Where have the true centres gone?

[ethos]

I still maintain that Michaels is a much better winger than centre.

His form in 2006 and 2007 (I think?) was great outside of Hodges.

 

[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.

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.

Ah ... What space?

Michaels either gets the ball with a metre or so to move, or because our playmaking is largely crap (except in their red zone) he is forced to run from dummy half - like most of our backs (and forwards).

I'd like to see how Michaels would go outside say Cronk and Smith, or even on the wing outside Inglis.

IMO, our playmaking from our own half to their red zone is shallow/flat and BORING.

We simply rely far too much on individual brilliance - like Hodges, to create space, or use our standard 2nd man play with K close to their line which is where we score most of our points.

Any code of football is about space: creating it and using it. We are failing in this critical area as we are in defensive intensity, communication and support.

Just watch as one example,Kimmorely and Roberts and how they give their runners room to move.

If the key playmaking roles fall to the 1,6,7 and 9, only our 1 is doing a decent job.

Width is one thing, depth is another.

 

[Ari Gold]

Michaels gets at least one pass a game where he has a bit of space in which to draw and pass and set up his winger. Instead of doing that, he runs sideways into Winterstein's space and kills the raid. I'm astonished anyone can actually blame our halves for Michaels being so crap.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Michaels needs to be on the Wing end of story... He is a good finisher and has pace to burn.

 

[ningnangnong]

Michaels does not deserve to be in the team at all.

It's completely unfair on others that he is continually being rewarded for consistently mediocre performances.

 

[Kimlo]

Micheals needs to be left right out.
I don't care what potential he has (and I was a big fan last year) he needs to back to reserves for a few weeks (he's a good player won't be in reserves for long) to gain some confidence to hopefully return to last years form.

Interesting to note, Michaels has the most metres made for the Broncos this year.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Michaels does not deserve to be in the team at all.

It's completely unfair on others that he is continually being rewarded for consistent mediocre performances.

I agree i was just stating that I think he is a winger not a centre.. icon_thumbs_u

 

[rnabokov]

Michaels gets at least one pass a game where he has a bit of space in which to draw and pass and set up his winger. Instead of doing that, he runs sideways into Winterstein's space and kills the raid. I'm astonished anyone can actually blame our halves for Michaels being so crap.

Space? I'll start watching more carefully. Maybe he runs sideways because there's nowhere else to run - and I DO agree his form has slipped, but my belief about the lack of depth to our attack still remains.

As far as I am concerned, I agree with a comment that Vossy made the other night, namely that the Broncos under-utilize Folau, unlike the Maroons.

In fact, our attack is boring and predictable and together with our crap defence, will see us continue to slide - yes, that dreaded word, slide down the table.

We were 1st, now 5th. Where will we be in another month? (I am disregarding the Sharks game, although I have a feeling we'll win that by 20).

And I do blame the halves. Bellamy was right in criticising Wallace for exactly not creating space for his backs - aside from his dreadful kicking game.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Wallace has been poor for several weeks IMO.... He should not be playing Origin that is for sure..

 

[rnabokov]

Wallace has been poor for several weeks IMO.... He should not be playing Origin that is for sure..

Wallace has been poor for more than a few weeks. I think the Maroons (and Broncos) are lucky he's there.

 

[Big Pete]

- 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

Not to nit-pick the nit-picker but wasn't it 10-0 at halftime? The Storm rallied and scored 18 points before Lockyer decided to go for the 2 points to lessen the gap. The boys came close too before the Storm denied us by putting Boyd over the sideline when it looked like he was going to score.

 

[Big Pete]

Also I just want to make this point:

There is a real scarecity of quality centres in the NRL. Every team has problems with depth when it comes the position so fans shouldn't be alarmed that the quality of depth is no where near as good as what it used to be.

With that said I do believe we have a level of depth. I believe these players can make a decent fist at centre at our club:

Dale Coply: A left centre who plays with a lot of class and poise. His positioning is brilliant and he's among one of the fastest players in the Under 20's. Has a wickid sidestep at his disposal.

Gerard Beale: Gerard is a genuinly balanced athlete who combines both agility and speed to dazzle his opponents. He also has the skill set capable of playing at fullback or five eigth.

Will Tupou: As tall as Israel yet as strong as Thaiday Tupou possess a great physique to make it at centre. Sadly injury has haltered his progress in 09 but when he came out against the Storm he was head and shoulders above every other player on both sides. He can also play backrow.

If we get really desperate:
Karl Johnson - The North Sydney journeyman is making a name for himself at the Comets where his strength and speed has seen him defeat many a defender. Might be a little too clumsy for first grade though.

Alwyn Simpson: Is a capable finisher with a nice turn of pace. Has played for the Broncos before during much darker times.

Liam Campbell: Liam will be remembered for his musical ability during his time on The Footy Show where he caught plenty of attention. Since returning from Penrith, Campbell has been a shining light for a struggling Easts side boasting an impressive try tally and a never say die attitude, Campbell is one of the players of the Queensland Cup.

 

[BroncoMatt]

Also I just want to make this point:

There is a real scarecity of quality centres in the NRL. Every team has problems with depth when it comes the position so fans shouldn't be alarmed that the quality of depth is no where near as good as what it used to be.

With that said I do believe we have a level of depth. I believe these players can make a decent fist at centre at our club:

Dale Coply: A left centre who plays with a lot of class and poise. His positioning is brilliant and he's among one of the fastest players in the Under 20's. Has a wickid sidestep at his disposal.

Gerard Beale: Gerard is a genuinly balanced athlete who combines both agility and speed to dazzle his opponents. He also has the skill set capable of playing at fullback or five eigth.

Will Tupou: As tall as Israel yet as strong as Thaiday Tupou possess a great physique to make it at centre. Sadly injury has haltered his progress in 09 but when he came out against the Storm he was head and shoulders above every other player on both sides. He can also play backrow.

If we get really desperate:
Karl Johnson - The North Sydney journeyman is making a name for himself at the Comets where his strength and speed has seen him defeat many a defender. Might be a little too clumsy for first grade though.

Alwyn Simpson: Is a capable finisher with a nice turn of pace. Has played for the Broncos before during much darker times.

Liam Campbell: Liam will be remembered for his musical ability during his time on The Footy Show where he caught plenty of attention. Since returning from Penrith, Campbell has been a shining light for a struggling Easts side boasting an impressive try tally and a never say die attitude, Campbell is one of the players of the Queensland Cup.

Pete, out of interest what do you make of Tim Yee?

 

[Big Pete]

To be honest I haven't seen a lot of him and the game I did watch him play, he was playing at five eigth so it wasn't a fair indicator.

But yes, that's another option! Especially since he trained with the Broncos during the Pre-Season.

 

[horses mouth]

beale gets injured to much

 

[broncosil]

Anyone know the deal with Hewitt?

Michaels should be left out. Any other team would have booted his arse by now. He is a ball hog, and when you start seeing playmakers throw over the top of him to go straight to the winger, you know they don't have much faith in him either.

 

[horses mouth]

Gerard Beale would be a great centre, on either side of the field

to clumsy & cumbersome

 

[Kimlo]

Justin God Hodges. Our saviour returned tonight.