The Beale-Hoffman Conundrum

[Jeba]

I think this will be an interesting discussion.

According to broncos.com.au, Josh Hoffman is due back from injury in round 9 against Melbourne. When he was injured in Round 3 against the Titans, it was assumed that whoever fills in would be there temporarily because of Hoffman's outstanding form in 2010 and good form in the early rounds of 2011.

But then along comes Gerard Beale. A bloke who has struggled in the centres, but since finding himself in the number 1 jersey has produced some really good performances. Certainly it has become clear that fullback is Beale's best position.

So there have been calls on BHQ for Beale to keep the #1 jersey. Others have said that Hoffman just walks straight back in.

What do you reckon? Does the bloke not playing fullback play on the wing or back in QCup?

 

[Kimlo]

Either Hoffman plays one game in Q cup or a couple on the wing in first grade and goes back or just goes straight back in.

What ever happens Hoffman is going to end up with the no.1 jersey, Beale will probably end up on the wing.

 

[Charmamba]

Hoffman imo would go better on the wing than Beale... however he has played well enough since debuting to earn the right to just walk back into the one.

Beale as you said has played outstanding at fullback, and really struggled to hit form on the wing and in the centre. He is however stuck behind a better fullback, similar to Boyd/Slater for Origin/Aus.

Right now I'm all for Beale shifting back to the wing and hopefully for us the confidence he gained at fullback will carry over to his performance on the wing. The loser out of all this is Copely, The kid will be a star one day but right now we have 5 other Stars/Future stars in our backline.

Also, Gagai called.... Ah Brisbane how blessed we are.

 

[ethos]

Hoffman for sure. He is a better support player, can work the second man play better (although he has a ton of improvement left in this department) and is better in defence at the back.

Beale, while surprisingly awesome since moving to fullback, is a good runner of the ball individually but doesn't have as many strings to his bow as Hoffman.

The biggest conundrum is where to put Beale.. his form makes him too hard to leave out of the side but the only spot he can go is on the wing. No idea how he is as a winger though.

 

[Nashy]

I was laughed for saying Hoffman shouldn't be able to walk back into the side. [icon_lol1.

Still of the opinion Beale > Hoffman.

 

[Charmamba]

I was laughed for saying Hoffman shouldn't be able to walk back into the side. [icon_lol1.

Still of the opinion Beale > Hoffman.

Beads said it to me at the Titans game, There is something special about Beale.

He said that right after i joked that Hoffman looked injured during the warm ups.... oops

 

[Kris]

Hoffman for sure. He is a better support player, can work the second man play better (although he has a ton of improvement left in this department) and is better in defence at the back.

Beale, while surprisingly awesome since moving to fullback, is a good runner of the ball individually but doesn't have as many strings to his bow as Hoffman.

The biggest conundrum is where to put Beale.. his form makes him too hard to leave out of the side but the only spot he can go is on the wing. No idea how he is as a winger though.

+1

I know Beale has been going great guns for us, but I would much prefer Hoffman at fullback. Hoffman was consistently great for us last year and before he got injured, hence why he has cemented the #1 jersey.

If Hoffman plays a below par game or two at fullback once be gets back (heaven forbid), then that's when Beale can take over.

But the question is, where would Beale play once Hoffman is back.

PS. I love the word "conundrum".

 

[pennywisealfie]

I have to say Beale right now. altho, Hoffman is way better defensively. I think we should try to turn Hoffman into a centre.

 

[dukey]

I have to say Beale right now. altho, Hoffman is way better defensively. I think we should try to turn Hoffman into a centre.

Maybe that's where he should play for a few games when he returns. If he goes great there, we've gained a centre. If not, just put him back at fullback.

 

[ethos]

I have to say Beale right now. altho, Hoffman is way better defensively. I think we should try to turn Hoffman into a centre.

Maybe that's where he should play for a few games when he returns. If he goes great there, we've gained a centre. If not, just put him back at fullback.

So we're shifting Reed or Hodges? Madness..

 

[dukey]

I have to say Beale right now. altho, Hoffman is way better defensively. I think we should try to turn Hoffman into a centre.

Maybe that's where he should play for a few games when he returns. If he goes great there, we've gained a centre. If not, just put him back at fullback.

So we're shifting Reed or Hodges? Madness..

Gotta shift somebody.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Reed to the wing.

 

[Jeba]

Hoffman had a stint in the centres for Redcliffe at the start of last year and was defensively poor.

 

[Porthoz]

No matter how good Beale has been at FB, he hasn't been up to Hoffman's best level.
You have to put the best player you have for each position in that position, not try to shift him around to accomodate someone who has been good, but is not the best.
Beale is a great backup FB to have, potentially even a very good utility, but with Hoffman back, I wouldn't give him a starting spot, unless he's the best to fill that position.
So far IMO, he hasn't shown to be better than Hoffman at FB, better than Reed at Centre, or better than Copley on the wing.

As Spwn said, we're blessed with Yow Yeh, Hoffman, Hodgo, Reed, Copley, Gagai and Beale. Only 5 of them can play! Gagai and Beale just need to be better than the rest to get in, and I don't think that anything other than the left wing spot is still up for grabs... [icon_shru

 

[Clintos]

Hoffman every day of the week.

 

[Jeza23]

Hoffman every day of the week.

Even on Friday's? [icon_lol1. [icon_lol1.

 

[vertigo]

Goes straight back to fullback, it's good to have these kinds of conundrums though.

 

[Clintos]

Hoffman every day of the week.

Even on Friday's? [icon_lol1. [icon_lol1.

Go away.