**Official** NRL 2009 Thread

[James90]

Need a halfback tbh.

 

[Simon]

Need a halfback tbh.

McCrone is good enough, that was ridiculous him being dragged, its not like Tongue was ever going to do a better job.

 

[Simon]

The Raiders problem is actually their structure, last year on the attack they had a deep line this year its just inside balls to the props, its not 2002 anymore this game plan isnt going to win games.

 

[duffer]

Rack up another loss for the Sharkies. Heh, onya Trent!

 

[luffy]

The Raiders problem is actually their structure, last year on the attack they had a deep line this year its just inside balls to the props, its not 2002 anymore this game plan isnt going to win games.

We were more free-flowing last year as well. It was more the case of no one thinking we'll win, and we spread the ball out alot more. This year, it's just not happening... Losing Best was a big thing. Sure, McCrone is good, but not great, give him time to mature it'll be good.

 

[Ausage]

We were more free-flowing last year as well. It was more the case of no one thinking we'll win, and we spread the ball out alot more. This year, it's just not happening... Losing Best was a big thing. Sure, McCrone is good, but not great, give him time to mature it'll be good.

Really thought McCrone would fire up tonight considering we bought him and didn't play him in FG once.

 

[Simon]

Thought he was doing ok, he seems a bit rushed with the ball, not like your typical play maker who looks like they have all the time in world, perhaps giving him more than two matches would be a good start. I think hes showed more potential than Herbert in 1 and a half games.

 

[James90]

Herbert had a few good games but really, the absence of Todd Carney has sent Canberra backwards.

 

[Simon]

Herbert looked ok, but mainly in the matches where Campese was dominated. Campo is carrying an injury at the moment and the Raiders have no options as a result.

As for the Todd Carney point then thats debateable. Campo has produced more for the Raiders in the last half a season than Carney did in three, chances are if Carney was steering them around at the end of last season and Campese was just playing second fiddle then theres a fair chance they wouldnt have finished sixth.

 

[Burgey]

It's been 11 years since I've felt this confident, early doors in the season, of a Broncos premiership. I knew we'd win when the comp came back together in 1998, and I can already smell the sweet aroma of premiership glory this season too.

No, they're just not that good frankly. Lockyer and Hodges are wonderful, but Hodges was completely owned by McDougall last night - frankly made him look cod ordinary. Folau - wow, yet another 6'5" winger who can jump. Big deal. Hunt's all right. Michaels - the Hindmarsh of backs - works hard, can't bust a tackle. The forwards are good but not great IMO. Simms and Thaiday fine, Kenny unproven and Clinton will certainly go missing when it counts most. He has all career.

We easily have the best back line in the comp but I wouldn't say we are certainties for the title yet.

I think the backs are good, but not necessarily the best in the comp. They strike me a bit like the league equivalents of flat track bullies - they don't much like it when someone stcks it to them.

Allowing for Hunt, Lockyer, Hodges, Folau, Wallace, Thaiday and even Parker to be out.

1 Tom Hewitt
2 Antonio Winterstein
3 Steve Michaels
4 Alex Glenn
5 Jharal Yow Yeh
6 PJ Marsh
7 Ben Hunt [hopefully]
8 Nick Kenny
9 Andrew McCullough
10 Joel Clinton
11 Ashton Sims
12 Ben Teo
13 Lagi Setu

14 Dave Taylor
15 Josh McGuire
16 Palmer Wapau
17 Aaron Gorrell

Not too bad really.

It's no coincidence that PJ Marsh and Tom Hewitt have been playing at 1 and 6 recently.

You're ****ting me aren't you? You don't think any other side in the comp will look forward to playing that line up? It's not Brisbanes fault - you can't have the depth you've had in the past these days, but that side, you would think, would lose more than it wins at Origin time.

May cost you the minor prem, but only injuries (especially to Lockyear) or a massive loss of form will cost you the title imo. You really look a cut above this year.

DWTA, massively frankly.

I think professional teams [not Eels, Sharks, Roosters] shouldn't find it too hard unless it's a Monday to Friday turn-around.

Mate, the Broncos didn't cope with a Friday-following Saturday turn around this week

 

[Simon]

Sounds like someone has their angry pants on today.

 

[chaminda_00]

Sounds like someone has been wanting to give to the Broncos all season for mine.

 

[Burgey]

Sounds like someone has their angry pants on today.

No, it's not that. I think they're a good side, but I think they idea they're streets ahead of everyone else this year isn't right.

I really don't think anyone is streets ahead this year, and unfortunately it's not because everyone's outstanding either. It just hasn't struck me as a really good year so far in terms of the footy.

It's all an opinion thing, but if there's going to be a good quality year, you need teams like the Broncos circa 92-93 to be up there, or the Tiges and Cowboys 05 or even teams who play it like the Raiders and Knights try to. Those sides play(ed) the game how I like to see it played. Unfortunately the emphasis is so much on possession and having good stats, we just don't see much of that anymore, and it's a real shame imo.

As for Brisbane, any team that's prepared to pay close to half a million bucks for someone who they end up sticking on the wing don't deserve to succeed. That's insane money. How can they not put Folau on the other side of the field? Because he likes to play on the same side as Hodges? Give it up. He's 20 - surely the coach can teach him to play on the other side, and just make him do it. A Hodges-Folau centre pairing would be awesome.

On an interesting sidelight - the idea of tackling that Auarte (sp?) winger from Newcastle scares the **** out of me. How big are his legs?

 

[NUFAN]

You mean Uate..

I basically said that we have the best backline in the comp, but we aren't streets ahead of anyone for the comp. I than picked our best team without our top 6 or 7 players and figured our side was still respectable but ofcourse would struggle to win that many games.

Knights played fantastic last night, I feel dirty labelling them a bottom 3 side at the start of the year.

 

[chaminda_00]

Can Uate play for NSW, wouldn't mind him on the wing for us.

 

[NUFAN]

He certainly can play for NSW. Warren Smith was hinting that Laurie Daley was looking at selecting Uate on the wing for Country about a month ago. Last night was his first game back though.

Not the worse choice though, if I was going for NSW I would rather Uate over Robertson.

 

[Simon]

NSW will play fullbacks and centres on the wing before Uate gets picked. He seems pretty gun but maybe its a bit early to be picking him for Origin when there are the likes of Cooper, Lawrence, Monaghan, Jennings, Williams, Best, Merritt, Robertson, McManus etc... that are around.

 

[Burgey]

You mean Uate..

I basically said that we have the best backline in the comp, but we aren't streets ahead of anyone for the comp. I than picked our best team without our top 6 or 7 players and figured our side was still respectable but ofcourse would struggle to win that many games.

Knights played fantastic last night, I feel dirty labelling them a bottom 3 side at the start of the year.

FWIW I thought the same about the Knights.

I find them one of those sides that are compelling to watch though. I also find the Raiders the same.

Going out on a limb here, if you had to tip a smokie (that is, a team not in the top say 3 or 4 contenders) to make a run at the comp this year, who would it be? Mine would be Penrith - some explosive forwards, with Petro a solid leader and Waterhouse back to 03 form; their halves are raw I know, but they're creative and they have a few options there with Walsh on board now, and their backs with Jennings (last night's injury pending) aren't bad either. Not saying they'll win it, but I could see them going on a run and doing some big damage. Makes me feel bad saying they'd come 11th at the start of the year.

Right now, if my team finishes 11th, I'll actually be happy

Also can someone clarify a rule for me. Hayne was (rightly) penalised for knocking the ball forward on Friday night, but don't defenders do that all the time when they try to stop a pass being made to an outside man and they stick out a hand? I wonder if they'll penalise players for doing that?

 

[Simon]

FWIW I thought the same about the Knights.

I find them one of those sides that are compelling to watch though. I also find the Raiders the same.

Going out on a limb here, if you had to tip a smokie (that is, a team not in the top say 3 or 4 contenders) to make a run at the comp this year, who would it be? Mine would be Penrith - some explosive forwards, with Petro a solid leader and Waterhouse back to 03 form; their halves are raw I know, but they're creative and they have a few options there with Walsh on board now, and their backs with Jennings (last night's injury pending) aren't bad either. Not saying they'll win it, but I could see them going on a run and doing some big damage. Makes me feel bad saying they'd come 11th at the start of the year.

Right now, if my team finishes 11th, I'll actually be happy

Also can someone clarify a rule for me. Hayne was (rightly) penalised for knocking the ball forward on Friday night, but don't defenders do that all the time when they try to stop a pass being made to an outside man and they stick out a hand? I wonder if they'll penalise players for doing that?

Im pretty sure the rule is different when you are defending to attacking. As has been stated the rule was brought in to prevent players gaining an advantage in an attacking position, if you did it in defence in the situations you are probably thinking then it would more likely be in preventing a try or the chance of a try.

 

[Simon]

Knights played fantastic last night, I feel dirty labelling them a bottom 3 side at the start of the year.

Not as bad as tipping a top three of Sharks, Manly and Raiders as I did lol.