PRE-GAME Round 3 - Broncos vs Bulldogs

[theshed]

Yep definitely and also apparently Oates is in the team as well

I don’t like it. Dropping Oates to make a statement than bringing him back after 1 Q cup game. Sending Dearden to Q cup to develop while bragging about being able to get the best out of Milf all off season only for Milford and Croft to fail again. Discarding the Dearden development by dragging him back into first grade at the expense of the plodder half who tries his guts out instead of the talented but useless money pit. The whole thing smacks of Seibold.

The only defendable line up change would be dropping Milford to make a statement. Dropping Croft for Dearden, bringing in Oates - it looks like desperation to me. If it is the case, it feels more like Kev is feeling the pressure and just wants a win to get some kind of release instead of thinking long term and not worrying about what others think.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Not one for team lists but desperate times and all that...
1. Isaako
2. Mead
3. Farnworth
4. Niu
5. Coates
6. Dearden
7. Croft
8. TPJ
9. Turpin
10. Carrigan
11. Glenn
12. Riki
13. Asiata

14. Flegler
15. Lodge
16. Bullemore
17. Teo

I think Milford would be great off the bench but he needs the time in QLD cup as a message and for him and us. Carrigan needs less time on the field, his marker defence is killing us when he's tired with the 6 agains. Bullemore needs more time, I'd be tempted for him to come on after 20 mins then stay on. Lodge should only play 20 mins max.

Oates and any other QLD cup players from last week will be better served with more time in there, dearden too we just have no choice there considering if we brought him in in any of the next few games itd be like a lamb to the slaughter with the teams we play

 

[nopatience101]

I would be all for dropping Milford if it didn’t mean Croft keeping his spot.

 

[Allo]

I would be all for dropping Milford if it didn’t mean Croft keeping his spot.

What do we prefer?

Below average that tries, or above average when he decides to (rarely) try?

 

[vertigo]

Dearden is a no fuss organizing halfback.

Croft is a run-first 5/8. Milford is done.

Play them like that and we'll win. Simples.

 

[winslow_wong]

Well 1910 mentioned they had a game plan to send plays down Taylor's and Fifita's side but didn't do it once., if your halves can't put that in place then you're fucked from the start.

Unfortunately Taylor was smashing our guys in defence. And then loser mentality kicked in

 

[Sproj]

Dearden is a no fuss organizing halfback.

Croft is a run-first 5/8. Milford is done.

Play them like that and we'll win. Simples.

I am not sure Dearden is an organising halfback, not yet anyway. I think all three are five-eighths. Of course Dearden looks most likely to have the tools to become said halfback but he is too timid at present.

 

[Jedhead]

I am not sure Dearden is an organising halfback, not yet anyway. I think all three are five-eighths. Of course Dearden looks most likely to have the tools to become said halfback but he is too timid at present.

Yeh he is a bit on the timorous side, but he not long out of school to be fair. I'd find it daunting telling some big hairy arse prop who was knackered to get in position as well.

 

[McHunt]

Chris Garry also reporting Dearden will come in.
Said Milford and Croft copped massive sprays from Kevvie today in the review.
Why can we not try a Dearden Croft combo.
Punt Milford. The bloke has never been dropped, it’s a disgrace.

Be surprised if this happens so soon, but here we are at least talking openly about it:

 

[theshed]

Be surprised if this happens so soon, but here we are at least talking openly about it:

“Even Milford isn’t safe...with Kev reportedly telling the million dollar half a few more seasons of performances like that and we’ll be forced to sack another halfback!”

 

[Wolfie]

Not one for team lists but desperate times and all that...
1. Isaako
2. Mead
3. Farnworth
4. Niu
5. Coates
6. Dearden
7. Croft
8. TPJ
9. Turpin
10. Carrigan
11. Glenn
12. Riki
13. Asiata

14. Flegler
15. Lodge
16. Bullemore
17. Teo

I think Milford would be great off the bench but he needs the time in QLD cup as a message and for him and us. Carrigan needs less time on the field, his marker defence is killing us when he's tired with the 6 agains. Bullemore needs more time, I'd be tempted for him to come on after 20 mins then stay on. Lodge should only play 20 mins max.

Oates and any other QLD cup players from last week will be better served with more time in there, dearden too we just have no choice there considering if we brought him in in any of the next few games itd be like a lamb to the slaughter with the teams we play

Pat needs a few weeks as a bench player imo. I think mentally and physically he is a bit worn down. Just need to freshen him up a bit.

 

[Financeguy]

Pat needs a few weeks as a bench player imo. It think mentally and physically he is a bit worn down. Just need to freshen him up a bit.

Needs freshening up after 2 rounds?

Agree that he workload needs to be reduced but not sure after almost 5 months off and 2 rounds into the competition he needs special treatment...

 

[Wolfie]

Needs freshening up after 2 rounds?

Agree that he workload needs to be reduced but not sure after almost 5 months off and 2 rounds into the competition he needs special treatment...

They don't actually do nothing for 5 months. I've seen it in other sports where things just catch up with some players if they aren't managed right. I've been saying it for as long as I can remember, these young players aren't managed properly and I stand by it. He isn't the only one either. Mentally it's got to take a toll being thrust into a failing side and made captain when you aren't ready and constantly playing big minutes. I just think a little break early on could work wonders for him, and others as well.

 

[Allo]

Needs freshening up after 2 rounds?

Agree that he workload needs to be reduced but not sure after almost 5 months off and 2 rounds into the competition he needs special treatment...

It can also be to balance which players are on when.

Patty also played 80 or close enough for most of last year in a team that got flogged. Two more losses and he’s just about burned out. Get him out of the opening fire for a bit

 

[Sproj]

Needs freshening up after 2 rounds?

Agree that he workload needs to be reduced but not sure after almost 5 months off and 2 rounds into the competition he needs special treatment...

I do. He may not be worn down physically but he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, he could do with some less pressure and come of the bench.

You know what, on an unrelated note, the second half last week might possibly be looked back on as a turning point one day.

Let me briefly explain. For the first time in possibly 18 months (with sporadic difference in between) or perhaps longer, the side actually came home stronger than the opposition. There may be any number of reasons for that but it doesn't matter because the result is, they came home stronger. Their second try was an absolute mess but these are the kind of tries that other teams normally get against us. The last try was as soft as we give out regularly. It might have just shown the team that if they avoid the defensive lapses and can even play for 75 minutes instead of 60-70, they can at least compete the full game. If they can get it to 80 minutes, they can win and win regularly, albeit not with the current spine.

The point is, the building blocks are there. Get the key recruitment targets right, we might just be on our way up there again next season, maybe even the back end of this one.

 

[McHunt]

I do. He may not be worn down physically but he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, he could do with some less pressure and come of the bench.

What he needs is a big hug. And a scrum is the perfect place to have it. These new rules are really taking their toll on our sensitive front rowers.

Needs freshening up after 2 rounds?

A little trip to the "powder room" so to speak.

 

[Wolfie]

What he needs is a big hug. And a scrum is the perfect place to have it. These new rules are really taking their toll on our sensitive front rowers.


A little trip to the "powder room" so to speak.

You sound like you are stuck in a time warp in the 1950's and men shouldn't show weakness.

We have too many young players who have had way too much put on them. The management of players is crucial to their development. It not about molly coddling them either, its about knowing when they need to have a spell and when they don't. We clearly have players who need a spell.

 

[McHunt]

need a spell.

I know what that means when a woman says it.