Round 24 - Broncos Vs Storm - Build Up Thread

[IBA]

There were those 2 games where he got run over by Weyman and Galloway (or was it Fulton?) in successive weeks. Might have shaken his confidence in defence a little. He hasn't really been quite right all year.

 

[Manifesto]

I think yesterday, we saw some insight into what Griffin will do when Hoffman returns. He'll be selected on the wing, but play fullback at the end of a set with Norman coming into the line with Reed shifting to the wing. First few plays will see Hoffman hit the ball up and then head to wing. Could work very well and is probably our best attacking option with Hunt, Wallace, McCullough and Norman giving us attacking options.

I was actually thinking something along this line today as well. I felt Norman's kick-returns were rather underwhelming and he probably should have ran harder and tried to make more metres after catching the ball. This is a strength of Hoffman's IMO. Id like to see Norman some more at FB to see how he goes, so I was thinking we could defend with Hoffman at FB while Norman can attack at FB. While defending, Norman could either stay on wing (in place of Hoffman) or slot into centres, with Reed on the wing.

 

[Old Mate]

Yeah but not letting Norman defend at the back is just stunting his development there, maybe do it for the rest of this year but next Norman needs to be there full time if Hook is treating the switch serious.

 

[noisetheory]

highlights from redcliffes game on the weekend - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbZu9weAzho

hoffman in the #4 looks like he played in the centres all game. wanna read anything into that? think we'll see him named left wing tomorrow.

 

[Jeba]

highlights from redcliffes game on the weekend - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbZu9weAzho

hoffman in the #4 looks like he played in the centres all game. wanna read anything into that?

Nothing to read into I reckon. He played in the centres before he got the call up to the Broncos a couple of years back, and the way Joe Bond is playing at fullback this year there was no way Redcliffe could move him for someone who would play just one game. Plus one of Redcliffe's centres was injured so Hoffy pretty much just slotted straight in.

 

[Dexter]

Surely it's a confidence thing with him. You don't just lose those sort of skills he has. It's disappointing to see.

And I hope it's not that it's being coached out of him and so he's second guessing his instincts when he gets involved.

Yes you really have to wonder. I have never really understood coaches reasoning when this happens. Select a player based on his skills then modify him to the point he stops doing what comes naturally.

His form slump has coincided with his making the run on side which demanded he play a completely different role than when he was coming off the bench. He looked totally overwhelmed in state of origin as well which suggests a bit of self doubt.

 

[noisetheory]

Nothing to read into I reckon. He played in the centres before he got the call up to the Broncos a couple of years back, and the way Joe Bond is playing at fullback this year there was no way Redcliffe could move him for someone who would play just one game. Plus one of Redcliffe's centres was injured so Hoffy pretty much just slotted straight in.

fair enough.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Hoffman in the centres could be a real option longterm IMO. Hodges is getting on and I think one more long term injury could be the end of him.

 

[Jeba]

fair enough.

Having said that, I agree there is a chance he will be named on the wing tomorrow. Maybe even in the centres and push Reed to the wing where he has played pretty well in the past.

 

[rnabokov]

I reckon Hook will return Hoffman to FB, Norman to bench and if Parker returns, T'eo or maybe Gillett to bench.

Gillett's defence is a serious worry. I am sure Hook noticed his 11 missed tackles, as well his try assist and a few nice touches.

I am also sure Hook will look at the missed tackles which led to 3 of the Dogs 4 tries. I think Wallace was involved in 2.

All we need is mental toughness to resist falling apart when things go wrong, and to stick for 80 mins. to that game plan against the Dogs where we blew them off the park in the first 25 mins.

And having experienced Barba's brilliance, I am also sure the game plan will include measures to deal with Slater.

We can win this given 80 minutes of discipline.

 

[Alec]

I really like the idea of having

1. Norman
2. Hoffman/Reed
3. Reed/Hoffman

in attack, and

1. Hoffman
2. Reed
3. Norman

in defence.

 

[noisetheory]

i'd have reed inside norman. reed is a really good defensive centre.

do hope norman keeps the 1.

 

[rnabokov]

i'd have reed inside norman. reed is a really good defensive centre.

do hope norman keeps the 1.

That would pre-suppose Hook thinks as badly of Hoff's form as Norman's.

If Norman stays at FB, then Maranta misses out, and he has been one of our better players and deserves his spot IMO

 

[Alec]

i'd have reed inside norman. reed is a really good defensive centre.

do hope norman keeps the 1.

Reed is good defensively, but the thing is defusing bombs on the wing seems to be more difficult than at fullback (Beale seems to be the proof of that), and Reed is one of our best under the high ball.

 

[Old Mate]

I'd love to see Reed given a shot at fb.

 

[Kimlo]

I'd love to see Reed given a shot at fb.

Me too actually but no chance will it happen.

1. Reed
2. Beale
3. Hodges
4. Hoffman
5. Maranta

14. Norman

 

[vertigo]

Greg Alexander knows whats up

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...brisbane-broncos/story-e6frep5x-1226449635031

"It's too simplistic to say they can't score points. But that's been an issue with them over the last six weeks," said Alexander, who put the onus on playmaking trio Ben Hunt, Corey Norman and Andrew McCullough to take the burden off besieged halfback Peter Wallace.

"If you're going to win the comp you've got to be able to score points and not only score points when things are going your way.

"The Broncos at the moment just don't look like they've got it in them, unless they get a run of possession and momentum's with them.

"It's too much to just pin all of it on Peter Wallace - that's a bit unfair. He's been a little bit more creative than the people around him ...

"Is Ben Hunt the answer at five-eighth long-term? I don't know.

"After the first 10 rounds Corey Norman's gone a bit quiet. (And) you'd think your dummy half (McCullough) could be threatening maybe a little bit more."

 

[jarro65]

Sounds like Brandy does know what he's talking about.

Hunt/Norman and Macca all need to lift IMO.

Wallace will come good, but can't do it all on his own either.