2014 Broncos Team

[Kaiden]

1. Hoffman (or sign a fullback)
2. Kahu (Yow Yeh if fit)
3. Reed
4. Hodges
5. Copley (if fit)
6. Hunt
7. Ashley Taylor (20's Halfback)
8. Hannant
9. McCullough
10. Tasi/McGuire
11. Glenn/Gillete
12. Thaiday (c)
13. Parker

14. Granville
15. Glenn/Gillette
16. Tasi/McGuire
17. Hala

I honestly think we should get rid of Wallace and Prince and build our halves from the system. Although this team wouldn't be a premiership force in 2014 (or even 2015) I think that this team should allow itself to bond and play together to form a great team.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Jason Simmons]

I don't think we're going to sign anyone much and I don't think these names will improve on our current performance.

I think we as a club are still on the way down, performance-wise...

 

[some11]

Way, way, way too early for Taylor.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Way, way, way too early for Taylor.

If Prince retires, we may not have much of a choice. Not that it matters, we're f**ked either way. The Broncos will be setting an amazing precedent by sacking Henjak after a 10th placed finish but retain Griffin after an even worse result.

 

[Big Pete]

If Prince retires, we may not have much of a choice. Not that it matters, we're f**ked either way. The Broncos will be setting an amazing precedent by sacking Henjak after a 10th placed finish but retain Griffin after an even worse result.

Not really.

Henjak was sacked because of how he treated the players, not because of on-field results. Obviously, if we were on top of the table, that wouldn't have been a problem but I like to believe the relationship with a coach goes hand in hand with on-field success.

Now, reports may come out about Hook and there have definitely been rumours about players being fed up with Hook last season so we'll see but whether or not we make the 8 one season has little bearing on Griffin's career at the Broncos.

I'll post my potential squad ideas later. I get the feeling we have plenty of signings and re-signings to announce first.

 

[beads6]

Taylor may be a gun of the future but we are in a world of trouble if he is a first choice halfback to start the year. We've gotta pull a signing out of somewhere.

 

[unbreaK]

1. Jordan Kahu
2. Jharal Yow Yeh
3. Justin Hodges
4. Jack Reed
5. Josh Hoffman
6. Peter Wallace
7. Ben Hunt
8. Ben Hannant
9. Kurt Baptiste
10. Josh McGuire
11. Matt Gillett
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Corey Parker

14. Andrew McCullough
15. Alex Glenn
16. Lama Tasi
17. David Hala

If I had to pick a side with the current squad we have now, that would be mine. (Excluding Prince and Stagg, who I think will retire)

I really hope we have at least 2 more signings before 2014 but, we need them.

 

[bfoord]

Hoffman has proved this season he is a winger ... and a bloody good one, leave him there. Kahu has potential to be a quality fullback, he would be my preference if we don't sign a FB

 

[Kaiden]

What's the problem with us? Is it that Hook can't coach this crop of players (the same plays over and over) or is it that our players just aren't good enough to be a contending team in the comp?

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

What's the problem with us? Is it that Hook can't coach this crop of players (the same plays over and over) or is it that our players just aren't good enough to be a contending team in the comp?

A bit of both.

 

[lockyno1]

What's the problem with us? Is it that Hook can't coach this crop of players (the same plays over and over) or is it that our players just aren't good enough to be a contending team in the comp?

Want me to be dead blunt- look at our spine, name ONE player that would be in the top 8 in their position...

McCullough, might be 7th or 8th but that is pushing it
Wallace- LOL no, worst halfback in the comp!
Prince- No, and not at 35 years of age!
Norman- not even close.

There are our problems laid out. You look at all the top 5-6 sides and they have elite players in these key positions, we have NONE!

 

[Kaiden]

In 2010-2011, would have Wallace been a top 8 halfback in the NRL, possessing the Lockyer affect?
Now I realise how great Lockyer actually was!

 

[Dazzat]

Want me to be dead blunt- look at our spine, name ONE player that would be in the top 8 in their position...

McCullough, might be 7th or 8th but that is pushing it
Wallace- LOL no, worst halfback in the comp!
Prince- No, and not at 35 years of age!
Norman- not even close.

There are our problems laid out. You look at all the top 5-6 sides and they have elite players in these key positions, we have NONE!

As the old cliché goes - and its well worn - the backs can only do their job if the forwards are making metres.

Our biggest issue is our forwards IMO. We only have one quality front-rower - Ben Hannant. Sam Thaiday and even Josh Maguire are back rowers IMO.

I think I've seen statistics that the Broncos forward pack is about the most ineffectual in the competition in terms of metres made.

Our first priority for 2014 should be another prop or two to add to the recent signing of Tasi. Unfortunately there are virtually none on the market.

 

[H-Bomb]

"I think I've seen statistics that the Broncos forward pack is about the most ineffectual in the competition in terms of metres made."

Not terrible in that area - 8th I believe. Best completions and lowest error rate. By far the worst in infective plays, that fault has to lay at the feet of our halves.
Worst for missed tackles though, everyone can take the blame for that.

 

[GoTheBroncs]

I think lockyno1 is correct. Our spine is just not up to stratch. No stand outs in any of the positions.

Our forwards haven't been great, but have been good enough for us to score more points and in general have more enterprise in attack then what we have shown. We just don't have the attacking talent in the squad, combined with decisions by Hook wasting away Hunt as an interchange hooker and not giving Baptiste/Granville, especially Baptiste, a reasonable go.

The only good news is that our spine remains intact in the origin affected rounds (not that its helped this year so far).

Unbreak presents a 2014 side that I agree with in general from the squad that we have (would perhaps make some minor changes). Whilst the team is solid, we won't be pressing for a premiership in 2014 with that side.

 

[Chainshada]

If it were up to me, changes need to start now..

Remaining 2013 squad:

1) Jordan Kahu (Give him the rest of the year to impress, if he does, he keeps this spot next year, if not, he's back to reserve outside back).
2) Josh Hoffman
3) Jack Reed
4) Justin Hodges
5) Lachlan Maranta (unfortunately we have nothing better, no real point running Kemp if it's just for the remainder of the year)
6) Scott Prince
7) Peter Wallace
8) Ben Hannant
9) Macca
10) Josh McGuire
11) Matt Gillett
12) Sam Thaiday
13) Corey Parker

14) Kurt Baptiste
15) Alex Glenn
16) Lama Tasi
17) David Hala

Move Ben Hunt to QCup for the rest of the year to gain confidence in the halves.

2014:

1) Jordan Kahu/Kevin Locke/Nathan Gardner depending on how Kahu goes rest of this year
2) Josh Hoffman
3) Jharal Yow Yeh
4) Justin Hodges
5) Bulldogs will be close to cap, put in an offer for either Jon Sila or Drury Low (Was begging for Kevin Naiqama here..)
6) Ben Hunt
7) Peter Wallace (Ash Taylor spends the year in QCup)
8) Ben Hannant
9) Macca
10) Josh McGuire
11) Matt Gillett
12) Sam Thaiday
13) Corey Parker

14) Kurt Baptiste
15) Alex Glenn
16) Lama Tasi
17) David Hala

Reed covering Yow Yeh/Hodges injury/suspension.

 

[Dazzat]

Don't know what some people have against Jack Reid. He's a quality player in both attack and defence, and is great under the high ball.

Must be the red head thing.

 

[Chainshada]

It's not that I have something against the guy...but Yow Yeh won't be on the wing when he comes back..and you don't dump Hodges for him either.

 

[Kiwi]

This is the side I'd select next year if MMM are correct.

1 - Kahu
2 - Hoffman
3 - Reed
4 - Hodges
5 - Copely
6 - Hunt
7 - Wallace
8 - Hannant
9 - McCullough
10 - Shillington
11 - McGuire
12 - Thaiday
13 - Parker

14 - Lasi/Hala
15 - Glenn
16 - Gillett
17 - Granville

 

[Big Pete]

According to Zero Tackle, here's a list of contracted players for 2014

Matt Gillett
Alex Glenn
David Hala
Ben Hannant
Justin Hodges
Josh Hoffman
Ben Hunt
Andrew McCullough
Josh McGuire
Corey Parker
Scott Prince
Jack Reed
David Stagg
Ashley Taylor
Sam Thaiday
Peter Wallace
Jharal Yow Yeh

It's too soon to put together a side, especially when only 17 players are confirmed to back up next season and even then some of those elder statesmen (Prince, Stagg etc.) may call it quits and Wallace may still be off to Penrith.