If last night’s NRL trial was meant to be an audition for the Brisbane number 6 jersey and a slot in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds, then it’s safe to say that nobody passed.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has bet the farm on Reynolds being the man to bring his side up the ladder in 2022 and challenged his prospective partners to stake their claim during Saturday night’s 26-all draw with the Gold Coast Titans, in which each got a 40-minute crack.
Four names are in the frame for five-eighth gig come the visit of the Rabbitohs to Suncorp in Round 1, with 2021 alumni Albert Kelly and Tyson Gamble, joined by the coach’s son, Billy Walters and rookie Ezra Mam.
“That’ll be done over the next two weeks,” he said of the final decision. “We have a trial next week up in Mackay against the Cowboys.
“Tonight we are splitting the halves, and they are all getting 40 minutes each. They can show us what they have got tonight and then next week we will move on from there and see who will partner Adam.
“At this stage it’s still an open race. All the different candidates have got different qualities that they bring.”
Speaking before the game, Walters revealed that Reynolds himself would play a role in choosing his halves partner.
Kevin Walters has a big job on his hands to rebuild the Broncos. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“We will sit down after our second trial. I’ll sit down with Adam and a few other guys and we will make the selection there,” he said.
“I’m expecting the individuals to put their hand up over the next few weeks, have a crack and go after that position.”
Billy Walters took the 6 jersey to start alongside Albert Kelly in the 7 – Walters laid on a try for Selywn Cobbo and Kelly was his characteristic rocks and diamonds, but neither made a startling claim for the long-term role.
Tyson Gamble and Ezra Mam took over for the second half, with Mam showing some exciting flashes but Gamble looking much like he always has in first grade: not quite good enough.
Herein lies the problem for Walters and Reynolds: all have fairly serious flaws that seem unlikely to be resolved by this or any other trial.
Tyson Gamble has had plenty of chances to cement an NRL position and has proven consistently unable to do so. Since debuting in 2018, he’s managed a single try and lost 11 of his 16 games. Surely, Super League is his next port of call – if anyone would have him.
Billy Walters was discarded from the Storm system – they rarely give up good players – and then spent time unable to decide if he was a hooker or a five-eighth, as well as struggling with injuries. If he can play consistently he might be a different proposition but there’s been little evidence of that happening so far.
Ezra Mam is a huge talent at just 19. He was named Queensland Cup rookie of the year last season, but it is worth mentioning that he is very much that – a rookie.
Mam played just 11 times for Souths Logan in 2021, and while he managed an astounding 13 tries, that is a very small sample size to judge whether someone is worth starting at a packed Suncorp in Round 1 against last year’s Grand Finalists. It’s possible that Mam is the long-term answer to the question, but it would be a huge call to go to him right away.
That leaves Albert Kelly. He’s at the opposite end of the experience scale, being the other side of 30 and with close to 200 first-grade appearances split between the NRL and Super League.
He’s unpredictable and inconsistent, but might be able to add a spark and allow Reynolds to steer the team around.
Crucially, this Broncos team now has a full backline that might be worth passing the ball to, with Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs looking strong in the trial and the exciting Herbie Farnworth to return on the other side.
Kelly might be able to distribute, challenge the line and not let the side down in defence. He might also try miracle plays, run too much and get trampled over, all of which he has done in the past.
Adam Reynolds is a great player, but he’s not a miracle worker. He needs a partner to go with him, and Kevin Walters is no closer to knowing who that might be.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
You would expect to lose with most of your team out. You would expect to win with most of your team on the field. Doesn’t augur too well, Champion. Wait, what am I saying? That’s me.
the outsider
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Adam
Roar Guru
Well, until he punched someone
Adam
Roar Guru
In defence of Jenny, Souths fans are also insufferable
Adam
Roar Guru
It's because it involves his son and he's not sure how to tell the rest of the team
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
So the Milf at $300K for the season could have been an option ?
Nat
Roar Guru
I'd agree with that Albo. I think Kevvie is on the money with the primary objective being defence. Reynolds will get them around the park and when you have Staggs and Herbie on the outside, just get the ball to them. They don't have to be another Cody Walker just give good service and tackle. If Mam continues his Q Cup form bring him in about Rnd 10 and hopefully by then they will have the fundamentals sorted. Interstingly, if Gamble gets the gig and Walters at #14, Souths Logan will have Paix, Kelly, Mam and Isaako spine which is pretty good at Q Cup level so the pressure will be on a few positions.
Nat
Roar Guru
Oh Jenser, I do like how you argue a point but then call me a know it all. If I did know it all, then you would just accept being wrong but we both know that will never happen. :laughing: It was a strong team but a long way from their best team. Even then the better ones only played 40 mins. No doubt Reynolds would have made a difference but I don't know when he would have kicked a FG when Isaako kicked to goal to level up on the siren. Trials are fun to watch, mainly because it is footy back on TV but no one is taking much from them. I mean Warriors beat Storm!!
Albo
Roar Rookie
My amateur assessment of these contenders : Billy Walters will always give you 100% with few errors, but the problem is that he has limited natural talent to win you matches. Perhaps 14 is his best spot long term ? Tyson Gamble will give you 100 % attitude and loves to mix it, but can be full of poor options along the way. Albert Kelly is very experienced but can be a bit "rocks & diamonds" . Is capable on his day of winning you a match, but can also go missing the next match. Ezra Mam looks to be full of exciting potential, but is still a kid needing time to develop. So, its a tough decision for Kevie , and I suggest the halves partners will be swapped about quite a bit in the early part of the season. Initially , whilst Reynolds is finding his feet in the new Broncos set up, I would probably opt for Walters or Kelly to start as 6. I think you get a bit more steadiness and experience with one of these two.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
For the record is just a reference to the facts. It doesn’t assume people know or don’t know, or are know-it-all’s like yourself. To be fair was a top game, the 26-26 with best team on the field bar Reynolds. Confident he would have got them home by 1 had they fielded all 17.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yes Jenny, from last year. :thumbup: "For the record" is generally used when something isn't already well known and documented but you keep battling away.
Nat
Roar Guru
I hope your shirt comes clean after this mess. :laughing:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
One in a row, as in start date 2021. Maybe slow down on the shandies yourself. For the record, the previous last time a team played two home games was 2017 where Qld got two. Once it’s realised Anna pulled the wool, NSW should have two games ‘22, and ‘23.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I’d go with Kelly. Gamble has enthusiasm but that about it.
Nat
Roar Guru
2021? Drink up Jen. Who knows, if NSW manage another series win you'll be 2/3 of the way to their greatest success ever! At the moment though #oneinarow.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Such a shame how his game has deteriorated over the last couple of years
Ghosthound
Roar Rookie
Oates should be playing back row rather than winger. He’s not slow, he just needs time to get up to full speed. But he’s solid in defence and has consistently strong carries with the ball.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Give your tick of approval to the 2021 start date though. Any news that it’s Qld’s turn to host two games again this year? Bloody hoping so. Make it three.
Ghosthound
Roar Rookie
I thought B Walters looked pretty good while he was on the field, much better than Gamble or Kelly in attack and was solid enough in defence. I like Gamble, he brings energy and mongrel - something that the Broncos have lacked in recent seasons. But he almost played himself out of the side last night. Mam was very exciting when he got his shot, but I reckon he’s too inexperienced to start in round 1. He is the future of the Broncos, emphasise on ‘future’. How soon that will become the ‘present’ we’ll have to see. I also thought that Paix was excellent, much better than Turpin. He should be our starting no.9 for round 1.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Maybe you thought you had counted the middle finger, foregetting about the second middle finger? Weird explaining miscounting to a Qlder. Penrith prides itself on every so often, proving to the league and the country they are worthy participants. For the first quarter of a century, so many said we weren’t. Conversely, Brisbane entered with effectively a State if not National squad and super competitive from the start. The tables have certainly turned, however creatively you account that they haven’t. Having a dig at the cellar dweller is the great rugby league pass-time. Penrith has certainly copped a lot our way over the years. To indicate a lack of class for not being able to return the favour, in French translates to ‘go and get nicked’. Class is being able to take the ribbing. Fair to say, you appear to be struggling.