Broncos bolster 2014 squad with Mills, Vidot and Lowrie signings

ok yes we failed last year but do not right off what we have at our club so fast if you look through the squad on paper our first choice run on squad for 2014 consists of 10 internationals yes we need to improve a little on form and if you ask me aggression but I think we look pretty good for next year I agree todd lowrie is a strange buy but hey his proven himself year after year to be a consistent performer and consistency is what we lacked this year so he may just the guy we need the other 4 buys are all young with big futures in the game so again great buys if we can get them performing the one area I have a lot of concern about though is our halves I don't understand why we are not hunting for a genuine 5\8 right now if anyone knows of the broncos plan for hunts partner next year please inform me norman will be a bigger lose then we think maybe barber can fill 5\8 (then maybe Hoffman stays too) I don't think we can just keep praying and waiting for daly cherry evans posssilble move in 2015 we must find some one now

Whilst the squad is choc full of "reasonable" talent I still think if someone like Bennet or Bellamy were to join the Broncs for 2015, half of the 2014 squad would be unceremoniously punted. Coach Griffin is going to be on borrowed time. A negative win / loss leading into SOO will likely see him tossed, although Gee and White really like him. He put far too much faith in his Broncos U20s squad from 2009 maturing into star players at the expense of securing some available better talent from outside the club - it hasn't worked and should cost both him and Andrew Gee their jobs. Everyone talks about needing a 5/8 - they do. But equally they need a quality centre. It would have been perfect if Will Hopoate had liked Brisbane so much that he wanted to sign up with the Broncs after living here for 2 years on mission. Oh yeah, they also made the wrong person captain.

Are you sure you're not turning into Oikee?

I just see it as them bolstering around the edges the core group of guys they have atm. I dont think the broncos are trying to buy success as much as I think they are trying to build a platform *with options* so they can jump from one level to another; so that in the years to come, they can have a long, sustained period of success again. Thats my thinking. They got barba, he was coming their way anyway sooner or later with a move back home. Some say he's a bit of a gamble - well I think he's home and he will go alright. I was wrong about Prince though. Ineffective. Dang. I'm pretty sure Prince was around more as an old hand, but due to the seeming lack of good starting options, he was never pushed out. THAT is a problem with the club. Except, the fact Prince is experienced, so he is good to have on the field for that. Bolstering: thats what I think the broncos are doing. They were good to watch last season, not brilliant, just good. I expect next year to be great. Such a shame about Hodges not being on the field much. There's plenty of talent at the club. Its just young at the moment, but Barba should provide some extra spark, and these players are solid enough. In future years, within 3 I'd say, they will look for another big signing, and then the younger players (some of whom are very talented) will be older, hitting their stride. So I see within 3 years the broncos being toward the top of the table again. It could be next year, I don't know. I do know its a side with a lot of potential. I hope the coach can get the best out of them.

I agree Oikee, I think Vidot has potential. Mills is a solid player and the Broncos need some cover in the backs. Lowrie is a workhorse in the Dallas Johnson mould and a very handy player. Hopefully the Broncos are still looking to reel in Smith, K Hunt and Milford. I can't stand to see the Broncos in such a sorry state for another season.

Aye, 'astuteness'. unless you can point me to a contract that says otherwise, there is no rule dictating that these players play every or any game of the season for the top side. what you might not realise is that the broncos had a string of injuries to outside backs this year and perhaps... (this is just wild speculation) but perhaps they're looking to bolster their outside backs as a means for contingency planning. call me crazy. i can assure you, however, that the broncos did not break bank for these players. they are low profile signings that are only rating any mention because of the profile of the broncos.i could be very wrong about this but i doubt the signings of lawrence or horo rated much mention with the other clubs last year, nor did anyone expect them to be spectacular, but there you go. other fans must just be more interested in the activities of the broncos.

Unfortunately Gaz, Griffin was noted as a defensive coach but the Broncos defence over the last couple of seasons has been pretty poor.

+1

Eye I know Vidot intimately. He looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane and a butter fingers Jane at that. His stregnth is ball running but he plays dumb. Hopeless with a low or high ball and does silly things like play the ball too fast and fumble. Would never be in my first grade side,

Worst 5 year plan ever

Well said Lachlan, a voice of reason in all the detractors. Will Sinclair would be better off analyzing his own clubs fall from grace..only saved from the wooden spoon by a basket case of a club...no grand achievement by the mighty Tigers. People in glass houses Will.....yes indeed. Thought eagleJack might be satisfied with making a GF this year but appears not...still sinking the boot in....time for World Cup...time to move on haters.

Wow,sorry,Scott..that's a huge list.I had a rude comment in mind..but you've worked so hard I 'll shut up and let it be.Suffice to say Brenton Lawrence got Manly right out of jail and Sika Manu is another example of player going great for the Storm and just average elsewhere,surely he cost them a pretty penny.Both clubs appear to have 2014 final 8 rosters,true,and good coaches to get them further...think you are very harsh on Vidot,given us nothing yet but there's an excellent player inside if his wildness can be tamed.

I give them a chance next year. I stil think they need a quality prop like Brent Kite, Marty Kenedy is a penalty magnet.

I agree on the Panthers signings Scott, they are building nicely and moneyball analogy fits them well. I can't see how Manly's signings at the time were any better than the Broncos 3 now though.... broncos have signed fringe players as did Manly last year. Manly's signings turned out to be great and the same could happen for the Broncos. You may be right in saying they turn out to be dud buys but i guess only time will tell.

The Eye Geez cant you take my word for it, know I have to do some work.......................... Manly signed for this year Brenton Lawrence (Titans), Richie Fa'aoso (Melbourne Storm), David Gower (Dragons), James Hasson (Sharks 2nd Row) and I have a huge opinion of both Ben Musolino (2nd Row, Dragons), Michael Chee Kam (Raiders). Panthers signed for this year Lewis Brown (Warriors), Dean Whare (Sea Eagles), Sika Manu (Storm), James Segeyaro (Cowboys), Wes Naiqama (Knights), James Roberts (Rabbitohs), Moses Pangai (Cowboys, Centre)), Mose Masoe (Prop). The guys they have signed or re-signed for next year and beyond are Brent Kite – signed for 2014 & 2015 Sean Spence – signed for 2014 & 2015 Tyrone Peachey – signed for 2014 & 2015 Kevin Naiqama – signed for 2014 & 2015 Peter Wallace – signed for 2014, 2015 & 2016 Jamie Soward – signed for 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Elijah Taylor – signed for 2014, 2015 & 2016 Will Smith – signed for 2014 & 2015 Leilani Latu – signed for 2014 & 2015 Jackson Hill – signed for 2014 & 2015 Kevin Kingston – re-signed for 2014 Dave Simmons – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Nigel Plum – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Adam Docker – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Isaac John – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 James Roberts – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Ryan Simpkins – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Sam Anderson – re-signed for 2014 Bryce Cartwright – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Kieran Moss – re-signed for 2014, 2015 & 2016 Reagan Campbell-Gillard – re-signed for 2014, 2015 & 2016 Iain Riccardi – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 Isaah Yeo – re-signed for 2014, 2015 and 2016 Nathan Smith – re-signed for 2014 Liam Ayoub – re-signed for 2014 & 2015 James Segeyaro – contract extended until 2016 Sika Manu – contract extended until 2015 Eto Nabuli – contract extended until 2014 The trick is that they did not over pay and they can all play.

Sorry I don't understand this Scott.Who were the moneyball signings for those clubs for season 2013 ?

Being a douche or talent? Yeah he's prob not in the stratosphere but makes a good attempt at the former

CS Vidot is not in the same stratosphere as Boyd

DCE is contracted for the 2014 and 2015 season. Hopefully he reciprocates Foran's gesture of knocking back bigger $$ at the Bulldogs as he wanted to maintain their halves partnership.

Astuteness of this years signings? Players used to want to play for the Broncos. Now they get Mills, Lowrie and Vidot. And the worst part is some of their fans seem to think these signings are astute As Will succinctly says "How the mighty have fallen".