Round 23 - Bulldogs vs. Broncos - Build Up Thread

[broncos4life]

Yeah, I don't understand how people can just give up. Sure, everything is stacked against us. In 2006, we were in the exact same position, it was only 4 rounds from the finals when the team grouped together and put in a great performance against Melbourne (even though we lost). Afterwards, we only lost to the Dragons. I go into every game thinking we are a shot of winning.

Too true. I have been pretty dire over the last couple of days but it will only take one win to turn this all around. I mean if over the next three weeks we can scrape a win over the bulldogs, storm or manly, even if it is the messiest 1 pt win on record it would sky rocket everyones confidence going into the finals, add to that the return of copley, parker and glenn and we could give it a real shake. Obviously we could get no wins and all of what I said would be inconsequential, but there is always hope when you are a mathematical chance

 

[broncos4life]

Norman is worthless on the bench. If you're going to make changes, go all out. Baptiste on the bench is a much, much smarter move IMO. I'd also take anyone over Lui on the bench... J Wallace, Whitchurch...

Having centres in the centres is making me feel a lot better though.

I still don't get all the love for Baptiste. I agree a star in the 20's and from what I am told is ripping it up in the Q cup, but he has not shown anything in his forays into NRL so far to suggest he would be a better choice for anyone... except maybe lui

 

[Bucking Beads]

I don't get why Hook rates Lui. He hasn't done much to excite me. I'd prefer Gibb on the bench. I am pretty sure J. Wallace is injured at the moment. Norman did provide some impact and looked sharp off the bench but I do agree he should be out of the side at the moment.

 

[broncos4life]

I don't get why Hook rates Lui. He hasn't done much to excite me. I'd prefer Gibb on the bench. I am pretty sure J. Wallace is injured at the moment. Norman did provide some impact and looked sharp off the bench but I do agree he should be out of the side at the moment.

So much. Gibb has been great in the small chances he has been given, not sure why hook doesn't rate him

 

[Alec]

I reckon Norman is there in case Wallace has another massive shocker, in which case Hook will have no choice but to...hook him. Live up to his name.

 

[Coxy]

I reckon Norman is there in case Wallace has another massive shocker, in which case Hook will have no choice but to...hook him. Live up to his name.

But he didn't hook Wallace on Sunday...

 

[IBA]

I still don't get all the love for Baptiste. I agree a star in the 20's and from what I am told is ripping it up in the Q cup, but he has not shown anything in his forays into NRL so far to suggest he would be a better choice for anyone... except maybe lui

I think he shows great spark out of dummy half and his defence is spectacular. Single handedly mowing down Dave Taylor a couple of times who was in rampaging form in Perth last year was great to watch.

The game he played this year wasn't great but not bad either.

I don't get why Norman is there. Why would you keep a replacement half of the bench? He's not going to come on for Macca and I'm pretty sure that this means, no matter what, Hunt is going to get pulled at around the 55 - 60 minute mark this weekend. If he wants a backup hooker there, then our out of form 5/8 isn't the best choice...

 

[jarro65]

A pretty good side though.

I like the fact that we now have real centres in that position and not backrowers .... it certainly balances out the side nicely.

Wallace/Hunt in the halves again will be interesting to watch. I'm hoping Hunt gets into first receiver more than wallace as i think it's a much better option for our attack.

 

[Big Pete]

Good to see Hodges back, hopefully he pulls through 100%, we've definitely missed his spark and hopefully the 3 week lay off has done him the world of good.

Don't like that balance in the backrow. Gillett, Thaiday & Te'o can all be very sketchy defenders, would have liked to of seen Dodds or even Gibb promoted to handle the defence and use Gillett as an impact player.

Don't get me started on Lui. He's been terrible.

 

[Kimlo]

it isn't Wallace job to teach norman how to play. Wallace is trying hard to lead the team but this is predictable to defend against

No that's the coaches job to teach players how to play.

Hodges back really excites me, having two genuine centres on the centres will make our attack click again IMO.

I think just the addition of Hodges will be enough to spark the team, he's one of those players that always inspires confidence in the rest of the team when he plays. He's definitely our best back, arguably our best player too.

We're going to win this weekend, I can feel it.

 

[Big Pete]

We're going to win this weekend, I can feel it.

We're doomed.

 

[noisetheory]

Too true. I have been pretty dire over the last couple of days

so have I and alot of people. but it wont change the fact i will be cheerin the boys on again this weekend. i'll always keep hope.

the best thing about the next 3 weeks is the teams we play are genuine contenders so a win will be fantastic, and could possibly turn the season around right then and there. it wont be a hollow feeling of beating a bottom side. and well if we go three rounds without a win then all we can do is say farewell to petero in round 26 and thats probably a wrap for the year.

i just hope they give it their best this next three weeks.

 

[rnabokov]

Having watched lots of replays of how well this team can play, I too will be cheering te boys on every week-end ... and hoping the early form returns.

Given Glenn and Parker are out, and the recent dire form, I'd be content (just) if we went down by only a few points. That would give me a lot more to look forward to

 

[noisetheory]

when was the last time we had two real centres? i like that our side feels balanced looking at the team sheet.

we've managed without parker before. both parker and glenn is going to be tough but its not like the dogs dont have a few forwards out injured. jackson finucane and co have barely played any nrl themselves.

no time for excuses.

 

[vertigo]

I've never really been big on choosing my own side for the week but would this not give us some spark in attack?

1. Beale
2. Maranta
3. Reed
4. Hodges
5. Hoffman
6. Norman
7. Hunt
8. Hannant
9. McCullough (80 mins)
10. McGuire
11. Gibb
12. Thaiday
13. Te'o

Interchange: Civoniceva, Dodds, Gillett, Whitchurch. Baptiste in if McCullough cant handle 80?

 

[Foordy]

How about we leave the Wallace bagging to just one thread instead of every thread.

Back on topic ... it's good to have to proper centers again for this game rather than back rowers filling in. I'm also looking forward to hunt starting in the halves. This is his chance to make a halves spot his own.

 

[Big Pete]

Good idea, posts moved to the Wallace thread.

 

[Mister Wright]

Most balanced side we've had in a few weeks. Not liking Gillett starting, but we'll see how we go.