Bunji to Broncos

[getsmarty]

Would be interesting to see Benji play at centre or fullback (attack-wise). Obviously Mary, was not flexible enough in his view of the team to have given that a shot.

Part of me hopes that Benji finishes his career with more success on the field...

The only time Mary is flexible is when he makes ridiculous selections...eg DeBelin @ halfback...says it all really.

It will be interesting to see how Benji goes under a proper coach.

 

[dragonssamy61]

'London to a brick on', if signed he won't play half back. He is not a half back, doesn't want play half back and his style doesn't suit half back. He is a five eight.. Why the imposter persisted trying to put a 'square peg in a round hole' for so long is a head scratch...

Bennett will probably use him as a utility back... Used the right way, I think there is still a few 'diamonds' left in the mine... McGregor couldn't do it.. But I suspect Bennett will.

Good luck to him ..

Spot on tots . I think thats is what will be done

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Benji will kill it under a proper coach!

You could be right..good luck to him.....I know one thing the crowd sits pretty close to the sideline at Suncorp so theres going to be plenty of Falcons amongst them this season

 

[coast_dragons]

He will probably just hit the person on the horse that runs around the stadium.

 

[dragonssamy61]

He will probably just hit the person on the horse that runs around the stadium.

Now i would like to see that

 

[boot]

f**ken gutless nrl registering his undervalued contract, no wonder our games f**ked

 

[BringTheNoise]

New Broncos coach Jason Demetriou says Benji Marshal was a scapegoat for Dragons’ failed season

PETER BADEL, The Courier-Mail
November 2, 2016 6:04pm

NEW Brisbane assistant coach Jason Demetriou has backed Benji Marshall to succeed at the Broncos, labelling him a “scapegoat” for the Dragons’ failed campaign last season.

If anyone can appraise Marshall’s worth to the Broncos, it is Demetriou, who worked closely with the former Kiwi Test skipper last season as a member of the Dragons’ coaching staff.

Brisbane legends Justin Hodges and Steve Renouf have raised concerns over Marshall’s signing, questioning the 31-year-old’s ability to fit into the Broncos culture.

But Demetriou insists Marshall is not a spent force in the NRL and will prove it by bringing a versatile edge to Brisbane’s backline next season.

“Benji was a bit of scapegoat at times for the way the Dragons performed (last season),” said Demetriou, who quit the Dragons last week to become Wayne Bennett’s right-hand man.

“He battled all year with a hamstring injury, but what a lot of people don’t see is Benji’s versatility.

“Having coached at the Dragons, that’s something I learned about him. There are several positions he can play and his experience will be invaluable for some of the younger players at the Broncos.

“If Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt continue the form they have showed in recent years, one of them could be playing Origin, so he will be a vital signing around the representative season.

“I really enjoyed my time coaching Benji and I can see, having worked with him at the Dragons, why he’s had so much success in rugby league.

“The Broncos boys will enjoy having him around.”

Traditionally a five-eighth, Marshall is being considered as a left centre to fill the void left by Jack Reed’s retirement. Demetriou says the 255-game NRL veteran has the ball skills and game sense to flourish in the threequarters.

“Benji could handle the centres,” he said. “Having seen him at training at the Dragons, he’s as good as anyone at playing on an edge and executing a two-on-one situation.

“He can do things that not many centres can do. The big thing is that Benji wants an opportunity and wants to finish his career playing the best football he can. He’s only 31 and these days with sports science, 33 is the new 30. It adds a few seasons to a player’s career.

“It’s a big move for Benji but he has a good relationship with Wayne and he’ll be good for Benny Hunt and Milford as well.

“Benji will be part of a big squad at the Broncos and he understands he’ll have a versatile role to play, so there won’t be as much pressure on him as there was at the Dragons.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n/news-story/8bbd54e48e8fd61d0d548d31134d19c9

 

[Weipa Dragon]

Benji will be good up with the wankoes if he makes the cut. The Broncs have about five million backs running around in the QLD Cup. Pity our... coach couldn't see what Wayne sees and give Benji a go somewhere else in the backline whilst giving Mann or Hutch some solid time in the haves at the end of last year. If I were Benji I would be hating our club. I hope he shines up here.

 

[Willow]

You could be right..good luck to him.....I know one thing the crowd sits pretty close to the sideline at Suncorp so theres going to be plenty of Falcons amongst them this season

It's unlikely Bennett will position Marshall as a key playmaker. I agree with those who say he will become a utility player, filling in along the backline. We'll possibly see him at fullback or centre, which makes a lot of sense. He'll be of some value to the Broncos around Origin time.

 

[Dragon Revival]

We should never have bought Benji as he was past it and prolonged our search for a half-back even longer. Once Hornby retired we had no one. Hopefully Hutchison will follow on from Hornby. Benji had McGregor
bluffed and will get the shits when he does not get a go in First Grade under Bennett and Demetriou. I am glad that we are free of him and Rein and think that the Broncos will struggle.

 

[Old Timer]

No defence for his no defence.
He will be a speed hump and was pretty much for us as well.
Sure some got their rocks off on a few tackles he pulled off but he missed plenty and invited that attack down his side of the field because of it.

 

[Sheridan Stand]

I think Benj is a side show.

As much as I am disgusted with our management I don't see any issue here with their decision and with him going and I wish him all the best.

We should be focused on our issues.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

"Halfback is a specialist position these days, so no, (Marshall) won't play there" - Wayne Bennett.

Someone knows what he's doing.

 

[Too old too slow]

Unsurprisingly, one of the first things the Broncos wanted was for Benji to lose 4-5kg from his 'chunky' frame and the regime has begun.

The belief is he won't get any stronger at his age but can get a bit of 'toe' and agility back with the shedding of weight. It will probably help his hamstrings as well.

We continue to go down the create a 'big' athlete path and run robotic plays ... instead of getting 'footballers' who can play what they see.

Of course bulk and size does play a role in certain positions, but it must be balanced...

I think McGregor is too fixated on 'bulk' as a critical factor in a footballer.. at the loss of speed and agility... and a few have 'suffered' as a result.

 

[Slippery Morris]

JD confirms what most thought and that is Benji was the scapegoat to a pathetic attacking display. The bigger issue is Widdop and if Bennett had the option between Widdop and Benji if both were available he would choose Benji. Benji is a proven winner, Widdop needs Cronk to shine. He could have been the best buy of the decade and the clueless one did not use him effectively.

I value JD's opinion more than most and for him to say Benji still has plenty to give he must know. He was treated poorly by the club and mostly the fans and still when he left the club praised the fans and club for his time in the red V, unlike others.

Most know that WIddop and Hutch have played a few games together and showed F&*& all so not sure why some expect anything to change. Bring on 2018............Looks like 2017 will be another wasted year.

JD had a small dig at the club and looks like a guy that surely has left the club with a bad taste in his mouth.

 

[Old Timer]

JD confirms what most thought and that is Benji was the scapegoat to a pathetic attacking display. The bigger issue is Widdop and if Bennett had the option between Widdop and Benji if both were available he would choose Benji. Benji is a proven winner, Widdop needs Cronk to shine. He could have been the best buy of the decade and the clueless one did not use him effectively.

I value JD's opinion more than most and for him to say Benji still has plenty to give he must know. He was treated poorly by the club and mostly the fans and still when he left the club praised the fans and club for his time in the red V, unlike others.

Most know that WIddop and Hutch have played a few games together and showed F&*& all so not sure why some expect anything to change. Bring on 2018............Looks like 2017 will be another wasted year.

JD had a small dig at the club and looks like a guy that surely has left the club with a bad taste in his mouth.

Slippery,
Bennett says Benji is not a half and will not play him here.
JD says Benji is not a half and was made a scape goat because he played there.
Benji knows he is not a half but took the job as there was no other job
on offer.
No other club wanted him at the time as a half or anything else.
How the f**k has that got anything to do with Widdop?
Benji is his own man and has always been an individual style of player so his ups and downs on the field are his own doing and if he played to a game plan then the coach owns that.
All this excuse making for someone who was good a long time ago is pathetic.

 

[Willow]

JD confirms what most thought and that is Benji was the scapegoat to a pathetic attacking display.

Actually I don't know if he confirmed much at all. The word 'scapegoat' was used but who exactlly is JD referring to?

From the article above:

“Benji was a bit of scapegoat at times for the way the Dragons performed (last season),” said Demetriou, who quit the Dragons last week to become Wayne Bennett’s right-hand man.

“He battled all year with a hamstring injury, but what a lot of people don’t see is Benji’s versatility.

Who are these 'people'? Is it the other coaches, the club selectors, the club administration, the NZRL selectors, the media... or the fans?

It wouldn't be the first time someone in the Club has had a shot at the fans, but we don't know.

As far as I can tell, Marshall was injured a lot but used as much as possible. The only exception I can think of was when he was dropped for one match against Parrramatta - reasons unclear but this was after his much publicised confrontation with McGregor.

The bigger issue is Widdop and if Bennett had the option between Widdop and Benji if both were available he would choose Benji

With respect Slip, you can't possibly know this.

 

[Slippery Morris]

The fact Benji came equal 2nd or 3rd in Daly M's in Saints best season since 2011 shows he has been the best half they have had during the Mary/Price years. They just snuck into the 8 which shows how crucial he was for them that season. He should have been playing 5/8 or his natural running game and Widdop at half that was what I was referring to and why I blame Widdop.

I hope WIddop kills it and plays well in 2017 but when Benji was not playing he did not really do much to improve our attack or show that Benji was any sort of hindrance to his form? He looked pretty clueless which was scary and I feel Hutch is not going to get much support from him. Would rather persist with a Nona/Hutch halves combo because they looked very good playing together forming a pretty good combo.

 

[coast_dragons]

Nona and Hutchison worked because a game plan was designed to suit their particular strengths.

Hutchiosn isn't fast but he has a good kicking game and when he takes on the line he is hard to handle.

Nona has great foot work and seems to have a knack of creating things from nothing has a high football IQ.

Both have their faults but you could persist with them alas you have a coach who has zero football smarts and is just flat out horrible.

 

[BringTheNoise]

New Broncos assistant coach Jason Demetriou has been entrusted to bring the best out of Benji Marshall

TRAVIS MEYN, The Courier-Mail
November 28, 2016 6:00pm

THE man entrusted with helping bring Benji Marshall back to his best will officially begin his Broncos tenure on Tuesday.

Wayne Bennett’s new assistant coach Jason Demetriou was a casual onlooker as the Broncos trained at the University of Queensland on Monday.

Demetriou, who has built an impressive coaching resume, mingled with performance staff and met players ahead of his first official duties.

Demetriou assisted Paul Green during North Queensland’s historic premiership season of 2015 and coached the Illawarra Cutters to State Championship glory this year.

While at the Cutters, Demetriou doubled as an NRL assistant to Dragons coach Paul McGregor, who oversaw Marshall’s turbulent tenure at St George-Illawarra.

Bennett has drafted Demetriou into his coaching set-up to focus on Brisbane’s attack.

If he can help Marshall rediscover the mojo that made him one of the NRL’s most potent weapons, the Broncos could have a dangerous utility on their bench.

“Benji is a quality person. That’s why Wayne’s brought him into the group,” Demetriou said.

“I know how excited he is to be here.

“There’s no point talking about what he’s going to do or not going to do.

“It’s about getting himself mentally and physically right then fitting in with the team however that happens.

“Wayne’s given him the opportunity and it’s about him training the best he can and getting himself in a good mindset to be willing to do whatever he needs to do and however he needs to fit into the team.

“I’m not sure how that’s going to be yet. That will be for Wayne to decide.

“He is a quality player and will bring a lot of experience to the group.”

With 255 NRL appearances under his belt, Marshall has brought extensive experience to the Broncos fold following the departure of captain Corey Parker.

And at 31, he has time to find the form that made him a Test star and NRL premiership winner.

“He will add quality to our team in whatever role he does,” Demetriou said.

“At his best he is a matchwinner. He has the ability to create opportunities.

“With the quality we’ve got in key positions already, he can only add to that and the depth in the squad as well.”

The departure of Steve Kearney to the Warriors saw Bennett lose his last dedicated assistant coach after Kevin Walters assumed the Queensland Origin duties last year.

Demetriou, 40, will work closely with playmakers Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford, who will be looking to build in their third season together.

“I’ll be looking after the attack side of things,” Demetriou said.

“That’s something I’ve been doing the last few years. I’m comfortable in that area.

“There is a lot of talent at the club. A big part of the reason I decided to move here was the talent in the roster and to work with Wayne.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...l/news-story/2dd3762a48990a91f2691e566ba8d952