PRE-GAME [Round 4, 2025] Broncos vs Dolphins

[Kooly87]

You have shown major disrespect to Jensen and Piakura here.

Jensen maybe, not so certain about Piakura.

So much potential, really waiting for him to go on with it at some stage now.

 

[mitch222]

Jensen maybe, not so certain about Piakura.

So much potential, really waiting for him to go on with it at some stage now.

Compared to Ray Stone? They are both pretty average tbh

 

[Kooly87]

Compared to Ray Stone? They are both pretty average tbh

Completely agree. I think Stone is at least playing close to his ceiling. Piakura isn't even on the same floor.

 

[McHunt]

He's a prolific try scorer from the wing not centre.

Wing: 17 Games - 19 Tries
Centre: 13 Games - 3 Tries

Could always switch Jesse back to centre and Deine to the wing.

 

[McHunt]

That’s one way to look at it, but if you note the correlation between defensive feats and making grand finals - one could argue that the object of the game is actually to concede less points than the opposition

Scores are locked 0-0.

Where's your God, now?

 

[davidp]

Madge is promoting stability - switching positions for the sake of it is not the right answer

Shib has deserved his spot and fits the role perfectly. No nonsense, low maintenance, 8/10 of his ability everyday. Yes, Mariner might have a much higher ceiling, but when he is regularly 5/10 of his ceiling, he can NOT be relied on.

Just like driving, accidents are more often other peoples fault - defence within a team relies on those around you to make good decisions. This faith in the man next to you and the effort he will bring is exactly why players like Shib, Jensen and Arthurs are there - they can be relied on. They may make a mistake, but that is not the norm.

 

[heartly87]

I was going to respond that he is one our few backs who can handle the tough stuff out of our end but you came to that realisation independently.

I don’t think Madge has ever given an explicit reason - others just assumed defence. Though Mariner and Cobbo had a few moments where their defence was clown like.

I think he has been solid. He has been around an 7 to 8 out of 10 the first few rounds. If he keeps that up he will stick around a lot longer than i would have thought preseason.

He is also a point of difference in our backs. Him and Cobbo make up some size we otherwise lack. With Staggs back that gives us three strong caries out of trouble.

Mariner will get his chance and will be the long term option. But it would be good to see him get a bit more size but obviously you don't want to ruin his pace in doing so. We don't need a Hook style bulk.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I'm going to give Madge and the current Broncos management the credibility to presume they don't just simply 'forget' about a guy in their current NRL squad.

It's not like we still have Paul White at the helm...

I dearly hope you're right, cause the last thing I wanna see is Walters being picked when Mozer is available

 

[Mustafur]

I dearly hope you're right, cause the last thing I wanna see is Walters being picked when Mozer is available

That said I felt in the last game atleast Walters had more impact than Piax but it is helped big time when his stints are much smaller.

 

[Mustafur]

Madge is promoting stability - switching positions for the sake of it is not the right answer

Shib has deserved his spot and fits the role perfectly. No nonsense, low maintenance, 8/10 of his ability everyday. Yes, Mariner might have a much higher ceiling, but when he is regularly 5/10 of his ceiling, he can NOT be relied on.

Just like driving, accidents are more often other peoples fault - defence within a team relies on those around you to make good decisions. This faith in the man next to you and the effort he will bring is exactly why players like Shib, Jensen and Arthurs are there - they can be relied on. They may make a mistake, but that is not the norm.

Basically, Shiba outside the odd rushing is a much better defender than Mariner is and you definitely don't want Mariner and Piakura next to each other for longer than you have to, starting Gos was the right decision, Piakura needs to earn his spot by learning how to defend.

Still think Mariner is better as a Winger though, his main asset is speed, but Cobbo has done an excellent job there and Arthars seems to have taken a step forward aswell, he also seems a bit faster this year too, I think the right balance will probably make it self through injury cover and seeing where each player is at.

 

[Mustafur]

How magical was the first game:

 

[Foordy]

I dearly hope you're right, cause the last thing I wanna see is Walters being picked when Mozer is available

Mozer has been out for weeks and half the preseason ... He'll be coming back in the QLD Cup.

And I have no doubt that like Mariner and Piakura, Madge will make him earn his position, it won't be handed to him on a silver platter

 

[Big Del]

I dearly hope you're right, cause the last thing I wanna see is Walters being picked when Mozer is available

Lets see his tackle efficiency for a cpl of weeks 1st .

 

[1910]

Mozer has been out for weeks and half the preseason ... He'll be coming back in the QLD Cup.

And I have no doubt that like Mariner and Piakura, Madge will make him earn his position, it won't be handed to him on a silver platter

He injured himself in February- he was restricted for three weeks of preseason.

 

[FACTHUNT]

How magical was the first game:

Torturous until Kotoni ran away with it haha. Loved Marty whipping him home on the sideline

 

[Sproj]

Maguire: “It’s About What We’re Doing”

Broncos Head Coach Michael Maguire addresses media ahead of the clash with the Dolphins tomorrow night.

www.broncos.com.au

- Staggs has worked really hard to get over a pre-existing injury
- I've had a lot of conversations with Deine and he is aware of what we are after and what I want him to improve and he is on board with that
- The left edge has been pretty connected but Deine can play left too
- This is a little challenge to push him to another level
- I've been really impressed with Toes' leadership
- I've been impressed with his hunger and passion for the Broncs
- Toes' origin play is still well and truly an option, just needs to let his footy do the talking
- Everything will sort itself out with his contract, he wants to be here and we want him
- He also does a lot in the community too which is important for what we are trying to build
- I like seeing the halves together, one can go and the other can support and vice versa
- I'll leave the DCE one alone
- I want to the Battle of Brisbane last year and it was exciting, so nice to actually be a part of it this year
- The is still a very good team but we are focused on what we are doing and there are a lot of areas to improve on, especially the starts
- We haven't spoken about what happened in past battles, we are focusing on the now
- Reece is very passionate and really cares about his footy and what a lot of people don't see is all that he does without the ball, he'll be fine
- Reyno's kicking game I've loved since I saw him as an 18 year old
- The game is 50% defense and Paix and Payne are excelling there but we need to be better there to to win the ruck
- Paix and Te Kura like smashing each other, I'll let them rip at it
- No interest in DCE

 

[Broncos Maestro]

Looks like rain tomorrow night. Fricken hell can we have just one game on a dry track for Reece to get his mojo back?!?

 

[jd87]

Looks like rain tomorrow night. Fricken hell can we have just one game on a dry track for Reece to get his mojo back?!?

I personally believe that the rainy night conditions will be beneficial for him. He needs to move away from the push passes and flashy plays to regain his form. If it’s raining, I hope that means he will follow the forwards more closely and run straight and hard, looking for gaps instead of focusing on passing.

If he wants to be the best fullback in the competition, as he keeps claiming, he needs to learn how to adapt his game according to the conditions.