The Brisbane Broncos are undoubtedly in the process of a huge rebuild.
Kevin Walters is not the issue, though it would help for him to get into the boys a bit more. It’s the team itself that’s the real issue. This week will be season defining for this reason.
As we all know, the halves are our priority and need to be sorted as soon as possible. The addition of Tyson Gamble to halfback in Friday night’s clash with the Titans was risky but nonetheless the right move. He now really needs to prove himself.
With Anthony Milford back in the squad, Gamble has to show that he is Broncos material, otherwise I can’t see him at the club after this year. Hopefully Milford and Gamble can really impress this weekend to give the team some hope.
Kevin Walters has a big job on his hands to rebuild the Broncos. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
After the Cowboys signed our halfback Tom Dearden, we needed to drop him completely from the side – if he isn’t going to be here next year, why bother with him now.
Now to the centres. I’m confident in our centres, with the likes of Herbie Farnworth and Jesse Arthars, Farnworth is undoubtedly a young player with a very bright future ahead of him. Arthars really needs to play well this round to cement his spot in the side, with the likes of David Mead very capable of making the side. With Kotoni Staggs back within a few weeks, the centres really need to work for their spot.
I see Staggs and Farnworth as the logical choices for the centres as of right now.
Staggs’s impending return asks the question: where does David Mead sit in this situation? Xavier Coates is very safe and highly unlikely to be removed from the side. If we monitor Corey Oates’s gameplay, we will be able to determine whether he or Mead is most worthy of the spot.
The fullback is arguably the most crucial position in the modern game, which is why each team needs a quality player in this position. Jamayne Isaako is one of our safer players in the side, and unlike last year he is reasonably consistent in the No. 1 jersey. Many argue that he’s a winger rather than a fullback, but the reality is he is our best bet. His speed, agility and playmaking ability have made him a high-quality asset.
Our props have been putting in the hard yards for us all year round. Matthew Lodge is a very strong player when he’s on his game. He can make all the difference. Since Payne Haas’s return from injury in Round 4 he has been consistently running hard, and his defensive game not too bad either.
These two lads are very important to us playing our best footy in 2021. It seems in our recent encounters with the Panthers that when these boys get going so does the whole team!
Jake Turpin this week will be working to keep his grasp on the No. 9 jersey after the signing of Danny Levi. Levi showed some real sparks of energy against Parramatta, and that’s just what our team needs. Turpin’s defensive game is strong and his attack not too shabby, but if Levi can show consistently good defensive reads, proves he knows how to mark his own man and shows well in the offence, I would be putting him right in for sure. This could be a real arm wrestle for the hooker position.
Tevita Pangai Jr and Jordan Riki are our second-rowers for Friday night. These two powerhouses have been consistently hard workers this season. TPJ in particular seems to be the guy to get the squad going when they are at their lowest point, while Riki never seems to disappoint.
Our lock is Patrick Carrigan. He’s a workhorse but simply drops too many balls. When these three are on their game, however, they are virtually unstoppable!
Our bench consists of Danny Levi, Thomas Flegler, Ethan Bullemor, Rhys Kennedy, Tesi Niu, John Asiata, Brodie Croft and David Mead, who all need to work for a starting position.
Let’s see how the Broncos go this Friday.
Rellum
Roar Guru
In part I am guessing the slary cap and 30 man squad make it hard to promote players from the QRL but mostly I think it is a mind set that you only sign halfs from the NRL or youth teams. A 26 :stoked: year old who hasn’t play NRL yet is written off without a second thought. They just assume he would be no good. Edit, they would have to drop a fair way to be below the Dolphins
elvis
Roar Rookie
He consistently drops bombs?
matth
Roar Guru
It seems obvious. Why can’t they see it? Is there some restrictions on players outside the contracted group and/or are we running too close to the cap? At least make him an offer for next year, surely. If nothing else, it will at least knock wynnum down the table (spoken lie a true Redcliffe fan) ????????
reynolds
Roar Rookie
Completely Agree!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Hoeter is with the Seagulls as well and has been doing well. Hetherington is with Souths but he is a contracted player were Scarlet and Hoeter are not. Right now I would be trying to offload Deardon to the Cows and use some of that money to bring in Scarlet for the rest of the year. He has been the best half in the QRL for a few years, I think he was player of the match of the QLD residents against NSW in 2019. He is 26 and has done the hard work, He has performed better in the QRL than Deardon, Milf, Gamble and any other half you can think of. He is defiantly comparable to Forarty and I think a lot better. What do we have to lose if we get him for the rest of the year and he stinks it up in the NRL. At least then we know the best half in the QRL is not NRL standard. What is the difference then of just playing Croft or Milf and then stinking it up. We shouldn't just write players off because the scouts or the club didn't rate them at 21. If Milf is switched on again then he and Scarlet as halves are a good pairing for the rest of the year with Gamble on the bench or at 13.
matth
Roar Guru
I hope so. He can't do any worse than what we've been dishing up so far. My only worry is that as a centre he was basically one of only two scoring options the Broncos have (the other being the high kick to Coates). will he have the same strike at number 6?
reynolds
Roar Rookie
I feel Staggs is the right player for the number number 6 jersey
matth
Roar Guru
I'm not anywhere near as on top of the Intrust Cup as you. which clubs are the players you mentioned going around with (I know Scarlett is with the top of the table Seagulls, so that's promising).
matth
Roar Guru
He's been better than last year, but if we had bitten the bullet and tried Reece Walsh we might still have him, and Isaako may have been a better wing option than Oates or Mead.
matth
Roar Guru
I worry about both Arthurs and Farnsworth defensively. Arthurs will likely drop back once Staggs is fit, so the question becomes why bother with such a change to our defensive combinations when we will have to make another change soon anyway. UNLESS, Staggs is coming back at number 6.
reynolds
Roar Rookie
scarlett is good as i said
Rellum
Roar Guru
????
reynolds
Roar Rookie
scarlet is a weapon my uso
reynolds
Roar Rookie
he has been hard working and very few dropped balls
Rellum
Roar Guru
Well you are clearly a glass have full type aren't you :stoked: I don't like this team. I think players are in the wrong positions and we have not addressed he lock position at all. Carrigan at best is prop and should be coming off the bench. Hass and TPJ should be the props. I will give selecting TPJ at second row a pass at the moment as there are no real other options. I still think Gamble should be playing lock or give Kobe Hetherington or Asiata a go there. Kobe Hetherington has been one of the few constant performers for Souths and I think it is time given how poor the team is going to reward those players doing well in the next tier down. That is why I keep saying Scarlet should be given a go at 7. He is everything we need in a half, we just need to see if he can translate that ability into success at the next level. Fogarty could do it and I think Scarlet is better than Fogarty. Hunt or Milf should be the 5/8th and until Staggs comes back Delouise Hoeter should be given a go at centre. If we have the cash give a few under performing guys the flick and promote some of these players. This is the problem with a restrictive 30 man roster.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Gotta say, was not expecting anyone to describe Isaako as consistent based on this season
reynolds
Roar Rookie
Thanks Tony :)
reynolds
Roar Rookie
I absolutely agree, his defence at times wasn't the best but he has been none the less very reliable!
Christo
Roar Guru
UP THE BRONX!!!
Christo
Roar Guru
Great first article Jack, this is chase