Where have the true centres gone?

[Bucking Beads]

I'd be happy enough to give Alex Glenn a crack at left centre if we get to see the back of Michaels... As for Izzy he needs to work on his defence for sure but I think he would make an outstanding centre for the Broncos on either side of the field.

 

[Coxy]

I think we are discounting just how bad playing outside Locky is making Folau's defence look. Folau played all of last year with the storm at centre at looked more than comfortable in defence (didn't he win dally M centre of the year??). Poor defence is a problem across the board at the broncs at the moment and I don't think Folau's been any worse than the rest of the lot!

It's not just his defence though. He has zero timing when it comes to running the ball. He's never hitting a gap or running into a hole. He scores tries either by jumping for bombs, or by getting the ball within 5 metres and having the strength to get over the line.

I've been completely underwhelmed by his ability to read a game to be perfectly honest.

 

[Foordy]

Agreed!! You're on fire today Coxy. As a winger, he's all class - Knows where to be, when to take the pass, when to slice back in etc.

But seriously, when he's played in the centres I've never seen him hit the ball with speed and get through a gap or even get through a gap on his own with using strength and power like Inglis does. In fact, I have no idea how fast Folau is because I've never really seen him make a long break? Michaels hits gaps better than Folau. Maybe it does have something to do with Folau's inability to read the play?

For someone who is so powerfull and strong 10 metres out from the line, I can't understand why we don't ever see him in full flight in the centres.

Only problem is the he doesn't pass the ball to his winger, and a potential try is bombed... and IMO, that is he big problem, if he learnt to pass to his winger (but not get too close to the sideline so his winger has no where to go) then i would be perfectly happy to see him stay right where he is

 

[Coxy]

Knows how to hit a gap, but doesn't seem to know what to do after he does...or whether there really is a gap or whether it's best to give it to his winger...

That's what I'm saying. Apart from Hodges, all of our centre options have major issues.
And as mal has pointed out, even Hodges is less than perfect.

 

[Professor47]

In regards to all the Hodges talk... eh... Yes.. he _can_ be the best defensive centre in the game.. yes he _can_ be the difference between the win and a loss. But let's be honest. How many games have we seen him produce the goods since his 2006 season? Players like Lyon (ugh -pain), Hayne (ugh -pain), Inglis producing the good consistently...

Until Hodges can consistently produce results without giving away stupid penalties and actually be on the field not injured it's kinda hard for me to think of him offering that much to the Broncos in regards to a whole season.

I'm the first to admit he hasn't been great since 08. (Played like 9 games didn't he?)
Seriously though, his efforts and performances in 05/06 (obviously 06 in particular) and even 07 were something you had to applaud.

Coxy, as much as I loved Renouf as a kid - (who is more of a 'classic' centre than hodges) (but the game has changed) I just love the way Hodges plays the game when he's switched on. (Not when he's a prick) His aggression and desire to win really wins me. I like to compare Gaz's attitude with Hodges to make a point. How many times have we seen Hodges try his best to win even when the game is already lost, or distancing away? He keeps on trying and hardly ever goes missing. Gaz - a centre of equal talent (or arguably more), how many times do we see him go missing when the game is gone? It is this aspect along with his skill that made me really like him as a player.
There are a few things I put down to us winning the 06 GF. (according the memory)

- Lockyer's game in the semi against the dogs to get us there. (Is that the best club footy game ever or what?)
- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)
- But most of all, Switching Hodges to FB kick started our momentum and without this move I don't think we would have won.

 

[rnabokov]

Agreed!! You're on fire today Coxy. As a winger, he's all class - Knows where to be, when to take the pass, when to slice back in etc.

But seriously, when he's played in the centres I've never seen him hit the ball with speed and get through a gap or even get through a gap on his own with using strength and power like Inglis does. In fact, I have no idea how fast Folau is because I've never really seen him make a long break? Michaels hits gaps better than Folau. Maybe it does have something to do with Folau's inability to read the play?

For someone who is so powerfull and strong 10 metres out from the line, I can't understand why we don't ever see him in full flight in the centres.

Ah, I can't seem to remember anyone setting up a play so Izzy has space, or a gap or a hole to run through.

He's being used as a battering ram in the centres - and half the time on the wing.

At least the Storm know how to give Inglis room to show his wares.

Same applies to Sammy as well.

As for Michaels - what gaps have we actually created for him to hit at speed?

They all bloody run one-out. Hodges is good because he can step and is so strong.

I actually like Lyn's suggestion of trying T'eo at left centre.

 

[Kimlo]

Agreed!! You're on fire today Coxy. As a winger, he's all class - Knows where to be, when to take the pass, when to slice back in etc.

But seriously, when he's played in the centres I've never seen him hit the ball with speed and get through a gap or even get through a gap on his own with using strength and power like Inglis does. In fact, I have no idea how fast Folau is because I've never really seen him make a long break? Michaels hits gaps better than Folau. Maybe it does have something to do with Folau's inability to read the play?

For someone who is so powerfull and strong 10 metres out from the line, I can't understand why we don't ever see him in full flight in the centres.

He hits the floor a lot better too.

 

[rnabokov]

With the exception of Hunt making the extra man close to their line, our backs play so flat (thanks to Wallace maybe) I really don't think it makes much difference who plays where in the backs.

Maybe that partially explains Michaels form this year. What gaps? What holes? He just runs one out, or gets the ball within a few feet of onrushing defenders.

 

[Jeba]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

 

[Scorchie]

Not sure why there is Folau hate, but I partially agree - I'd hate to see the Broncos remembered as the ones who destroyed the career of Folau by using him ineffectively, repeatedly.

 

[Kimlo]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

Which was that game where broncos lost by 10 points ? and basically the turning point of the season and surge to the premiership? If that's the same game I'm thinking about.

 

[Browny]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

Which was that game where broncos lost by 10 points ? and basically the turning point of the season and surge to the premiership? If that's the same game I'm thinking about.

Not sure of the score but basically a bad defensive decision by Hodges at FB and wasted field position was what cost us.

 

[mrslong]

Broncos v Melbourne Storm.

 

[Jeba]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

Which was that game where broncos lost by 10 points ? and basically the turning point of the season and surge to the premiership? If that's the same game I'm thinking about.

Score was 18-12. Led by 12-0 at halftime but their class at the time proved too much for us. Lucky we rectified that icon_thumbs_u And yes it was the turning point of the season, the next week we beat the Dogs 30-0 icon_thumbs_u

 

[Kimlo]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

Which was that game where broncos lost by 10 points ? and basically the turning point of the season and surge to the premiership? If that's the same game I'm thinking about.

Score was 18-12. Led by 12-0 at halftime but their class at the time proved too much for us. Lucky we rectified that icon_thumbs_u And yes it was the turning point of the season, the next week we beat the Dogs 30-0 icon_thumbs_u

Yeah that was the one! [eusa_doh Cooper Gronk making a break at the 40 and hodges and I think lockyer making the bad defensive read... Argh that was a good game though before it the team was playing average after than we owned every team :) 06 Premiership... good times :D

 

[Professor47]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

That's what I mean Jeba. Starting him from round 20 was one of the reasons for us to gain momentum towards the competition! icon_thumbs_u

It was a good coaching decision!

 

[Jeba]

- Starting Thaiday (Can't remember exactly when but didn't WB promote Thaiday to starting a few rounds before the finals?)

Not wanting to nitpick, but Thaiday started for us when we lost to the Storm up here at Suncorp in Round 20 (I think) and remained there for the rest of the season.

I agree with the rest of your points though.

That's what I mean Jeba. Starting him from round 20 was one of the reasons for us to gain momentum towards the competition! icon_thumbs_u

It was a good coaching decision!

Yes it was icon_thumbs_u That was about the time Berrigan started playing hooker, Hodges went to fullback after Boyd went not so good there, and Stagg went to the centres in attack and in the middle in defence. Was very good tactics, even the Leiper boys should be able to admit that icon_thumbs_u

 

[Ari Gold]

With the exception of Hunt making the extra man close to their line, our backs play so flat (thanks to Wallace maybe) I really don't think it makes much difference who plays where in the backs.

Maybe that partially explains Michaels form this year. What gaps? What holes? He just runs one out, or gets the ball within a few feet of onrushing defenders.

Michaels' form is completely explained by the simple fact he's utterly crap. He's had plenty of chances this year to draw and pass to his winger, but instead he's just run into his space, brought the defenders with him and wasted an attacking opportunity.