Round 4 vs. North Queensland Cowboys Discussion

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 29 March 2024
Kick Off: 7:00pm (AEST)

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates

18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Jock Madden 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Martin Taupau 22. Jordan Pereira

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter

14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski

18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Jake Clifford​

 

[Big Pete]

Tristan Sailor has been pulled from the Norths/Souths game, all but confirming his place in the team. It's just a matter of whether he'll be the fullback or if Kevie decides to keep Selwyn there and drafts in Corey Oates with Jesse Arthars switching to the centres.

I presume it'll be a straight swap.

Adam Reynolds will undergo a fitness test at the start of the week on his knee. If he's out, I believe they'll give Jock Madden another opportunity. Madden struggled against the Panthers but he was essentially on a hiding to nothing coming in with no match fitness, against the defending premiers with key personnel missing. This should be a better showcase for him.

Madden isn't the only player under pressure. Fletcher Baker, Billy Walters and Martin Taupau have all been in the cross-hairs and will need big games to win fans over. All cards on the table, I thought the Baker signing would compliment the Broncos pack nicely and provide them with a solid reliable forward option. However he's had a slow start and he was completely out of his depth playing 70+ minutes on an edge.

Baker needs to be more assertive and just run hard and tackle hard.

Cowboys come in undefeated and while they've been shakey in recent weeks will start as deserving favourites.

 

[SandwichArtist]

How did Tapau not get suspended for his dumb knee lift thing he does? I'd be happy enough to see us give Jaidyn Hunt games ahead of him.

Sailor to fullback and keep Reynolds on ice for one more week. Jock Madden is a nice little player who was not the issue on Thursday night. Cobbo needs to go back to the centre to help solidify that defence on the left side of the field.

Billy Walters need to improve his form because we're all keen for Blake Mozer season

 

[some11]

Cowboys are in much better shape going into this one, I can see that edge of Dearden-Holmes-Taulagi tearing us to shreds.

We don't have the strike to outscore them so anything less than a great defensive game will result in a loss.

 

[Big Pete]

The Broncos have received a boost with Adam Reynolds named to play against the Cowboys. Reynolds completed the session and remains on track to play on Friday. Reynolds will be joined by Corey Oates who will fill the forward/backline role off the bench.

In some unfortunate news, Brendan Piakura suffered an ankle syndesmosis injury and is set to miss the next four games (vs. Cowboys, Storm, Dolphins, Raiders). Former St George Illawarra forward Jaiyden Hunt will take his place on Friday.

Cowboys will welcome back Zac Laybutt for the clash.

Brisbane are going to have to dig deep here before the season gets away from them. Everybody will need to bring their A game and they'll need to complete high and hold the footy if they're going to be a chance. Cows are undefeated and while they've had moments of complacency in all three games, have the ability to blow teams off the park.

Brisbane will have to match them, mitigate the damage and take their opportunities when they're available.

 

[SandwichArtist]

We will win this. Nothing surer.

 

[MRN]

Yes boys! Some nice turn around on that points differential. Hopefully build from here.

 

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos 38 (Billy Walters, Jesse Arthars, Kotoni Staggs, Tyson Smoothy, Ezra Mam, Corey Oates tries; Adam Reynolds 7/8 goals) def. North Queensland Cowboys 12

2-2

Best performance of the season from the Broncos and a timely one too. The loss of Walsh saw them play more direct and off the boot of Adam Reynolds they were able to dent the Cowboys confidence.

Tom Dearden received a lot of deserved recognition for his try-saver on Cobbo. However Ezra also deserves credit for his effort to deny Taulagi. That was a massive play in the context of the game as it cruelled the Cowboys momentum when they were in the midst of locking up the scores.

Sailor filled in admirably for Reece Walsh and was safe as houses despite the difficult conditions. The forward pack worked well together to pick up the slack with Patrick Carrigan taking out the inaugural Carl Webb Man of the Match award after a strong 200m+ 40+ tackle performance.

At the very least it gives them some momentum before they come up against Melbourne in Melbourne. This has always been the litmus test for the Broncos, so many teams have failed and while they're not at full strength, if they can pick up where they left off they'll give themselves every opportunity to win.