Round 23 - Cowboys vs Broncos - Build Up Thread

[ningnangnong]

Game 350 for Darren Lockyer.

JT could be back for the Cowboys.

Will be some match.

 

[ningnangnong]

It's a cliche and I hate saying it, but every game from here on in is a finals game really. If we can secure ourselves a top two spot, that would be amazing.

 

[Fozz]

Can't wait, I'm gonna be there!

 

[Bucking Beads]

We should win but with Bowen and Payne in and around the ruck it could get scary

 

[Kimlo]

I really hope we smash em!
A top 2 spot would be awesome because we could go straight to the grand final qualifier and it would mean if we do play Melbourne it would be in the Grand Final.

I hope Lockyer doesn't get any injuries from that **** hole stadium :(

 

[Browny]

Hope they play like they did on Friday night

 

[vertigo]

Hannant might be in doubt, JT and Matt Scott might be out too.

 

[dukey]

I hope the Cowboys are full strength for this match.

 

[user_nat]

So apparently Parker and Hannant are in doubt:

Brisbane might have to tackle the Cowboys on Friday night without prop Ben Hannant (hip flexor) and lock Corey Parker who required about a dozen stitches in a nasty gash to his cheek.

Hannant was unable to come back for the second half and coach Griffin conceded he would be in serious doubt with the team travelling to Townsville on Thursday.

http://nrl.com/next-stop-townsville-for-lockyer-show/tabid/10874/newsid/64129/default.aspx

One of Gillett/Teo can play Lock if Parker is out.
Not so sure who we have instead of Hannant though. McGuire to start and Hala to the bench maybe? Anderson/McGuire/Hala seems like a pretty average prop rotation though. No big workers among them.

 

[rnabokov]

I just hope there are more of those great little plays: Lockyer-Gilett and Hodges-T'eo, more 2nd phase plays, and the repetitive 1-out running disappears. Last night the Broncos finally established their GF credentials. The way the team stuck it to, and with, seriously good opposition was outstanding. On that form I can't see the Cowboys winning, Thurston or not.

And maybe Gillett at lock ... Ah, at last ....

 

[Steve]

I'll back us to beat the Cowboys up there. Although the Cowboys have a steely resolve that's been missing in recent seasons so they'll be hard to shake.

Even if Thurston plays I'm convinced we have the superior team.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think we should move reed to lock if Parker is out. Reed isn't fast enough to be a centre anyway.

 

[rnabokov]

I think we should move reed to lock if Parker is out. Reed isn't fast enough to be a centre anyway.

He was great last night. Why move him? And how fast is Hodges these days anyway? Apart from which I don't like Reed's defence away from centre. I reckon Hodges - Reed are possibly equal top centre pairing in the comp on last night's performance.

 

[user_nat]

He was great last night. Why move him? And how fast is Hodges these days anyway? Apart from which I don't like Reed's defence away from centre. I reckon Hodges - Reed are possibly equal top centre pairing in the comp on last night's performance.

Check the Beale V Gagai thread for the Reed speed comment. I agree about Reed's defense though.
Lyon and Matai would have to be the form pairing IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

As the apparent Reed critic on here I'm fine with him playing centre at the present, it's the future (2 years or so down the track) where I remain uncertain.

Big game, hopefully Lockyer visits some sort of spiritual doctor before heading to Dairy Farmers. There's some dark juju up there that has it in for the great one.

 

[Porthoz]

After today's demolition of Canberra, the Knights away game is shaping up as the toughest assignement on the road to the finals, tougher than Cows away and Manly at home imo.

Hopefully both teams will be at full strenght, but like most here, I reckon the Broncos have a superior team to the Cows, especially in the backline.

Will certainly be another cracker though!

 

[Big Pete]

Really?

The Newcastle game is going to be tougher than originally anticipated but those performances weren't THAT great and I still rate Manly as the toughest adversary.

 

[elyod138]

This has the makings of a great game.

Even if JT isn't fit it should be a tough game for the Broncos, assuming Matt Scott runs onto the field.

The Cowboys put in one of their most uninspired performances of the season vs the Dogs and they have been great at bouncing back this year.