Trial #1 vs. Wynnum Manly Seagulls Discussion

[Big Pete]

Wynnum Manly Seagulls vs. Brisbane Broncos
BMD Kougari Oval, Saturday 4 February 2023
Kick Off: 4:00pm (AEST)

1. Matt Milson 2. Stanford Talita 3. Josh Simm 4. Kiko Manu 5. Gideon Gela Mosby 6. Tony Pellow 7. Kyle Foxwell 8. Jack Martin 9. Ollie Pascoe 10. John Radel 11. Bailey Hartwig 12. Luke Gale 13. Brody Tamarua

Interchange: 14. Kitron Laka 15. Caius Faatili 16. Cassius Cowley 17. Kobe Martin 18. Sefa Roache 19. Nathan Ward 20. James Robinson 2. Darius Farmer 22. Cooper Page Wilson 23. Ethan Malt 24. Grand Hagai 25. Nathanial Tangimataiti 26. Jordan Davies 27. Cooper Hewett 28. Johnson Murray

1. Tristan Sailor 2. Israel Leota 3. Ethan Quai-Ward 4. Deine Mariner 5. James Johnson 6. Josh Rogers 7. Jack Ahearn 8. Logan Bayliss 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Ben Te Kura 11. Brendan Frei 18. Will Samuel 13. Shalom O'Ofou

Interchange: 14. Liam Horne 15. Jack Campagnolo 16. Jayden Morgan 17. John Radel 19. Tony Tumusa 20. Rory Ferguson

Omitted: 12. Brendan Piakura 19. Tyreece Tait​

 

[Big Pete]

Four NRL players will be looking to impress on Saturday as the Broncos gear up for their first hit-out of '23. Deine Mariner, Brendan Piakura, Logan Bayliss and Ethan Quai-Ward all have the opportunity to stake their claims for the Broncos opening round clash against the Penrith Panthers.

They will be joined by 13 train and trial players looking to secure positions within the squad. Currently the Broncos have 1 spot left on their NRL roster and 4 spots left in their developmental squad. Of the hopefuls former Dragons Tristan Sailor and Shalom O'Ofou have garnered the attention during the pre-season and will be looking for big games.

Following the controversial departure of Karl Oloapu, the Broncos have announced three exciting youngsters. Outside backs Israel Leota, Tyreece Tait and hulking forward Benjamin Te Kura will line up and give fans a glimpse into the future. Te Kura made his Queensland Cup last year and is widely tipped to secure a development deal.

Italian international Jack Campagnolo will line up against his former club. After an impressive 2021 for the Seagulls, Campagnolo signed an NRL deal with the Rabbitohs. He'll return to the Queensland Cup this season via Souths Logan and has an opportunity to figure into the halves for the Broncos.

Exciting dummy half Blake Mozer wasn't considered for selection as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery. The Broncos don't expect Mozer nor Willison to line up for the trials but both are expected to be fit for the kick-off of the Queensland Cup.

 

[ALX25]

Radel has been named by Wynnum.

 

[Big Pete]

Radel has been named by Wynnum.

I suspect it will be like the 2021 trial where Cobbo played one half for the Seagulls then the second for the Broncos.

I'm curious to watch Faatili and Tangimataiti. I'm not sure if they're still with the club but both have affiliations with the Broncos.

 

[Big Pete]

The trial is about to kick off, it's streaming on YouTube for those who wish to watch.

Late changes
1. Tristan Sailor 2. Israel Leota 3. Ethan Quai-Ward 4. Deine Mariner 5. James Johnson 6. Josh Rodgers 7. Jack Ahearn 8. Logan Bayliss 9. Tyson Smoothy 10. Ben Te Kura 11. Brendan Frei 18. Will Samuel 13. Shalom O'Ofou

Interchange: 14. Liam Horne 15. Jack Campagnolo 16. Jayden Morgan 17. John Radel 19. Tony Tumusa 20. Rory Ferguson

 

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos 44 (Smoothy, Leota, Mariner, Quai-Ward, Johnson, Campagnolo, Sailor, Samuel tries; Rogers 4/6, Sailor 2/2 goals) def. Wynnum Manly Seagulls 12

Brisbane got off to a dream-start when the Seagulls were unable to take the kick-off before it rolled dead. It put the Broncos right on the attack and after a set restart, Tyson Smoothy was able to take advantage of a quick Sailor play the ball to crash over from dummy half.

Then after the Broncos defended multiple sets on their own line after a Te Kura drop, the Broncos scored the try of the afternoon. It was Smoothy once again off a quick Mariner play the ball getting the team on the front foot before passing it to Sailor. Tristan then turned it back to Mariner who made a lovely break through the middle. Then to sum it up Rogers put in a pin point kick in the in-goal for Leota who was there to claim the try.

Then off the back of a relieving penalty the Broncos were able to work a nice set play to put Mariner over for a well deserved try. The try came off the back of Ahearn who put on a lovely short pass to create half a gap for Te Kura to get a nice play the ball away. Then on the following play Ahearn doubled up, laid on the pass for Sailor who threw a lovely short ball to put Mariner over. At 16-0, the Broncos were in a comfortable position.

In the 37th minute of the game, Sailor was able to block a kick with his boot and regather into space. It appeared Sailor had the pace to challenge Milson to the corner but instead chose to pass inside to Liam Horne who was tackled just short of the line. The Broncos would spread it left before Quai-Ward eventually crossed to give the Broncos a 20 point lead.

The Broncos extended their lead off the back of some individual brilliance from Johnson. Johnson scrambled to catch a difficult pass on his boot laces before he made a beeline towards the defence. It appeared that he'd be tackled, but Johnson was somehow able to break out of the tackle and roll over into the in-goal.

With the drinks break approaching, Campagnolo was able to regather Te Kura's loose offload before ducking and weaving his way over the line.

The final two tries for the Broncos went to Sailor and Samuel. The first was off a double pump from Ahearn to put Sailor into a gap. The final saw Campagnolo throw a long cut-out pass to Leota. Leota caught the pass flat footed but took on the winger before eventually flicking it back to Samuel.

Then in the dying stages of the game the Seagulls scored two tries underneath the posts to give the Chookpen something to cheer about.

The press out of the game centred around the performance of Tristan Sailor and the talk of him signing an NRL deal with the club. It'll be interesting to see how he goes against tougher opposition this week and whether he can replicate the same form as consistensy has been one of his issues in the past.

The spine in general did a good job of leading the team around the paddock and the forwards and backs did their job. O'Ofou in particular showed why he's earned some raps in the pre-season and provided plenty of enthusiasm around the ruck.

Te Kura still has a few areas of his game that need work but with his size and athleticism could find himself in the mix. If he can work on his positioning and foot-work he could find himself in the mix. Mariner had some good touches, as long as he works on his involvements he should be in the mix for the backline. Finally I thought Leota didn't look out of place and had some good touches. It'll be interesting to watch him and Johnson develop as the season goes on, especially with so many outside backs coming off contract at the end of the season.

All in all, it was a case of deja vu for the Broncos. Wynnum minus their affiliates and with a new look roster weren't in the Broncos league and Brisbane had a day out. It'll be interesting to see how they perform in the Pre-Season Challenge, keeping in mind their struggles in previous seasons.

 

[ALX25]

John Radel could be an astute signing when Flegler leaves. Also good to see Ediq Ambrosyev back in league.
https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2023/05/15/heavy-lifter-john-radel/

 

[ALX25]

John Radel pictured at Cowboys pre-season.