Updated - Lockyer rules himself out of Manly match

[Steve]

Shall we join hands together in mourning. :sigh:

Hardly. He's a massive loss but it could galvanise the team even further. This is healthy anyway. He won't be there next year. Now the team gets a chance to experience a finals game in "life after Lockyer". We'll be much better off for the experience.

 

[john1420]

I think I just died a little inside

 

[Coxy]

I'm actually no more or less confident than I was before (mainly because I didn't think Locky would play anyway). I don't subscribe to the notion we need him to win. As Locky said, this team has been playing as a unit, playing for eachother all season. Obviously taking someone of Locky's class out has an impact, mainly in attack and tactical kicking, but it's not the end of the world.

I think the game will come down to who has more energy and who wants it more in the final 10-15 minutes of each half. The Broncos have only had a 6 day recovery from an epic, intense clash. Manly have been super fit all year, blowing sides away at the back end of games, so if they are ahead with 10-15 to go, I can't see the Broncos running them down. But if the Broncos have a lead, it'll come down to will to hold Manly out.

I can't wait. Going to be a cracker!

 

[dukey]

Have some faith guys. Our record without Lockyer this year is 50%, which isn't anything to crow about but it's hardly a death sentence either. We've shown this year that we can grind out a win against any side. You don't need a Lockyer in your team to do that. And NOBODY in the team is going to be the guy that ruined Darren's farewell.

The team that takes the field on Friday night will be the most aggressive, most passionate team you've seen all year. This will be a beauty.

 

[Steve]

Yep they lose nothing in motivation or intent, just a little bit of class and finesse. I hope Wallace plays the game of his life on Friday. He has been stadilly getting better and better all year and if ever he needed to have his best game for the club then it on Friday.

 

[mrslong]

Hardly. He's a massive loss but it could galvanise the team even further. This is healthy anyway. He won't be there next year. Now the team gets a chance to experience a finals game in "life after Lockyer". We'll be much better off for the experience.

Not in mourning that we will lose, but that Locky won't be playing on the weekend. It's a sad moment.

Of course we can still win....but it's sad :(

 

[Steve]

Not in mourning that we will lose, but that Locky won't be playing on the weekend. It's a sad moment.

Of course we can still win....but it's sad :(

Good point. We've been spoilt up in Brisbane seeing him go around the last month and given he didn't play in the Parramatta game a couple of months ago that makes it a while since Sydney saw him play live. The Cronulla game was the last one from memory?

 

[Porthoz]

I'm actually no more or less confident than I was before (mainly because I didn't think Locky would play anyway). I don't subscribe to the notion we need him to win. As Locky said, this team has been playing as a unit, playing for eachother all season. Obviously taking someone of Locky's class out has an impact, mainly in attack and tactical kicking, but it's not the end of the world.

I think the game will come down to who has more energy and who wants it more in the final 10-15 minutes of each half. The Broncos have only had a 6 day recovery from an epic, intense clash. Manly have been super fit all year, blowing sides away at the back end of games, so if they are ahead with 10-15 to go, I can't see the Broncos running them down. But if the Broncos have a lead, it'll come down to will to hold Manly out.

I can't wait. Going to be a cracker!

This IMO ^^^^

I think the loss of Lockyer will be compensated by the will power of his team mates to send him off in the GF.

I never doubted the great man would make the right decision and put the team first.

Regardless of Friday's result, I will be immensely proud of the class of 2011, and grateful for the 17 years Lockyer gave us!

 

[Nashy]

I have no confidence at all. But then, I never do. Lockyer keeps the team calm and collected. Wallace is going to need a huge, huge, huge game.

 

[schmix]

Good point. We've been spoilt up in Brisbane seeing him go around the last month and given he didn't play in the Parramatta game a couple of months ago that makes it a while since Sydney saw him play live. The Cronulla game was the last one from memory?

Yep, and I couldn't even make that game :shake:

You Brisbane folk have had your (multiple) farewells - we were counting on this game down here!

Ah well, I'm still happy to be going out and supporting the rest of the boys. I seriously love this team this year.

 

[Coxy]

I have no confidence at all. But then, I never do. Lockyer keeps the team calm and collected. Wallace is going to need a huge, huge, huge game.

Wallace needs to step up with his play at first receiver. No doubt.

It's also time for Hodges, Thaiday and Parker to step up as the veterans and leaders of this young team. Display that cool head and focus that Locky has.

 

[mrslong]

I hope Locky sits on the sidelines and not up in the box so they can all SEE him when they're playing.

MOTM: Alex GLenn.

 

[Steve]

Pretty sure he's been on the sidelines for all of the games?

 

[Dannymh]

IMO it's a big motivator for your boys now, the team will want to fire up and give Lockyer one more chance.

My prediction is that this game will be decided in the first 30 minutes.

I expect Thaiday to have a massive game, he will fire up due to his suspension and to give lockyer another shot. He is the key for you guys.

If I were griffen I'd be looking to a defensive 5/8 rather than an attacking option. Give wallace control and try to win it in defence. One of the keys to beating manly is to not go in too hard. Every time a team has tried to beat us up this year they have just worn themselves out. You need to pace yourselves stop first half points and defend the 20 like it's your try line.

Hoppa is slow to turn around so target him if you can get him coming up instead of staying back.
Attack manly on the ground rather than in the air. Our defence depends on getting up quickly and stopping the play which means we expose the back a little.

If you come out too hard and try to dominate and can't keep it up for 60+ minutes you will be shot.

Hodges is doing sfa out wide for your guys and I would look at him as a left field option to replace Lockyer. That would give you a decent x factor and clean up some of your stuff out wide where manly will sting you.

Oh and coxy I don't think Oz tag is better than league, but far far better than touch. Touch is all about getting people off side and running back and forth. Oz tag allows you to put on some actual plays. Admittedly the quality on the Fraser coast is nowhere near as good as it was in sydney but still good fun

 

[mrslong]

Wallace to kick to Reed & Yowie for all our tries.

 

[Coxy]

Ivan Henjak has implored Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin to entice Tonie Carroll out of retirement to fill the five-eighth jersey in their do-or-die clash with Manly on Friday night.

Darren Lockyer withdrew from the game after failing to recover from surgery to his fractured cheekbone suffered in last weekend's elimination final defeat of St George-Illawarra.

Henjak, who faced a similar conundrum in 2009 when Peter Wallace suffered an ankle injury in the corresponding game, also against St George-Illawarra, selected enforcer Carroll in the halves to stiffen up the Broncos defensive line against Melbourne Storm.

"It was a great success," Henjak said.
"Obviously we didn't get the result we wanted on the night, but we lost nothing in the halves and our defence was superb.
"Against Manly, the key will be to stop them scoring points, and there's no better defender in the game than Carroll, and even without any training or match fitness he would do the job for 80 minutes.
"It was the defining moment of my career and Griffin can send his career soaring to new heights if he follows my lead."

Tonie Carroll was unavailable for comment, however he is believed to be in Sydney this week on business.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rug...oncos/henjak-tips-carroll-20110921-1kk7r.html

Wow! I wonder if Griffin will take this advice?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Pisstake!!

 

[Kaz]

I don't think he was going to play anyway.