Round 19 vs. Warriors Discussion + Voting

[Bronco18]

That was our best game to watch all season. The Roosters game may have had more flair but this one had more toughness - our forwards were being driven backwards for much of the opening 20 minutes but we held in. That defensive effort in the last 10 minutes was PHENOMENAL, it felt like try saving tackle after try saving tackle.

Barba was pretty patchy at 5/8th, I have some hope he might get better the more he trains there. When he was getting run around in the first quarter I thought we were in for a reaaaaal long night, but he aimed up with some solid front-on tackles eventually. His shift to 5/8th made it waaaaay easier for Hodges and Copley to get the ball early. With a full pre-season under his belt, this is probably the way forward next year.

Copley's big game (and Reed's potential omission) is an important lesson in discipline that all young players should take notice of. I'd lean towards Maranta over Kahu for the other wing spot as he showed his amazing qualities under the high ball. It's nice to have competition amongst the backs + forwards now.

3. Hunt
2. Hannant
1. Copley

 

[Dazzat]

Well that's the most expensive night out Reed's ever had!

 

[renouf]

We were definitely going better at the start of the season when Copley was in the centres.

 

[GoTheBroncs]

3. Copley
2. Hunt
1. Hannant

Thank goodness for Copley and Hunt in this game. Copley needs to stay in the centres to ensure that we have strike centres on both sides of the field.

Special mentions also to Maranta (who seems our only back comfortable under the high ball), Hoffman (no doubt more at home at fullback) and Kahu (filled in for Vidot quite admirably).

The last 5-8 minutes were disappointing and showed exactly why we tend to lose close games. McCullough kicking early for a 40-20 and shanked it, better off holding possession and not having to rush a kick. Parker should have put his offloads away, they weren't needed. Then Hodges running from dummy half on the last, throwing a desperate pass to Kahu who was forced to try a chip kick which resulted in better field position for Warriors. Then Hoffman drops it on the first after a good run!!! I really hope Hook is getting stuck into them about this. I doubt it though... Broncos really need to learn how to shut games down, and fast.

 

[Dazzat]

3. Copley
2. Hunt
1. Parker

Copley looked dangerous just about every time he touched the ball last night - a real coming of age for him. He looks like he can step off both feet, and showed acceleration and speed we have been lacking on the left side all year. I am a Reed fan, but barring injury, can't see him getting another game this year on that performance by Copley.

On Kennedy, someone mentioned he had a good game. Really? He played a couple of stints, each less than 10 minutes. He comes on, seems to run at 100 km/h and then gas-out quickly. Hardly bent the line, while Hannant showed why we need to forget whatever the coach has against him, and retain him as a forward leader.

Barba showed improvement at No. 6. Some nice touches at times, but aided by the Warriors who failed to run at him consistently while they were in attack. The first try of the night came when they ran past Barba, and then they seemed to forget he was there.

Really enjoyed the game - the first only one I'll attend at Suncorp.

 

[oikee]

Copley finally got his chance ahead of butter-fingers Reed.
And with Hofman out of the way at fullback, the centres got some ball and scored some tries.
This is trail and error schoolboy coaching by Griffith.
Bring back Benny now.

 

[Leagueaddict]

What a difference a month makes! Great win last night and Copley one of our most improved by a long shot. Hunt was on the money all night and the polar bear ran with real grunt. Thought we'd miss Vidot bigtime but apart from Barba's piss poor defence we really hung in there.

Agree to keep Copley and Hoffman where they are but not sure where Reed fits back in? The guy's very good in defence but has been ordinary in other areas.

Rock solid saves by Hoffman and Mylanta settled all those queasy bombs . Great to watch. Best match in ages and against a monster pack of Warriors even though they really self destructed with poor handling in the 2nd half.

3. Copley
2. Hunt
1. Hoffman

 

[hellteam]

Reed injured for Norths today apparently. Copley has all the attacking tools to be one of the best centres in the game. Pretty much like Josh Morris but bigger

 

[Bretto]

Reed injured for Norths today apparently. Copley has all the attacking tools to be one of the best centres in the game. Pretty much like Josh Morris but bigger

Josh Morris would be a bit bigger than Copley. Probably the same height, but Morris is bigger in the chest.

 

[Shane P]

A gutsy win against one of the most dangerous sides in the comp. Hats off to Griffen for taking a stand against ill-discipline and for finally switching Barba and Hoffman. I was calling for this months ago when Barba had a lot more confidence. Hoffman certainly showed that's where he belongs. It will take Barba time to adjust, but we know he does possess all the attacking skills required. Hopefully he can regain the confidence he once had and weave some magic. To think, if they had shown the same guts and determination in some of those close games that they just let slip by, they'd be leading the comp. Maybe they'll peak around finals time. Here's hoping. Ben Hunt is going from strength to strength. They MUST keep him.

 

[hellteam]

Josh Morris would be a bit bigger than Copley. Probably the same height, but Morris is bigger in the chest.

According to player profiles they are same height, Copley 3kg heavier. Copley seems to be growing too... But anyway, moot point. I would still like to see Hodges fullback, Barba five eight and Copley and Hoffman in the centres.

We seem to have a bit of an eye on next year at the moment which is good, hopefully Milford will be at fullback with Barba 5/8

 

[gUt]

IMO Hoffman showed he is still best suited to wing and Copley as a centre.

 

[GoTheBroncs]

On Kennedy, someone mentioned he had a good game. Really? He played a couple of stints, each less than 10 minutes. He comes on, seems to run at 100 km/h and then gas-out quickly. Hardly bent the line, while Hannant showed why we need to forget whatever the coach has against him, and retain him as a forward leader.

I watched a replay and looked at Kennedy pretty closely. I was pretty happy with him, he didn't got dominated in any of his runs (which was impressive given the push the Warriors were doing all game) and actually hardly got put on his back and generally got a quick play the ball. He even popped a nice offload... Not outstanding obviously but I'd be happy to give him a few more games at the expense of Lowrie. I used to think having one of Stagg or Lowrie would be ok but I've had enough of both of them now...


Another thing I noticed on the replay was that the Warriors seemed to be allowed to continue pushing well after the held call, I think we only got one penalty for it.

 

[GoTheBroncs]

I agree though Hannant was epic. The only issue with Hannant is that we need him to perform close to that level every game...

Really need Hodges to start upping his game. Same goes for Thaiday too, not bad, but we need more from him.