Round 10 vs. Parramatta Eels Discussion

[Big Pete]

Parramatta Eels vs. Brisbane Broncos
CommBank Stadium, Friday 10 May 2024
Kick Off: 8:00pm

1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Ethan Sanders 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J'maine Hopgood

14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi

18. Luca Moretti 19. Morgan Harper 20. Daejarn Asi 21. Wiremu Greig 22. Brendan Hands

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Joshua Rogers 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Jack Gosiewski

18. Tristan Sailor 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Benjamin Te Kura 21. Jordan Pereira 22. Blake Mozer​

 

[Big Pete]

Following the harrowing loss to the Sydney Roosters, the Broncos will make the trip to Parramatta and hope they can get their season back on track against the struggling Eels. Since the 2022 Grand Final, Parramatta have been a team on decline and while Mitchell Moses provided them some hope his extended absence has seen them free fall down the ladder virtually into obscurity.

In a further blow Gutherson has also gone under the knife and won't be available for the clash either. On paper this shapes as a confidence boost but against the Eels looks can be deceiving. The Eels have a history of pulling off unlikely upsets and with so much on the line, they won't roll over against the Broncos.

Closer to home, Brisbane will get their first test of life without their skipper Adam Reynolds as he's set to miss 14 weeks on the sideline with a ruptured bicep. With Madden recovering from a pec injury, Burleigh five-eighth Josh Rogers has been given the job of replacing Reynolds at 7. Rogers has been a success story in the QCup, plugging away for the Bears over a number of seasons until his break-out season in 2022. The Broncos offered him a deal and he would go onto represent the Broncos against Melbourne in the final round of last year.

The quality that stands out most about Rogers is his big sidestep. When he's able to get on the front foot, he'll put a step on and try to get in-between defenders and it causes all sorts of headaches for the opposition. Walters and Walsh would be wise to trail up alongside him as points should follow.

The game will also mark the club debut of Jack Gosiewski. Gosiewski came through the South Sydney system and has become something of a journeyman. Brisbane will mark the fifth club of his career and he should be a welcome addition considering how thin the backrow stocks are at the Broncos. Kevie is clearly after some versatility off his bench and while Baker can count himself unlucky, he was the odd man out between Willison and Hetherington who have really been a feature so far this season.

If the Broncos win, it'll be a healthy first step following life without Reynolds and should put them in good stead for Magic Round. A loss would send a massive shock through the camp and while some fans were willing to write the Roosters game off as a tough night at the office, others (like myself) were far more concerned.

 

[Showtime]

Is it just me or does Riki really struggle when he’s required to make one on one tackles? Seems to struggle in contact then get marched backwards.

 

[MRN]

At times it was beautiful. At times ugly. But we got the 2 points. Pity we couldn't edge that margin up but considering Parra bombed a few I'm just glad it wasn't less.
Still couldn't get through a game in that jersey without losing a player. Although i have to question taking Billy into that game in the first place.
Mariner looked better with the exception of the Dylan Brown steal. Gosiewski had a rough Broncos debut. Can't rate him based on that performance, in the wet too, but geez I hope there is more to look forward to then that.
It's become very clear we are not the same team as last year. The forwards really lacking punch and quality depth. Willison is standing up as Palasia's bench replacement and that's about it. We haven't found a way to replicate Flegler's output. And the second row lacks consistency without Capewell.
Thankfully we still have strike players who know how to find a way at times.

 

[renouf]

I really hope Oates stays in the side for the rest of the season, they need experience out there