Broncos urged to shuffle backs
by Mick Daly
Monday August 21, 2006
Source: The Courier Mail
THE born-again Ergon Energy Broncos have been urged to leave the in-form Justin Hodges, pictured, at fullback and bank on Karmichael Hunt starring in the No. 7 jersey as they prepare to launch a daring assault on the NRL premiership.
Test custodian Hunt is scheduled to return from a broken foot against Parramatta on Sunday and calls for coach Wayne Bennett to shift him to the playmaker's role have intensified.
The destructive Hodges's irresistible form at fullback in the past fortnight and persistent doubts over 28-year-old halfback Shane Perry's creative abilities have sparked growing debate over the proposed move.
Former Queensland fullback Gary Belcher and halfback Mark Murray, who played a combined 31 Origin games for the Maroons, yesterday supported a Broncos shuffle.
Belcher said the Broncos would be a much deadlier prospect with Hunt paired alongside skipper Darren Lockyer in the halves.
He said Hodges was in damaging touch at fullback and had been a major reason for the club's form revival.
"I'd leave Justin at fullback," he said. "Karmichael is an excellent player and the more he has the footy in his hands the better off the Broncos will be.
"They need a halfback who can make things happen and he is the one who can provide that.
"You would then have three guys in the key backline positions who could combine and destroy an opposition."
In his past two starts, against Melbourne and Canterbury, Hodges has been unstoppable at the back, making 52 runs for almost 600m and breaking 21 tackles.
Hunt played halfback in three pre-season trial matches for Brisbane and thrived on the added involvement and responsibility.
Murray said Perry was a steadying influence on the Broncos but believed they could be better served by rotating Hunt into halfback during games.
He said the 19-year-old had proved throughout his 63-game NRL career that he was a gifted ball player as well as a lethal runner.
"I do see those creative qualities in him," Murray said. "Wayne Bennett is in the best position to determine what the Broncos need, but it's probably fair to say that variety and strike in the halves has been a problem. They do need to lift a level in that area.
"I think they could start with Perry at halfback, Hunt at fullback and Hodges in the centres, but perhaps reshuffle them in games so that Hunt spends time at halfback, Hodges at fullback and Perry at dummy-half or on the bench.
"Justin still has that error or two in his game but he is a lot more consistent these days and is playing tremendous football.
"He's deceptively quick and has very good footwork and skill."
Murray said although the Broncos scored five tries in Friday night's 30-0 demolition of the Bulldogs, they still had plenty of room for improvement in attack.
Belcher said the timing was perfect for Bennett to try Hunt at halfback with only two competition rounds left and the Broncos assured of a place in the finals.
He said the Broncos needed a No. 7 who could play on the back of forward momentum and take advantage of hooker Shaun Berrigan's explosive darts.
"I've always thought Berro was best suited to dummy-half and he is doing some great work there at the moment," he said.
"I just think if they are going to make changes, they should do it now. It's the perfect time to do it."
I know this is Broncos related and if you want to move it to that forum thats fine. But I'd be very interested to know what fans from other teams think of moving Hunt to halfback. Especially St George fans who have had unorthox halfbacks in Barrett, Hornby and even Dean Young who was playing 1st reciever on the weekend I believe. Does a halfback have to be small and nippy to be succesful these days or can he be 6 foot 2 like Hunt? I think puting Hunt at half or not puting Hunt at half could have a massive bearing on the finals, as Brisbane's chances could hinge on it. People might also be interested in what ramifications it could have for the Test team and his career later down the track. It seems unlikely at this stage but who knows. What do people think Brisbane should do though?
by Mick Daly
Monday August 21, 2006
Source: The Courier Mail
THE born-again Ergon Energy Broncos have been urged to leave the in-form Justin Hodges, pictured, at fullback and bank on Karmichael Hunt starring in the No. 7 jersey as they prepare to launch a daring assault on the NRL premiership.
Test custodian Hunt is scheduled to return from a broken foot against Parramatta on Sunday and calls for coach Wayne Bennett to shift him to the playmaker's role have intensified.
The destructive Hodges's irresistible form at fullback in the past fortnight and persistent doubts over 28-year-old halfback Shane Perry's creative abilities have sparked growing debate over the proposed move.
Former Queensland fullback Gary Belcher and halfback Mark Murray, who played a combined 31 Origin games for the Maroons, yesterday supported a Broncos shuffle.
Belcher said the Broncos would be a much deadlier prospect with Hunt paired alongside skipper Darren Lockyer in the halves.
He said Hodges was in damaging touch at fullback and had been a major reason for the club's form revival.
"I'd leave Justin at fullback," he said. "Karmichael is an excellent player and the more he has the footy in his hands the better off the Broncos will be.
"They need a halfback who can make things happen and he is the one who can provide that.
"You would then have three guys in the key backline positions who could combine and destroy an opposition."
In his past two starts, against Melbourne and Canterbury, Hodges has been unstoppable at the back, making 52 runs for almost 600m and breaking 21 tackles.
Hunt played halfback in three pre-season trial matches for Brisbane and thrived on the added involvement and responsibility.
Murray said Perry was a steadying influence on the Broncos but believed they could be better served by rotating Hunt into halfback during games.
He said the 19-year-old had proved throughout his 63-game NRL career that he was a gifted ball player as well as a lethal runner.
"I do see those creative qualities in him," Murray said. "Wayne Bennett is in the best position to determine what the Broncos need, but it's probably fair to say that variety and strike in the halves has been a problem. They do need to lift a level in that area.
"I think they could start with Perry at halfback, Hunt at fullback and Hodges in the centres, but perhaps reshuffle them in games so that Hunt spends time at halfback, Hodges at fullback and Perry at dummy-half or on the bench.
"Justin still has that error or two in his game but he is a lot more consistent these days and is playing tremendous football.
"He's deceptively quick and has very good footwork and skill."
Murray said although the Broncos scored five tries in Friday night's 30-0 demolition of the Bulldogs, they still had plenty of room for improvement in attack.
Belcher said the timing was perfect for Bennett to try Hunt at halfback with only two competition rounds left and the Broncos assured of a place in the finals.
He said the Broncos needed a No. 7 who could play on the back of forward momentum and take advantage of hooker Shaun Berrigan's explosive darts.
"I've always thought Berro was best suited to dummy-half and he is doing some great work there at the moment," he said.
"I just think if they are going to make changes, they should do it now. It's the perfect time to do it."
I know this is Broncos related and if you want to move it to that forum thats fine. But I'd be very interested to know what fans from other teams think of moving Hunt to halfback. Especially St George fans who have had unorthox halfbacks in Barrett, Hornby and even Dean Young who was playing 1st reciever on the weekend I believe. Does a halfback have to be small and nippy to be succesful these days or can he be 6 foot 2 like Hunt? I think puting Hunt at half or not puting Hunt at half could have a massive bearing on the finals, as Brisbane's chances could hinge on it. People might also be interested in what ramifications it could have for the Test team and his career later down the track. It seems unlikely at this stage but who knows. What do people think Brisbane should do though?
