Rumoured & Confirmed Signings (2025 Season)

[betcats]

A very good squad can carry an ordinary hooker - so long as the rest of the spine are weapons. Walsh is probably the best weapon in the game, the equal of prime Turbo and better than even a fit and motivated Latrell.

Which is why the idea you need to have one of the best couple of hookers in the game to win was always ridiculous. A good team can carry average at any position, there is no sinngle position where you have to have a superstar to win, history has shown that. A great team is a great team.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Which is why the idea you need to have one of the best couple of hookers in the game to win was always ridiculous. A good team can carry average at any position, there is no sinngle position where you have to have a superstar to win, history has shown that. A great team is a great team.

I don’t think you can win the comp with an average FB or HB…. I think history has shown that

 

[The Realist]

I don’t think you can win the comp with an average FB or HB…. I think history has shown that

Broncos won in 2006 with Shaun Berrigan. Ben Hornby was a makeshift halfback, pretty good but certainly not excellent or great. Patten for the Bulldogs was no more than a competent fullback. But I am pointing out exceptions rather than the rule.

I think it is fair to say that you need at least one of your spine to be great and the rest to be at least competent but in good form. The more spine players that are good +, the better the chances.

 

[Fangs]

Broncos won in 2006 with Shaun Berrigan. Ben Hornby was a makeshift halfback, pretty good but certainly not excellent or great. Patten for the Bulldogs was no more than a competent fullback. But I am pointing out exceptions rather than the rule.

I think it is fair to say that you need at least one of your spine to be great and the rest to be at least competent but in good form. The more spine players that are good +, the better the chances.

Broncos struck gold with Hodges playing fullback. Likewise Berrigan moving to 9. Injuries and some ballsy coaching from Bennett moving them late in the season made it happen.

Though Shane Perry was the 7 haha.

Bit like 2025 Broncos IMO. An overly stacked squad. They had so many options available. But teams today don't get away with playing guys like Staggs and Carroll at centre anymore. The game is too fast now.

 

[betcats]

I don’t think you can win the comp with an average FB or HB…. I think history has shown that

Lots of average halfbacks have won. Chad townsend won one. Ben Hornby, Matt orford, Mitch Pearce, shane perry off the top of my head.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Lots of average halfbacks have won. Chad townsend won one. Ben Hornby, Matt orford, Mitch Pearce, shane perry off the top of my head.

Chad Townsend doesnt count he had James Maloney who was massively underrated as a player with Ennis at Hooker and Andrew Fifita deciding he'd go nuts for one season. Oh and Barba at fullback who was damn good in his day.

 

[betcats]

Chad Townsend doesnt count he had James Maloney who was massively underrated as a player with Ennis at Hooker and Andrew Fifita deciding he'd go nuts for one season. Oh and Barba at fullback who was damn good in his day.

Townsend absolutely counts. Im not talking about pairings together, im talking about individual positions, Luke said you cant win with an average halfback.

The whole point is a great team can cover an average player at any position including 7.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Townsend absolutely counts. Im not talking about pairings together, im talking about individual positions, Luke said you cant win with an average halfback.

The whole point is a great team can cover an average player at any position including 7.

But they had an elite halfback in maloney to cover Townsend being average. Thats why it doesn't count.

 

[Munky]

You need atleast one star player in the halves.

Perry had Lockyer
Hornby had Soward (imagine that kicking game with Pantherball)
Chad had Maloney
Pearce had Maloney
Orford was legit a great player with a Dally M, just a mercenary.

 

[betcats]

But they had an elite halfback in maloney to cover Townsend being average. Thats why it doesn't count.

Mate that is the whole point im making. There is not one individual position in the team that cant be covered by the team. Townsend was shit 7 but he had a very good team around him and they won. How does that not count? you couldnt pick a better example for the point i am making.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Lots of average halfbacks have won. Chad townsend won one. Ben Hornby, Matt orford, Mitch Pearce, shane perry off the top of my head.

Who is Shane Perry?

You might consider those others to be average, but they certainly weren’t in the years they won comps.

 

[betcats]

Who is Shane Perry?

You might consider those others to be average, but they certainly weren’t in the years they won comps.

Rubbish they were average, the only debatable one is Orford but imo he was avarage compared to his peers at the time, wasnt close to the top 3 halfbacks running around during his time.

Before last week Shane perry was the last bronco to wear 7 in a GF win, so average you dont even know him.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Mate that is the whole point im making. There is not one individual position in the team that cant be covered by the team. Townsend was shit 7 but he had a very good team around him and they won. How does that not count? you couldnt pick a better example for the point i am making.

Yeah technically correct but they had two 7s so its a bit more nuanced than "see you can cover an average half.

 

[betcats]

Yeah technically correct but they had two 7s so its a bit more nuanced than "see you can cover an average half.

Maloney wore 6 for the vast majority of his career, tbh i cant remember when he did play 7? Either way the point stands. Chad townsend was an average player at halfback who won. I daresay most average halves who win have a gun halves partner.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Maloney wore 6 for the vast majority of his career, tbh i cant remember when he did play 7? Either way the point stands. Chad townsend was an average player at halfback who won. I daresay most average halves who win have a gun halves partner.

Yeah he did but surely at least we can agree he was a damn fine 7. He was built to be the dominant half no idea why he was always a 5/8 honestly.

I get what your saying some average halves have won but is it really a gotcha against the original point if they have an elite halves partner? What's the difference between:

Elite 7
Average 6

And

Average 7
Elite 6

Kinda same same for me is all. Not a huge thing and we're squabbling over minor things.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Townsend absolutely counts. Im not talking about pairings together, im talking about individual positions, Luke said you cant win with an average halfback.

The whole point is a great team can cover an average player at any position including 7.

Chad Townsend was well and truly an above average halfback. Particularly that year.

Perry is the only Average halfback you mentioned.

 

[Luke Bowden]

Rubbish they were average, the only debatable one is Orford but imo he was avarage compared to his peers at the time, wasnt close to the top 3 halfbacks running around during his time.

Before last week Shane perry was the last bronco to wear 7 in a GF win, so average you dont even know him.

Your list is the only thing that’s rubbish.

I think you need to adjust your definition of Average.

 

[betcats]

Your list is the only thing that’s rubbish.

I think you need to adjust your definition of Average.

Prove me wrong.

 

[betcats]

Chad Townsend was well and truly an above average halfback. Particularly that year.

Perry is the only Average halfback you mentioned.

Do you understand that an average NRL halfback is a guy that plays in the NRL consistently without being a star. If that isnt chd townsend then there are no average nrl halfbacks.

 

[betcats]

Yeah he did but surely at least we can agree he was a damn fine 7. He was built to be the dominant half no idea why he was always a 5/8 honestly.

I get what your saying some average halves have won but is it really a gotcha against the original point if they have an elite halves partner? What's the difference between:

Elite 7
Average 6

And

Average 7
Elite 6

Kinda same same for me is all. Not a huge thing and we're squabbling over minor things.

He was 6 cause he didnt want to be an on ball dominant half, sure he had the skills but wasnt his natural style of play he much preferred to just get the ball when he saw something.