what he does best.

Earlier this year he was tipped to win the Dally M. Then the form slump happened and he hasn't been the same.

It's very hard for an inexperienced player to do the same things when confidence is down and the forwards are being dominated.

 

[Morkel]

Someone mentioned it earlier. Game plan. Milford earlier in the year didn't just conjure magic out of nothing. It takes a consistent game plan to work over opposition targets, either fatiguing them or causing confusion / hesitation. Props are there to target the middle, back-rowers the edges (duh). Now where do the halves normally attack? The edges. Who have we been missing? Gillett to injury, Glenn to shuffling. These experienced players have spent years working on the subtleties of these game plans, the finer details of how to target certain areas. A young rookie might be able to run and tackle hard, but not identify the subtle indicators of their plan starting to work. When that plan gets abandoned, or not worked on ruthlessly, of course there aren't going to be the same opportunities for our halves.

 

[Browny]

How often does Milf run at the line with no support, happened a lot the other night. Easy to contain

 

[Number6]

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Roberts
4. Opa
5. Kahu
6. Milford
7. Hunt
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Ese'ese
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker (c)

14. Thaiday
15. Blair
16. Pangai Jr
17. Nikorima
18. Wallace (if withdrawal)

Think this looks a much better side. Thaiday was pretty good last week but imagine that coming on at 25 or 30 minutes. Ese for 15 minute ultra short burst at first and 20 minutes last interchanging with Blair. Don't mind conserving an interchange by keeping Macca on for last 30 mins as tackling lock. Roberts to left as we are sending all attack that way anyway only worry is Oates and Milford form with him paired in defence but need to trust he will step up and back them (at least it will prove if Milford is really a front line defender for next year). Wallace has been ok at times but isn't good enough to be picked just on current capability better to blood young enthusiasm if others are fully fit. He is the Tits future for their better or worse not ours (hope they overpaid for the plodder).

At end of day we have to roll the dice - its clear a lot of the current patterns aren't working. Other teams will also be wiser for the stuff that worked well year (innovate or die). If we only play 5-10% better than against the Dragons we are at best a 50% of winning.

 

[Super Freak]

Extended highlights of the last time these two sides met at Suncorp.

My favourite bit is Hodgo stirring up Norman. I miss Hodgo.

 

[ChewThePhatt]

Extended highlights of the last time these two sides met at Suncorp.

My favourite bit is Hodgo stirring up Norman. I miss Hodgo.

Oh man, I soo miss Hodgo

 

[Milford6]

My Team List v Parramatta Eels

1 Darius Boyd
2 Corey Oates
3 Tom Opacic
4 James Roberts
5 Jordan Kahu
6 Anthony Milford
7 Ben Hunt
8 Josh McGuire
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Adam Blair
11 Sam Thaiday
12 Matt Gillett
13 Corey Parker (c)

14 Jarrod Wallace
15 Tevita Pangai Junior
16 Alex Glenn
17 Kodi Nikorima

 

[Porthoz]

Extended highlights of the last time these two sides met at Suncorp.

My favourite bit is Hodgo stirring up Norman. I miss Hodgo.

What about that speed off the mark by McGuire. :shocked: :laugh:

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Thanks TigPies :)