What is happening at the Broncos?

As frustrating as this season has been so far I think there’s definite signs of slow improvement. The problem with “slow improvement” is we are heading into round 8 already and we are out of the top 8 with a growing injury toll and yet to hit the dreaded origin period.

On the plus side I feel like the competition isn’t as strong this year as years gone by and there isn’t necessarily any team that strikes fear into me. I think we could still turn up and get the job done against any team if we play decent footy so finishing outside the top 4 may not be the burden it has been in previous years. There may not be a great deal seperating the top twelve teams this year.

As for Wayne and his new missus splitting up I’m a beleiever of where there’s smoke there is fire. I think most of us can admit that when things are tough at home your mind is generally a bit off when it comes to work. Just like when players are negotiating a new contract and their form is off I hope Bennett can sort out his personal life so his mind is fully focused on the job.
 
Want to know what is up with the Broncos?

Since WB came back to the Broncos, we have the second best win record in the NRL (behind the Storm).

When we went to Mt Smart, we were world class. If a couple of dodgy calls go our way - we probably get up over the Storm as well. It's embarrassing that this thread gets bumped when we lose to the premiers -- and the week before it was nothing but tumbleweeds and crickets in here.

This is our best line-up we have had in a long time. Best front row/ middle third we have had in a decade. Great edge forwards. Origin level talent in the halves. A star studded backline.

Get behind the boys.
 
badyon said:
Want to know what is up with the Broncos?

Since WB came back to the Broncos, we have the second best win record in the NRL (behind the Storm).

When we went to Mt Smart, we were world class. If a couple of dodgy calls go our way - we probably get up over the Storm as well. It's embarrassing that this thread gets bumped when we lose to the premiers -- and the week before it was nothing but tumbleweeds and crickets in here.

This is our best line-up we have had in a long time. Best front row/ middle third we have had in a decade. Great edge forwards. Origin level talent in the halves. A star studded backline.

Get behind the boys.
Click to expand...

We've got a very good side with one major exception. We don't have a real organising halfback. That's the biggest thing stopping us from being top tier IMO. It makes a big difference.
 
Jason Simmons said:
It might if it were true. Except it isn’t, just another media dig at the club.
Click to expand...

he probably planned that ...

leaked the split to the Telecrap
they predictably print a hatchet job on him
his misses comes out and tells the world that the telecrap are full of shit
Bennett sits at home laughing to himself that he once again played the media for fools
 
badyon said:
Want to know what is up with the Broncos?

Since WB came back to the Broncos, we have the second best win record in the NRL (behind the Storm).

When we went to Mt Smart, we were world class. If a couple of dodgy calls go our way - we probably get up over the Storm as well. It's embarrassing that this thread gets bumped when we lose to the premiers -- and the week before it was nothing but tumbleweeds and crickets in here.

This is our best line-up we have had in a long time. Best front row/ middle third we have had in a decade. Great edge forwards. Origin level talent in the halves. A star studded backline.

Get behind the boys.
Click to expand...
Imagine if we had a proper halfback, not to mention a different fullback from one who would currently not be starting in any other team in the NRL.
 
badyon said:
Want to know what is up with the Broncos?

Since WB came back to the Broncos, we have the second best win record in the NRL (behind the Storm).

When we went to Mt Smart, we were world class. If a couple of dodgy calls go our way - we probably get up over the Storm as well. It's embarrassing that this thread gets bumped when we lose to the premiers -- and the week before it was nothing but tumbleweeds and crickets in here.

This is our best line-up we have had in a long time. Best front row/ middle third we have had in a decade. Great edge forwards. Origin level talent in the halves. A star studded backline.

Get behind the boys.
Click to expand...

2015 was a much better line up re form, combinations, leadership and stage of career. Can’t think of anyone in Broncs team who has kicked on and developed to new levels since then.

Had some nice additions in TPJ and Lodge but Parker was a legend and Wallace pretty handy. The two new guys are huge but still works in progress but would take Parker any day of the week at this stage of their careers. Despite same players back row is much weaker with Thaiday now dreadful and Glenn slower. Gillo will take time likely even after gets well. McGuire is now a saboteur. Macca is having bad luck with injuries and his development in attack is still on and off.

Backs wise Roberts is awesome in spurts but isn’t in Hodges league (even as he got slower and more injured). Boyd is a shadow of himself or 2015 Kahu. Great to lose Maranta but Isakko isn’t at standard yet. Opa is potentially a Jack Reed but hasn’t been given opportunity.

As people said halves is the first of 2 big worries. 2015 Hunt was phenomenal despite not being a halfback was so on didn’t matter while hot. Now Milf is burdened and still looking for a partner.

Leadership is up there with no halfback. Hodges was an inspiration, climb mountains for his slightest request. 2017 Boyd one wouldn’t follow up a mild incline with the promise of loose women and gold on the end. 2017 Bennett also discussed to in depth previously but doesn’t seem same man.

Let’s hope the old man knows what he is doing and all falls into place. 2015 was missing a halfback too and lost the fullback with Maranta on the wing but they made it work. So is possible.
 
Foordy said:
he probably planned that ...

leaked the split to the Telecrap
they predictably print a hatchet job on him
his misses comes out and tells the world that the telecrap are full of shit
Bennett sits at home laughing to himself that he once again played the media for fools
Click to expand...

To: buzz@tele.com.au
CC: kenty@360.com.au
From: ih8WB@hotmail.com

"Tonight im breaking news thats going up on the telegraph front page as we speak, from a very good source, that Wayne........"
 
Number6 said:
2015 was a much better line up re form, combinations, leadership and stage of career. Can’t think of anyone in Broncs team who has kicked on and developed to new levels since then.

Had some nice additions in TPJ and Lodge but Parker was a legend and Wallace pretty handy. The two new guys are huge but still works in progress but would take Parker any day of the week at this stage of their careers. Despite same players back row is much weaker with Thaiday now dreadful and Glenn slower. Gillo will take time likely even after gets well. McGuire is now a saboteur. Macca is having bad luck with injuries and his development in attack is still on and off.

Backs wise Roberts is awesome in spurts but isn’t in Hodges league (even as he got slower and more injured). Boyd is a shadow of himself or 2015 Kahu. Great to lose Maranta but Isakko isn’t at standard yet. Opa is potentially a Jack Reed but hasn’t been given opportunity.

As people said halves is the first of 2 big worries. 2015 Hunt was phenomenal despite not being a halfback was so on didn’t matter while hot. Now Milf is burdened and still looking for a partner.

Leadership is up there with no halfback. Hodges was an inspiration, climb mountains for his slightest request. 2017 Boyd one wouldn’t follow up a mild incline with the promise of loose women and gold on the end. 2017 Bennett also discussed to in depth previously but doesn’t seem same man.

Let’s hope the old man knows what he is doing and all falls into place. 2015 was missing a halfback too and lost the fullback with Maranta on the wing but they made it work. So is possible.
Click to expand...

I don't completely agree with all these points but the majority of them (in my opinion) are hard to argue.

If you compare:

2015 - Now:

1. Boyd (in prime) - Boyd (can hardly walk and turns slower and wider than the Titanic, not a captain at all)
2. Oates (was young and so good) - Oates (one of the few still great, maybe even better but wants to be in a different position)
3. Reed (so ridiculously underrated it isn't funny, the glue that held that edge together) - Opacic (he is a MUST in this team, can play that Reed role so well, just give him an extended chance)
4. Hodges (inspirational, lead by example and just so good) - Roberts (a step down from Hodges but a far better option than Copley was, one of the few genuine guns who can break open a game at centre and starting to get more involved, has replaced Hodges as well as anyone could really)
5. Kahu (very underrated in 2015) - Isaako / Kahu (They both goal kick but Kahu continues to be a walking injury, Isaako has known really shown a whole lot outside of his kicking, still too early to judge him though for sure)
6. Milford (was looking all the world like becoming a ten year maroon and should have won the CC medal) - Bird (so far has been extremely underwhelming, not the player the club needed but a very interrupted start to the season and no preseason whatsoever, lack of fitness is on him though, that is a disgrace for a highly paid professional athlete)
7. Hunt (was just phenomenal in 2015) - Milford (he is getting there to be perfectly honest, will be firing by season's end but still drops the ball so much for a player of his experience now, needs help from his halves partner)
8. Thaiday (he really was at the backend of his great years and they were great for some time) - Lodge (inexperienced but tries his guts out, an asset to the side and certainly better than post-2015 Blair)
9. McCullough (bombed a try that probably would have given the Broncs the 2015 trophy, had little in the way of attack and was just so slow) - McCullough (interrupted by injuries these days and while some improvement in attack, has not really pushed on the way the Broncs needed him to, far better than given credit for these days though but for a guy who has been such an integral part of the side for so long, if a back-up hooker was available, would argue he would not actually be that missed)
10. Blair (was absolutely perfect for the side once McGuire went down in 2015, lifted 18 levels before going back 20 in the years thereafter) - Thaiday (I mean come on, the guy should have been retired, his regression has been alarming)
11. Glenn (was fantastic for the side in 2015 as a great clubman) - Glenn (as great a clubman as he is, no one better has come along in the proceeding three years??)
12. Gillett (was great in 2015) - Gillett / Sims (Gillett was playing busted from round 1, nothing can be done about that but replacing him with Sims? The guy should not even be on the bench and yet he is starting? Sims had so much potential when coming from Newcastle, why hasn't it been developed? He is not the only one this is a problem for either)
13. Parker (the guy is an all-time Queensland great who got better as he got older, integral part of the side in 2015) - McGuire (now, I don't want to be negative a bout McGuire as he is an absolute star and would make a far better captain than Boyd, but so would pretty much anybody to be honest, though he is not a lock, he is a prop. Needs to develop and offload and second phase play because he can but why isn't he? Is it being coached out of him?)

14. Nikorima (was a weapon off the bench in 2015, really thought he would kick on) / Nikorima (the modern day Johnny Plath? Fantastic bench utility but can't nail any position? He had a shot at halfback and basically blew it but was not helped by his forwards. Would make a great fullback but will never got the shot given the favouritism shown the guy currently there)
15. Wallace (now we get interesting! Was fantastic off the bench and while many were happy to see him go, a large amount of supporters were really disappointed he left, particularly given Sims was bought in after, while a stupid decision that has turned out to be) - TPJ (when you put him next to Wallace, it doesn't look so bad but TPJ should be starting lock now, so many problems with team balance but he is a good 'un, definite positive for Bennett this one)
16. Dodds (was a defensive rock but that was about it) - Thaiday / Tagataese (Well, Dodds was underrated but this spot has definitely become a problem since Ese'ese left)
17. Ofahenguae (was so young but full of promise) - Ofahenguae (has really kicked on despite what some people say but isn't starting and doesn't even look close)

Some of the signings since 2015 have been real head-scratchers and the favouritism shown Boyd is frustrating, wonder if it affects the team as much as the fans seeing the guy stink it up week in, week out (along with Thaiday and Sims) and yet still get gigs no matter what, the team is not what it was in 2015 and some of the players' progress really hasn't been what it probably should have but all in all, it isn't doom and gloom yet, just a few things that need to be changed. If they aren't, the problems that have continued from 2015 will continue into 2019.
 
Really our team fully fit has everything you need to be competitive. It just just misses the most vital part which is someone to organise that team on the field.

It’s the obvious thing. It’s the reason why I’m not panicking, yeah we may struggle this season but as far as rebuilding stages go (and make no mistake, that is what this is), we are not in such a bad state. A year of developing Milf, TPJ, Sua, Lodge, Offa, Bird, and Oppa and the signing of or promotion of a good halfback and maybe one other decent experienced forward and we have a very good team for the next 3 years (which appears to be the premiership window cycle of a team before needing another rebuild).

We will make the finals, we probably won’t go far after that. Some teams pray to even make the top 8 in their most optimistic years.
 
Sproj said:
I don't completely agree with all these points but the majority of them (in my opinion) are hard to argue.

If you compare:

2015 - Now:

1. Boyd (in prime) - Boyd (can hardly walk and turns slower and wider than the Titanic, not a captain at all)
2. Oates (was young and so good) - Oates (one of the few still great, maybe even better but wants to be in a different position)
3. Reed (so ridiculously underrated it isn't funny, the glue that held that edge together) - Opacic (he is a MUST in this team, can play that Reed role so well, just give him an extended chance)
4. Hodges (inspirational, lead by example and just so good) - Roberts (a step down from Hodges but a far better option than Copley was, one of the few genuine guns who can break open a game at centre and starting to get more involved, has replaced Hodges as well as anyone could really)
5. Kahu (very underrated in 2015) - Isaako / Kahu (They both goal kick but Kahu continues to be a walking injury, Isaako has known really shown a whole lot outside of his kicking, still too early to judge him though for sure)
6. Milford (was looking all the world like becoming a ten year maroon and should have won the CC medal) - Bird (so far has been extremely underwhelming, not the player the club needed but a very interrupted start to the season and no preseason whatsoever, lack of fitness is on him though, that is a disgrace for a highly paid professional athlete)
7. Hunt (was just phenomenal in 2015) - Milford (he is getting there to be perfectly honest, will be firing by season's end but still drops the ball so much for a player of his experience now, needs help from his halves partner)
8. Thaiday (he really was at the backend of his great years and they were great for some time) - Lodge (inexperienced but tries his guts out, an asset to the side and certainly better than post-2015 Blair)
9. McCullough (bombed a try that probably would have given the Broncs the 2015 trophy, had little in the way of attack and was just so slow) - McCullough (interrupted by injuries these days and while some improvement in attack, has not really pushed on the way the Broncs needed him to, far better than given credit for these days though but for a guy who has been such an integral part of the side for so long, if a back-up hooker was available, would argue he would not actually be that missed)
10. Blair (was absolutely perfect for the side once McGuire went down in 2015, lifted 18 levels before going back 20 in the years thereafter) - Thaiday (I mean come on, the guy should have been retired, his regression has been alarming)
11. Glenn (was fantastic for the side in 2015 as a great clubman) - Glenn (as great a clubman as he is, no one better has come along in the proceeding three years??)
12. Gillett (was great in 2015) - Gillett / Sims (Gillett was playing busted from round 1, nothing can be done about that but replacing him with Sims? The guy should not even be on the bench and yet he is starting? Sims had so much potential when coming from Newcastle, why hasn't it been developed? He is not the only one this is a problem for either)
13. Parker (the guy is an all-time Queensland great who got better as he got older, integral part of the side in 2015) - McGuire (now, I don't want to be negative a bout McGuire as he is an absolute star and would make a far better captain than Boyd, but so would pretty much anybody to be honest, though he is not a lock, he is a prop. Needs to develop and offload and second phase play because he can but why isn't he? Is it being coached out of him?)

14. Nikorima (was a weapon off the bench in 2015, really thought he would kick on) / Nikorima (the modern day Johnny Plath? Fantastic bench utility but can't nail any position? He had a shot at halfback and basically blew it but was not helped by his forwards. Would make a great fullback but will never got the shot given the favouritism shown the guy currently there)
15. Wallace (now we get interesting! Was fantastic off the bench and while many were happy to see him go, a large amount of supporters were really disappointed he left, particularly given Sims was bought in after, while a stupid decision that has turned out to be) - TPJ (when you put him next to Wallace, it doesn't look so bad but TPJ should be starting lock now, so many problems with team balance but he is a good 'un, definite positive for Bennett this one)
16. Dodds (was a defensive rock but that was about it) - Thaiday / Tagataese (Well, Dodds was underrated but this spot has definitely become a problem since Ese'ese left)
17. Ofahenguae (was so young but full of promise) - Ofahenguae (has really kicked on despite what some people say but isn't starting and doesn't even look close)

Some of the signings since 2015 have been real head-scratchers and the favouritism shown Boyd is frustrating, wonder if it affects the team as much as the fans seeing the guy stink it up week in, week out (along with Thaiday and Sims) and yet still get gigs no matter what, the team is not what it was in 2015 and some of the players' progress really hasn't been what it probably should have but all in all, it isn't doom and gloom yet, just a few things that need to be changed. If they aren't, the problems that have continued from 2015 will continue into 2019.
Click to expand...

Think that’s a great summary.

Think also vital not to underestimate the leadership lost. Hodges was the soul of the team. Parker while questions remain about how is we received was still a better leader than Boyd at least what can see on field. Thaiday also had some authority to speak as he still had some aura but now no one is laughing anymore with him.

Injuries are also already mounting this year 4 out on prolonged and Bird not right yet, Boyd + backup hooker. Not to mention disrupted preseason with injuries. Think we can cover so far and guys would be back for finals if make it but can’t take much more.
 
I think it's a bit rough on Bird. Where is this fitness thing coming from? Are we sure people aren't seeing his body armour and thinking he's looking a little bit fat?
 
Nashy said:
I think it's a bit rough on Bird. Where is this fitness thing coming from? Are we sure people aren't seeing his body armour and thinking he's looking a little bit fat?
Click to expand...

There have been quite a few pictures in media articles floating around showing him to have quite a girth for a professional athlete, let alone a rugby league back, like it is clearly a gut.
 
Battling Broncos turn on each other

All is not well in the Broncos camp in the wake of the club’s poor start to the season, with players turning on each other in a very public arena last weekend.
The Broncos have won just three of their opening seven matches and were humbled by the Storm over the weekend at home.
The players decided to have a bonding session at Brisbane’s Little Big House on Saturday night - but it all went horribly wrong.

Things didn’t get physical - but fellow patrons were stunned to hear the Broncos players abusing and blaming each other.
Security tried to keep the patrons away - but my man on the scene tells me plenty of people heard it all as the Broncos aired their dirty linen in public.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/04/24...urn-on-each-other-at-bonding-session-the-mole
 
Yep, definitely had a man on the scene there, I mean surely this guy is such an important 'journalist', he has people everywhere just to tell him everything that is going on.
 
New Posts

Unread

Watch

YouTube
0 0 925
1:42:19
1994 World Club Challenge - Wigan Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos
View full media list »

Active Now

  • Sproj
  • Johnny92
  • broncsgoat
  • MaroubraBroncos
  • Manofoneway
  • Fitzy
  • Dash
  • cento
  • davidp
  • Mr Fourex
  • Behind enemy lines
  • BroncoFan94
  • Maroon4life
  • Matheos
  • azza.79
  • Brotherdu
  • Harry Sack
  • Lurker
  • leon.bott
... and 7 more.
Total: 161 (members: 27, guests: 134)
Robots: 294
Top
  AdBlock Message
Please consider adding BHQ to your Adblock Whitelist. We do our best to make sure it doesn't affect your experience on the website, and the funds help us pay server and software costs.