I remember back in 2008, I couldn't wait until Ben Hunt played first grade. Watching him in the Under 20s, I thought we had our own version of Cooper Cronk and thought the combination of him and Jharal Yow Yeh was going to become our answer to Cronk and Folau. Everytime Bennett went ahead and selected Shane Perry or PJ Marsh above him, I really began to question Bennett's selections as a coach and wondered if he backed himself enough to get something out of a talent so big but raw.
One year later, Ben finally gets his shot after honing his craft in Queensland Cup and 20s. It was a Monday Night at Cronulla and I couldn't wait for Hunt to shock everyone against one of the worst performing teams in the competition. This was going to be Joey vs. Souths 94 all over again.
80 minutes later, and the Broncos lost to the 15th placed Cronulla Sharks 46-12. It was one of the worst losses I've seen in club history and Ben Hunt looked so off the pace, it put the 20s competition into perspective for me. No doubt Ben Hunt could (and he has) go onto become a good player, but the club needed to show patience in him.
4 years later he finally started showing the type of form he was renown for in 20s.
It shouldn't take as long for the Broncos to make a call on Dearden, Paix and Boyd, but they're all adjusting to the rigors of making this game their career. The impression I have is that the Broncos will blood Dearden at some point this year and he could very well become the first choice halfback as early as next year. Right now his development is being treated very delicately, but the signs have been promising and if he improves he will see first grade.
The impression I have of O'Sullivan is that he's seen as depth. If either Milford or Nikorima suffered an injury, he would slot into the side, but Seibold is really waiting on Dearden since he's viewed as the one. I don't believe Dargan is even in the equation and there was speculation that he was going to leave the club during the pre-season. I think he's just taking up space on the roster and if a club showed an interest in him, Seibold would be prepared to let him go no questions.
With Fai also on the outer, the Broncos squad of 30 is more like a squad of 26 with Fensom, Tagataese, O'Sullivan and Mago as depth options, and Kennar, Perese, Shibasaki, Carrigan and Flegler as long term prospects.
I don't think Wayne left the club in disarray, I think he was sacked at an awkward time and I think he would have taken more risks with the selections than Seibold has. I believe Seibold is trying to get a feel for the team and isn't afraid to start slowly to make his mark. I think he's giving all these senior players the opportunity to put their hands up and over time, you'll see more changes to the roster.
I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see Seibold enter the market to get the type of player he wants for his gameplan.
