Round 1 vs. Cowboys Discussion + Voting

[Broncos fan!]

Didn't think Norman was impressive as everyone is saying. He made a few one on one tackles which you'd expect a first grade footballer to make. Threw a few passes in the lead up to tries but he also bombed two by going back to the inside and not to the outside. His attempt to defuse the Thurston kick was also very lazy. The bounce of the ball wasn't that bad, he just didn't get down low enough. I agree Gillett was impressive but I though a few of the forwards were ordinary i.e Kenny, Thaiday etc.

I think you are being a bit harsh. I thought his first 2 try savers were amazing and I couldn't see cutie ever making them. His knockon was a hard one IMO because it was grubbering along the groung and you have no idea whether it will pop up or stay down and for his only real mistake being a debutant and someone new to the fullback position surely you can't expect everything from him.

I agree he made the wrong call 2 time in the first half were he ran it inside instead of keeping it going out wide but after that he seemed to catch on and didn't do it again.

I'm surprised how alike his game is to Hunt's. I don't want to get too ahead of myself but it is looking like Henjak has made a masterstroke by moving Norman back to fullback.

On another note I was also quite impressed with Beale. He showed good hands in attack and made a few good defensive tackles.

I also think Gillett was quite good. You would never of guessed that this was his first game of NRL. I'm extremely happy with how much maturity the young fellas showed last night.

 

[Johns Magic]

It's gonna be a real headache when Yow Yeh comes back, your back 3 were awesome last night(albeit Winterstein only one half).

 

[MightyBronco]

I liked the way Normal tackled LOW when on his own line.

Broncs could pull off a big one this year, they seem to have a lot of depth, and i suspect wont be losing that many players to SOO.

And we have Lockyer.

 

[Broncos93]

Fantastic game by all of those under pressure I thought. Beale, Norman, Kemp and Gillet all played brilliantly. Then the experienced did exceptionally well too, Lockyer, Wallace (bar the Thurston try), Parker, McCullogh.
That was the first 50 minutes mind you. The next half hour was atrocious, and it seemed everyone slacked off and couldn't be bothered. Almost blowing a 24-0 lead is unacceptable no matter what the mean age of your team is.

2. Parker
2. Lockyer
1. Norman
1. McCullogh

 

[GoTheBroncs]

Didn't think Norman was impressive as everyone is saying. He made a few one on one tackles which you'd expect a first grade footballer to make. Threw a few passes in the lead up to tries but he also bombed two by going back to the inside and not to the outside. His attempt to defuse the Thurston kick was also very lazy. The bounce of the ball wasn't that bad, he just didn't get down low enough. I agree Gillett was impressive but I though a few of the forwards were ordinary i.e Kenny, Thaiday etc.

Disagree about Norman. He was extremely impressive. His first two trysavers I certainly would not expect many to save (especially the first one where he held him up) and this is magnified given his small size. The dude is 18 and on debut ffs. Remember Copley's debut at fullback?, it's not easy! One question remains, though, as Thurston surprisingly didn't test Norman out too much under the high ball.

I don't think Kenny was less ordinary than usual, I don't rate him as much most others. Rarely do I see him bend the defence back.

3. Corey Norman - see above
2. Matt Gillett - Really good mobility and footwork. He also manages to get quick play the balls which is crucial in todays game.
1. Denan Kemp - Welcome back!

Special mention to Teo who got away some great offloads and Winterstein would have picked up some points if he played the 2nd half. Did he get injured? If so, the extent. Also, Folau's shoulder?

 

[Shorty]

Corey Norman, very promising player by the looks.
I won't be like the 'other' cowboys fan, I look at the positives and to come back like that shows some great spirit and really the only reason we lost the bundle in the first half was because the Cowboys' mentality is as submissive as it gets.
Broncos took complete advantage.

Lockyer looks like he wants another premiership before he retires, he seems quite focussed.

 

[Twigg]

Positives:
That 1st half was flawless. I don't think anybody expected us to be up at 24 zip. We obviously have no problems with the backline and Ivan is gonna get a headache on where to slot in Yow Yeh and Hodges lol.

Negatives:
What on earth happened in the last quarter? Lazy defence and we nearly lose the game. I was very frustrated with that. Maybe they need to work on their fitness a bit more. Next week in Canberra isn't going to be easy.

3. Norman
2. Parker
1. Lockyer
1. Wallace
1. Kemp (Welcome back!)

 

[user_nat]

Hmm, not really sure about 3, 2, 1.. game was to long ago (almost a day!).

But..

2. Parker - was good in defense, did make a costly error though
2. Norman - should be a good addition if he can keep it up. Disappeared after that game changing error
1. Gillet - was always there
1. Kemp - good to see the speed machine back

I also thought Locker, Wallace (in defense), Folau, Winterstein and McCullough were good.

Most disappointing (outside of the cowboys comeback) for me was Sam Thaiday. Seemed like every time he was near the ball he made an error, he also missed a tonne of tackles. He was meant to be stepping up this year, and so far.. not impressed.


Anyhow, I'm sick of the Broncos falling asleep in the second half, happened far to many times last year.

 

[Seagullsrock]

Wow!!! What a night. I'd have to say a tale of two halves is a pretty good assessment of this first round clash. I guess, i'm satasfied as a broncos supporter but not going to get carried away.

3 Thaiday a forward leader now in many respects. Rarely has a off game. I liked the way he lead by example.

2 Parker A carbon copy of thaiday's performance. We really need for our forwards to step up this year and these two senior forwards did that tonight.

1 Norman. Fudge one mistake. He really fits in well. Exceptional try saving tackles in first half and participation lead up work to tries. They say good playmakers always seem to have time on their hands and thats what i see with him. Wouldn't go as far to say he's made it but a better than average beginning.

Thaiday! Turn it up! Mitch Dodds was better than Thaiday.

 

[Big Pete]

Dodds needs to look for the ball more.

 

[Country Bronco]

Thaiday! Turn it up! Mitch Dodds was better than Thaiday.

Are you for real? Thaiday made 28 tackles, 7 hitups for 81 metres and Dodds did 20 tackles, 1 hit up for 13metres yet in your novel opinion Dodds played better. Its going to be one very long season with your crass comments.

 

[DeeJ]

3. Darren Lockyer - A captain's knock no doubt. Directed his young charges with a calm head and proved again, that he is the master of support play.
2. Corey Parker - Superb kicking effort from the sidelines and looks to have picked up where he left off last season with regard to his work rate.
1. Corey Norman - Sensational debut for the young fullback whose preferred position is actually 5/8th! I noticed in some of the cut out man plays that he passed to his centre a tad early. Hunt would usually attack the line more and completely draw in the defence before passing. Hopefully this will come with experience in running the play.

1 point was going to go to Wallace for his denfensive efforts, if not for that shocking misread on the Thurston try to level the scores.

BTW - Welcome home Denan

I agree with your points distribution. A special mention to Gillett for me who had a great debut in the backrow.

 

[Broncos93]

For everyones information, Winterstein went off after halftime with a hamstring strain. From what I heard, I don't think it was too serious though.

 

[The 18th Man]

For everyones information, Winterstein went off after halftime with a hamstring strain. From what I heard, I don't think it was too serious though.

Thanks for this, excellent news. I did some digging yesterday re: this and found nothing. Much appreciated.

 

[Lycon79]

3- Gillet
he was the catalyst for alot of the Broncos attacking raids getting his shoulders through the lineand getting quick play of the ball. defensively sound aswell.

2- Norman
Great try saving tackles. like the way He squares up in the out the back play to give more room to his centre and winger (cutie had a tendancy to run them out of room IMO). Norman would have got top marks if he held on to that grubber

1- Parker
Great kicking best I've seen from him and very good defensively and is a very good forward leader.

1- McCullough
A ver Cam Smith like performance did well at getting his forwards over the ad line

 

[screeder]

broncs have developed a habit of taking the foot off opposition throats. as nat said happened heaps last year too. is this a sign of mental weakness? look forward to seeing them fix this problem

 

[screeder]

broncs have developed a habit of taking the foot off opposition throats. as nat said happened heaps last year too. is this a sign of mental weakness? look forward to seeing them fix this problem

 

[screeder]

sorry about the double post.

 

[bron_cos]

Parker 3 - Best player by far

Norman 2 - good game few errors back end of the game

Teo 1 - solid game would like him running wide tho

i think the cowboys lost the game we didnt win it