2020 NRL Season

Discussion in 'The Cesspit: Rugby League Discussion' started by Maroon_Faithful, Oct 7, 2019.

Page 8 of 107

  1. Magic AJ Parker

    Then only managed to score 1 try Vs Canberra in the semi final and then 1 try Vs the Roosters in the prelim final. When it mattered they struggled for points against the better defensive units, like they did in the 2018 grand final... where again they also only scored 1 try. I'm not suggesting they will plummet out of the 8, even the top 4 they're still an exceptional side but I've seen enough from Hughes to confidently say that if he's in the halves its a promising sign for the rest of the competition.

    Disagree wholeheartedly. There are plenty of clubs who spend stupidly out of desperation on spine players but relative to the rest of the cap I wouldn't say it was an over investment in the position, just the individual.

    The best clubs at managing their caps seem to get their value from their 3/4's and middle forwards.
     
    Magic, Feb 26, 2020
    #141

  2. morgieb MC Burridge

    Look at Melbourne's 2012 Premiership winning side and then argue that the spine is overvalued. The rest of the side does not look special at all!
     
    morgieb, Feb 26, 2020
    #142

  3. Julian BJ Taylor

    Sezer could have as well but wanted money so went to England. He’d have been a good pick up for a few clubs but none of them would have offered decent cash.
     
    Julian, Feb 27, 2020
    #143

  4. Julian BJ Taylor

    I reckon Hughes will play centre with Jacks and Johns fighting for the 7.
     
    Julian, Feb 27, 2020
    #144

  5. Toolman TR Man

    I think Smith might start playing even more of halfback in attack this season.
     
    Toolman, Feb 27, 2020
    #145

  6. morgieb MC Burridge

    Yeah that's what I'd do if I were Melbourne. Sounds like Hughes will at least start the season at halfback though.
     
    morgieb, Feb 27, 2020
    #146

  7. Magic AJ Parker

    There was a lot of talk about him playing halfback this year. Wouldn't surprise me if it's plan B or C should they not get what they want out of their halves.

    Wombat Smith is definitely ready for an opportunity. Must be tempting for Bellamy.
     
    Magic, Feb 27, 2020
    #147

  8. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    I've always liked Matthew Elliott for a role in those shows. Generally has something to offer
     
    Sultan Pepper, Feb 27, 2020
    #148
    Cribbage likes this.

  9. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    Outstanding assessment of Penrith. I wouldn't be opposed to them changing their name to Lip Dropping Flakes.
     
    Sultan Pepper, Feb 27, 2020
    #149
    Hurricane likes this.

  10. Hurricane JD Hurricane



    I think Magic, in my defence I was only talking about performance in the regular season. And Melbourne's halfs are sufficient for them to be in the top 4 teams for most points scored this regular season.
    Playoff rugby league is a whole different dynamic from regular season games. Different profiles of players perform better in these type of matches.

    All that said now that I stop to consider your point of view it would be wrong to discount playoffs from the discussion so I am happy to take on your feedback.

    Thanks for your post.
     
    Hurricane, Feb 27, 2020
    #150

  11. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    Agree with Hurricane. Brisbane will be right up there.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Feb 28, 2020
    #151
    Hurricane likes this.

  12. Boobidy BJ Gemmell

    Brisbane could definitely be top 2. They could also miss the 8. Huge year for Croft.
     
    Boobidy, Feb 28, 2020
    #152

  13. Magic AJ Parker

    The marijuana harvest in qld this year must've been fucking good.
     
    Magic, Feb 28, 2020
    #153

  14. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    Nah they're a top 6 side.

    I dunno about top 2 ala Gemmell. Can't see that.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Feb 29, 2020
    #154

  15. Julian BJ Taylor

    They should be up there given how good some of their forwards are. But no fullback is a bit of a killer.
     
    Julian, Feb 29, 2020
    #155

  16. Cribbage RG Cribb

    I've hated them the past couple of years and was genuinely surprised they made the 8 last year, but depending on how Croft goes they have a high ceiling this year. An extra year under the belt for their gun but green forwards, an actual halfback and with any luck not much McCullough either. Gemmell's right IMO.

    Lodge ACL is a big loss though and Taylor is probably right about the fullback weakness. Bird was a decent 1 back in the day but between all the injuries he's suffered and the way the position has evolved I definitely worry about his pace and agility there, plus he might get injured again anyway, and Isakko sucks. I'd be going with Milford at the back and Deardon at 6 but they don't seem keen on it at the moment.
     
    Cribbage, Feb 29, 2020
    #156

  17. morgieb MC Burridge

    Yeah Brisbane seem like the sort of side that could finish 1st or 10th depending on how they can sort out their spine, because the rest of the side looks pretty damn good. Having Lodge and Ofa out for potentially large chunks of the season hurts their pack strength somewhat though.
     
    morgieb, Feb 29, 2020
    #157

  18. Boobidy BJ Gemmell

    Lodge back mid-late year as he doesn't need surgery, and Ofa is only done for 2 games.
     
    Boobidy, Feb 29, 2020
    #158

  19. Magic AJ Parker

    You said similar last year and not a whole lot has changed.

    They still lack experience in their forward pack, even more so with the loss of Gillett and potentially Lodge for a large part of the season.

    There is a real lack of leadership right throughout the playing group, not to mention their coach who cracked last year and their spine has more questions over it than it did last year.

    Haas and Fifita level up but that's a lot to be banking on to go from bowing out first week of the finals 58-0 to being right up there with the best teams in the comp.

    Time will tell, I think every year people just buy too much into the hypebeast that is the Brisbane Broncos and they are always overrated.

    Admittedly a large part of it probably has to do with the fact I dont think Croft is really that good.

    I thought they were extremely lucky to finish 8th last year and I don't see them finishing much higher than 6th this year.
     
    Magic, Feb 29, 2020
    #159

  20. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    They were lucky to make the 8 but they also massively underperformed. Dont underestimate the toxic effect Boyd had on the team. There's nothing more corrosive than seeing your fullback and captain not even trying to run the ball back or tackle out there.

    And Turpin, Croft, Milford, Bird is a huge improvement on the shit they shuffled around last year.

    They never settled on a spine, nor a right side flank. I think Seibold has sorted it now.

    Primary issue was always defence tho. If they improve that by even 10-15% theyre finals bound afaic.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Feb 29, 2020
    #160
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