Wallace apprenticeship moves into next phase

[Super Freak]

JARROD Wallace is happy to keep his role as a 'benchie' in 2016 as he looks back on his breakout year in the NRL.

Wallace was one of the big improvers for the Broncos this year, playing in 26 games - all but one match - including the NRL grand final.

In doing so he cemented his spot in the Broncos' top side as he became a strong option from the interchange list.

In round one next year he will play his 50th NRL game, a mark considered to show a player is a regular top grader.

It also means the 24-year-old is working through his front row 'apprenticeship.'

But he is willing to wait his turn for a starting spot in a deep rotation that includes Adam Blair, injury returnee Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday as well as a host of youngsters.

"I don't want to take a step back," he said.

"I gained a lot of confidence last year and I want to keep going forward.

"I will have a good pre-season and get into the trials in March and keep going forward from there.

"That's my goal next year if I am in the same role - come on and do the same job I did this year, if not better.

"I think we had a really good rotation going with those senior boys starting and us younger guys coming off the bench.

"If we can get that going again next year, I will enjoy it."

As always, the pressure will be on for spots with McGuire keen to regain his starting position after suffering an Achilles' tendon tear in June that ended his season.

And there is a crop of young front rowers like grand final player Joe Ofahengaue and Francis Molo wanting their crack.

"It's not easy," said Wallace.

"With Moose coming back it is going to be a tough pre-season but it is also a gain for us.

"It will be great to get him back on the field."

Wallace is training in a limited capacity at the moment after having a small clean out of his knee, but expects to be in full training again shortly.

"I had a bit of trouble with it last year," he explained.

"But I had a bit of surgery with it toward the end of year and got it all sorted.

"I am looking forward to getting back into training and getting ready.

"I think I will be back in a couple of weeks.

"I am just doing a bit of straight running now but once I get a bit of strength and agility back into the knee it will be all good."

Wallace Apprenticeship Moves Into Next Phase - Broncos

 

[Unbreakable]

Had some good games last year, but overall was pretty average. Always good for an error and penalty when he comes on, I'm hoping we sign someone better to play impact prop off the bench, or elevate one of our young guns.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Had some good games last year, but overall was pretty average. Always good for an error and penalty when he comes on, I'm hoping we sign someone better to play impact prop off the bench, or elevate one of our young guns.

I feel that is a bit harsh and can see him turning into an Origin player in the future.

 

[Unbreakable]

I feel that is a bit harsh and can see him turning into an Origin player in the future.

Harsh? I thought I toned it down a bit, I find it almost impossible that he turns into an Origin player, there's probably at least 10 props ahead of him at the moment in regards to QLD, and half of them are younger with more upside than him.

I'm sure he if he puts his mind to it he could be a respectable impact prop off the bench in first grade though, just not sure if I want to bank on it happening.

 

[Alec]

I don't think he'll ever be an Origin player (Danoz seems to think that about literally every eligible Broncos player), but he was damn impressive for a bench front rower in the 2nd half of the season.

 

[Danoz Direct]

I don't think he'll ever be an Origin player (Danoz seems to think that about literally every eligible Broncos player), but he was damn impressive for a bench front rower in the 2nd half of the season.

I genuinely think he COULD play Origin (and I have no idea where you get the notion that I think every eligible Broncos player will be one).

 

[Danoz Direct]

Harsh? I thought I toned it down a bit, I find it almost impossible that he turns into an Origin player, there's probably at least 10 props ahead of him at the moment in regards to QLD, and half of them are younger with more upside than him.

I'm sure he if he puts his mind to it he could be a respectable impact prop off the bench in first grade though, just not sure if I want to bank on it happening.

I think the key word is ALMOST impossible, anythings possible it depends on the situation.

I personally see Wallace improving immensely next season, as I think we saw glimpses of his potential this season.

 

[Morkel]

Maybe I'm being harsh on him, but I don't see him ever being anything other than a plodder. He may have been "impressive" for the second half of the season, but that's only compared to what we were used to with him - dropped balls, stupid penalties, and zero impact in 15 minute stints. I suspect not being a liability and holding the fort until the guns tap back in is all he'll ever do, but I would love to be proven wrong.

 

[Unbreakable]

I think the key word is ALMOST impossible, anythings possible it depends on the situation.

Unless the situation involves Queenslands best 8 props getting simultaneous season ending injuries, he's not playing origin. Even in that scenario I'd rather see some old dogs like Shillington, Hannant & Lawrence.

I just don't see it ever happening, and unfortunately I think Wallace took his big leap LAST season.. He went from being useless for 15 minutes to being slightly below average for 20 minutes, I highly doubt he improves much more.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Unless the situation involves Queenslands best 8 props getting simultaneous season ending injuries, he's not playing origin. Even in that scenario I'd rather see some old dogs like Shillington, Hannant & Lawrence.

I just don't see it ever happening, and unfortunately I think Wallace took his big leap LAST season.. He went from being useless for 15 minutes to being slightly below average for 20 minutes, I highly doubt he improves much more.

Your entitled to your opinion, but I just see something in him that others don't I guess.

Oh well.

 

[Morkel]

In fairness, I don't think anyone is suggesting he's pushing for an Origin birth now. The suggestion is that if he continues to improve each year he might end up a solid, reliable Lillyman-type.

 

[broncos4life]

Upgrade everyone!

 

[Unbreakable]

Upgrade everyone!

Agreed, I'm not sure how we're ever meant to have cap room to go after good free agents if we are too busy upgrading all our potatoes, hence why I'm glad we let people like Dodds and Vidot walk, sometimes you've gotta make the tough calls, if Walace doesn't take an enormous leap next season and put pressure on McGuire and Blair for the starting jobs, we'd be better off letting him go and repeating the process with one of our young guys, give them 2-3 seasons on the bench to try and establish themselves, whilst taking up a minimal ammount of cap space.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Agreed, I'm not sure how we're ever meant to have cap room to go after good free agents if we are too busy upgrading all our potatoes, hence why I'm glad we let people like Dodds and Vidot walk, sometimes you've gotta make the tough calls, if Walace doesn't take an enormous leap next season and put pressure on McGuire and Blair for the starting jobs, we'd be better off letting him go and repeating the process with one of our young guys, give them 2-3 seasons on the bench to try and establish themselves, whilst taking up a minimal ammount of cap space.

I agree with this.

 

[Sproj]

Qld Props not necessarily in this order ahead of Wallace:

1. Scott
2. Myles
3. McGuire
4. Lillyman
5. Napa
6. Sims
7. Lawrence (still?)
8. Hannant
9. Shillington (still?)

Have I forgotten anyone? Given the age of some of those guys, would it be a complete stretch to say that Wallace is completely out of the running for an origin berth at some point? I don't think he ever will be at that level either but he certainly not completely out of the realms of possibility. He was better than average this season and he had a fantastic GF which was obviously a fine test of his mettle at that next level kind of game. He may not be as far away from consideration as some think if he backs up even better next season. He certainly surprised me this year.

 

[Rally Towel]

Qld Props not necessarily in this order ahead of Wallace:

1. Scott
2. Myles
3. McGuire
4. Lillyman
5. Napa
6. Sims
7. Lawrence (still?)
8. Hannant
9. Shillington (still?)

Have I forgotten anyone? Given the age of some of those guys, would it be a complete stretch to say that Wallace is completely out of the running for an origin berth at some point? I don't think he ever will be at that level either but he certainly not completely out of the realms of possibility. He was better than average this season and he had a fantastic GF which was obviously a fine test of his mettle at that next level kind of game. He may not be as far away from consideration as some think if he backs up even better next season. He certainly surprised me this year.

You're right on that he is a fair way behind in the pecking order.

I think Shillo has done his dash though, and I think Lawrence is struggling with long term injury concerns. Lillyman, Myles, and Hannant are all getting on a bit too.

I'd include Scott in that statement but he's a machine. I could picture him out there at 50...

Given the above, it's not outside the realm of possibility that he makes a cameo at some point, though Moose and Napa have the edge on him, potentially Sims and Joe O as well.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Ha. Wallace is useless and we're better off with an upgrade. Just like blair was a pointless signing right guys?

 

[Morkel]

Ha. Wallace is useless and we're better off with an upgrade. Just like blair was a pointless signing right guys?

Just don't.