Round 6 - Titans v Broncos - Pre-Match Discussion

[Big Pete]

Unsure about you guys but I don't like to dwell on our losses too long unless a pattern starts emerging. Hopefully the Eels game was just a bad night at the office, that's what it appeared to be from where I was sitting and I hope the boys learn from it.

If they do, they should win against the plucky Titans.

I see a lot of wholesale changes being made. They're interesting, some food for thought but I don't believe they're necessary just yet. I would rather see...

1. Ben Barba
2. Daniel Vidot
3. Jack Reed
4. Justin Hodges (c)
5. Dale Copley
6. Josh Hoffman
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Corey Parker (c)
11. Alex Glenn
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Matt Gillett

14. Martin Kennedy
15. Ben Hannant
16. Todd Lowrie
17. Corey Oates

Unless Hodges comes out of the game feeling a little worse for wear (in which case, rest him) I don't see the point in bring Maranta into the team, so I would bring Oates into replace him.

There's a few players on notice and I believe they'll be feeling the pressure more now than ever. Hopefully they respond to the challenge.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I'm worried, if I'm honest. Give Albert Kelly the same amount of space we gave Peats and Hayne tonight and he will tear us a new one. Not many players to be concerned over in the Tits squad apart from him and Bird. I want to see a massive effort from our forwards because they were easily the biggest disappointment against the Eels. They have a lot to prove, especially Hannant and Kennedy.

Barba will continue to struggle, I would've thought. He's only got so long before the injury excuse doesn't fly anymore and people will start wondering if he's degenerated back to a journeyman fullback circa 2011. If it appears that is the case, we should seriously consider parachuting him into the 6 to make the most of his playmaking skills and let Hoffman be the journeyman fullback until Milf arrives (of course, I would prefer the third option of dumping him on his arse until the Bulldogs bother to scoop him up and take a gamble on Strasser).

 

[Big Pete]

Benny is definitely struggling.

I just hope it's a case of 'when it rains, it pours with him'. I feel confidence is key with him and the Broncos have yet to really accommodate him just yet.

 

[Super Freak]

I started to build some confidence in the team over the past month, but after tonight it's all gone. I've seen this too many times in the past couple of years to just put it down to a bad night at the office. Broncos start going well, then go downhill.

I am hoping they bounce back in this game and prove to people that's just what it was, a bad night at the office instead of being the same old shit we've witnessed since Lockyer retired.

I'm not expecting any changes apart from Maranta or Vidot being dropped for Hodges. I think Maranta being safe under the high ball will give him the edge. Barba wasn't that good under the high ball tonight and perhaps Griffin will choose Maranta over Vidot based on that.

Titans have been a little hot & cold this season, but that's what worries me. We don't really know what kind of Titans side is going to turn up.

 

[Broncoman]

Despite playing so poorly just then I still feel confident about this game. That game might prove to be a wake up call and will set a few things straight this week at training. We beat the Titans almost every time we play them and although they have won the same amount of games we have we've played a lot better overrall (bar Parra) and the Titans wins have been dour struggles.

 

[Unbreakable]

I went a bit overboard with the changes earlier, but this is what I genuinely want to see, hopefully Kahu's ready to play.

1. Ben Barba
2. Daniel Vidot
3. Josh Hoffman
4. Justin Hodges (c)
5. Dale Copley
6. Jordan Kahu
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Corey Parker (c)
11. Alex Glenn
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Matt Gillett

14. Martin Kennedy
15. Ben Hannant
16. David Hala
17. Todd Lowrie

I'm sticking to my guns in regards to Jack Reed, I honestly don't believe he's up to first grade at the moment, I hope to god that his shoulder is severely hampering him, that's the only possible way I could forgive his form over the last 5 games, give him a few weeks off to fully heal, whilst we give Kahu a fair run at Five-Eighth.

 

[pennywisealfie]

My favourite game of the year. Back in my home town, spend the day with Mum and then head to the game to sit in the away supporters bay and outdo the Toidans fans!

 

[Morkel]

I started to build some confidence in the team over the past month, but after tonight it's all gone. I've seen this too many times in the past couple of years to just put it down to a bad night at the office. Broncos start going well, then go downhill.

I am hoping they bounce back in this game and prove to people that's just what it was, a bad night at the office instead of being the same old shit we've witnessed since Lockyer retired.

I'm not expecting any changes apart from Maranta or Vidot being dropped for Hodges. I think Maranta being safe under the high ball will give him the edge. Barba wasn't that good under the high ball tonight and perhaps Griffin will choose Maranta over Vidot based on that.

Titans have been a little hot & cold this season, but that's what worries me. We don't really know what kind of Titans side is going to turn up.

Can you please not attend this game?

 

[Alec]

Hoffman will never EVER be good enough in the halves, especially against the tougher teams. He needs to be moved into the backs ASAP, so someone who knows what to do can start getting experience. Would serve us a lot better next year too, if we need them to play.

 

[coreyh88]

so barba has had one half decent kick return all season. yet is one of our better play making options and we have a 5/8 that can't pass and defence is average. simple solution.

1. hodges/hoffman (this combination was working brilliantly last year and this year there has been only one time i remember a winger being put into space like last year we did so well)
2. maranta
3. copley
4. hodges/hoffman (note i would be happy with oats getting any spot from 2-5)
5. vidot
6. barba
7. hunt
8. kennedy
9. macca
10. mcguire
11. gillett
12. thaiday
13. parker

14. hannant
15. hala
16. glenn
17. lowrie/oats

 

[88to2006Glorydays]

Unsure about you guys but I don't like to dwell on our losses too long unless a pattern starts emerging. Hopefully the Eels game was just a bad night at the office, that's what it appeared to be from where I was sitting and I hope the boys learn from it.

If they do, they should win against the plucky Titans.

I see a lot of wholesale changes being made. They're interesting, some food for thought but I don't believe they're necessary just yet. I would rather see...

1. Ben Barba
2. Daniel Vidot
3. Jack Reed
4. Justin Hodges (c)
5. Dale Copley
6. Josh Hoffman
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Corey Parker (c)
11. Alex Glenn
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Matt Gillett

14. Martin Kennedy
15. Ben Hannant
16. Todd Lowrie
17. Corey Oates

Unless Hodges comes out of the game feeling a little worse for wear (in which case, rest him) I don't see the point in bring Maranta into the team, so I would bring Oates into replace him.

There's a few players on notice and I believe they'll be feeling the pressure more now than ever. Hopefully they respond to the challenge.

Are you related to Griffin? How can you not see that we must have changes? We have fumbled our way through a couple of victories and never looked fluid in attack. 5 games is enough for the Hoffman experiment. Its also enough to realise that Reed is not cut out for first grade. We have also learnt that playing the worlds best back rower in the front row for 20+ minutes doesn't work either.

Do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity and that is what Griffin has been doing for 2 years.

Maranta (safe under a high ball and would have to be a better passer than Hoffman at fullback)
Copley
Hodges
Vidot (leaves Reed for dust)
Hoffman
Barba
Hunt (Id give him 4 more game to see if he start to direct a team around the park)
Kennedy (Let see what he has and start him for a month)
Macca
Maguire
Glenn
Gillett
Parker

Oates (he was ready last year and should be playing in the forwards or backs)
Hala (line bender)
Wallace (fresh blood and with Hannant out of form he is our only option)
Granville (for some spark around the ruck)

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Are you related to Griffin? How can you not see that we must have changes? We have fumbled our way through a couple of victories and never looked fluid in attack. 5 games is enough for the Hoffman experiment. Its also enough to realise that Reed is not cut out for first grade. We have also learnt that playing the worlds best back rower in the front row for 20+ minutes doesn't work either.

Do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity and that is what Griffin has been doing for 2 years.

Maranta (safe under a high ball and would have to be a better passer than Hoffman at fullback)
Copley
Hodges
Vidot (leaves Reed for dust)
Hoffman
Barba
Hunt (Id give him 4 more game to see if he start to direct a team around the park)
Kennedy (Let see what he has and start him for a month)
Macca
Maguire
Glenn
Gillett
Parker

Oates (he was ready last year and should be playing in the forwards or backs)
Hala (line bender)
Wallace (fresh blood and with Hannant out of form he is our only option)
Granville (for some spark around the ruck)

Thaiday?

 

[Danoz Direct]

Spam

 

[Super Freak]

Can you please not attend this game?

Lol no need to worry, I will not be attending.

 

[88to2006Glorydays]

Thaiday?

My Bad

Macca
Maguire
Thaiday
Gillett
Parker

Glenn
Hala (line bender)
Wallace (fresh blood and with Hannant out of form he is our only option)
Granville (for some spark around the ruck)

 

[Big Pete]

Are you related to Griffin?

No, I'm just not fickle like some around here.

Last night's performance was a poor all-round team performance. Trying to pick a scape-goat and fantasy coach our way through it may just compound the problem instead of addressing it.

In my view, Barba is a fullback, or he doesn't play. Playmaking isn't his biggest strength and in fact, when we rely on him to do so, the only option that has been effective has been his inside pass. The rest has been very mediocre, so I don't understand why people see him as a five eigth other than to weaken one position to address another.

 

[winslow_wong]

unfortunately the weakest links at the moment, Hoff and reed, are like sons to griffin. they will never be dropped.

is barba under instructions not to play his natural game? oh hook is one helluva coach..

 

[Foordy]

unfortunately the weakest links at the moment, Hoff and reed, are like sons to griffin. they will never be dropped.

is barba under instructions not to play his natural game? oh hook is one helluva coach..

Barba is being used as a playmaker at the moment, since we have Hoffman at 6 (and he has to pkay a more of a running game). I would love someone in the lower grades to put their hands up and demand selection through their performances, until that happens, unfortunately there is no point replacing Hoffman at 6.

Yes Barba had a shocker last night, but even the great one (I'm referring to Lockyer here people) had shockers on occasion.