POST GAME Round 9 - Broncos vs Bulldogs

[mieko]

Pretty ordinary performance last night, we really should have put 14-16 on them. Very lucky in the end and will take the win. I actually thought Boyd played alright, couple of slips but still a decent game.
The forwards are starting to hit their straps. The young fellas are stepping up and playing with a tonne of heart and aggression, great to watch.
The backs, well who bloody knows anymore. Milfords kicking was atrocious and bird is just in no mans land. I'm a big believer in bird, he is a pretty good player but he needs to get a wriggle on and start fitting in on the field, at the moment he just looks lost. Oates, what a guy. Another great game from him, unlucky not to bag a double.
And finally Glenn, playing his best footy and back to scoring pies, great to see.

 

[Gaz]

He was better again tonight, yes.

But I can think of 2 occasions in the second half where he failed to attack a kick that was his as the player running toward it, not Isaako’s as the player running sideways, that put us under pressure.
Add to that one midfield kick that was bouncing along for an eternity before he picked it up - had he attacked that rather than wait for it, we would have again been under less pressure.
Finally, a grubber late in the game he allowed to bounce for far too long rather than attack it. We concede a goal line dropout.

Now I could be guilty of being super critical, but those were all occasions where, in my opinion at least, attacking the kick would have been far better than hanging back. But take my opinion out of it, the fact is, he’s the fullback and that’s his job.

When you consider he’s had a penchant for not attacking kicks at all this season, indeed even seemingly watching as the opposition pick it up and score in some instances, the criticism is somewhat valid.

I think it really comes down to the fact he is the captain and he needs to lead from the front. He is getting better with his performance, urgency and effort, but he still has a long way to go to meet the expectations of a Broncos captain.

He is protecting his hammy as simple as that. In reality it’s the beginning of the end at his age - same as Hodgy. Time catches up with us all.

 

[big k]

I think Boyd deserves a little bit of slack and time. People have very short memories when it comes Boyd and even McCullough. It's rather shameful how some fans need a player to hate in their own club. I don't see the same Hunt bashers bagging on Hunt anymore while he leads the Dragons around at the top of the table. Be careful what you wish for as they say.

 

[BroncsFan]

Haven't read through the 9 pages. But why did the dogs get a scrum when Haas came off? He didn't lose the ball at all from what I could see.

Had a little fumble in the play the ball before his legs turned to jelly.

 

[the_next]

I think Boyd deserves a little bit of slack and time. People have very short memories when it comes Boyd and even McCullough. It's rather shameful how some fans need a player to hate in their own club. I don't see the same Hunt bashers bagging on Hunt anymore while he leads the Dragons around at the top of the table. Be careful what you wish for as they say.

I've always been a fan of Boyd, but he is hard to support this year..
If he is still having dramas with his hammy, then he shouldn't be playing FB.
He is slow and doesn't seem to be fully committed to his role at FB. Half the time last night he didnt even go for the ball, that's not what I want from our captain.. He should be a leader, and I am struggling to see how he is leading atm. Just my 2 cents..
If I was Kevvie, there would be no way that I would have him in the origin side, unless he improves in the next few weeks. On current form NSW would have a field day with him.. No doubt he has done the job for QLD in every game he has played, but this year he is just too far off the pace IMO

 

[Slippin Jimmy]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-04/bulldogs-coach-livid-with-referee-in-broncos-loss/9725866

"He wasn't aggressive towards him. He was asking a question."

Some advice for Dean Pay: Find someone other than Klemmer to talk to the refs when your captain is off. He could be approaching the ref to offer a back rub but he'll always have the look of a guy who wants to murder you.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Anyone else picked up on the anti-broncos theme to the dally m awards?
Yes we haven't been in form as a team but TPJ has been MoM or close to for 4 matches this year. There are 6 players from worse performing teams ahead of him at the moment (unless last nights game changed that).

 

[Gaz]

Tbh, and I like Bird, but I think he has massive issues at the Broncos. He is literally offering nothing, and he doesn't look like he is prepared to dig deep and battle through it.

Couldn’t agree more. Seems his hearts not in it. Wouldn’t at all be surprised to see him cut loose back to the Sharks.
Not all his fault though, the way Broncs are playing this year may not be what he expected. If it were me I'd be disappointed.

 

[Gaz]

There was a time, not too long ago that when a player goes high and his shoulder contacts the head it is an instant penalty and goes on report. Why wasn't Klemmer's hit on Haas the same ?

Yes the kid hasn’t learned these tricks yet but when he does I hope Klemmer is still playing. He won’t forget.

 

[pagey]

I think Boyd deserves a little bit of slack and time. People have very short memories when it comes Boyd and even McCullough. It's rather shameful how some fans need a player to hate in their own club. I don't see the same Hunt bashers bagging on Hunt anymore while he leads the Dragons around at the top of the table. Be careful what you wish for as they say.

Yeah you just need to read the live game thread , the players in question do anything remotely wrong its the end of the world shit. Sometimes they just need to be close to the mistake or get an unlucky call and it's melt down material.
I guess it's the nature of the beast being a passionate fan but man it is painful reading.

 

[WASSHHH]

There was a time, not too long ago that when a player goes high and his shoulder contacts the head it is an instant penalty and goes on report. Why wasn't Klemmer's hit on Haas the same ?

I’m with you.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the rule was any contact with the head, no matter how it happens or if it is an accident or not, is a penalty.
Or has that rule changed too?

 

[Browny]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-04/bulldogs-coach-livid-with-referee-in-broncos-loss/9725866


Some advice for Dean Pay: Find someone other than Klemmer to talk to the refs when your captain is off. He could be approaching the ref to offer a back rub but he'll always have the look of a guy who wants to murder you.

Deliciously salty

 

[BroncsFan]

Anyone else picked up on the anti-broncos theme to the dally m awards?
Yes we haven't been in form as a team but TPJ has been MoM or close to for 4 matches this year. There are 6 players from worse performing teams ahead of him at the moment (unless last nights game changed that).

Have we ever had a dally m winner??

The fact Lockyer never won one kind of makes it a bit of a farce in my eyes as he's a future immortal and one of the best players to ever lace on the boots.... but they trot out the old because he's surrounded by players who were taking his votes.

Shouldn't the award go to the best player of the year not the player best at carrying their team

 

[Mitchell_Broncos]

New NO.7 please come our way

Nikorimas kicking game I feel like his instinct is just bomb it up and it should be all good.
Milford took over the kicking game and did a fare good job.
Bird is shit, go back to center in replace of Opacic more experience and is able to pass to Oates which centers have failed to do since Reed left =(

 

[Morepudding]

Anyone else picked up on the anti-broncos theme to the dally m awards?
Yes we haven't been in form as a team but TPJ has been MoM or close to for 4 matches this year. There are 6 players from worse performing teams ahead of him at the moment (unless last nights game changed that).

Dally M is just a dumb system. Poor performing teams always have a player or two high in the ladder because that player often gets the points for that team. We have players like TPJ, Macca, Glenn, Milford, Roberts, Oates etc who have all had a couple strong games so they 'steal' points off each other. That's why Dally M is a joke. Often it's the Best player in a mid table team who is up there.

 

[Morepudding]

Have we ever had a dally m winner??

The fact Lockyer never won one kind of makes it a bit of a farce in my eyes as he's a future immortal and one of the best players to ever lace on the boots.... but they trot out the old because he's surrounded by players who were taking his votes.

Shouldn't the award go to the best player of the year not the player best at carrying their team

Similar to my comment before, Because we have usually had several superstar players, the points get split. It's 3,2,1 points per game each week. Back in Locky's day you'd have Locky, Walters, Webke, Petro, Carrol, Thorn etc all in the same team. Very hard to win because points are shared between them.

Thats why they have golden boot etc. Which I think is usually actually given to the best player. To which he has 2 or 3 (at least one for fullback and 5/8th)

 

[Morepudding]

Where to start after watching this...?

Coaching: 2
What a fucking mess! Until that incredibly stupid swap around of players and positions, we were a better team, and were not up comfortably because of the grass (and shoe choices) and some very unlucky bounces of the ball.
If you want so hard to fit Nikorima into the team, put him at Fullback, and move Boyd to centre.
Why were our players slipping around on the turf like ballerinas? Yes the turf is horrible, but so is using wrong shoes and/or pins. That's on the coaching team!

Darius Boyd: 4
Boyd started quite well, running freely and threw a magnificent trademark pass for Oates' try. Unfortunately it quickly went to shit after that, first with the slip, and the aggravated hesitation to attack the ball. He does deserve credit for not being just a spectator, especially the last minute captain's effort to chase the Roberts kick (added 2 points to his tally). Almost took points of him for each bullshit excuse @Morkel brought up, but that would've put him firmly in negative numbers. He was absolutely better than we've been used to this season, not because he was good, but simply because the bar is so unbelievably low.

Corey Oates: 7
Quite unlucky with the bounce of the ball and the state of the turf, which cost him 2 tries. Otherwise very good as has been usual in the last few weeks.

Tom Opacic: 5
He worked hard without a doubt, but his ceiling just isn't very high. I understand the comparisons to Reed in terms of work ethic, but he really isn't close to the ranga.

James Roberts: 6
Under utilised thanks to the absolute meal that is the half position next to him, he also works his arse off and has at least a couple of moments per game where he can turn things around. His work for Ofa's try was the Broncos salvation.

Jamayne Isaako: 6
Same problem as Roberts in regards to the half on his side, but was solid, albeit his defensive weakness went pretty much unchallenged this game. Great goal kicking elevates his score.

Anthony Milford: 8.5
Was in pretty much everything remotely dangerous from us, except the Ofa try. His kicking game is getting better and better, and he will hopefully be able to re-engage his running game soon (probably when he gets an actual half next to him).

Jack Bird: 4
I didn't think he was going too bad until the novel decision to move him into the backrow, to continue the failed Nikorima at halfback experiment. As such, I will not judge him as harshly as I would otherwise have. He's not a halfback FFS, but neither is Knik!

Matt Lodge: 7.5
Did the work expected from him, and did it well, especially taking into account his ribs condition.

Andrew McCullough: 6.5
The usual Macca... how the hell does this guy recover from injuries this quick? Went back into old habits of useless dummy runs and had multiple pretty crappy passes, which Milford did well to catch.

Sam Thaiday: 5
I cannot understand why he is a starter, I really cannot! His laziness within 5 fucking minutes, combined with Milford's slipping, resulted in the Dogs first try. Let him save his dignity by coming on for some impact 10 minutes in each half, but don't start him... ever again!

Alex Glenn: 8
A victim of those player swaps. Has been one of the most solid and consistent Broncos players this season and was subbed for Su'a for exactly what reason? Excellent step for his try.

Jaydn Su'a: 7
Another victim. He was hitting hard in defense, running hard and dragging players with him, and is growing into an excellent edge forward, until... well, you know the spiel by now.

Tevita Pangai Junior: 9
Yeah, this guy needs a contract for life. He's starting to reach Taumalolo's levels of greatness. What a fucking machine!

Payne Haas: 4
Didn't have a chance when he lost his balance and hit the prick's shoulder. Not enough to judge him on obviously, and fervorously hoping he didn't hurt his ankle in that awkward fall.

Jo Ofahengaue: 8
He has been at least at Lodge's level for the last 4-5 weeks, and is more than deserving of the starting spot. Fantastic effort to get the equalising try!

Kodi Nikorima: 4
Brought absolutely nothing more than Bird, except the disruption that the player shuffle to insert him in the team cost. Still think he could be absolutely lethal as a fullback.

Korbin Sims: 7
Better than average game from him, 2 weeks in a row too, which is highly unusual. Keep it up, because you're definitely the weakest link on the bench at the moment, provided we persevere with Niko as the utility.

Referees: 8
Can't believe I'm going to say this, but... the best team on the park, by far.
The Isaako dropped ball was clearly knocked back, no doubt about it. It's also absolutely obvious that Mbye grabbed his shoulder in the last play, which according to the rules and keeping with how every other similar situation was officiated this season, was a clear sin-bin. Whether Boyd was going to reach the ball or not, is completely inconsequential.

Suncorp Turf: 0
Seriously and totally unacceptable from Stadiums Queensland and Suncorp Stadium management, regardless of how many teams play there. I'm gonna go ahead and say that the Broncos were far unluckier than the Bulldogs, although footwear choice probably had an impact.

Definitely agree with the coaching statement. Bennett has lost it completely in my book. Swapping halves positions every game, mid game, taking Glenn off when he was one of our best and then putting an extremely fatigued TPJ on who was found out of position a couple times in his last stint (I do think TPJ was amazing, just should be in the middle).

Sam Thaiday is honestly just taking up space. The first try was 100% his fault. In the play or two before that he made a tackle and didn't get square, the bulldogs ran 20+ metres, got a quick play the ball, and then ran past thaiday to score. Bloke is too old, fat and slow.

I think the 7 for Oates is a little high. On one of those kicks he made the choice to let it bounce when a more talented winger would have dived, caught the ball and scored in the one motion. When I look at our backline and compare it to other teams, my god are we unathletic. We have Boyd and Oates who 100% cannot bend over for the life of them, Roberts is super fast but short / can't jump for bombs, Opacic is probably slower than Lodge. Isaako is a bit clumsy sometimes but seems to have some athletic ability. Compare this to the storm where their whole back 5 are fast, and all but slater have a lot of size about them as well. Similar with the Roosters. All big, tall, strong and fast. I honestly don't understand why we don't seem to recruit more athletic wingers...

As for the crappy passes from macca, the one Milford dropped, and one of the other poor passes were actually from our ever useless captain Darry B Aka Wayne's Son (although the way he is playing like an old man who can't move, could actually be Wayne's dad)

 

[Wolfie]

Definitely agree with the coaching statement. Bennett has lost it completely in my book. Swapping halves positions every game, mid game, taking Glenn off when he was one of our best and then putting an extremely fatigued TPJ on who was found out of position a couple times in his last stint (I do think TPJ was amazing, just should be in the middle).

Sam Thaiday is honestly just taking up space. The first try was 100% his fault. In the play or two before that he made a tackle and didn't get square, the bulldogs ran 20+ metres, got a quick play the ball, and then ran past thaiday to score. Bloke is too old, fat and slow.

I think the 7 for Oates is a little high. On one of those kicks he made the choice to let it bounce when a more talented winger would have dived, caught the ball and scored in the one motion. When I look at our backline and compare it to other teams, my god are we unathletic. We have Boyd and Oates who 100% cannot bend over for the life of them, Roberts is super fast but short / can't jump for bombs, Opacic is probably slower than Lodge. Isaako is a bit clumsy sometimes but seems to have some athletic ability. Compare this to the storm where their whole back 5 are fast, and all but slater have a lot of size about them as well. Similar with the Roosters. All big, tall, strong and fast. I honestly don't understand why we don't seem to recruit more athletic wingers...

As for the crappy passes from macca, the one Milford dropped, and one of the other poor passes were actually from our ever useless captain Darry B Aka Wayne's Son (although the way he is playing like an old man who can't move, could actually be Wayne's dad)

Glenn came off injured mate.