When Josh Hoffman went off the field with a season ending injury in the Broncos' round 26 clash with Manly, many thought he left a void that could not be filled by anyone in the current squad. Then came the 2-week suspension to Sam Thaiday and a lot of the experts wrote the Broncos off for season 2011.
But those a little more optimistic remembered the first time Hoffman went down injured this season, which has been a tough one for last year's Broncos' Player of the Year. It was round 3 at Skilled Park, and Hoffman scooped up a loose ball and sprinted 40 or so metres downfield and was tackled from behind. He screamed in pain as he suffered a corked thigh. He initially feared he would be gone for the season, but the news was better a few days later when it was reported he would only miss 2 weeks. Before that happened, the Broncos still had a game to win against the Titans. Gerard Beale had been named on the wing that night, and started nervously after he dropped a high ball early in the game. Hoffman's injury forced a reshuffle and Beale went to fullback, and put in a very solid performance, including one of the try-saving tackles of the year on Will Zillman, as the Broncos went on to win.
Hoffman's injury was a week-to-week progress, and Beale filled in at fullback longer than anticipated, but in that time did a remarkable job. Since Hoffman's return Beale returned to the wing and continued to perform well, but it has been obvious since his stint at fullback that the number 1 jersey is where he plays his best football.
Well he now finds himself back there for the rest of the season. It is obviously very disappointing for Josh Hoffman, but if there is a positive to the situation it is that the Broncos have a very good back-up fullback in Beale. He would most likely get the starting fullback role at most other NRL clubs. Against the Warriors in week 1 of the finals, his performance was superb. He showed outstanding support play, a willingness to get involved and really good speed. As good as Beale has been on the wing this season, it is obvious that he performs best when he can get more involved and is not constricted to one part of the field.
So, with the great Darren Lockyer retiring at the end of this season, and Hoffman returning from injury and likely walking back into the team at fullback, could there be a case for Beale to be given an opportunity at five-eighth?
He certainly wouldn't offer a similar playing style to Lockyer (and let's be honest, who in the world can?), but it appears he would offer good footwork, good speed and a great awareness of what is going on around him. These were highlighted in the game against the Warriors when he was backing up line breaks, and also his fantastic set-up of Jack Reed's try.
His step-up to NRL-standard has been constant, having debuted in 2009 and being given a shot in the centres in 2010, but he has really come of age in 2011, as have most of the Broncos' youngsters. There is something about this young man that says he is going to be a very good football player.
Obviously if he was to be given a chance at five-eighth, he would need to be tested in the kicking and passing departments, but you just get this feeling that those will come with his natural talent. It is remarkable that he has spent the last 3 months or so on the wing, and is able to slot in at fullback when required, and do a remarkable job straight away. Watching the game against the Warriors, if you didn't know any better you'd swear he had been playing at the back all season. His versatility and capability to adapt really were highlighted in his performance.
There is absolutely no denying that the loss of Hoffman is exactly that - a loss. But the talent that Beale has is one of the key factors in keeping us alive in the race for this Premiership. He just looks a real natural at the game of Rugby League.
So could he be the bolter for the vacant number 6 jersey next season, to partner Peter Wallace in the halves? It would seem at this stage that Ben Hunt and Corey Norman will be fighting for that role, with maybe an outside chance to new signing Luke Capewell, but with Beale making it obvious that he plays his best football when he can get more involved, could he be the unlikely new five-eighth to start the post-Lockyer era? I would say it is definately worth giving him a chance in the 2012 trials (and hopefully World Club Challenge!!!) to see what he can offer. I'd be very confident he can make a decent go of it.
Just a little something to ponder for the offseason, but of course we still have a Premiership to win this season. Hopefully come late Saturday night, this article will be replaced on the front page by "BRONCOS SMASH DRAGONS IN LOCKY'S LAST GAME AT SUNCORP".
But those a little more optimistic remembered the first time Hoffman went down injured this season, which has been a tough one for last year's Broncos' Player of the Year. It was round 3 at Skilled Park, and Hoffman scooped up a loose ball and sprinted 40 or so metres downfield and was tackled from behind. He screamed in pain as he suffered a corked thigh. He initially feared he would be gone for the season, but the news was better a few days later when it was reported he would only miss 2 weeks. Before that happened, the Broncos still had a game to win against the Titans. Gerard Beale had been named on the wing that night, and started nervously after he dropped a high ball early in the game. Hoffman's injury forced a reshuffle and Beale went to fullback, and put in a very solid performance, including one of the try-saving tackles of the year on Will Zillman, as the Broncos went on to win.
Hoffman's injury was a week-to-week progress, and Beale filled in at fullback longer than anticipated, but in that time did a remarkable job. Since Hoffman's return Beale returned to the wing and continued to perform well, but it has been obvious since his stint at fullback that the number 1 jersey is where he plays his best football.
Well he now finds himself back there for the rest of the season. It is obviously very disappointing for Josh Hoffman, but if there is a positive to the situation it is that the Broncos have a very good back-up fullback in Beale. He would most likely get the starting fullback role at most other NRL clubs. Against the Warriors in week 1 of the finals, his performance was superb. He showed outstanding support play, a willingness to get involved and really good speed. As good as Beale has been on the wing this season, it is obvious that he performs best when he can get more involved and is not constricted to one part of the field.
So, with the great Darren Lockyer retiring at the end of this season, and Hoffman returning from injury and likely walking back into the team at fullback, could there be a case for Beale to be given an opportunity at five-eighth?
He certainly wouldn't offer a similar playing style to Lockyer (and let's be honest, who in the world can?), but it appears he would offer good footwork, good speed and a great awareness of what is going on around him. These were highlighted in the game against the Warriors when he was backing up line breaks, and also his fantastic set-up of Jack Reed's try.
His step-up to NRL-standard has been constant, having debuted in 2009 and being given a shot in the centres in 2010, but he has really come of age in 2011, as have most of the Broncos' youngsters. There is something about this young man that says he is going to be a very good football player.
Obviously if he was to be given a chance at five-eighth, he would need to be tested in the kicking and passing departments, but you just get this feeling that those will come with his natural talent. It is remarkable that he has spent the last 3 months or so on the wing, and is able to slot in at fullback when required, and do a remarkable job straight away. Watching the game against the Warriors, if you didn't know any better you'd swear he had been playing at the back all season. His versatility and capability to adapt really were highlighted in his performance.
There is absolutely no denying that the loss of Hoffman is exactly that - a loss. But the talent that Beale has is one of the key factors in keeping us alive in the race for this Premiership. He just looks a real natural at the game of Rugby League.
So could he be the bolter for the vacant number 6 jersey next season, to partner Peter Wallace in the halves? It would seem at this stage that Ben Hunt and Corey Norman will be fighting for that role, with maybe an outside chance to new signing Luke Capewell, but with Beale making it obvious that he plays his best football when he can get more involved, could he be the unlikely new five-eighth to start the post-Lockyer era? I would say it is definately worth giving him a chance in the 2012 trials (and hopefully World Club Challenge!!!) to see what he can offer. I'd be very confident he can make a decent go of it.
Just a little something to ponder for the offseason, but of course we still have a Premiership to win this season. Hopefully come late Saturday night, this article will be replaced on the front page by "BRONCOS SMASH DRAGONS IN LOCKY'S LAST GAME AT SUNCORP".
?
