What is happening at the Broncos?

[WASSHHH]

Every club goes through a transition phase. Players come and go, they get older and retire or better player come through the system.

It will be interesting to see how successful the next 5 or so years at the Storm are without 3 of the most dominant players of their generation.

I do shudder to think though, as the pricks seem to have an uncanny ability to just keep on keeping on.

 

[Wolfie]

It will be interesting to see how successful the next 5 or so years at the Storm are without 3 of the most dominant players of their generation.

I do shudder to think though, as the pricks seem to have an uncanny ability to just keep on keeping on.

As good as they have been at recruiting, they aren't going to find another Smith, Slater or Cronk.

 

[Reyter]

I'm sure he lies awake at night worrying about your opinion. As Wolfie said, this is Bennett's schtick, the grumpy old man routine has been in place for 30 years, even before he was a grumpy old man.

I don't expect that he would. I also understand that other people don't care about his persona and others still like it. I don't. That's all. I don't know why people are so upset about my opinion.

Every club goes through a transition phase. Players come and go, they get older and retire or better player come through the system.

True. I just think with a decent playmaker this would be a really good team. But given how much of the salary cap Bird, Boyd and Milford are taking up, I don't think we will be able to afford a good playmaker for the next 4 years. After which time Boyd will of course be gone and as I addressed on another thread, I think Milford will be well passed his best as a ball runner in 4 years.

I hope I'm proved wrong but I fear these decisions which I see as ridiculous, at best won't bring home a premiership in the next 5 to 6 years and at worst, will see the team lucky to reach the finals over the next few years.

Hav

Have a good think about the coaches and the media, their relationship. Now tell me, which one of the coaches provides the most grist for the mill ? Which coach has the most lines written about him ? Which coach generates the most interest ? Have you ever considered that WB masterfully plays his role while meeting two demands, namely to generate interest in the game and simultaneously keeping his private thoughts just that, private ?

It's a funny thing about perception, I hardly ever think he's angry or bitter. I think he doesn't suffer fools and sees the media as the remora fish on a shark and like the shark he simply tolerates and ignores. You really need to look through less biased eyes and see the genius in his handling of the remora.

Well I presume in Canberra, Stuart has most written about him, in Newcastle, Brown, in Melbourne, Bellamy, in NZ, Kearny and etc. No idea about the Sydney media but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be Bennett.

Does he decide who are fools? I think his bitter/angry old man persona and his emotional, hyperbolic outbursts makes him look like a fool. But again, that is just the way I see it. I don't expect everyone will agree and it would be a pretty boring forum if they did. I hope you don't flip out on me like several other ******* on this thread.

 

[Reyter]

As good as they have been at recruiting, they aren't going to find another Smith, Slater or Cronk.

Missing out on Munster was a real shame!

 

[Huge]

I don't expect that he would. I also understand that other people don't care about his persona and others still like it. I don't. That's all. I don't know why people are so upset about my opinion.



True. I just think with a decent playmaker this would be a really good team. But given how much of the salary cap Bird, Boyd and Milford are taking up, I don't think we will be able to afford a good playmaker for the next 4 years. After which time Boyd will of course be gone and as I addressed on another thread, I think Milford will be well passed his best as a ball runner in 4 years.

I hope I'm proved wrong but I fear these decisions which I see as ridiculous, at best won't bring home a premiership in the next 5 to 6 years and at worst, will see the team lucky to reach the finals over the next few years.



Well I presume in Canberra, Stuart has most written about him, in Newcastle, Brown, in Melbourne, Bellamy, in NZ, Kearny and etc. No idea about the Sydney media but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be Bennett.

Does he decide who are fools? I think his bitter/angry old man persona and his emotional, hyperbolic outbursts makes him look like a fool. But again, that is just the way I see it. I don't expect everyone will agree and it would be a pretty boring forum if they did. I hope you don't flip out on me like several other ******* on this thread.

No, I understand that your bias renders you incapable of understanding. In other areas you may actually be thoughtful and incisive but I won't be angry because you disagree with logic, evidence and reason. The most words written about a coach nationally( in the rugby league world ) are about Bennett and Google will help you with that.

 

[Reyter]

No, I understand that your bias renders you incapable of understanding. In other areas you may actually be thoughtful and incisive but I won't be angry because you disagree with logic, evidence and reason. The most words written about a coach nationally( in the rugby league world ) are about Bennett and Google will help you with that.

My bias renders me incapable of understanding what? That his grumpy/bitter/angry persona is actually cool or endearing? Maybe for you but not for me and that is very easy to understand.

If Canberra or Newcastle had a larger population than Brisbane, or Sydney only had 1 or 2 teams, I don't gamble but absolutely would bet Stuart, Brown or one of the Sydney coaches would be talked about the most.

 

[Stix]

As good as they have been at recruiting, they aren't going to find another Smith, Slater or Cronk.

You just can't replace players like that.
Locky, Fittler, Johns...just to name a few. I remember some fuckwit trying to tell me how the Broncs will be fine when Locky retires... Smith, Slater and Cronk are superstars in their own right let alone all playing in the same team. Any Storm fan thinking they won't notice when these guys aren't playing is fucking kidding themselves.

 

[Huge]

My bias renders me incapable of understanding what? That his grumpy/bitter/angry persona is actually cool or endearing? Maybe for you but not for me and that is very easy to understand.

If Canberra or Newcastle had a larger population than Brisbane, or Sydney only had 1 or 2 teams, I don't gamble but absolutely would bet Stuart, Brown or one of the Sydney coaches would be talked about the most.

No, no ,no you misunderstand me. Your bias stops you from considering my intelligent and insightful explanation of the value of WBs mastery of the media. Matter of fact, you didn't even appear to notice it or make a comment about it. You instead simply restated your jaundiced view. Had you commented on the meat of my post I would have been able to infer you had an understanding of it. Seeing as you clearly ignored the heart of it I deduced your bias blinds you. Quite reasonable I would have thought.

 

[Wolfie]

You just can't replace players like that.
Locky, Fittler, Johns...just to name a few. I remember some fuckwit trying to tell me how the Broncs will be fine when Locky retires... Smith, Slater and Cronk are superstars in their own right let alone all playing in the same team. Any Storm fan thinking they won't notice when these guys aren't playing is fucking kidding themselves.

The other big thing is players will be attracted to the storm to play with Those sort of players. Munster is a good player, but I dont think he has the attraction that a Cameron Smith does.

 

[Huge]

I love the way you write your view and nine times out of ten, I completely agree with you. But the way that you commmnicate the importance of your view makes me thank the spaghetti monsters that you had a son and not a daughter, as being your son-in-law would be a hell of a challenge.

Like I say, from a distance, I love it and you’ve been around long enough to not give a **** what anyone thinks. I tip my hat.

Actually, I was honestly doing it 'tongue in cheek' and wrote it in that condescending, passive aggressive way deliberately! My view is no more important than others and it simply is usually a thoughtful opinion. Unless of course I'm drunk, a rare occurrence these days.

 

[1910]

As good as they have been at recruiting, they aren't going to find another Smith, Slater or Cronk.

You don't have to though. We've never had another Bradman but we have had Ponting, Chappell and Border. The replacements don't have to be as good but can still be very good.

 

[Wolfie]

You don't have to though. We've never had another Bradman but we have had Ponting, Chappell and Border. The replacements don't have to be as good but can still be very good.

How many years after Bradman did those guys come along? Plus cricket isnt really a good comparison as it tends to be more focused on international teams not clubs sides like in League.

You may get the players as good as those guys at Melbourne, but who's to say they will end up at Melbourne, and who's to say they will instantly be able to follow in their footsteps.

 

[1910]

How many years after Bradman did those guys come along? Plus cricket isnt really a good comparison as it tends to be more focused on international teams not clubs sides like in League.

You may get the players as good as those guys at Melbourne, but who's to say they will end up at Melbourne, and who's to say they will instantly be able to follow in their footsteps.

Think you missed the point. The bar doesn't have to be Smith.

B.Smith doesn't have to be as good at C.Smith. He can still be good and still be successful. The comparison I used was we've had 100 good players since Bradman but none as good. I just picked a random three. Harvey was a kid on Bradman's last tour in 48 and went on to play for the next 15 years still not as good as Bradman but great none the less- half as good in fact stats wise.

Shane Perry v Alf might have gone better as an example. Seeing how you love your Dolphins.

 

[Wolfie]

Think you missed the point. The bar doesn't have to be Smith.

B.Smith doesn't have to be as good at C.Smith. He can still be good and still be successful. The comparison I used was we've had 100 good players since Bradman but none as good. I just picked a random three. Harvey was a kid on Bradman's last tour in 48 and went on to play for the next 15 years still not as good as Bradman but great none the less- half as good in fact stats wise.

Shane Perry v Alf might have gone better as an example. Seeing how you love your Dolphins.

Not missing the point as such, and i agree they dont need to be their equals. I just dont see people moving to Melbourne to play with Brandon Smith or Jahrome Hughes like they would to play with Cam Smith or Billy Slater. Blokes like that can have a huge impact on a teams recruitment. Its also a huge ask to follow a Cam smith as well as we have found out with Locky. B.Smith might be a decent player, but he wont be half the player and have the influence Cam does. Thats where i feel Melbourne will struggle.

 

[Thelmus]

Not missing the point as such, and i agree they dont need to be their equals. I just dont see people moving to Melbourne to play with Brandon Smith or Jahrome Hughes like they would to play with Cam Smith or Billy Slater. Blokes like that can have a huge impact on a teams recruitment. Its also a huge ask to follow a Cam smith as well as we have found out with Locky. B.Smith might be a decent player, but he wont be half the player and have the influence Cam does. Thats where i feel Melbourne will struggle.

That's a good point. Melbourne has seriously built its game around its spine. It's hard to find a like-for-like replacement for someone that, by being the best ever is literally irreplaceable. It doesn't mean they won't compete, or even find quality players, but it definitely will require some adjustment and that has got to take some time.
Having said all that, Munster's not a bad player and the likes of croft (he's not there yet but will be) and others should rise to the opportunity, but the biggest question isn't the players, or recruitment but the coach.
Bellamy has had a certain way of playing set in stone at the storm and everyone in the ranks knows it and runs with it. It's pretty simple and relies on the magic of 3 great players to give that x-factor every attack needs. We'll see where that will come from, but I'm guessing it won't be Munster, or Croft orSmith 2.0.

 

[Kyall]

So far every year Bennett has given a player a tap on the shoulder who will it be next year.

 

[Reyter]

Hav

Have a good think about the coaches and the media, their relationship. Now tell me, which one of the coaches provides the most grist for the mill ? Which coach has the most lines written about him ? Which coach generates the most interest ? Have you ever considered that WB masterfully plays his role while meeting two demands, namely to generate interest in the game and simultaneously keeping his private thoughts just that, private ?

It's a funny thing about perception, I hardly ever think he's angry or bitter. I think he doesn't suffer fools and sees the media as the remora fish on a shark and like the shark he simply tolerates and ignores. You really need to look through less biased eyes and see the genius in his handling of the remora.

Unless you disagree about if Newcastles population base was the same as Brisbanes, Brown would generate the most interest. Ditto for Stuart and Canberra, if there were only 1 or 2 Sydney teams and etc, your argument is irrelevant. I didn't ignore it.

The bottom line is, when he was at the top of his game, I didn't mind his grumpy/bitter/angry persona. His cringe-worth emotional outbursts would have still been cringe-worthy but I wouldn't have cared. Previously I don't think he was as grumpy/bitter/angry as he is now regardless. IMO his whole "media is the enemy" thing is really old. I like coaches like Bellamy when his stomping around seemingly losing his mind, Stuart on the sidelines kicking chairs and jumping around. I loved Brown's comment about little head and big head. Then other coaches are being interviewed and participating in humorous little skits and etc. Bennett comes across as having the charisma of a damp rag.

I can't understand how anyone is happy about Bennett his grumpy/bitter/angry persona but that's just the way I feel about it. If you feel differently, I'm happy for you.

The only reason I bring it up to start with is I believe he has screwed up badly with the contract length and size of Bird, Milford and Boyd. If he proves me wrong by the end of the season, I will gladly admit I was wrong.

 

[Reyter]

So far every year Bennett has given a player a tap on the shoulder who will it be next year.

Sims is gone.