I know a lot of people are going to say we were sh*t and we should have won but lets have a closer look at the game.
- The effort was there
- stupid mistakes led to broncos tries. Walker two mistakes for the first try, Mcguire stupid pass for the second and Mcguire miss tackle for the last.
- now before everyone states the broncos side was young and ininexperience, look at the actual sides. While the broncos are young, they have a very classy side, a lot of those players tonight will be long term NRL players. The Broncos have a lot pace compared to our backline. Then have a look at our side;
- We have a back rower playing centre in Smith
- we have a backrower playing 5/8
- we have two reserve graders in Etu and Walker in the backline
- we had a rookie on the bench in Hanlon
- we have McGuire playing halfback who has not played half for many years
- we had a winger plaing fullback
- we had no real play maker tonight, Burt, Reni and McGuire are not the recognised play makers. The Broncos have a SOO halfback and a actual 5/8 playing 5/8.
- then in the last 20 we had another backrower playing centre.
- Also the broncos had a lot of pace across their side, something we are really lacking
So before everyone cuts their wrist, lets consider that while have not been getting the wins we have been close in each game now for about 6 weeks. While this doesn't mean a lot this year, what it does mean we are heading in the right direction. It means in the off season we don't need to totally restructure our playing style, but just add to it.
Tonight clearly showed just how much we rely in Hayne as our play maker, without him we lack a little in attack. Next year we will have a quality half back added to the side and an experience 5/8 which will take a lot of pressure of Hayne and help the eels when hayne is not playing. Plus we a have good young back in Esi to be added to the backline.
So while tonight was dissappointing we need to look at the bigger picture. We are no longer being flogged, each game against the eels is a tough game for the opposition we just lack that bit of class to shut games out. I am confident Sandow on his own will add this class, but there will also be further players added to our playing roster who will also help.
Lets be proud of the boys !!!!
Don't agree with everything you say.
This is an SK stuff up of monumental proportions.
The writing was on the wall weeks ago and last week against the Raiders
should have had the red light alarm sirens screaming real loud all over the place.
We have to start blooding more of our juniors and let go of the old dogs, and few others,
who are no longer up to playing week to week in the NRL or who are leaving the Eels at end of this year.
If it is a rebuilding year why are we not rebuilding with a few more juniors coming through?????
It's in the backs we have to do the major cleaning out real fast.
For starters, good bye to Maguire, Walker, Etu & Atkins.
Now that he is of to the Sharks, we should also let go of Robson.
We have to start blooding younger players to give them and the club the opportunity to see if they can cut it in the NRL and excel.
The forwards are ok, though POH should stay in the 17 for the rest of this year.
He is our future, a very good player.
Drop Lasalo and encourage him to keep developing.
Matthew Keating is getting better every week.
Horo, Smith, Keating, Allgood, POH, Fui, Hindy Reni, Mannah, Webb need to keep playing together in preparation for next year.
Drop Shack
Webb will only get better with more game time - he is a better attacking forward than Shack who really is a workhorse.
We have too many workhorses in the 17. Reni in for Shack & increase Webb's game time each week.
Workhorses, Mannah, Hindy, Smith, Allgood, Keating
Attacking forwards: Fui, Reni, Horo, POH, Webb,
Backs is the issue
Hayne, Burt, & (Loko gone to whenever next year) are the only backs to keep.
For the rest of the season we have to start blooding other players for next year.
Even Luke Burt is coming close to receiving that tap on the soldier BUT with a few better players in the backs he will still be good enough for next year.
The sooner we bring through junior backs all the better.
May it start against the Tigers this coming week.
