Preseason 2020. Anthony Seibold and the young Broncos boys probably wouldn’t have guessed how their season would progress – to the point where the Broncos would possibly be the team to take home the wooden spoon.
Brisbane boasts some of the best young talent coming through. You have wall-to-wall representative players in the making. But 12 rounds in, Brisbane sit on 15th on the ladder with just three wins and nine painful loses.
Opting not to anoint Darius as Brisbane skipper was one bad decision in a pile of plenty. A role that was carried by some of the most decorated players to ever play the game, most notably Darren Lockyer. Darius deserved the captaincy and I reckon would have taken the challenge head on.
Seibold, made an error that’s contributed largely to Brisbane’s poor form. Boyd moved from Fullback, a role his excelled at both for the Roos and Queensland, and him placed at left centre. Why? Apparently there isn’t a experienced left centre at Redhill.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, fullback and captain of the New Zealand Warriors, is a typical example of shining light in a underperforming team.
Instead of putting your most decorated player to play a visionary role at the back, you place him at centre. Considering the fact that Brisbane possess young guns Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth, who could have easily cemented their roles as the starting centres back at preseason, this is strange.
Further, I would have loved to see big body Xavier Coates get a run at centre.
After Friday night’s clinical performance by Boyd, in a heartbreaking loss for Brisbane, it had most of us wondering what would have happened had he had a chance at fullback earlier.
Not taking anything away from Jamayne Issaako or Tesi Nui, but Brisbane needed a guiding light and it was Boyd that would have provided it.
Let’s all be honest here – Tony Milford plays his best footy when he knows he can get that pass to Darius, that sets up their outside man. Milf’s running game is much more elusive when Boyd’s sweeping out back. Inclusion of under-fire halfback Brodie Croft could all but create an intimidating spine. Jack Turpin and Tom Dearden could share the rake role for now.
I am a strong believer in comeback stories. And if we aren’t witnessing a changing of the tides at Brisbane after Friday’s gutsy performance then there are internal issues that need to be resolved up at Red Hill before we start losing more promising talents.
Let’s all hope Brisbane’s woes are now behind them. They only have each other to play for and that’s all the motivation a player should need.
Crow
Roar Pro
One good game in 2020. I am not buying into it. Retirement are year too late. It will be good to see him go and give opportunity to the new crop. It will free up a lot of coin as well.
Tony
Roar Guru
Interesting suggestion Big Daddy re Cameron Smith. I can't remember the last captain/coach in the NRL? Maybe Langlands? I wouldn't be too worried about the spoon. Somebody's got to get it and maybe that's what it will take for Brisbane to make the many hard decisions they need to make in order to get the club firing again.
Larry Tine
Roar Rookie
Dani my brother, awesome stuff, I really enjoyed the read!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
He shouldn't have been anywhere near first grade this season , he was a shot duck last season and they had to do something with him. Give him half a million to sit at home and buy someone for the change. A Morris twin or a discard from the Tigers would have been a much better option and that's not wisdom in hindsight , it was clear last season.
DaniiyWings
Roar Rookie
You're totally right about his form. It's just at this stage. Brisbane need some kind of light. To shake up a already disappointing season campaign.
DaniiyWings
Roar Rookie
Thanks Dutski. The community here is Great.
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
One thing is for sure I haven't heard anything good said about Boyd for a long time with Broncs supporter mates and a lot of it I couldn't repeat on here he hasn't seemed to read the room and realise his time was up certainly he must understand his stocks are going down by the game besides last week being an exception
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
All sound points I wouldn't mind Luke staying in if he can just bring the forwards with short passes instead of the longer ones I have been seeing when I haven't turned the tv off but that's what the coach obviously wants
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
He did look like he was actively trying to avoid contact
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
Probably a good way to go maybe see how Boyd goes this week and put Milf to the bench see if he can create a few sparks at the end of the halves like Nikorima was used
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
His form was dire not sure about Seibold he looks like a bloke who just can't inspire his players and tries to fill their heads with complicated stuff instead of simplifying things it might not be pretty to watch but one out and a good kick when close to the line try and get a dropout and build pressure. I think Boyd should of just fallen on his sword Uncle Wayne knew the lemon had been squeezed dry or he would have been at Souths.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Apparently Staggs is the victim not the accused. Rarely is it good news when you click on to Fox and a Broncos pic comes up.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'd agree with that. If you put TPJ on the bench, he can play edge if they lose one during the match. I'd like Lodge to find some form again. I know he's been bugged by injury but he's just slow motion this season and forgot his passing game.
DaniiyWings
Roar Rookie
Totally Agree. :thumbup:
Rellum
Roar Guru
Did you see Darius play Fullback in the last few years. It was diabolically bad. The worst I have ever seen. He couldn't catch a ball, he didn't even know where the ball was a times. Lets mention just how much effort he put into not tacking, it was comical. He was moved to 5/8th because of how bad he was, then centre because he was just as bad at 5/8th. And he continued to be just as bad at centre until maybe the last couple of game if you are being kind. He lost the captaincy because of how bad his form was and he clearly was not leading the team in anyway. The short term memory of the press and others is shocking. Oh he play not terribly on the weekend so he is the answer we have all been searching for at the back. Why didn't Seibold put him there earlier. What was Seibold thinking? I hope Darius does play well this weekend, but given his efforts over the last two years I strongly suspect he will have one good game in 5. Hopefully I am wrong. But the Broncs have other issues, Milf has gone down, maybe that is a blessing given his form this year but now we have Staggs having personal issues as well. Hopefully they don't distract him and he deals with them well away from footy.
matth
Roar Guru
Or a brain when the pressure is on in the last 10 minutes ... I like the look of Dearden. I think our ideal pack would be Haas, Turpin, TPJ, Fifita, Oates and Carrigan, with Flegler, Joe O and Lodge off the bench, plus Paix to cover hooker and backline? Those three forward reserves are all middle players, so I don't see anyone other than Oates for that back row position. I guess Teo and Hoppa until Fifita and Oates are back. I debate about TPJ and maybe a bench impact player might be his better go, with Flegler starting. Joe O and Lodge both have appeared to regressed a bit and I wonder whether Kennedy is now better value, but Lodge was great last year. That looks solid enough to me. Then I'm happy with Dearden and Milf, however someone has to tell Milf that his mid field bomb looks great, but it's too deep so it's just catching practice. We still need a fullback for next year. If Bird is fit I'm happy to give him one more shot, as Isaako hasn't impressed there and Nui is not helping with our defensive problems. Staggs and Farnsworth in the centres. Coates on one wing and Isaako on the other once he re-learns how to hold the ball.
Nat
Roar Rookie
And with that statement, Milford is out for a month. I wonder if we managed a few cheeky wins in that time, does Milford walk back into the team?
Nat
Roar Rookie
Dearden was surpising efficient and dominant in his tackles on Friday and some against the Storm. With Fifita back this week, I would like TPJ back as Prop, Paix as #14. Agree either Milf or Croft. They've been grooming Dearden and Paix for specific roles so may as well run with it if that's the future. Then again, Boyd at FB may be the catalyst for Milford to run again. I wish just one had a kicking game beyong the bomb.
matth
Roar Guru
The worst thing that happened to the Broncos this season was starting 2 from 2 before COVID hit. That gave the coach and players a false sense of where they were. They all came back expecting someone else to do the hard yards and that wins would just come. On Darius, I'd leave him at the back, not because he is actually that good anymore, but at least he can try and organise our paper thin defense from there. I don't hold out much hope, but at least he looked happy to be playing football last week. And sorry to Brodie Croft, but Tom Deardon should be given the rest of this write off of a season to settle into the long term half back role. Croft and Milford can fight it out for the other spot. I'm more than happy to keep blooding Corey Paix in the bench role, ahead of Isaac Luke and whoever misses out between Milford and Croft.
Big Daddy
Guest
Daniiy, I've already written the season off. I just hope they can achieve a couple of wins to avoid the spoon. I had a lot of hopes before COVID hit and although I would have liked Seibold to succeed I think he will see the season out but if they do get rid of him who replaces him. My initial thoughts are to get Griffin back, but it just shows how good a coach Bennett was and anybody that follows him there was always going to be comparisons. I would like to see Cameron Smith signed as Captain Coach for a couple of years, which may be enough to get him to Brisbane other than that I look forward to next year.