Round 8 - Broncos vs Bulldogs - Build Up Thread

[PETERN]

Barba has shown to be a very good attacking player within the last couple of games, but he seems to be a massive liability in regards to a couple of major attributes needed to be a great fullback - positioning and a clean pair of hands. If Lockyer puts up those towering bombs, Barba will drop plenty, and our backs will have a field day. Turner is not that safe either IMO.

I'd be confident for a win against the dogs, but due to having won the previous 6 in a row, a loss is bound to occur..hopefully not this week though!

 

[Professor47]

Agree with bombing the shite out of them... bombs are always a lottery of course but some are safer than others... we should put a LOT of pressure on the young Barba there.

Sounds like an excuse, but we're bound to be tired... and we've held our attack so far but ruck D when we are going backwards has been our biggest problem for a long time now... and the Dogs love doing it so... who knows?...

Would love to get 7 in a row though.

 

[rnabokov]

Should win. We're nearly peaking, so I'd expect us to peak in this game then start to slow down a bit after that.

Reasons we can win:

1. Their defence is more suspect than the Tigers. If our attack is on target, we'll have no problems scoring points.
2. Every time they've played a good defence team, they've lost big. (Melbourne and Dragons). Dogs have buckled under strong defence this year. If we keep up our defence, the Dogs will totally crack under pressure.

Seriously, I'm confident about this game.

I'm confident too, but "...nearly peaking"? Really? I certainly hope not. Our attack is still way way off for us to be considered any threat at the business end of the season.

Some examples ...
Am I wrong? Isn't Hodges still playing mainly from dummy half?
When he does get a pass, isn't it usually when the defence is in his face?
Where are the flowing back line moves where the runners come onto the ball at speed?

Some of the set plays are evolving well, yes. But peaking?

 

[Browny]

Should win. We're nearly peaking, so I'd expect us to peak in this game then start to slow down a bit after that.

Reasons we can win:

1. Their defence is more suspect than the Tigers. If our attack is on target, we'll have no problems scoring points.
2. Every time they've played a good defence team, they've lost big. (Melbourne and Dragons). Dogs have buckled under strong defence this year. If we keep up our defence, the Dogs will totally crack under pressure.

Seriously, I'm confident about this game.

The dogs had the dragons until they bombed a try and threw it to Boyd, so I wouldnt read too much into that game.

We should still win tho as Im confident Reed will shut down Idris

 

[rnabokov]

I think all the positive comments about our defence are pretty well justified so far.

As for our attack, it's premature to assess until we play teams with seriously good defence.

 

[The Brizz]

Stop Ben Barba.

 

[Mister Wright]

In someways it could be a positive the Tigers hit back with two tries in the second half on Friday night. Firstly, the coach wasn't happy about it and secondly he'll be making sure the boys don't forget about it all week.

 

[m1c]

'Dogs are overrated. Think they are overachieving so far.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't think that's a fair assessment m1c.

The only assessment we can make is the Dogs are a step below Melbourne and St. George Illawarra at this stage. It's hard to gauge where Brisbane are at right now but we'll definitely know by Friday.

Hoffman is likely to return for this game which will be a boost considering he's a stronger defender than Beale and just as good in attack. My only criticism is that his return will probably see Beale shifted onto wing or in the centres and I'm not convinced whether he's better than the incumbants in Reed or Copley in those positions.

Anderson could come onto the bench as well.

Doggies will likely line up 1-17 and Morris/Eastwood will be better for their returns.

The game looks to be an absolute cracker and I just hope the boys are primed for it. My only concern is that they might be preserving themselves for Melbourne which will be a tough game either way given both sides will be backing up from the Test match the night before.

Not to mention, I really want to enjoy a comprehensive win against the Dogs. I know our last win was back in 2008 but it was a disappointing performance, meaning I have to go all the way back to 2007 to find a win that was worth celebrating.

 

[Bucking Beads]

If I had to choose I would rather we lose against the Dogs then the Storm the following week. Hopefully we can win both.

 

[Black Philip]

Agreed Beads. If losing to the dogs means beating the storm I'll be happy. But as you say, winning both would be nice icon_thumbs_u

 

[Mister Wright]

If I had to choose I would rather we lose against the Dogs then the Storm the following week. Hopefully we can win both.

Using 'then' suggests you would rather we lose to both teams, I think you meant to use 'than'.

 

[Bucking Beads]

[quote="Bucking Beads":2msdb5fb]If I had to choose I would rather we lose against the Dogs then the Storm the following week. Hopefully we can win both.

Using 'then' suggests you would rather we lose to both teams, I think you meant to use 'than'.[/quote:2msdb5fb]

Congratulations you passed the BHQ noob test. [icon_shady

 

[ALH]

I think we will win and I feel we are being underrrated.

The young kids have stepped up this year.

 

[user_nat]

I'm actually more confident about beating the Storm than I am the Bulldogs.

 

[Andyman]

I am getting the feeling that this season may be about exorcising some of the demons of recent years, and one of those has been our inability to give the Dogs a good touch up.

Lots of talk before Roosters/Knights/Tigers that we were going to struggle and we made all look ordinary.

Keep doing what we are doing and we should get up.

On an amusing side note, just read a foxsports article about Hodgo talking about Inglis and that poor old GI is getting the ball too close to the defence line, and that he needs room to move to be effective. Dropping hints perhaps? :P

 

[Kimlo]

Lots of talk before Roosters/Knights/Tigers that we were going to struggle and we made all look ordinary.

Keep doing what we are doing and we should get up.

I never thought we would struggle against any of those sides tbh. I knew that if we played well we can beat them. Dogs on the other hand are the first team I'm worried about this season. If we win against them and the Storm then I would be extremely confident of a top 4 spot and possibly a premiership.

I just don't know if they can stay mentally focused to win 8 games in a row, not an easy task in this competition. The next two games will be the hardest ones this season.

 

[Charmamba]

Honestly i think Griffin has this team playing better than they have since 2006, And yes better than WB's last few seasons.