Round 5 vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs Discussion

[Big Pete]

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Brisbane Broncos
Stadium Australia, Thursday 8 April 2021
Kick Off 8:05pm

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Benji Marshall 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Jacob Host 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray

Interchange: 14. Dean Hawkins 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow

Reserves: 18. Hame Sele 19. Jaxson Paulo 20. Troy Dargan 21. Steven Marsters

1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Richard Kennar 4. Tesi Niu 5. David Mead 6. Anthony Milford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Tevita Pangai Junior

Interchange: 14. Brodie Croft 15. Thomas Flegler 16. John Asiata 17. Ben Te'o

Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Rhys Kennedy 20. Cory Paix 21. Jesse Arthars

 

[Big Pete]

Another tough ask for the Broncos, especially without one of their form players in Herbie Farnworth. Kevie has opted to bring in winger Richie Kennar to play out in the centres which looks like a less than desirable selection especially after Richie's performance against the Cowboys in the trials. I think Kev went with Richie because of the Broncos struggles with their 'get out' sets and Richie is a stronger carrier of the football than Copley and Arthars. Farnworth should be back for Penrith in Round 6.

Patrick Carrigan was also suspended for a Crusher Tackle and will miss this week's game. That could potentially be a blessing in disguise for the Broncos. Carrigan is an honest toiler but he's gone off the boil since late last season and his attention to detail has been lacking for sometime. Pangai Jr is hot and cold but if the Broncos are going to be competitive they need him to step up so this is a golden opportunity for him.

 

[gUt]

Hard to tip an upset in this one!

 

[Nerd]

Like groundhog day another loss. Up until the 60 minute mark our handling was quite good and we were hanging with the Souths forwards. What kills us is we put no pressure on teams at the end of a set which is mainly down to Milford's shit options at the end of each set. Twice he got caught with the ball on the second last tackle leading to a crap kick from Isaako and another by Dearden.

With the forwards aiming up this game Milford's shitiness can't hide behind the played behind a losing pack excuse. As someone said in another thread Milford just looks like someone who doesn't want to play football but has to because he's getting a million a year.

What's also killing us is when we make a mistake or a poor refs decision goes against us we can't defend it. We need to be looking to sign an experienced half for next year to mentor Dearden and just face up to the fact that this year is a write off till Milford is off contract.

Here's hoping Kevvy drops Milford sooner than later and we can jag a few wins against the Cowboys and Manly but looks like another long year. Croft is in the same boat as last year as the season wears on he seems to get worse and worse.

 

[Big Pete]

For mine, the Broncos only played to an acceptable standard for 15 minutes when they found themselves down by 10. They actually showed some line-speed and were making good first contact which rattled Souths who were in the middle of a training gallop. Outside of that, they just didn't work for one another.

Their positioning was terrible, nobody ran good lines for their halves or were available when the halves needed them. It wasn't like the halves played well either and as a team they were collectively poor.

A couple of exceptions for mine were Haas who came up with some really strong carries and Mead who made some really tough carries out of the Broncos end and came up with some nice extras for the team.

 

[gUt]

Did you notice that all night, basically no pass was out in front, especially when it was being shifted? Also the drop off when the starters go for a breather is too stark. Lastly, although it was irrelevant to the result, why did Kevvie bring on poor old Croft on a hiding to nothing and at the same time, completely and visibly piss Dearden off?

 

[Mr Spock!]

Did you notice that all night, basically no pass was out in front, especially when it was being shifted? Also the drop off when the starters go for a breather is too stark. Lastly, although it was irrelevant to the result, why did Kevvie bring on poor old Croft on a hiding to nothing and at the same time, completely and visibly piss Dearden off?

Yeah that was weird about Croft.

Comes on and kicks a ball to Flemington.

Don't know if he's copying Bennett's strategy of a half on the bench but it's doing nothing for the broncs.