PRE-GAME Round 4 - Broncos vs Cowboys

[Organix]

Here is how I saw the Penrith Game:
Brisbane lost composure due to the offloads, which haven't been so common in their past games. Instead of conceding meters and just defending the line they switched to panic mode and lost structure. The had some bad luck in that game too and I think anything involving Roberts was forced and looked ugly. The first two tries that were scored were such natural, clean tries that I don't worry about getting attacking structures right. It is when they force the plays (Milf had one run at the left side and ended up screaming "****" when he got caught with the ball on the fifth) that they look awkward.

Hunt wasn't his best but his kicking was much improved particularly in the first half AND he scored a gutsy try. (Possibly getting engaged has given him a little bit of stress as well - people/circumstances change). But he will most likely come good. Milf is just head and shoulders above probably every half at the minute he makes Hunt look sloppy.

The crowd was booing constantly which would have done anyone's head in. Wayne probably messed up with the Offa call (no idea) but at least the boys got to see early into the season what losing composure can do to you even two tries up. Parker just needs to practice his kicking while fatigued after training.

Here's how I see the Cows Game:

Honestly, I don't see us winning this one. The Cows are too strong and our injuries and lack of plays on the right side just look too shaky at this point in the season (in the words of Shia Lebouf "Fuel the Jet, Fuel the Jet"). I have faith in a strong progression but currently they are not there.

This match, IMO, will most likely be focused on Broncos defense because they seem to have forgotten that the philosophy was frustrate the opposition no matter the cost of meters. Just don't let them cross the try line. The attacking plays last year came naturally and they will again.

If they can regain their defense and simply kick for grass and build pressure they might actually win. But if they lose patience then they are no chance.

Cows by 8+ sorry :(.

Also, loving the Daniel "O'Dowd" Dowell bants. Is he the new FiH? Faithy needs to up her(?) efforts.

 

[rnabokov]

Here is how I saw the Penrith Game:
Brisbane lost composure due to the offloads, which haven't been so common in their past games. Instead of conceding meters and just defending the line they switched to panic mode and lost structure. The had some bad luck in that game too and I think anything involving Roberts was forced and looked ugly. The first two tries that were scored were such natural, clean tries that I don't worry about getting attacking structures right. It is when they force the plays (Milf had one run at the left side and ended up screaming "****" when he got caught with the ball on the fifth) that they look awkward.

Hunt wasn't his best but his kicking was much improved particularly in the first half AND he scored a gutsy try. (Possibly getting engaged has given him a little bit of stress as well - people/circumstances change). But he will most likely come good. Milf is just head and shoulders above probably every half at the minute he makes Hunt look sloppy.

The crowd was booing constantly which would have done anyone's head in. Wayne probably messed up with the Offa call (no idea) but at least the boys got to see early into the season what losing composure can do to you even two tries up. Parker just needs to practice his kicking while fatigued after training.

Here's how I see the Cows Game:

Honestly, I don't see us winning this one. The Cows are too strong and our injuries and lack of plays on the right side just look too shaky at this point in the season (in the words of Shia Lebouf "Fuel the Jet, Fuel the Jet"). I have faith in a strong progression but currently they are not there.

This match, IMO, will most likely be focused on Broncos defense because they seem to have forgotten that the philosophy was frustrate the opposition no matter the cost of meters. Just don't let them cross the try line. The attacking plays last year came naturally and they will again.

If they can regain their defense and simply kick for grass and build pressure they might actually win. But if they lose patience then they are no chance.

Cows by 8+ sorry :(.

Also, loving the Daniel "O'Dowd" Dowell bants. Is he the new FiH? Faithy needs to up her(?) efforts.

I agree with most of what you say.

As far as I am concerned, the only thing which cost us the Panthers game was the loss of defensive discipline which allowed the rampant Panthers offloading to screw our defensive structures.

The "beauty" of offloading is that it in large part allows the attack in behind the defensive line. With Thurston and Morgan, if we allow that again we will get flogged. If we return to our usual excellent defence and wrap up the ball carrier, I see a win with the side we have.

And yes, our right hand side: Gillett and Roberts need more quality ball. Get that happening and we will score a lot of points.

I also hope to see a lot of Hunt and Milford playing on the same side - especially the right side.

 

[Dash]

Everyone is being very Harsh on Hunt. I thought he was quite good on Saturday night. In 3 games this year, he has a try, 3 try assists and 4 line break assists. And that's with Milford doing the bulk of the ball playing. Not bad for a guy who's been 'abysmal'. His kicking game was much improved against the Panthers, apart from the miss-kicked bomb in the second half (I'm not counting the chip because that was just a shit play). That second half performance was crap by everyone. Our defense was atrocious and our forwards were making no ground. No half is going to have a good game in that situation. For proof of that, compare Milford's first half to his second half.

His defense is where you see the lack of confidence. I think he missed 6 tackles each in rounds 1 and 3. Clearly not good enough, especially from a half that is usually one of the better defenders in the game.

As for his combination with Roberts - the back line needs to stand way deeper on the right. The flat line attack works on the left because Reed is a draw-and-passer due to his lack of speed. Roberts has pace, and should be running onto the ball with room to move. Unfortunately, it's not our natural style, so it's going to take some work. Look at how the Cowboys do it - flat attack on the left with Cooper hitting the short ball and Coote sweeping around the back. On the right, Morgan stands deep and scares teams with his speed.

Back on topic - if we defend like we usually do, we can win. Simple as that.

 

[rnabokov]

Everyone is being very Harsh on Hunt. I thought he was quite good on Saturday night. In 3 games this year, he has a try, 3 try assists and 4 line break assists. And that's with Milford doing the bulk of the ball playing. Not bad for a guy who's been 'abysmal'. His kicking game was much improved against the Panthers, apart from the miss-kicked bomb in the second half (I'm not counting the chip because that was just a shit play). That second half performance was crap by everyone. Our defense was atrocious and our forwards were making no ground. No half is going to have a good game in that situation. For proof of that, compare Milford's first half to his second half.

His defense is where you see the lack of confidence. I think he missed 6 tackles each in rounds 1 and 3. Clearly not good enough, especially from a half that is usually one of the better defenders in the game.

As for his combination with Roberts - the back line needs to stand way deeper on the right. The flat line attack works on the left because Reed is a draw-and-passer due to his lack of speed. Roberts has pace, and should be running onto the ball with room to move. Unfortunately, it's not our natural style, so it's going to take some work. Look at how the Cowboys do it - flat attack on the left with Cooper hitting the short ball and Coote sweeping around the back. On the right, Morgan stands deep and scares teams with his speed.

Back on topic - if we defend like we usually do, we can win. Simple as that.

Great post

 

[Daniel Dowell]

Maranta trained on the wing. Seve also going through the drills.

 

[Dash]

Maranta trained on the wing. Seve also going through the drills.

Looks as though Maranta is first choice (which he's earned), but if his arm isn't good enough to go it'll be Seve. I'm excited to see him get a go.

 

[1910]

Seve looks sharp- 9 runs on the weekend, 7 tackle breaks and 1 line break.

He played well.

 

[Huge]

Can you have another dream that Cowboys will win?

You had a dream Sharks would win the 2015 premiership, they didn't. You had a dream Sharks would beat the Cowboys in the semi final, they didn't. You had a dream Broncos would win the Grand Final, they didn't.

I'll get right on that....mind you, I had a dream I was unemployed and had no money..it didn't happen either ! Their not all bad results!

 

[Huge]

Everyone is being very Harsh on Hunt. I thought he was quite good on Saturday night. In 3 games this year, he has a try, 3 try assists and 4 line break assists. And that's with Milford doing the bulk of the ball playing. Not bad for a guy who's been 'abysmal'. His kicking game was much improved against the Panthers, apart from the miss-kicked bomb in the second half (I'm not counting the chip because that was just a shit play). That second half performance was crap by everyone. Our defense was atrocious and our forwards were making no ground. No half is going to have a good game in that situation. For proof of that, compare Milford's first half to his second half.

His defense is where you see the lack of confidence. I think he missed 6 tackles each in rounds 1 and 3. Clearly not good enough, especially from a half that is usually one of the better defenders in the game.

As for his combination with Roberts - the back line needs to stand way deeper on the right. The flat line attack works on the left because Reed is a draw-and-passer due to his lack of speed. Roberts has pace, and should be running onto the ball with room to move. Unfortunately, it's not our natural style, so it's going to take some work. Look at how the Cowboys do it - flat attack on the left with Cooper hitting the short ball and Coote sweeping around the back. On the right, Morgan stands deep and scares teams with his speed.

Back on topic - if we defend like we usually do, we can win. Simple as that.

Hunt is missing 5.3 tackles a game and his kicking has been poor, probably the worst of any half this year. If his kicking game is much improved it is only because it was truly bad before. He has been ineffectual and his previous efforts , good as they have been should not be considered. That said he has the ability and the potential for much greater things. If he hasn't been abysmal he has been poor, perhaps my choice of descriptor was ill considered.

 

[Dash]

Hunt is missing 5.3 tackles a game and his kicking has been poor, probably the worst of any half this year. If his kicking game is much improved it is only because it was truly bad before. He has been ineffectual and his previous efforts , good as they have been should not be considered. That said he has the ability and the potential for much greater things. If he hasn't been abysmal he has been poor, perhaps my choice of descriptor was ill considered.

Kicking has never been his strong point. I don't think his kicking this year has been any worse than it usually is, even when he's in great form.

I'm 100% with you on his tackling. It's been very poor by his standards. As I said, this is where I really think his lack of confidence is showing. He seems to be making too many attempts around the chest, rather than driving into the hips like he usually does. It might be a silly suggestion, but he may be a bit spooked after his effort on Linnett in the GF. If he gets confidence back in his tackling, the rest will flow from there. On a side note, this seems to be more or less Bennett's whole football philosophy.

 

[Huge]

Kicking has never been his strong point. I don't think his kicking this year has been any worse than it usually is, even when he's in great form.

I'm 100% with you on his tackling. It's been very poor by his standards. As I said, this is where I really think his lack of confidence is showing. He seems to be making too many attempts around the chest, rather than driving into the hips like he usually does. It might be a silly suggestion, but he may be a bit spooked after his effort on Linnett in the GF. If he gets confidence back in his tackling, the rest will flow from there. On a side note, this seems to be more or less Bennett's whole football philosophy.

I like where you went on this. He should get in the pit with McCullough his teacher. Hunt is missing a quarter of his tackles and is simply not putting his shoulder into the runners. Perhaps his kicking might improve with a greater effectiveness in defence. A sort of knock on effect.

 

[Mitch06]

On the bright side, Parker stayed behind after training to work on his goal kicking

 

[broncsgoat]

On the bright side, Parker stayed behind after training to work on his goal kicking 

Shouldnt that be super standard for a goal kicker.

 

[Sirlee oldman]

And they sent Joe out to buy a cushion to sit on.

 

[mitch222]

I like where you went on this. He should get in the pit with McCullough his teacher. Hunt is missing a quarter of his tackles and is simply not putting his shoulder into the runners. Perhaps his kicking might improve with a greater effectiveness in defence. A sort of knock on effect.

Now that Hodges is no longer defending with Hunt, teams are definitely going to target his side a lot more. People underrate just how good of a defender Hodges was and the effect it had on the people around the edges with him. I think some of the Hunts defence onus needs to start to go onto Gillett and not looking after his halfback. Hunt is good enough to defend alone in the line but Gillett needs to recognise that he can be vulnerable at times if left one on one with a rampaging second rower. And James Roberts doesn't exactly jam in when Hunt has the ball locked up like Hodges used to either.

 

[Huge]

I think Dash was spot on about Hunt and his tendency to jump up and grab at the chest and shoulders. I know he is supposed to lock up the ball carrying arm and slow the guy down until help arrives but he gets tossed aside so easily. I'd rather he roll up in a ball and bowl them over so to speak, get his burly frame into and or under the ribs. Too often he is ineffective. McCullough is a great defender, why can't Hunt gain that same reputation .

 

[Huge]

In three games Hunt has missed almost half of the total tackles missed by McCullough for the WHOLE of 2015 !

 

[bb_gun]

Looks like we're wearing those hideous heritage jerseys on Friday night :(