Will we do it all again in 2015?

[I bleed Maroon]

I've forgotten what this feels like, and that just won't do. It is starting to feel like our turn again. I am not sure about another dynasty, that depends on the development of our younger players, but the odds of at least 1 Premiership in the next 5 years is shortening dramatically as the preseason months go on. The club are doing all the right things, and they seem to be serious about putting us back on the top of the mountain.

Will we do it? Personally I think 2016 is more likely, but I will be rooting for us as if we're premiership favorites (and we are) anyway.

 

[Ari Gold]

Souths are favourites.

As for can we do it again, potentially in 2015 we can, but I agree the future is more likely. It really depends on how well Milford adapts and how well Macca improves and what our props do. If Milford is comfortable, Macca improves and Joe becomes a powerful starter then we can easily do it. If they can't we are no chance.

 

[Big Pete]

Souths are favourites.

As for can we do it again, potentially in 2015 we can, but I agree the future is more likely. It really depends on how well Milford adapts and how well Macca improves and what our props do. If Milford is comfortable, Macca improves and Joe becomes a powerful starter then we can easily do it. If they can't we are no chance.

Those are definitely the big questions right there.

But then there are all sorts of questions over Boyd, Hodges, Hunt, Thaiday, Glenn, Gillett, Oates etc etc

Even if the Broncos don't take out the premiership, I'm feeling pretty excited about 2015.

Souths may go in as favourites, but I have my doubts over them going back to back.

 

[Ari Gold]

Those are definitely the big questions right there.

But then there are all sorts of questions over Boyd, Hodges, Hunt, Thaiday, Glenn, Gillett, Oates etc etc

Even if the Broncos don't take out the premiership, I'm feeling pretty excited about 2015.

Souths may go in as favourites, but I have my doubts over them going back to back.

Despite being anti-Boyd, and having reservations about him having some kind of re-lapse, I'm actually quite confident he'll have a strong year.

With Thaiday, Glenn, Gillett, Oates I kind of feel like we have it covered. We have enough rolls of the dice there that we'll get what we need.

Hunt is a bit of a question mark as to whether he can improve, but WB should get the best out of him.

No question on Hodges, unless it's why people think he should be retired by now. Hope we can win in his final year so he can go out Webcke style, regardless of what year that may be.

 

[Big Pete]

I tend to agree with you on Boyd and the backrows but then you never know. I don't think there was many Knights fans expecting him to start the season the way he did. Then, not many could predict he'd get injured 15 minutes into the season either.

Hunt & Hodgo are my two big concerns.

Hunt was strong in some categories, weak in others and we can't afford for him to stagnate. I'm not convinced Bennett will be able to improve his game but we'll see.

Hodgo is the most unorthodox player in the game. I thought he was borderline useless in the centres in 2014, it was only when he'd shift in-field to play as a quasi five eighth/fullback that he became handy and I don't know if he'll be given the freedom with Boyd + Milford on board. At least, not to the extended he was afforded this season.

 

[Ari Gold]

I tend to agree with you on Boyd and the backrows but then you never know. I don't think there was many Knights fans expecting him to start the season the way he did. Then, not many could predict he'd get injured 15 minutes into the season either.

Hunt & Hodgo are my two big concerns.

Hunt was strong in some categories, weak in others and we can't afford for him to stagnate. I'm not convinced Bennett will be able to improve his game but we'll see.

Hodgo is the most unorthodox player in the game. I thought he was borderline useless in the centres in 2014, it was only when he'd shift in-field to play as a quasi five eighth/fullback that he became handy and I don't know if he'll be given the freedom with Boyd + Milford on board. At least, not to the extended he was afforded this season.

Hodges won't have Hoffman and Barba for creators this year and will reap the benefits of running off Milford. Plus, for all my criticisms of WB, he'll make sure Hodges cuts out the crap options, freeing up all his energies so they can be spent on being awesome.

 

[Danoz Direct]

I tend to agree with you on Boyd and the backrows but then you never know. I don't think there was many Knights fans expecting him to start the season the way he did. Then, not many could predict he'd get injured 15 minutes into the season either.

Hunt & Hodgo are my two big concerns.

Hunt was strong in some categories, weak in others and we can't afford for him to stagnate. I'm not convinced Bennett will be able to improve his game but we'll see.

Hodgo is the most unorthodox player in the game. I thought he was borderline useless in the centres in 2014, it was only when he'd shift in-field to play as a quasi five eighth/fullback that he became handy and I don't know if he'll be given the freedom with Boyd + Milford on board. At least, not to the extended he was afforded this season.

I think Hunt will improve himself, he definitely has the talent, just needs to put in the time.

 

[Big Pete]

Hodges won't have Hoffman and Barba for creators this year and will reap the benefits of running off Milford. Plus, for all my criticisms of WB, he'll make sure Hodges cuts out the crap options, freeing up all his energies so they can be spent on being awesome.

Fair point, the service of Boyd + Milford should surely help matters.

I just hope he gets himself right. He did everything he could this year, would never question his application but it was pretty clear at times that he was struggling as a centre.

I think Hunt will improve himself, he definitely has the talent, just needs to put in the time.

Fingers crossed.

I just wouldn't get in the habit of counting chickens before they hatch.

 

[Alec]

I don't think so, we still need to improve in many areas. Even being optimistic, it's doubtful we'll fix all those areas in 1 year.

 

[Alec]

I reckon Hodges is pretty much wasted in the centres now. His running game is nowhere where it used to be, and he feels like he needs to get involved, and the only way he can really do that is those fairly useless dummy half runs.

Meanwhile he was all class at fullback in attack (horrific in defence though), with the exceptions of those times where he tried to do too much...and that might not have happened if the rest of the team was playing well enough.

 

[Unbreakable]

I wouldn't mind seeing Hodges defend at Centre but occasionally in attack become a second Five-Eighth / Fullback, we could use some of his brilliance every so often, but not every set of six.

 

[Kimlo]

Hodges was amazing in the final game at fullback before the scum bag T Sims cheap shotted him, his kick returns were lethal in that second half.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Souths are favourites.

As for can we do it again, potentially in 2015 we can, but I agree the future is more likely. It really depends on how well Milford adapts and how well Macca improves and what our props do. If Milford is comfortable, Macca improves and Joe becomes a powerful starter then we can easily do it. If they can't we are no chance.

McC ....is not going to improve.

For us to be any real chance of re-creating our "dynasty", we have to find someone else.

 

[vertigo]

Ultimately it'll come down to what kind of platform we lay down for ourselves in defence and execution, we've looked like the dumbest football team in the world more often than not when facing genuine tests.

It'd be nice to feel the arm wrestle in a tough match wont completely collapse and have the table wiped out from under us too.

 

[Sproj]

I'm not normally a pessimistic guy but I feel worried about 2015. I don't think we are a premiership contender with the slow service from dummy half. Milford-Barba could have been fantastic sniffing around for offloads but with Milf in the halves, he won't have that freedom. We are still small and that can be an advantage but only with a Bulldogs 2012 playing style. If McC has increased his service speed and accuracy a hundred fold, Bennett doesn't just pick on reputation and favourites, and we improve our defense, we are a chance. Otherwise, with all the upheaval that's gone on and players who have left will leave us as bad as last season or even worse.

 

[cjmcevoy]

Hell of a lot more excited about 2015 already than I was for 2014. Always had this blinkered, loyal fan view that we could win any game from any position but was loosing that belief this year. That's what I want back in 2015. Others called it the arm wrestle or just being a tough team to beat. Basically someone others don't look forward to playing.
Regarding Hunt, want him to become more consistent and polished with more control of team. He's the future captain but not ready just yet.
Hodges is one of my favourite players but yes he does stupid shit sometimes. Watching him take over dummy half made me cringe but at same time demonstrated his unwillingness to be a passenger. Ain't it better to fail trying? Didn't like how he berated Maranta but sometimes senior players have to kick the collective group in the arse.
I know we don't have a power pack but why can't we try n use their speed n skill by doggie still offloads etc. Might help to bring Hodges from centre n Milf's speed into the game.
Many more things like ruck defence, wrestling (I hate this aspect in league but when in Rome) and line speed that could improve but let's see what Bennett does.
Premiers 2016 or 2017? Back to back be nice again.