The Wayne Bennett Super thread!

[Porthoz]

So you still maintain that we didn't need Boyd but go on to say that his importance to our outstanding defense can't be denied???

I don't understand this, and that's a consummate fact.

It's quite telling that you choose that bit from the whole post...

Yes, I still maintain it, because the defensive tactic is not Boyd dependent. Kahu and even Maranta did a great job there as well for example. However, it wouldn't have suited a player like Milford.

 

[Nashy]

Boyds been lackluster IMO, but I have no problem with the purchase. He brings a lot of NRL experience to the team, in a very vital role, that's worth it.

 

[broncos4life]

It's quite telling that you choose that bit from the whole post...

Yes, I still maintain it, because the defensive tactic is not Boyd dependent. Kahu and even Maranta did a great job there as well for example. However, it wouldn't have suited a player like Milford.

Boyd's experience has been immeasurable and saying that Kahu & Maranta could have done just as well is selling it short IMHO.

The reason I choose this bit is because it is the only bit I disagreed with and felt there was no need to waste everyone's time by saying -yes agree with this, agree with this and agree with this.

But if you need the pats on the back, then here you go, the rest of your post was spot on.

 

[GCBRONCO]

As far as if Boyd was needed or not it's a hard one really to outright say he wasn't, Barba and Hoffman were never part of Bennett's plans for the required clean out. Kahu has done well to get through the season like he has, but going into 2015 you couldn't say with any great certainty he was going to see the whole thing out, let alone make first grade side. As for Maranta Bennett probably stuck by him because he knew he had a good attitude, but I doubt anyone here would have pushed hard for him to be fullback. Milford was always going to play 5/8th so that rules out Taylor, you could have gone with one of Nikorima brother's but Bennett obviously saw the strengths in bringing in an experienced fullback in Boyd. Personally I'm more interested in seeing how Boyd backs up next season, assuming he's given an injury free off season I think we will get a better indication of where he is actually at. Rather then the mid season return which was always going to see him struggle to put together any great form. On the positive sides is that Boyd has shown signs of proper linking ability in attack from fullback that we clearly haven't had for quite a while now in previous seasons.

 

[Porthoz]

Boyds been lackluster IMO, but I have no problem with the purchase. He brings a lot of NRL experience to the team, in a very vital role, that's worth it.

Yes, and Wayne says as much. Boyd's experience is very important with our young halves, and he obviously has a point.

Despite how good we are, I still can't help but wonder if we could have been even better with a few different options, but that's me from my couchpotato coaching position... :laugh:

 

[Morkel]

BORING

Let it go. Your punishment is that the song is now in your head.

 

[Alec]

I wouldn't mind we go with the Roosters thing at one point, Boyd can play fullback in defence, help organise and whatever. Someone else can play in attack. But with Milford being in the halves, we don't really have someone who's particularly better than Boyd in attack.

Maybe if Anderson develops quickly.

 

[M.B.88]

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** YOU GUYS! ? We make a grand final and you're wanting to tinker and change things? ?!? If it aint broke...

 

[I bleed Maroon]

The panic button is getting a workout now that we're 80 minutes away from a premiership lol

 

[broncos4life]

WHAT THE ACTUAL **** YOU GUYS! ? We make a grand final and you're wanting to tinker and change things? ?!? If it aint broke...

Are you actually surprised though?

 

[M.B.88]

Are you actually surprised though?

Ikr. Crazy

 

[BroncO(SM)]

Yep, spot on imo.

We did have a pretty good squad under Griffin, but WB has shown how far beyond Hook he is really.

I still don't believe we needed Boyd, and I don't think he has been particularly good in most games, albeit he certainly is playing a fantastic finals series so far, but there is no denying his importance in the team's outstanding defense, and there is no way anyone can argue against WB's choices to put Milford at 5/8 and bringing Blair to the club, which I strongly opposed for all the known reasons.

I think the most important, was the cohesion, determination and sacrifice instilled into every player and the team as a whole, and that is all Bennett's credit!
Of course, getting the extra kilos off probably helped a lot, and that brilliant goal-line defense with the fullback in the line, instead of behind it... proved very effective and frustrated the hell out of most teams.

What did surprise me completely, is how attractive our attacking footy has been, which of course is helped by the talent from Hunt and Milf, who will only get better!

If only we had a better kicking game... we would probably be the Brisbane Globe Trotters!

Firstly, Boyd has been fantastic for us - both in attack and defence.
For some reason people seem infatuated with flashy fullbacks who can pull off a freak play but I'll take a safe & solid bloke at the back to start our sets on the front foot and essentially dictate our structure.

Secondly, Hunt's kicking has come on leaps and bounds this season.

 

[Foordy]

Firstly, Boyd has been fantastic for us - both in attack and defence.
For some reason people seem infatuated with flashy fullbacks who can pull off a freak play but I'll take a safe & solid bloke at the back to start our sets on the front foot and essentially dictate our structure.

Secondly, Hunt's kicking has come on leaps and bounds this season.

Sorry mate, but that bolded part just isn't true (as much as I wish it was).

While Hunt has shown glimpses of possessing a decent kicking game, he more often than not reverts to the bomb it from anywhere kicking game.

It is the only part of his game stopping him from being the best half in the comp.

 

[lynx000]

Sorry mate, but that bolded part just isn't true (as much as I wish it was).

While Hunt has shown glimpses of possessing a decent kicking game, he more often than not reverts to the bomb it from anywhere kicking game.

It is the only part of his game stopping him from being the best half in the comp.

I disagree Foordy, I think the truth lies somewhere between the two positions. I think he has markedly improved his kicking game this year, but he still has a lot of work to do in that area.

 

[Rally Towel]

I disagree Foordy, I think the truth lies somewhere between the two positions. I think he has markedly improved his kicking game this year, but he still has a lot of work to do in that area.

Agreed. It's still the area he has to work on the most, but he has improved considerably.

His all around game is much better this year though. Last year he was good but his success was largely due to his short pass blind side plays, and the big dummy. This year his variety in passing, running game, and kicking have all improved. Moreover, he's far better as an on field general, moving the troops around the park.

The fact he's only second to Thurston on key statistics speaks volumes as to his improvement. Left DCE, Cronk, Reynolds all in his wake. If he can hone his kicking game, he's going to be bloody unstoppable.

 

[Nashy]

I disagree Foordy, I think the truth lies somewhere between the two positions. I think he has markedly improved his kicking game this year, but he still has a lot of work to do in that area.

This. He's still a rubbish kicker IMO, but to suggest he hasn't improved 10 fold this year is a bit rough. He's a far better kicker and player than he was last year.

 

[Kimlo]

He's absolutely improved, anyone noticed how good his bombs were against the Roosters? IIRC they were almost all pinpoint a few metres outside of the in goal area. I was impressed with how accurately he was placing them. His long kicking is definitely better too, it's just that our defence has been on the backfoot more often than not so it's hard to get clearing kicks when we're not dominating the field possession battle.

 

[BroncO(SM)]

I disagree Foordy, I think the truth lies somewhere between the two positions. I think he has markedly improved his kicking game this year, but he still has a lot of work to do in that area.

Yeah don't get me wrong, this is essentially what I was suggesting.

I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a strength of his game.....but I think he holds his own and it's no longer to the detriment of the team.

A lot of halves (including Thurston) didn't enter the game with a naturally brilliant kicking game and Hunt is in the same boat but does cop some unfair stigma IMO.