PRE-GAME Round 9 - Sea Eagles vs Broncos

[McHunt]

Macca out? He should take a few months off to make sure he's totally healthy before coming back to first grade.

I'm not exactly sold on Turpin even being first grade standard though and we absolutely should go to market.

For the last two seasons, I've been 100% convinced swapping Macca with pretty much anyone with a reasonable passing game who can play to a five tackle plan and be the tiniest bit unpredictable, would transform us instantly into premiership contenders. But that was before we ditched Kodi, blooded the greenest half in Brisbane history and our captain became a weapons-grade liability.

Lately, I'm less convinced replacing him will be such an instant fix. For one, he's noticeably improved his passing game to the point where it's highlighted how poor his first receivers are at using the ball once they get it. And second, I forsaw Nikorima as his logical replacement freeing up the number 7 for a superior game manager. With Kodi gone we're likely to have two kids finding their way in the spine. A fix maybe, but not an instant one.

That said, I'm still bullish for a win against the Sea Eagles. If Turpin and Dearden can step up the attack enough to cover the tries Boyd lets through, and if TPJ goes through his semel-a-mensis versipellis transmogrification I reckon we'll roll the fuckers.

 

[FaithinHook]

Jack Bird disagrees with shock Broncos axings

The writing may have been on the wall but a Brisbane backline reshuffle has still surprised star Jack Bird, who admits he didn’t agree with coach Anthony Seibold’s axings. Bird has confirmed centre James Roberts and winger Jamayne Isaako have been dumped ahead of Friday’s NRL Magic Round clash with Manly, saying the move had been a wake-up call for the team. NSW centre Roberts appeared to be on thin ice after whispers last week that the out-of-sorts speedster could be sent to Queensland Cup. He survived the axe and played South Sydney last round but his demotion appeared imminent after a defensive display in the 38-6 loss to the Rabbitohs that TV commentator Paul Vautin described as “not first grade” standard.

Still, Bird was shocked when he learned on Monday that Kotoni Staggs had been shifted to the centres at Roberts’ expense for the Manly clash. Gehamat Shibasaki is set to be named on the wing for 2018 Dally M Rookie of the Year Isaako. “Obviously getting dropped from a footy team is not ideal but Seibs is the coach and we have no control over that,” Bird said of Roberts and Isaako’s dumping. “If Seibs thinks that is what is best, we have to swallow that pill and take it. “Jimmy has had his injuries this year but I thought he was going all right — Seibs sees differently.” Seibold’s patience ran out after the thumping from the Rabbitohs relegated Brisbane to a 2-6 season start. Staggs is on Tuesday set to be named at left centre against Manly with Bird moving to Roberts’ right edge.

Bird said the axings had put the rest of the team “on notice”. Yeah 100 per cent. We can’t take our spots for granted,” he said. Bird’s only consolation was a return to right centre where he helped Cronulla win the 2016 NRL title. “I played on the right edge for the Sharks for three years so I am really looking forward to being back,” he said. “I feel a bit more comfortable out there in an attacking role.” In another major team change, Jake Turpin is set to be named at hooker for Andrew McCullough who suffered a knee injury at training on Monday.
Queensland No.9 McCullough will undergo scans on Tuesday but is expected to be sidelined for an extended period.

“Obviously it is a bit depressing,” Bird said. “Macca is a big part of our team. It’s a hard one for the team to take.”

‘We have to swallow that pill’: Jack Bird disagrees with shock Broncos axings

‘Have to swallow that pill’: Bird at odds with shock Broncos axings

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[LGH]

Lately, I'm less convinced replacing him will be such an instant fix. For one, he's noticeably improved his passing game to the point where it's highlighted how poor his first receivers are at using the ball once they get it.

Might have something to do with them being surprised he passed it quickly.

But it would be good if all of the players were actually enthusiastic and wanting to run onto the ball instead of hanging back and hoping someone else does something. And, you know, if they could actually hold on to the ball once they get it.

I'm sorry he got hurt, but I'm not sorry he won't be playing for a few weeks, nor will I be sad to see him go if the rumours of the tap are true. Especially if Darius goes too.

 

[eazy-duzzit]

Might have something to do with them being surprised he passed it quickly.

But it would be good if all of the players were actually enthusiastic and wanting to run onto the ball instead of hanging back and hoping someone else does something. And, you know, if they could actually hold on to the ball once they get it.

I'm sorry he got hurt, but I'm not sorry he won't be playing for a few weeks, nor will I be sad to see him go if the rumours of the tap are true. Especially if Darius goes too.

I think that's been a problem of ours for years now. Seems like our forwards rarely hit the ball at the advantage line. They'd rather hang back and catch the ball a few metres back. With the speed of defensive lines in today's game, it hurts us.

 

[Ponga01]

Who will take goal kicking if Issako gets dropped?

 

[Unbreakable]

Who will take goal kicking if Issako gets dropped?

Already been confirmed that Staggs will be the first choice goal kicker this weekend.

 

[Foordy]

Who will take goal kicking if Issako gets dropped?

Staggs or Dearden

 

[Ponga01]

Already been confirmed that Staggs will be the first choice goal kicker this weekend.

Source?

 

[Unbreakable]

Source?

 

[roo-ted]

I’m excited for my man Turpin to get a run. I was super impressed with the limited time he got last year. He has speed which is what we lacked with Macca at 9 and he hits like a truck.

 

[PNG Broncos fan88]

I’m excited for my man Turpin to get a run. I was super impressed with the limited time he got last year. He has speed which is what we lacked with Macca at 9 and he hits like a truck.

100% agree, see the ruck transform with Turpin spearheading the gun young forwards.
We will get past the 30 point mark for the first time this year.

 

[Foordy]

100% agree, see the ruck transform with Turpin spearheading the gun young forwards.
We will get past the 30 point mark for the first time this year.

my guess is you don't watch much of Turpin play and only rate him because his name is not Andrew McCulllough

 

[_wwong]

Staggs or Dearden

Can these 2 take drop goals too?

 

[Allo]

BRONCOS

STARTING 13

1. ⁠Darius BOYD
2. ⁠Corey OATES
3. ⁠Kotoni STAGGS
4. ⁠Jack BIRD
5. ⁠Gehamat SHIBASAKI
6. ⁠Anthony MILFORD
7. ⁠Tom DEARDON
8. ⁠Matthew LODGE
9. ⁠Jake TURPIN
10. ⁠Payne HAAS
11. ⁠Alex GLENN
12. ⁠Matt GILLETT
13. ⁠Thomas FLEGLER

BENCH:
14. Patrick CARRIGAN
15. David FIFITA
16. Tevita PANGAI JUNIOR
17. Joe OFAHENGAUE

RESERVES:
18. Jamayne ISAAKO
19. Corey PAIX
20. Jaydn SU'A
21. Sean O'SULLIVAN

 

[PNG Broncos fan88]

my guess is you don't watch much of Turpin play and only rate him because his name is not Andrew McCulllough

A. Mac was okay before that 2017 injury but not the same player now.
His two games last year were spritely enough, clean crisp delivery to Nikorima and Milford left or right. Deceptive variation at the ruck and the lil bugger pulls off some big shots in the middle stopping guys in their tracks.

Save the ISC NRL level argument.
Let's just wish Turpin a good game for our teams sake.

 

[Foordy]

A. Mac was okay before that 2017 injury but not the same player now.
His two games last year were spritely enough, clean crisp delivery to Nikorima and Milford left or right. And the bugger pulls of some big shots in the middle stopping guys in their tracks.
Let's just wish Turpin a good game for our teams sake.

I'm not wishing him a bad game, only commenting how you and some others are acting like he is bloody Cameron Smith or something

 

[Alec]

There's no way Turpin plays 80. Either someone is dropped (Carrigan?) or Glenn starts and plays 20-30, and probably TPJ starts in the 2nd row.

 

[Super Freak]