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.
