POST GAME Round 8 - Rabbitohs vs Broncos

[bazza]

If Roberts is gone, Bird has to be put on the right side. He's never looked comfortable on the left so he always drifts in field in order to use his left hand fend. Put Staggs on the left. With Nikorima going to the Warriors, I would also offer them a package deal and give them Glenn too to free up some salary cap space. Glenn hasn't done much wrong, but he offers very little.

 

[Alec]

Why was a four-forward bench required if they were only going to get limited minutes? Surely having Staggs to cover Roberts in case he gets injured/doesn't want to be out there is more important. What happened to the days when a coach would hook a player because they were offering nothing or making too many errors?

That offload by TPJ on the Bunnies' line was one of the worst I've seen. If there is one thing these boys are good at, it's throwing away any built up pressure. We go over the side-line a lot it seems. I know Seibold "likes to play footy" and throw it around, but it doesn't seem to be working at the moment.

I don't think a 4 forward bench is almost ever required for this very reason - you have the last or the last 2 forwards get a few token minutes that don't really change much at all. If the team somehow loses 2 of the forwards to injury, then it looks like a masterstroke, but otherwise it's just unnecessary.

 

[Morkel]

Last night was the first gave EVER that I turned off a Broncos game early.

That try on half time, when the buzzer sounded I knew that the second half would be just as painful. But I thought "I'll tough it out and see if I can spot any improvement or small glimmers of hope".

Then I got a one-word message on my phone and that was all it took. Not only were the Broncos defeated, but so was my resolve.

Any players that aren't in the plans moving forward, just get rid of them now. Anyone in the team not happy with what they're being asked to do, you too. Sorry Jet, that includes you. I just fucking hope that we're not in the same position next year and realise we let all the good ones go and there's nothing left but a spud coach. I will decline from giving Seibold a spray right now, but FMD I'm close.

 

[Huge]

Bennett gave him such an amazing retirement gift with that long contract. It’s something only a father would do

Bennett IS a father. Boyd also has a father quite obviously. They are not one and the same. Bennett never gave it to him, the Bronco's board gave it to him. Blame them. Bennett was not empowered to give any contracts out. Enough with the tired and deadset BRAINLESS, DULL AND SLOW WITTED inference that WB is Boyd's father. It's so pathetic and absolutely no one thinks you're clever, witty and certainly not original.

 

[Wild Horse]

Thought I'd check in to good ol BHQ to read about our ongoing pain and struggles :)

Ya know, I'd respect Boyd if he'd just do the honorable thing and retire. Many a great player has retired due to lack of desire or what not. We all remeber Alfie Langer in tears saying that (he did not want to let anyone down) as he hung up the boots for the Broncos. It was devistating as a fan to hear those words from our hero but we respected him for loving our club and putting it first.

To be fair to Boyd though he seems to truly beleive he has still got it in him to play at this level and captain the club. Maybe he feels he is letting us down if he retires?

In any case its up to Seibold to give him the tap or see if there is any life left in putting him somewhere else.

I think a Bird/Boyd swap instantly makes us stronger.

Anyways boys, as I've said before (its interesting times at the Broncos).

Fair play to Dearden in his debut.

 

[Waynesaurus]

.....I think a Bird/Boyd swap instantly makes us stronger......

I agree, its definitely worth investigating to see what Jack can offer at the back.

 

[Huge]

He inherited the 2nd youngest team in the NRL, he didn't inherit a premiership threat or anything resembling a premiership threat.

Seibold also managed to walk in to literally the hardest draw out of all 16 teams in the NRL based on the statistical analysis done pre-season. Absolute best case scenario right now I'd say 4 wins & 4 losses would've been an exceptional start to the season with the draw we've had, age / inexperience of the roster & the fact we've got a new coach who arrived after pre-season had started.

We've had the Storm in Melbourne, Roosters in Sydney, Rabbitohs in Sydney, Raiders in Canberra. Those are 4 incredibly difficult games for even the most settled and seasoned teams in the competition. We did well to beat the Cowboys & Sharks, and probably should've beaten the Dragons & Tigers.

So if you're looking at this start to the season from a pure non-biased, realistic standpoint, we've lost 2 games that we shouldn't have, one of which a last second Corey Norman field goal, the other of which was a last second Michael Chee-Kam try.

Forget the preseason thing for the coach as Souths new coach arrived under the same circumstances. I agree a little luck and a tiny 1% improvement are all that separates us from 4 and 4, a much fairer reflection. The first try last night was an example of misfortune. The ball bounced up at the exact point where it needed to to serve two ends.

Firstly it was at the point where it was just far enough away to create doubt for both defenders and the fact that if either of them surged forward they'd smash into the other and so both checked their run. This happens in less than a second so it could have been Lockyer and Johns and the end result would be the same.
Secondly it bounced up to the exact point where no decision was needed for the attacker. It was fortuitous.
I didn't think it was anything but unlucky.

I'm as disappointed as anyone else. I'm having to restrain myself when commenting on Seibold style coaching. I think it's best left for the season end review.

 

[Renegade]

Last night was the first gave EVER that I turned off a Broncos game early.

That try on half time, when the buzzer sounded I knew that the second half would be just as painful. But I thought "I'll tough it out and see if I can spot any improvement or small glimmers of hope".

Then I got a one-word message on my phone and that was all it took. Not only were the Broncos defeated, but so was my resolve.

Any players that aren't in the plans moving forward, just get rid of them now. Anyone in the team not happy with what they're being asked to do, you too. Sorry Jet, that includes you. I just fucking hope that we're not in the same position next year and realise we let all the good ones go and there's nothing left but a spud coach. I will decline from giving Seibold a spray right now, but FMD I'm close.

on the boyd out to pasture train yet? that's how we'll know you're serious.

 

[tommy]

on the boyd out to pasture train yet? that's how we'll know you're serious.

The Boyd trying too hard thread has fallen amazingly quiet. I expected it to go off again with people defending him but there has barely been a whimper. I think a few more people are starting to see.

 

[Rico]

I do enjoy your ratings when you post them and getting your opinion on performances and the fact you take time in doing it, but I’m confused at some of those ratings. Offa was okay tonight – not brilliant, but how can you rate Fifita above him when Fifita had 3 runs in half an hour. I do agree Fifita is being wasted though and should start. Gillo was not good tonight imo and his stats show his attack is not enough. Same as Glen and Lodge to be fair to Gillo. I agree Fledger was good and I would be tempted to start him. Carrigan did get smacked a few times. One quite horribly, but in fairness it was by big Sam.

Joe O is going backwards IMO at a rate of knots and could be overtaken soon by a heartier mule like Carrigan who looks to have some leadership qualities that wont shine from the bench.

 

[Wolfie]

The Boyd trying too hard thread has fallen amazingly quiet. I expected it to go off again with people defending him but there has barely been a whimper. I think a few more people are starting to see.

I can't see too many people though saying he is playing well. He just needs a positional shift to be prolongue his career. We have plenty playing as bad or worse than he is.

 

[Renegade]

The Boyd trying too hard thread has fallen amazingly quiet. I expected it to go off again with people defending him but there has barely been a whimper. I think a few more people are starting to see.

because quite simply, people are running out of excuses.

first it was the forward pack not going forward
then it was the halves
then it was whataboutism (yeah but whatabout x player, he's going badly too - they're not the captain and last line of defence ffs)
now it's people getting in his way.

we should have a boyd excusers bingo sheet and see what's next.

i think some people will never hold boyd accountable because he had mental issues and somehow that makes it taboo to speak ill of his performances.

 

[Rico]

The Boyd trying too hard thread has fallen amazingly quiet. I expected it to go off again with people defending him but there has barely been a whimper. I think a few more people are starting to see.

Hasn't got a single supporter left @Tom. I honestly think something will give this week. Most likely a shift to the centres but a GI style retirement would be best. I've gone from being in the they will never move him camp to this is the week where justified Full back change comes to a head.

 

[ostin86]

Hasn't got a single supporter left @Tom. I honestly think something will give this week. Most likely a shift to the centres but a GI style retirement would be best. I've gone from being in the they will never move him camp to this is the week where justified Full back change comes to a head.

Unfortunately I can't see us making that decision. It should have already happened.

 

[lynx000]

I'm positive by nature too even though you can't tell that via a forum.

The Broncos were bad from 2012-2014. Bennett came back and in 2015 took us to a grand final and we were the Broncos again.

We weren't bad last season like the Broncos were bad under Griffin. This season, we are the worst team in the game and Seibold must be held responsible along with the playing group.

So, what is your solution? Let's all jump in the rocking chair and rock away getting no where. Do we sack the coach who we have just signed for five years based on the first 8 games and then have to pay him out? If that is your solution who do we put in his place?

Or do we go and sack a number of players, and if so who do you say they should be? How do you propose that we get rid of them without it screwing our salary cap for the next 2-3 years? Who do you propose signing to replace them and how do you pay them if there is no space in the salary cap?

I would really like you to respond to this and provide a meaningful response as to how Dee proposes to make the changes that are required to address the problems and bring about an immediate or quick resolution to take us back to being a powerhouse club?

Fire away champ.

 

[_wwong]

Bennett IS a father. Boyd also has a father quite obviously. They are not one and the same. Bennett never gave it to him, the Bronco's board gave it to him. Blame them. Bennett was not empowered to give any contracts out. Enough with the tired and deadset BRAINLESS, DULL AND SLOW WITTED inference that WB is Boyd's father. It's so pathetic and absolutely no one thinks you're clever, witty and certainly not original.

So what you’re saying amongst all of that text is that Boyd has two dads?

 

[Morkel]

on the boyd out to pasture train yet? that's how we'll know you're serious.

How do I word this. Most of his **** ups have not been totally on him. He's being put in far too many "last line of defence" scenarios because his team keep dropping the ball, conceding filed position, conceding line breaks, and allowing our opposition to do whatever the **** they want in attack. No fullback in the comp has had to contend with as many do-or-die situations as Boyd this year, and he is saving a lot of them, far more than he lets through and than people give him credit for.

But he is the captain, our fullback, and our most experienced player, and needs to be held to a higher standard than, say, Oates (who I will take one more dig at and mention his 4 errors last night). The fullback needs to have the nerve to take those situations and trust himself, and make the play with a positive mindset. I can't honestly say that he's doing that.

Maybe it's like someone else said, maybe he thinks he'd be letting the team down by stepping down. He's been celebrated before for battling through adversity and coming out the other side, but maybe this time he needs to realise that "coming out the other side" this time doesn't necessarily mean regaining the form of 3-4 years ago. Maybe it's being honest that he won't get there again, and with it, be able to remove the burden off his shoulders. And just be Darius Boyd, ex-NRL player, 2x Premiership Winner, 300 gamer, one-time greatest try-scorer in Origin history, etc. There's no shame in that.

 

[Dee]

So, what is your solution? Let's all jump in the rocking chair and rock away getting no where. Do we sack the coach who we have just signed for five years based on the first 8 games and then have to pay him out? If that is your solution who do we put in his place?

Or do we go and sack a number of players, and if so who do you say they should be? How do you propose that we get rid of them without it screwing our salary cap for the next 2-3 years? Who do you propose signing to replace them and how do you pay them if there is no space in the salary cap?

I would really like you to respond to this and provide a meaningful response as to how Dee proposes to make the changes that are required to address the problems and bring about an immediate or quick resolution to take us back to being a powerhouse club?

Fire away champ.

These are good questions and obviously, I don't have all the answers. I'm not part of the Brisbane Broncos coaching staff, I'm not part of the recruitment and retention committee, I'm only a fan from the outside looking in like we all are but I've been a Broncos man through and through for over 20 years, that doesn't make my opinion better or worse than everyone else but the Broncos are a big part of my life so I do have opinions.

Do we sack Seibold right now or at the end of this season? No, we don't. We have invested in this guy so we have to ride it out at least for a year or two. We have to show faith and leadership and at least give Seibold a season or two to do his thing. Do I personally think Seibold is the man to take us back to glory? At this point in time I honestly don't know. I'm saying this in a completely unemotional state and looking at it from a realistic stand point. He's had 8 games at the helm, he's only won 2 games out of 6 so far. He's been training us since December 2018.

He took Souths to one game within a GF last season in his 1st season as NRL head coach. I have a feeling deep down that he's a 1 season wonder but that could also be me being negative because we aren't going so well. Things can change. Things can turn around, absolutely but at this point in time, Seibold, his coaching staff and the entire team hasn't shown me any hope that things will turn around. No, we do not sack Seibold right now or at the end of the season. He deserves the respect and to be given time to implement his way of doing things.

How much time should we give him? That depends on who you ask. Me? I'd give him 2, maybe 3 seasons to take us back to glory. Being an NRL head coach is ruthless, he knows that. Being a NRL head coach of the Brisbane Broncos is unlike anything he's ever dealt with I'm sure, he's finding that out right now. Will he last? Can he turn it around? I HOPE he does, I have FAITH the team can wake up to themselves and play to their potential so sacking Seibold is not the answer right now.

Do we sack a number of players? I absolutely think we should. Look, the squad needs a dramatic change. It's become stale and predictable. The attitude in this team stinks and it's only gotten worse this season so I definitely think we need to cut the fat from the team. Who do we cut from the team? That's a tough one because every player can play good in certain games but the problem is the entire team doesn't play to their individual standards consistently week to week.

I'm not happy with how Isaako has been going this season. Great goal kicker but I'm sure we can replace him with someone else who can do his job better, especially under the high ball. I'm a fan of Oates but the guy can't hold onto a ball and he's gotten worse this season, he's a bit of a lumber jack, big and slow but he can get us great yardage out of our own end most times. TPJ, yeah this guys attitude stinks. Has 1 amazing game out of 20 and is just a bit of a meat head. No brains. Actually, that's unfair because the entire team as a whole plays dumb football, not just him but I wouldn't be upset if we lost TPJ and brought in someone hungry and consistent. Milford is WAY overpaid and I would not be unhappy if he left us. He's gone downhill dramatically since 2016. He's lost his lethal running game, his defence is weak and he drops too many balls. Boyd...yeah, he's gotta go for obvious reasons. He's just not the player that he once was. Great servant, loves the Broncos but has failed as a leader and as a captain.

I'm not sure how to handle this with the salary cap, I can't answer that as I'm not part of the clubs recruitment team but I'm sure who they have in there right now aren't stupid. They know how to manage finances. We can work it out. I say we need to bring in 1 or 2 really experienced guys into the team, from other clubs or where ever. I believe letting Mcguire go was a mistake. We lack leaders and experience. I'd like to bring in Luke Keary to steer the ship and have Deardon play outside him. We need an experienced organiser. Keary's won 2 premierships and been mentored by Cronk, he'd be a great recruit. Has a great passing and kicking game, not afraid to bark orders and has leadership qualities.

I'd also bring in an experienced forward, someone who will stand up to the opposition and not back down when times get tough. Someone who leads by example but can also give a rocket to these young guys and tell them to step up. A leader. Or perhaps we can develop someone like that from the lower grades? Who has that potential? The only shining light in our team so far this year is Payne Haas. He's going to be exceptional in 2 or 3 season. I'd be grooming him to be our forwards leader. Getting him out of his comfort zone by doing SAS/military style exercises with leadership courses so it gives him confidence to speak to his team mates in the heat of the battle. He seems quiet and withdrawn, this can change and he can develop since he's just a kid.

Another thing, the problems we are lacking within the team all stem down to attitude. Our attitude is atrocious and the way to fix this is by cutting the dead weight from the team and changing it up but also, Seibold needs to learn how to become a much better man manager. I'm obviously speculating from the outside looking in but he doesn't strike me as a coach who's great at getting a feel for each individual player and knowing what to say, what not to say to motivate them and get them up and ready for each game. He loves his stats and technical side of training and how the game is played and that's great, I like that he's not really old school in that regard, but the players look pretty unhappy and dropping balls, giving away penalties, missing tackles all stems from poor attitude so Seibold should focus on his man management skills a little more. The guys must train hard and be disciplined and focused, but they also have to thrive on it and be happy and be together as one. Right now, we aren't no where near a team.

Anyway, these are just my opinions and thoughts. Appreciate you asking me my opinion. What do you think we need to do to take us back to the powerhouse club we once were?