PRE-GAME Round 9 - Broncos vs Bulldogs

[Porthoz]

I am concerned about Kahu's curse at left centre, but he is easily better than Opa.

Then again, my first preference for left centre would be Boyd with Kahu and Isaako fighting it out for the fullback position.

 

[Alec]

If Isaako has played centre in the past, I wouldn't mind him getting a go there. It's not like he's particularly fast on the wing anyway. We'll see how good his passing game is too - if he Dugan/Aitken/Hoffman/etc it up, he's probably not the right choice for a future fullback.

 

[Thelmus]

I'd just leave them as they are and bring in Kahu slowly, same with Bird if he moves back. Let them prove both fitness and finesse. I'm not a fan of suddenly shifting a working combination to fit in a "star", or even a player like kahu. I'm not saying they won't work their way back in and someone like opacic move back down to intrust. But let them prove both their fitness and form (unless someone really starts stinking it up or gets injured). We have a bench spot for a back.
That said providing kahu is 100% (and i mean 100% fit, no niggles) he is a straight swap for isaako. But why not let him play a game in Intrust and show if he is still carrying something or has lost form. If nothing else, his self-confidence and timing for plays could be found in a game that doesn't cost us 2 points on the ladder.
As for bird, use him to spell TPJ if he can handle it. Let him get some confidence and his hands on the football. He should be quite capable in limited spells in much the same way we use knik. He should at least be able to hold his own in tackles and a bit of speed in the middle of the ruck at the end of halves surely wouldn't go astray?

 

[Super Freak]

Isaako has been good but his inexperience defensively has been getting exposed too easily for my liking. A month ago I would have said no way do we drop him, but if Kahu is fit, I wouldn’t complain if he was brought back in on the wing.

Our next 3 games are against sides who favour their left side in attack.

 

[Foordy]

Isaako has been good but his inexperience defensively has been getting exposed too easily for my liking. A month ago I would have said no way do we drop him, but if Kahu is fit, I wouldn’t complain if he was brought back in on the wing.

Our next 3 games are against sides who favour their left side in attack.

I agree ... when Kahu returns it should be in place of Isaako.

IMO, Isaako has a big future, but his relative inexperience on the wing will cost us against the top teams. he needs to go back and play wing in the ISC and work on some aspects of his game (defensive positioning in particular)

 

[Thelmus]

The thing is with isaako's defence is: its not just isaako. They are running around them because both he and roberts are too far infield. Roberts might be fast enough to reposition but isaako isn't, but he positions himself with roberts. I think kahu as a senior player is confident to hold his ground and pull roberts out. but even when he was winger there were still defensive weaknesses there. It's just they were breaking the line inside of kahu and outside of roberts. Their differing speeds hampers their defensive line. It needs work.

 

[1910]

Murphy was outstanding against Easts, four line drop outs. He controlled the game to the end.

 

[Black Philip]

I am concerned about Kahu's curse at left centre, but he is easily better than Opa.

Then again, my first preference for left centre would be Boyd with Kahu and Isaako fighting it out for the fullback position.

Do you think it might be a question of experience? Maybe with most of a season at centre under his belt Oppa will be dynamite at centre?

 

[Accept]

Macca training at hooker today. He could be a shock selection tomoz.

 

[Brent81]

I am hardly a Macca dovotee but **** me he’s one tough prick if he comes back this weekend

 

[Unbreakable]

Wouldn't be shocked if Macca returned. Whilst it's a 4-6 week recovery, that's generally for completely pain free, he could probably cop a needle pre-game and play with it right now. Tough S.O.B if he does play.

Think I'd prefer to give Murphy a week or two, just to see if he's actually capable.

 

[Unbreakable]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...k=7fcd6a560bf4e1375e29703fd76f5b15-1525053423

CLEARED BUT COMEBACK ON HOLD

Brisbane ace Jordan Kahu has been medically cleared to return from injury.
The versatile back has been sidelined since late March with a shattered jaw but returned to full contract training late last week.
While the doctor has signed off on his return to the action, Kahu is expected to spend at least another week on the sidelines as he builds up his confidence in defence.
While back training with his teammates, it’s understood Kahu has been reluctant to get his head in close to tackles at training.
He’ll continue to train until he’s confident enough to throw everything into his defence.

 

[Unbreakable]

 

[the_next]

I would like to see Boyd moved to the wing, albeit he probably had his best game for us last weekend.
I wouldnt be surprised if macca comes back in and plays 40min this week with niko off the bench.
I don't think Lodge will be taking the field Thursday night..

 

[Accept]

I would like to see Boyd moved to the wing, albeit he probably had his best game for us last weekend.
I wouldnt be surprised if macca comes back in and plays 40min this week with niko off the bench.
I don't think Lodge will be taking the field Thursday night..

Boyd to the wing??? And who would you have at FB? Please don't say Issako.

 

[upthebroncs]

My round 9 side without macca, gillett, mcguire and kahu. Bit of a shake up. Sick of looking at lodge and not having a halfback. Need some youthful energy at fullback with Isaako. Glenn can easily play hooker, not sure why he hasn't been selected there yet. Bird and roberts could be a NSW combo and boyd and oates on the left edge speaks for itself.

1. Jamayne Isaako
2. Corey Oates
3. Darius Boyd
4. Jack Bird
5. James Roberts
6. Anthony Milford
7. Sam Scarlett
8. Sam Tagataese
9. Alex Glenn
10. Korbin Sims
11. Salesi Funaki
12. Jaydn Su'a
13. Tevita Pangai Junior
----------------------------
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Sam Thaiday
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Payne Haas

 

[big k]

My round 9 side without macca, gillett, mcguire and kahu. Bit of a shake up. Sick of looking at lodge and not having a halfback. Need some youthful energy at fullback with Isaako. Glenn can easily play hooker, not sure why he hasn't been selected there yet. Bird and roberts could be a NSW combo and boyd and oates on the left edge speaks for itself.

1. Jamayne Isaako
2. Corey Oates
3. Darius Boyd
4. Jack Bird
5. James Roberts
6. Anthony Milford
7. Sam Scarlett
8. Sam Tagataese
9. Alex Glenn
10. Korbin Sims
11. Salesi Funaki
12. Jaydn Su'a
13. Tevita Pangai Junior
----------------------------
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Sam Thaiday
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Payne Haas

 

[upthebroncs]

A man can dream okay