Should we be worried for 2017?

[deep impressions]

@Brent81 I think there was a stat last year to do with how good we were when we scored the first try vs how we struggled when we didn't.

Yes and further to that i'm not sure if the Broncos won any matches after trailing at half time last year - maybe the Roosters match at the end of the regular season? They seemed to lack the attitude/intensity in defence last season in contrast to 2015, where their goal line defence became their trademark. I'm hoping for a return of that defensive steel this season.

 

[mitch222]

Yes and further to that i'm not sure if the Broncos won any matches after trailing at half time last year - maybe the Roosters match at the end of the regular season? They seemed to lack the attitude/intensity in defence last season in contrast to 2015, where their goal line defence became their trademark. I'm hoping for a return of that defensive steel this season.

We beat the Roosters at home. They led like 14-0 at one stage.

 

[BroncsFan]

I tend to agree that there does seem to be a lack of urgency at times with the broncos. prime example is milf's form since the second half of last year.

At the moment I'm happy to put that down to preseason and an intention to not getting injured, especially when it came to the nines where our effort didn't appear to be there for the most part.

My main worry is the development of milf. He looked a world beater at the back end of 2015 through to the first half of last year then fell off a cliff. At times it doesn't look like he wants the ball and when he does get it he doesn't really have a plan for using it... so many times he gets it flat footed or the outside defence rushes up and he doesn't really have a plan b and ends up surrendering in the tackle.

I don't know if it's because of over structuring him in offense or something else mentally but we need him to fix it up if we're ever gonna be a chance

 

[pagey]

I tend to agree that there does seem to be a lack of urgency at times with the broncos. prime example is milf's form since the second half of last year.

At the moment I'm happy to put that down to preseason and an intention to not getting injured, especially when it came to the nines where our effort didn't appear to be there for the most part.

My main worry is the development of milf. He looked a world beater at the back end of 2015 through to the first half of last year then fell off a cliff. At times it doesn't look like he wants the ball and when he does get it he doesn't really have a plan for using it... so many times he gets it flat footed or the outside defence rushes up and he doesn't really have a plan b and ends up surrendering in the tackle.

I don't know if it's because of over structuring him in offense or something else mentally but we need him to fix it up if we're ever gonna be a chance

I actually think we play to flat for milf sometimes. To many times has a backline movement has died with him, i think they need to be deeper to give him options and use his quick feet .

 

[Dash]

I actually think we play to flat for milf sometimes. To many times has a backline movement has died with him, i think they need to be deeper to give him options and use his quick feet .

It shits me how flat our backline stands. It puts unnecessary pressure on the guy with the ball, means every pass has to be pinpoint and gives our speed men like Milford and Roberts no room to use their biggest asset. Also, it gives us no chance of a Plan B if the set play breaks down because everybody is now in front of the guy with the ball.

 

[Brotherdu]

It shits me how flat our backline stands. It puts unnecessary pressure on the guy with the ball, means every pass has to be pinpoint and gives our speed men like Milford and Roberts no room to use their biggest asset. Also, it gives us no chance of a Plan B if the set play breaks down because everybody is now in front of the guy with the ball.

I agree, whose fault is that though? Is it Milf's fault for not positioning himself properly (as a half surely he can dictate where he receives the ball?) or is it a training/coaching issue as everyone seems to be quite flat? I can see how standing flat and getting late passes off to a rampaging back rower running off you on a different angle could be really damaging, but we don't often see Gillette or Glenn doing that.....or at least they do it with a lot less rampaging.

 

[Renegade]

we've had a flat backline for years and years... gotta be a coaching thing.

 

[Super Freak]

Yes and further to that i'm not sure if the Broncos won any matches after trailing at half time last year - maybe the Roosters match at the end of the regular season? They seemed to lack the attitude/intensity in defence last season in contrast to 2015, where their goal line defence became their trademark. I'm hoping for a return of that defensive steel this season.

Round 26 vs Roosters. Down 14-12 at half time.
FW1 vs Titans. Down 18-16 at half time.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

People are going to be disappointed with this season I think.

 

[Thelmus]

People are going to be disappointed with this season I think.

Well your're a bundle of cheer. Premierships don't come easily or often. And if that's your mark of success, you should be bound for dissapointment more often than not. BUT its also great to watch the season unfold, taking pleasure as youngster grow in ability, and the occasional journeyman player stand up prove himself more than that. We have plenty of them in our team and it'd only take a couple and we'd look pretty hard to beat. The broncos in 2006 looked like pretty ordinary at times and they even had 50 points put on them.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

Well your're a bundle of cheer. Premierships don't come easily or often. And if that's your mark of success, you should be bound for dissapointment more often than not. BUT its also great to watch the season unfold, taking pleasure as youngster grow in ability, and the occasional journeyman player stand up prove himself more than that. We have plenty of them in our team and it'd only take a couple and we'd look pretty hard to beat. The broncos in 2006 looked like pretty ordinary at times and they even had 50 points put on them.

Just saying that most Broncos fans would say a successful season is Top 4 and I don't think that is going to happen this season.

I'll still enjoy the season because I know we have some good players coming through but it's going to take time.

 

[pagey]

we've had a flat backline for years and years... gotta be a coaching thing.

People are going to be disappointed with this season I think.

Ok mr negative !

 

[Dexter]

I for one am super concerned about this year but excited to see how we are shaping up for following seasons.

Our draw could not be much harder playing the top 4 from last year in the first 4 weeks.

This is the first time since we came into the comp that I think we could miss the 8.

 

[Sproj]

Opening a can of well opened worms but did the flat passing coincide with Macca at 9?

I fear his passing may be a big part of it, it's always had its share of misdirection but also a lack of speed, particularly in attacking positions.

 

[BroncsFan]

Opening a can of well opened worms but did the flat passing coincide with Macca at 9?

I fear his passing may be a big part of it, it's always had its share of misdirection but also a lack of speed, particularly in attacking positions.

How is the flat backline associated with macca's passing from dummy half. The backline should fan out from where the half is and where he wants everyone

It appears to be a coaching issue as that is the depth they would incorporate during skills sessions at training

 

[Thelmus]

I seem to remember shallow back lines coming more often after Lockyer. He had that huge accurate pass, so players standing shallow seemed to work better, opening up the opportunities for impromptu kicks. Maybe hunt and Milford, and the players have let this influence as the way it "should be". But I personally would love to see a deep back line what with all the backs speed. And it'd make Milford's and hunt's playmaking a little easier too, but it wouldn't help the chase for repeat sets.

 

[Sirlee oldman]

It's all about timing. A deep backline is sometimes easier to read. A flat backline can work if the forwards do their jobs and get the defence rolling back with fast play the balls. If you try to use a flat backline without getting momentum from the forwards then the defence gets up into the line and it all falls apart.

 

[Pushkin]

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett has lost his aura, say Broncos greats Willie Carne and Greg Dowling

Peter Badel, The Courier-Mailan hour ago
Subscriber only

BRONCOS legends believe Wayne Bennett has lost his aura and is under mounting pressure to break the longest premiership drought in Brisbane’s history.
Brisbane foundation prop Greg Dowling claims Ben Hunt’s signing with the Dragons and Jarrod Wallace’s departure to the Titans is evidence Bennett has lost his pulling power.
Bennett returned to Australia on Monday night refusing to discuss Brisbane’s shock 27-18 loss to Warrington in the World Club Series.
It has been 11 years since Bennett delivered Brisbane’s most recent title in 2006 and former Maroons enforcer Dowling says the 67-year-old is struggling to reignite the Broncos as an NRL superpower.
“It’s a different ball game for Wayne — his and the Broncos’ aura has gone,” Dowling said.
“When you have a young player like Ben Hunt who leaves the club, you have to wonder if he’s lost his aura.

Broncos greats says Wayne Bennett is under pressure to deliver.
“Once upon a time, players stayed at the Broncos for less money just to be coached by Wayne. Now that’s not happening. You have to question why.
“Wayne is getting older and he has bigger issues than he may have thought.
“The Broncos will struggle this year. I don’t expect to see them in the top four and they won’t win the premiership.
“The best thing Wayne has done is sign Jason Demetriou (assistant coach), he’s a great coach and to me it could be signalling a changing of the guard.
“Wayne is not immune to pressure. It doesn’t matter what your past record is ... the heat is on Wayne this year.”
Bennett declined to comment on Brisbane’s error-riddled loss to Warrington when contacted by The Courier-Mail.
Former Test winger Willie Carne spent seven seasons under Bennett and says it is crucial the seven-time premiership-winning coach retains his passion for the craft.
But he says Bennett cannot be expected to single-handedly cure Brisbane’s ills as they prepare for Thursday week’s season opener against premiers Cronulla.

Broncos greats says Wayne Bennett is under pressure to deliver. Pic Annette Dew
“Look Wayne Bennett is a good coach, but he isn’t a superstar. He never was and never will be,” said Carne, who played 136 games for the Broncos.
“A good coach just has to turn up each week and do his job and that’s what Wayne is very good at doing.
“To be honest, I learnt more from the players I played with and against than I did from Wayne. That’s not a slight on Wayne — my point is a coach can only do so much.
“Wayne took the Broncos to a grand final in 2015 so he’s clearly got some ability.
“I don’t think he’s a superstar coach, but the key is whether you still have the passion to succeed.
“As long as Wayne still wants to do the job, age doesn’t matter.”
Dowling challenged Bennett to extract more consistency from his Broncos squad this season.
“They aren’t playing to their potential, their heads aren’t right,” he said.
“They have one of the best backlines in the comp but they just don’t function. They aren’t playing with the cohesion that we saw from the Broncos in their glory years.
“Wayne was brought back to return the club to its glory days and all of a sudden he has to rebuild the side.
“On paper they are a very good side, but there is something missing there.”