POST GAME Round 24 - Broncos vs Dragons

[Allo]

That Sims stat is disgusting. Regardless of possession, a starting prop should be making more than 5 runs @3.8m per run

 

[Organix]

I'm just happy we didn't lose despite getting bent over by the NRL. I'm expecting a similar refereeing performance next week for the Parramata "2014 Souths" Eels.

I hope it's more like "2015 rd 25 souths"

 

[Sproj]

1. Boyd - His best game for a few weeks, probably since he came back from injury. He is starting to turn it back on in attack and kept popping up in defense. He made a very uncharacteristic catching error though. 7
2. Oates - The guy is not at his bet coming from a serious illness and yet produces a performance like that! Don't leave the wing mate, you could go down as a legend of the club/sport if you stay there. He just knows when to run so well! 9
3. Roberts - He got no ball but kept turning up in defense all night. A comfortable win and yet we barely even used the guy. 5
4. Moga - He is huge and he is realising that. Yes he had his customary errors but he is such a handful in attack and makes a mountain of hard metres. He could be a massive trump card for us come finals. 8
5. Kahu - He is running with a lot of purpose in his kick returns to the point teams no longer know which of our back three to kick it to. His defense is rock solid and just turns up constantly. But son, you need to goalkick! 7
6. Milford - I am going to give him the ultimate kudos - that was Lockyeresque. He looked as good as he did in the 2015 GF but seems to be learning composure and I don't think that is in any small part due to the guy wearing the number 7 now. That game was perfect. 10
7. KNik - I have no idea why he keeps getting bagged out. Tonight the attack just kept going straight and left and when it did go right, he was quite threatening. He possible should have had a try from Blair to but I will actually give the benefit of the doubt to the refs on that one. He is just so composed and also put in some decent kicks and tackles. He still hasn't lost when starting and regardless of how it is dismissed, that says a lot. He was overshadowed by a perfect game from Milf, that is nothing to be ashamed of and means he did his supporting role to a T. Really good game once again. 8
8. Sims - He hits hard in defense, that's it. He runs good lines but isn't usually required to do it, he makes no metres with ball in hand and doesn't play huge minutes. He should probably be the one dropped when Joffa returns. 3
14. Thaiday - He wound back the clock tonight...sort of. That was vintage Thaiday in the forwards but new age Thaiday in the hooking role. There I say it, he seems to be a quality hooker., who would have thought? Some of his defense in the back end of the game was fantastic, great game. 9
10. Blair - Look, he offers a lot I know but if he does leave, I just don't think he leaves as big a hole as many think. Yes, he does a lot of the 1%ers and offers a fantastic offload and is good in defense...but he offers nothing in terms of go forward and that in itself would be ok...if the other starting front rower wasn't also offering nothing with ball in hand. I would like to keep him but also glad we aren't breaking the bank to do so. 5
11. Glenn - Back to his best and he has been for a few weeks now. He runs brilliant lines and isn't afraid to take a pressure hit-up either (please take note no. 8 and no. 10). He really should have scored off that short ball but got one later anyway. He hits hard in defense too, excellent game from a highly underrated player. 9
12. Gillett - Well...he is Gillett...with a beard now. He is just quality and is everywhere in a game. His line running is helping free up our dynamic players in KNik, Milf and Roberts (not tonight obviously) and that is no coincidence. Plus you see no one is wanting to run at the right edge because they are just constantly shut down...hard. Another great game. 8
13. McGuire - He has a fantastic pass in him and has the opposite problem to a lot of other offload happy players...he doesn't offload as much as he could. He has such a big motor, is strong, has nice acceleration and footwork and hits hard in defense, he really has potential to become a complete player sooner rather than later. He is just so important to this team now. 9

9. Hunt - That kick for Kahu was sublime, that was poetry in motion. Typical Hunt really, some unbelievable, breath-taking stuff, some head-scratching moments but no one can ever question his effort or passion for the club. He will never be ultra-consistent but he is a major asset to the team in his current role. 7
15. TPJ - (I actually can't remember who was in what number from the bench so whatever) The kid is such a gun already. He has one of the best offloads in the game, has amazing footwork, power and agility. Once his motor catches up (and it seems to be starting to) he will be amongst the very elite forwards in the game. Hope his injury isn't too bad. He wasn't on for that long but made his presence felt. 6
16. Arrow - I really am sad to lose this kid. He is a fantastic pick up for the Titans...provided they don't ruin him. But I doubt that will happen, I've rarely seen another player with as high a work ethic and dedication as Arrow has, it is Cronk-level. He was fantastic in his stint tonight. Some damaging runs, some stinging defense and his usual unseen work in the ruck. He is a future star of the game. 7
17. Ese'ese - Pretty average in his first stint but one of his biggest assets is his motor and that came to the fore tonight because his second stint was quality. Unfortunately you can't keep them all and given Sims is unlikely to be dropped, Ese'ese unfortunately may have to make way for Joffa when he is back. Solid game without reaching the heights of his earlier season form. 5

 

[Alec]

I was really impressed with Thaiday too. He threw some nice passes from dummy half, a few of them better than the ones Macca throws. Played well in the middle as a running forward too. Too bad his great games are pretty rare these days.

 

[badyon]

Interesting presser.

Reporter - "Wayne what did you make of the 8-2 penalty count? Off night for you guys, discipline wise?"

WB stunned look - "uh, I didn't even realise that had happened. There were a few things off tonight. Our second half ball control was about 50%. So... you know."


On the penalty count issue :

-the contesting the high ball interpretation was just flat out wrong and inconsistent, Cecchin needs to review
-the two penalties late in the game on our line we should just take as a badge of honour for defending to the end, and as a kick up the arse for ball control
-the McGuire penalty was soft but that's modern interpretation
-the Boyd rake was fair enough
-a couple of times we were taken out and no penalties came our way

 

[Strop]

Nice round up, Sproj. Appreciate the effort that goes in to writing them. Loved the way McGuire played last night, just so committed and driven to make an impact with his defence. He's got that touch of psycho in him and the motor to back it up. Gillett was just a joy to watch again too. His speed made him almost appear out of nowhere on a few occasions to shut down an attacker. I think you can some him up with a bit of Jules...

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the bearded backrower when I lay my vengeance upon thee"

 

[heartly87]

I was happy with the game to be honest. We had great line speed in D. We probably over did it a few times in attack and it ended up breakng down a lot more then is acceptable . But every man out there looked ready to play. We never looked like being defeated. I am content.

 

[Mr Fourex]

That was fucking pathetic.

I didn't even stay for the whole game because I couldn't watch them anymore. They won because the Dragons were terrible.

And we just flat out refused to use Roberts. Kept cutting him out. Best attacking weapon we have and we don't give him the ball.

Niko had a bloody average game. Our right side attack suffered as a result.

I can't tell if you're serious or not??

I must have been watching a different game?

Dead-set ......some of our fans act like it's their god given right to complain about the smudge of grime on the silver spoon they were born with.

Unreal.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Milford is a freak. Nikorima was pretty average, needed to give the ball more to Roberts.

Need to be a little more patient and not make as many errors.

Again I must have watched another game. KNik was running at will down the right hand side. His defence was rock solid too. I'm starting to really like how he and Milford work.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Need to be a little more patient and not make as many errors.

If anything...this was the most frustrating thing to come out of the game. Our 3 play makers need to show more patience. In fact ...across the board we need to start showing that.

Blair thinking he's Artie Beetson or something and attempting miracle balls everytime is something WB needs the boys to start thinking about. Play smart guys.....

 

[Harry Sack]

Sam "The Axe" Thaiday. Thoroughly enjoyed that game although there were a few things off, ball control for one. It seems that Wayne has removed the shackles and told them to offload at will but I think it needs to be rained in somewhat, some of those were just never going to come off. That win pretty much guarantees us top 4 doesn't it?

 

[Murphda]

Great game..milf was the goods, they are starting to gel..2017 premiers is possible!!

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Sam "The Axe" Thaiday. Thoroughly enjoyed that game although there were a few things off, ball control for one. It seems that Wayne has removed the shackles and told them to offload at will but I think it needs to be rained in somewhat, some of those were just never going to come off. That win pretty much guarantees us top 4 doesn't it?

I was watching that '93 GF yesterday and thinking that those legs tackles that Gilly was pulling off were missing from the modern game and lo and behold, Sammy comes up with a couple of beauties.

 

[gordjw]

Looking forward to watching it now! Was on a plane from the 15th minute until the 79th.

Can't believe we managed to get 5 tries with so little possession and so many mistakes.

 

[pagey]

Again I must have watched another game. KNik was running at will down the right hand side. His defence was rock solid too. I'm starting to really like how he and Milford work.

You must have been, he was definitely quite. Every wrute up I've read has mentioned the same . Although you're correct about his defense, was very solid.

 

[FGfrom50]

Sam "The Axe" Thaiday. Thoroughly enjoyed that game although there were a few things off, ball control for one. It seems that Wayne has removed the shackles and told them to offload at will but I think it needs to be rained in somewhat, some of those were just never going to come off. That win pretty much guarantees us top 4 doesn't it?

I just had a play with the ladder predictor at NRL.com. If we lose both of our last 2 games, we can drop as low as 5th if the Sharks manage to beat the Roosters next week. If we beat either of the Eels or Cows, guaranteed 3rd and possibly 2nd. Win both and we won't be overtaken for 2nd.

So there are still a few too many variables. Not quite there yet technically, but we're in a good spot.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

I imagining things or is it the same people saying Taylor needs to come back are the same people saying nikorima played terrible.

He troubled the line with his running game, kicking game was ok, his best defensive game I've seen and no errors. It wasn't a great game by him but if Taylor played that game I'm sure it wouldn't be getting the attention it has.

Knik makes Milford play better and milf playing at 100% is better for the broncos then any other possible option anyone could suggest to me... 10/10 with 100% win rate proves this...

 

[pagey]

I imagining things or is it the same people saying Taylor needs to come back are the same people saying nikorima played terrible.

He troubled the line with his running game, kicking game was ok, his best defensive game I've seen and no errors. It wasn't a great game by him but if Taylor played that game I'm sure it wouldn't be getting the attention it has.

Knik makes Milford play better and milf playing at 100% is better for the broncos then any other possible option anyone could suggest to me... 10/10 with 100% win rate proves this...

Can't remember anyone saying he played terrible. QUITE!! was the word that was used . If you're going to push this Taylor/ knik bullshit, maybe you should read what has been written first.