Round 3 - Broncos vs Roosters - Pre-Match Discussion

[Syklone]

Just because we won it does not mean we can not point out what a cluster**** our halves are.

Thats true.. But I'm trying to get on with it because despite what we think or say, there are no alternatives, and if there are, Hook won't be doing it. I know the halves stink I constantly bag Hunt in my mind because he cannot be the dominant playmaker we would like. In saying that I don't want to sound like a broken record by repeating the same sentiments every day.

 

[Alec]

We won in spite of our halves. We can be really glad that the rest of the team is aiming up, but it's not going to last forever. Same thing happened in 2012...though our halves were playing better then.

 

[Donald]

I thought hunt had a shit first half but when the game was on the line he went down the shirt side, through a great cut out ball for Copley to set Macca up. That play won us the game in the end.

Inside the opposition 20 we are still lost though. It seems as though it's either through it to Barba and hope he does something or run the second man play every 4th tackle. We need more guidance and direction in this area of the field. Maybe with hodges coming back
roaming around we might just get that.

 

[Super Freak]

We won in spite of our halves. We can be really glad that the rest of the team is aiming up, but it's not going to last forever. Same thing happened in 2012...though our halves were playing better then.

I would love to have Norman right now. At least he had some kind of ball playing skills and a decent kicking game..

 

[Rabbir]

Just because we won it does not mean we can not point out what a clusterfuck our halves are.

Exactly.

Do people think Craig Bellamy just puts his feet up after each win and says "Nothing to improve for next week." Getting asked if you're a Broncos fan because you critique Hunt, Hoffman, Griffin etc after a win is just plain stupid.

 

[Alec]

I thought hunt had a **** first half but when the game was on the line he went down the shirt side, through a great cut out ball for Copley to set Macca up. That play won us the game in the end.

That's the one area of the game he is actually pretty damn impressive at. If you look at the highlights from last year, most of his good plays were down the blind side too. With Hoffman just being a glorified centre in attack, our best play in the middle of the field ends up being one out running.

 

[Socnorb]

Just because you do something intentionally, doesn't mean it's not mismanagement. I mean, the Eels intentionally paid Corey Norman 500k.

Yeah but, He's done it twice for two wins.

 

[Syklone]

Exactly.

Do people think Craig Bellamy just puts his feet up after each win and says "Nothing to improve for next week." Getting asked if you're a Broncos fan because you critique Hunt, Hoffman, Griffin etc after a win is just plain stupid.

No one has questioned whether you're a broncos fan for critiquing them...

 

[M.B.88]

I don't know that you can paint hooks use of the bench as mismanagement. Two weeks in a row, looks more like an intentional strategy.

hmm... exactly! Maybe you just don't know the strategy Hook has conjured up with Corvo... ;)

they're pushing the boys to play more minutes. get fitter. back themselves as one entity. look at how well they're coming together and celebrating as a group! they're hearts and fitness are way back into it this year! it's a fantastic strategy. We're 2 from 2 right??

 

[Foordy]

There is no point in exchanging mediocre halves for mediocre halves. Halves that are not consistently stand outs in the ISC wont magically become good in the NRL.

If Strasser or Nikorima or whoever want a spot in the NRL team, they need to be demanding a spot by dominating in the lower grades. So that Griffin can't over look them.

And if they are dominating in the lower grades, then we may get the added benefit of the NRL halves lifting their games for fear of losing their spot. Either way we win

 

[Porthoz]

Putting Barba at 5/8 would be counter productive at this point. Our game is obviously based on stout defence and Barba, especially with his dodgy ankle, would be a continuous target. Hoffman lacks playmaking ability, and while I have been one of his staunchest critics, he did his job well last night, even setting up a try with a nice grubber.

I prefer to see Benny being able to inject himself into the attack at his will, than to tire him out defending the line and lose his attacking prowess. Besides, there is nothing he could do from 5/8 that he couldn't from fullback, who are pretty much another 5/8 in the modern game attack. Despite being clearly diminished physically, he has beautifully set-up two tries in two games. Why change what's working well?

I am more worried about our kicking game. Macca needs to kick more, like Smith did with Cronk out last week in Manly. Barba can also kick from the back...

 

[Donald]

I'd like to thank Norman and his shit team for playing the chooks into form.

Now this game is going to be very very tough!!

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Welp, we're up against it boys. It won't be a 52 point margin but it'll be very tough contest.

 

[Cult]

That game was like the Roosters having a bye. Hopefully they come here expecting an easy win.

 

[vertigo]

Eels are fucking woeful, especially without Peats. Didn't help that Lussick is the dumbest **** in the comp.

We wont get thrashed like that.

 

[Unbreakable]

One thing I noticed about us last night was a severe lack of off-loads, we need to get Parker back in the 13, his off-loading is more valuable to us than his 2 hit-ups a set, in my opinion. But on the same token, Glenn, Thaiday, Gillett have all started the season great and deserve a starting spot.. so I'm not sure what to do, we've seen Thaiday become less effective when playing prop, maybe we could just throw Gillett in at prop, he seems like the sort of player that could be efficient in any position.

8. Kennedy
10. Gillett
11. Glenn
12. Thaiday
13. Parker

14. Hannant

(McGuire suspended)

I'd probably go with Kennedy in the starting line-up to give us a bit more size, which we'll definitely need against the Roosters.

 

[Morkel]

Eels are fucking woeful, especially without Peats. Didn't help that Lussick is the dumbest **** in the comp.

We wont get thrashed like that.

I can't remember if it was Kearney or Stuart that signed Lussick. They obviously thought that he'd follow the path of JWH, they're both ex-Manly grub props with short fuses. $400k. A year. Oh dear.

 

[Broncoman]

We will need to watch Mitchell Pearce closely and keep him in check. His short passing game was superb and his combination with Mitch Aubusson was one to watch and Cordner is someone who can be easily used like that as well.

Wasn't surprised too see the Roosters win so convincingly as I was expecting them to win resoundingly (The Roosters are superior to the Warriors Parra) but to see them cream 52 points surprised me a bit. Worry for the Broncos though the Roosters will be very confident about themselves after that.