Round 23 - Cowboys vs Broncos - Post Match Discussion

[Coxy]

It's funny watching the old games and be amazed at how many times alf would kick early in the count some stupid little grubber kick (that the commentators would absolutely crucify these days) or get caught on the 5th by running the ball.

I remember the Broncos got criticised for a cavalier attitude to possession, especially in the early 90s. Typical critics though - stick the boot in when it goes wrong, praise it when it comes off. Can't have it both ways, yet they do.

I think it's an unfortunate way the game is played these days, all the wrestling and discipline about metres and getting to the kick....it's how you win games. The Dragons have clearly gone away from that and that's why they're not winning. They've forgotten to wrestle.

Dragons problems are so similar to the Broncos of most of the last decade. Play at a consistent level from round 1 through to midway of the season. Usually good enough to beat most teams who warm into the season and find their best combination and game plan. But as teams pick up momentum, Bennett teams suffer a slight taper, usually only 5-10%, but it's enough to leave them well off the pace.

Back to the Broncos game, at the moment Hoffman seems to be a better player than Harmichael was at the same number of games? Could be the age difference though as K was freakishly young. Anyway, it's great that we aren't missing K at all! And Izzy for that matter.

Different players. Hoffman is by far the better support runner and kick returner of the 2. He has a similar style to K with his kick returns, in that he runs flat out, but unlike K he has better footwork and thus more often makes half breaks between tackles, rather than just being pwned front on. Hoffman's also a much better defender than K ever was. You actually think Hoffman might stop someone who makes a break, unlike with K even at his peak you just hoped he'd slow them down. LOL

But there's no doubt K had more finesse, particularly on the 2nd man play, even at the same stage of his career (3rd season). I think it'll come for Hoffman though.

 

[OXY-351]

we have always lacked the ability to offload... infact we are usually down the bottom of the league in terms of offload numbers

We need Shane Tronc back

 

[mrslong]

K's last pass selection was almost always spot on by the time he finished his career. His kicks, cut out passes, first man plays, all were the right choices 95% of the time. If Hoff can develop that he's going to be so zomg orsm. HOpe Mal can convince him to switch back to QLD/Aus!

Matt Gillet has an offload in him.

 

[Coxy]

K's last pass selection was almost always spot on by the time he finished his career. His kicks, cut out passes, first man plays, all were the right choices 95% of the time. If Hoff can develop that he's going to be so zomg orsm. HOpe Mal can convince him to switch back to QLD/Aus!

Matt Gillet has an offload in him.

Indeed he does, but at the moment with Hannant out, and Te'o back, he's doing most of his work up the middle and so he's keeping his offload in his kit bag.

 

[mrslong]

Corey Parker has been offloading quite well also, since Origin particularly he can hit and spin into the defence.

 

[Alec]

K is the best ball playing fullback since Lockyer. Hoffman won't ever be as good at passing/kicking the ball. He's got a lot of other things over Hunt, so as long as he develops his passing game and vision to a decent level, I'll be very happy.

 

[Coxy]

K is the best ball playing fullback since Lockyer. Hoffman won't ever be as good at passing/kicking the ball. He's got a lot of other things over Hunt, so as long as he develops his passing game and vision to a decent level, I'll be very happy.

^^^ This.

Hoffman's skills are very similar to Slater, though obviously not on the same level. Support play, kick return, high ball retrieval. Once he works his interplay with the halves a bit more consistently as Slater does, no reason why he can't be the world's best in similar fashion. Doubt he'll ever be AS good as Slater, but Slater's probably the 2nd best I've ever seen.

 

[user_nat]

edit: lol I'm an idiot.

Posted in wrong thread.

 

[noisetheory]

^^^ This.

Hoffman's skills are very similar to Slater

the tries he scored against the cowboys were very slater'esque

 

[Coxy]

the tries he scored against the cowboys were very slater'esque

Yep. Especially the one off the grubber from dummyhalf, and his opportunistic run through broken field play.

 

[jarro65]

Yep. Especially the one off the grubber from dummyhalf, and his opportunistic run through broken field play.

Agreed.

Which leads to wonder why we don't try the little chip over the line for him ???

He's got more than enough pace to get through the line to regather ... ala Slater.

 

[Coxy]

Agreed.

Which leads to wonder why we don't try the little chip over the line for him ???

He's got more than enough pace to get through the line to regather ... ala Slater.

Probably because our halves aren't that great with the chip kicks ;-)

Cooper Cronk is pinpoint accurate with that. In fact, Cronk's kicking game is simply sublime. What makes that all the more phenomenal is he isn't THAT naturally gifted. It's purely hard work, practice and training.

 

[jarro65]

Yeah true, but i don't think i've ever witnessed Wallace even try one of those kicks ??

I really think it's an underused play by us.

 

[rnabokov]

There are lots of plays underused. But then, we keep winning. Almost as if the specials are pulled out of that hat when needed? Like that sublime play by Lockyer when he put Gillett over for a try the other week. Makes you wonder why that play isn't used mid-field rather than close to the line, especially with ball runners like Gillett, T'eo and Glenn. But then, Hook said support play was an issue the team needed to work on, so maybe those off loads are coming.

 

[OXY-351]

Surely Alfie could just put a sly kick through for Hoffman when he's out running the water