After four rounds of this year’s NRL competition, the Brisbane Broncos find themselves in twelfth position.
This is a far cry from the top-four position that many NRL fans (including myself) predicted before the season commenced.
Not only is twelfth not a great position to be sitting, but I imagine that plenty of Broncos fans are feeling deeply concerned after the team’s 36 points to four loss against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night.
Premierships are not won in March or April or even May but given how close the previous iterations of the competition have been, a strong start is almost essential.
By the end of Round 8, almost a third of the competition will be over and if the Broncos don’t win at least two of their next four games, it will become increasingly hard for them to break into the eight, especially given how much their team is impacted by State of Origin.
The problem is, the draw for the Broncos over the next four weeks is far from easy. Their next opponents are the Wests Tigers at home, the Canberra Raiders away, the Cronulla Sharks at home and then the South Sydney Rabbitohs away.
I’m not a coach, but in my view there are a couple of glaring issues with the Broncos line up this year. Given these issues were present last year too, perhaps putting them in the top four was a stretch.
First problem; the halves.
Anthony Milford is an exceptionally talented player. When he is at his best, he is dynamic and his running game is among the best in the competition. He is one of my favourite players to watch when he is feeling confident and the Broncos have their heads up.
The problem is that his partnership in the halves with Kodi Nikorima is an absolute disaster. Given that Nikorima is not a dominant half and lacks a running game, it looks like Anthony Seibold is pushing Milford to be that dominant half. This is not the player that he is and he looks uncomfortable leading the team on the field.
Then we get to Nikorima and my question is; why have so many coaches persisted with him in the number seven jumper. We saw Wayne Bennett do it, Michael Maguire plays Nikorima at seven for New Zealand and Anthony Seibold has also persisted. What do they see that we don’t?
His defence is a problem and he really lacks a kicking game, which means when he kicks the ball to finish a set, the Broncos rarely find themselves in a strong attacking position or with a kick that gets the team out of trouble when they are on the backfoot defensively.
The Broncos do have some other options in the halves like Sean O’Sullivan and Thomas Deardon, but they are youngsters and untested. Will we see Seibold take the gamble over the next couple of rounds?
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
A far bigger problem is the attitude of some of the older heads in the club.
Watch the James Tedesco try from Thursday night and look at the effort from Darius Boyd and Andrew McCullough. It borders on embarrassing.
This is concerning for Broncos fans because one of their biggest strengths is their young forward pack. Men like Tevita Pangai Junior, Thomas Flegler and David Fifita have shown what they are capable of, but I wonder whether these young forwards have the maturity to play with the intensity required at a first-grade level.
Additionally, if the senior leaders at the club drop their heads, it’s unlikely that these young men have the leadership skills to step up.
The loss of Josh McGuire may have been needed from a cap perspective or because the Broncos had too many players in his position, but with losing him and Sam Thaiday in a short period, have the Broncos got players willing to step into the leadership positions that these two men had at the club.
I’ve mentioned Boyd’s effort in defence for the Tedesco try last week.
Sadly for Boyd, that lack of effort has not been a once off this season.
In the past, Boyd has spoken openly about his challenges with mental health and his very close relationship with Wayne Bennett. I wonder how much of an impact having a new coach is having on his performance?
I also wonder whether he is playing with an injury or is carrying fears from previous injuries sustained. He seems afraid of contact. This is problematic for a fullback and I wonder how long it will be before we see Jamayne Isaako given a chance.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Last year, many fans applauded Seibold and what he did at the South Sydney Rabbitohs – and he did do a tremendous job.
But I wonder whether he is a coach that is worth the backroom wheeling and dealing which the Broncos engaged in to get him and the controversy that erupted surrounding the swap between him and Wayne Bennett.
The Broncos may have thought it was time to go for Bennett – but was Anthony Seibold the right choice, and for five years? That is an exceptionally long time, especially for a coach that has only had one full season in first grade.
Heading into most seasons I feel like the Broncos are underrated. Perhaps this year they were overrated.
Seibold had plenty of backing, support and praise heading into the season. Now is when the going gets tough for him.
The Broncos sit in twelfth position and the media will begin asking questions about the squad, what position the players are in and most importantly, his leadership.
It’s clear that some things at the Broncos need to change – I wonder whether we will start to see some of those changes this week on ‘Team List Tuesday’.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Well compared to Greg Inglis he looks like a greyhound. I really hope GI turns it around and can get fit and over his injuries but from what I am hearing he has run his last race. I can only hope that is not the case but in any case he has served the club well. IF he is forced into early retirement I expect that the Rabbitohs will get full salary cap relief to find a suitable replacement and NOT Bryson "Noddy" Goodwin who is in about the same shape as Inglis.
William W
Roar Rookie
Milford looks fat to me.
Larry1950
Guest
With all the comments about the different culture & lost aura of the club etc floating around, I went back and had a look at the successful bronco squads. What really struck me as a clear difference from the past to present squads is the proportions of Queenslanders in the squads. The early premiership winning teams had Chris Johns & Terry Matterson, later teams included Lazarus and de Vere but none ever had a dominant number of cockroaches or kiwis. Currently, they've got kiwis in Isaako, Nikorima, Glenn teamed with blues or blue hopefuls including Lodge, Haas, Bird, Pangai Jnr, Roberts, Staggs & a host of NSW rookies. My question is, does that dilute the 'us v them' attitude that helped build the club culture & if it's just doing what every other club is doing, why do they expect constant success? Qld origin's successful culture was built on NSW having shafted Qld for almost a century (perception or reality), the Broncos traded on that so is that now a part of discarded history to their detriment? Maybe that approach isn't effective with millenials, I'm not sure but if they have a few more lean years it might be time to buy back the farm.
Larry1950
Guest
With all the comments about the different culture & lost aura of the club etc floating around, I went back and had a look at the successful bronco squads. What really struck me as a clear difference from the past to present squads is the proportions of Queenslanders in the squads. The early premiership winning teams had Chris Johns & Terry Matterson, later teams included Lazarus and de Vere but none ever had a dominant number of cockroaches or kiwis. Currently, they've got kiwis in Isaako, Nikorima, Glenn teamed with blues or blue hopefuls including Lodge, Haas, Bird, Pangai Jnr, Roberts, Staggs & a host of NSW rookies. My question is, does that dilute the 'us v them' attitude that helped build the club culture & if it's just doing what every other club is doing, why do they expect constant success? Qld origin's successful culture was built on NSW having shafted Qld for almost a century (perception or reality), the Broncos traded on that so is that now a part of discarded history to their detriment? Maybe that approach isn't effective with millenials, I'm not sure but if they have a few more lean years it might be time to buy back the farm.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Missed tackles poor defence and getting run over by oppositions forward packs" Yep, he learnt all that at the Broncos. LOL
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree you don’t have to be a talker to be a great leader - there are plenty over the years who lead by example...and the Broncos have guts like that in this team. But every team needs a talker somewhere to rally and drive the team. If it’s not your captain, it’s one of your halves or your fullback. Thats what the Brobcos seem to be missing. I don’t think they have anyone who fills that role. The closest they have is Boyd waving his arms and swearing at his team mates every time he misses a tackle or throws a pass over the sideline...
matth
Roar Guru
I would be very wary of moving on McCullough. We’ve seen how Josh Maguire has been missed in the middle, McCullough does a lot of the dirty work that gets taken for granted
matth
Roar Guru
Glenn was a leader when younger, I believe he captained the Under 20’s to a flag at one point?
matth
Roar Guru
Isaako has had a serious case of the dropsies in the last couple of weeks.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Broncos face some big challenges if Siebold has a dodgy year. No doubt plenty of those at and around the club who support Kevin Walters and were vocal about it will be firing up as the year moves on. It's still way too early for any team to panic as previous years have proven but this spine is just about the most stable in the comp and if they're the goods what's holding them back?
Bronc12
Guest
The club hasn’t lost its aura. It did years ago. Much like man Utd many players aren’t desperate to come to the broncs anymore. But that’s ok if they just admit that and get on with it. Lot of other clubs do. The other thing they must admit is the 1,6,7 and 9 are not working and possibly not the future of the club. Milford could still be great with better player around him. Nikorima a bench impact player. Boys never been safe since hamstring injury. And won’t reach high level again. Mculluogh is not the modern day hooker that is needed. No spark at all from dummy half. I think club needs to be patient , try hold onto some of these young talented forwards and over next year or two slowly replace the key areas I spoke about. Even if it means going down the ladder for a year or two. Broncs fans must realise it’s not the 90’s anymore. The game has changed and teams are closer in talent more than ever
Haz
Guest
Boyd was absolutely horse manure. A total lack of leadership in that game. Seibold should punt him and hand the captaincy to Matt Gillett who seems to be the only one trying at the moment, and an 80 minute forward to boot.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
It won't be an easy game for the Broncos but BOTH the Panthers and the Tigers were miserable last week and the Tigers MUST turn that around fast! In the same way the Rabbitohs were dreadful two weeks running and paid the price for that with their first loss. If the Broncos can't beat the Tigers playing at home at Suncorp stadium then their next 6 weeks look very bleak indeed. Perhaps Seibold should look at the Dogs example and how changing their spine that is clearly not working can change the belief and energy of the whole side.
thomas c
Guest
The tigers were good last week. If it weren't for goal kicking the result shouldn't have been in question. Farah has some skills McCullough does not. Reynolds is enthusiastic (and this is very noticeable in defence). And I think Packer is rep grade in a way that the Joe O and Matt Lodge haven't yet proven themselves to be. I want to hope, but as a broncos fan, I have a sneaking suspicion things could get ugly.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Alfie should be part of the Broncos salary cap given the amount of time he spends on the field.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't swap Damien Cook for the world but Hodgson is one of the top 3 hookers in the game and his style of play fit between Damien Cook at one extreme and Cam Smith at the other. Any side would do well with either of those 3 but they would win more penalties and as a result more games with Smith. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I had a look at the Bronco's draw earlier today and they are in for a tough period with games agsinst the Storm, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Dragons coming up. If they don't pick things up against the Tigers this week they could easily find themselves with a 2 - 11 record by round 13 and by then it will be too late.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Not true and it is hard to generalise in any case. While playing in the line for attack and defence may mean that a 5/8 is often more involved in the play FBs do a LOT more running and run for a LOT more metres on average then 5/8's. Besides kick returns and taking their fair share of early hitups after last tackle kicks FBs are also busy running back and forth following the ball behind the defensive line near their goal line. Meanwhile 5/8's defend on one side of the field often assisted by an edge back rower and as often as not pass the ball to outside backs rather than run the ball. Thinking if Billy Slater as an example, I would have thought that he had to be a lot fitter than Cooper Cronk for example. Like I said, I don't believe that fitness is the issue for Milford when there are many other factors that better explain his lack of form.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Milford at fuulback? Lol, how is he under the high ball? I imagine a lot of opposition kickers will smile about testing him out.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Fullback is less demanding fitness wise than 5/8 is.