Round 24 vs Brisbane Broncos

[257Matt]

Tha

Not a bad post that Matt, agree with the mental aspect. Walsh only wants to know when they are on top goes missing in tough games. Pretty shocked you didn’t crow bar donoghue into the conversation.

Thanks Gary. The Broncos game they lost to Parramatta exposed how much they rely on the trick shots and big plays getting them to victory. On paper they're still the most naturally talented side in the game and they got Madge to try to fix the mental aspect within them. They're a team of rock stars and it'll take some signings away from that image to change the culture as Bennett done slowly after 1989 when he moved on the old BRL brigade and signed the likes of Gillmeister and Lazarus along with blooding a whole lot of new players who weren't comfortable knowing they only had to go good for 3 games a year.

My fears right now with Dolphins is they've showed a lot of spirit and character to get into the top 8 and in the last 3-4 weeks hold their spot in the 8 the win in NZ was really remarkable. However as some pointed out in here (not me I can't take credit) there was always going to be a tipping point and the straw that broke the camels back unfortunately for Dolphins it was with Herbie's injury & another absence from Kaufusi. Them two players are so valuable to the Dolphins in so many different ways and last weekend doesn't happen if either plays due to what they bring to the team.

More than ever I want the Bulldogs to win this round not because I support them but to really help the Dolphins top 8 cause. Should both my 1 & 2 teams get up this weekend hopefully by a more than a converted try margin it'll get the Dolphins so very close to sealing the top 8 spot.

Dolphins defence needs a lot of work when Kaufusi isn't there it seems to fall apart and maybe an area in terms of coaching and support staff that Woolf needs to look at because defence wins many matches and Dolphins will always have the attack with Katoa and the speed outside of him to score points their defence is very lacking either allowing an offload in heavy traffic creating a breakdown in defence or getting so easily stripped on the wider edges. If Dolphins can just get their defence, completion rates and their discipline in A & D all right they can get into the Broncos mental weaknesses.

On the Dolphins side of things when does the time come we realise Hammer's best spot isn't fullback and more so when a pack isn't going forward. Hammer is a luxury player and luxuries like Mitchell, Crichton, Best & Staggs are best served in the centres where they produce big moments as opposed to high involvements. Fullbacks need high involvements or be creative.

 

[Red]

Ben TeKura. Piakura has been a regular member of their squad this year.

I've heard the name but can't remember watching him play.

 

[Red]

Tha

Thanks Gary. The Broncos game they lost to Parramatta exposed how much they rely on the trick shots and big plays getting them to victory. On paper they're still the most naturally talented side in the game and they got Madge to try to fix the mental aspect within them. They're a team of rock stars and it'll take some signings away from that image to change the culture as Bennett done slowly after 1989 when he moved on the old BRL brigade and signed the likes of Gillmeister and Lazarus along with blooding a whole lot of new players who weren't comfortable knowing they only had to go good for 3 games a year.

My fears right now with Dolphins is they've showed a lot of spirit and character to get into the top 8 and in the last 3-4 weeks hold their spot in the 8 the win in NZ was really remarkable. However as some pointed out in here (not me I can't take credit) there was always going to be a tipping point and the straw that broke the camels back unfortunately for Dolphins it was with Herbie's injury & another absence from Kaufusi. Them two players are so valuable to the Dolphins in so many different ways and last weekend doesn't happen if either plays due to what they bring to the team.

More than ever I want the Bulldogs to win this round not because I support them but to really help the Dolphins top 8 cause. Should both my 1 & 2 teams get up this weekend hopefully by a more than a converted try margin it'll get the Dolphins so very close to sealing the top 8 spot.

Dolphins defence needs a lot of work when Kaufusi isn't there it seems to fall apart and maybe an area in terms of coaching and support staff that Woolf needs to look at because defence wins many matches and Dolphins will always have the attack with Katoa and the speed outside of him to score points their defence is very lacking either allowing an offload in heavy traffic creating a breakdown in defence or getting so easily stripped on the wider edges. If Dolphins can just get their defence, completion rates and their discipline in A & D all right they can get into the Broncos mental weaknesses.

On the Dolphins side of things when does the time come we realise Hammer's best spot isn't fullback and more so when a pack isn't going forward. Hammer is a luxury player and luxuries like Mitchell, Crichton, Best & Staggs are best served in the centres where they produce big moments as opposed to high involvements. Fullbacks need high involvements or be creative.

It's a bit of a cliche but it seems Broncos have what they call "a soft underbelly". Opposition goes into the game with the mindset of bashing up the Broncos and it works.

 

[Gary]

Tha

Thanks Gary. The Broncos game they lost to Parramatta exposed how much they rely on the trick shots and big plays getting them to victory. On paper they're still the most naturally talented side in the game and they got Madge to try to fix the mental aspect within them. They're a team of rock stars and it'll take some signings away from that image to change the culture as Bennett done slowly after 1989 when he moved on the old BRL brigade and signed the likes of Gillmeister and Lazarus along with blooding a whole lot of new players who weren't comfortable knowing they only had to go good for 3 games a year.

My fears right now with Dolphins is they've showed a lot of spirit and character to get into the top 8 and in the last 3-4 weeks hold their spot in the 8 the win in NZ was really remarkable. However as some pointed out in here (not me I can't take credit) there was always going to be a tipping point and the straw that broke the camels back unfortunately for Dolphins it was with Herbie's injury & another absence from Kaufusi. Them two players are so valuable to the Dolphins in so many different ways and last weekend doesn't happen if either plays due to what they bring to the team.

More than ever I want the Bulldogs to win this round not because I support them but to really help the Dolphins top 8 cause. Should both my 1 & 2 teams get up this weekend hopefully by a more than a converted try margin it'll get the Dolphins so very close to sealing the top 8 spot.

Dolphins defence needs a lot of work when Kaufusi isn't there it seems to fall apart and maybe an area in terms of coaching and support staff that Woolf needs to look at because defence wins many matches and Dolphins will always have the attack with Katoa and the speed outside of him to score points their defence is very lacking either allowing an offload in heavy traffic creating a breakdown in defence or getting so easily stripped on the wider edges. If Dolphins can just get their defence, completion rates and their discipline in A & D all right they can get into the Broncos mental weaknesses.

On the Dolphins side of things when does the time come we realise Hammer's best spot isn't fullback and more so when a pack isn't going forward. Hammer is a luxury player and luxuries like Mitchell, Crichton, Best & Staggs are best served in the centres where they produce big moments as opposed to high involvements. Fullbacks need high involvements or be creative.

Hammers got to be fullback the positive in his game outweighs the negatives, I prefer averillo and Herbie in the centre. On saying that maybe we bring in trai at fb on Saturday push hammer to centre, who knows.

 

[257Matt]

Hammers got to be fullback the positive in his game outweighs the negatives, I prefer averillo and Herbie in the centre. On saying that maybe we bring in trai at fb on Saturday push hammer to centre, who knows.

Herbie out changes a lot of things that was exposed last Saturday. The best & worst of Hammer as a fullback is too wide apart at centre not so much because he's a luxury player and luxuries are best served at centre as we saw with Mitchell last week, Crichton, Best, Staggs and others.

There's not much left in the forwards tank although when I was asked by a content producer in the pre-season about whether Kuli's best spot is prop (done long before Rd.1) I didn't really commit on the question maybe it's the only forward change Dolphins can look at. In terms of hitting the edges to score tries Lemuelu and Keeley have had better strike rates than Kuli and possibly the only way to solving the prop crisis for this week as Lemuelu and Keeley have done quite well in 11-12. Kuli has to step up and be the leader of the pack this week and shut down the Broncos 1-2 punch.

 

[Chris]

Hammers got to be fullback the positive in his game outweighs the negatives, I prefer averillo and Herbie in the centre. On saying that maybe we bring in trai at fb on Saturday push hammer to centre, who knows.

The last couple of games, especially last week, his negatives outweighed the positives.

 

[mr_c]

There's no way a small guy like trai will change things n I think you will find that's why Hammer is still there ffs in 99percrnt of the games we don't get him the ball is because our. Forwards n halls get owned and are to slow getting the ball go look at last week how much pressure went in halfs n hooker that there's our big. Issue. n at Broncos too slow tbe speed of the game down n we screwed like Broncos we need start fast ... woolf trusts All his 30 and hence I like how he doesn't need sack 10 guys to reserves they no how to correct it we don't need fuller if a big guy can't change stuff fuller won't just got be switched on as a team n not let our halfs n players be bullied that's where onfield leadership comes in we have none when herbie went n bring in Knowles next yesr hes a dead set leader. Going be interesting 12 months as Bennett said when he left its time to. Build on the foundations and we really. Have mote players will be excited to come here knowing what we created and players won't want to leave

 

[Josh]

There's no way a small guy like trai will change things n I think you will find that's why Hammer is still there ffs in 99percrnt of the games we don't get him the ball is because our. Forwards n halls get owned and are to slow getting the ball go look at last week how much pressure went in halfs n hooker that there's our big. Issue. n at Broncos too slow tbe speed of the game down n we screwed like Broncos we need start fast ... woolf trusts All his 30 and hence I like how he doesn't need sack 10 guys to reserves they no how to correct it we don't need fuller if a big guy can't change stuff fuller won't just got be switched on as a team n not let our halfs n players be bullied that's where onfield leadership comes in we have none when herbie went n bring in Knowles next yesr hes a dead set leader. Going be interesting 12 months as Bennett said when he left its time to. Build on the foundations and we really. Have mote players will be excited to come here knowing what we created and players won't want to leave

I think you are right Fuller won't change a lot but not because of his size. Need a fullback with a bit better ball skills and a better defender. Hammer has been better in both respects this year. Lets just hope last week isn't repeated otherwise, honestly he find find himself out of the team when Cobbo is on board next year.

 

[Josh]

Can't post the whole thing because it's behind a paywall but here are the highlights:

Dark history of the Broncos and Dolphins rivalry​

1. REECE’S DIRTY TRICKS​

Reece Walsh will run out in the Broncos’ No.1 jumper this week but the Dolphins were filthy they never got a chance to make a play for the superstar fullback. Negotiating politics blocked the Dolphins – and cost Walsh an estimated $1 million.

2. THE MARINER SCANDAL​

Before the Dolphins had played a single NRL game, they were at war with the Broncos over an anti-tampering scandal involving Deine Mariner. The Broncos made a formal complaint to the NRL integrity unit, accusing the Dolphins of trying to induce young gun centre Mariner of breaking his Brisbane contract.

3. CHEEKY DEVILS​

The Dolphins lobbed a grenade into the Broncos bunker in 2023 when Brisbane’s long-term feeder club Norths Devils sensationally walked out on the club to align with Redcliffe.

4. HERBIE, FLEGLER DEFECT​

The Dolphins entered the NRL with a stack of ex-Broncos players and staff at Redcliffe.
But it was a double whammy ahead of their second NRL campaign that stung the Broncos the most.

5. SALTY ABOUT SELWYN​

Flegler and Farnworth weren’t the only big names to defect to the Dolphins, with Broncos flyer Selwyn Cobbo to join them next year.
Languishing in reserve grade, Cobbo was keen to go across to the peninsula but the Broncos refused to release him, leaving the Dolphins privately enraged and they never found a replacement for Tupou.

6. RIVER FIRE RAMPAGE​

The Broncos had the wood over their new rivals from the get-go, winning the first three Battles of Brisbane.
While they weren’t blowouts, the Broncos seemed to have the upper hand over Redcliffe. That was until round 26 last year when the Dolphins came of age in a stunning Suncorp demolition.
Walters was under siege as the Broncos crashed out of the finals race and the Dolphins celebrated like never before in what was a historic night for the club.

 

[Phins Phan]

Herbie out changes a lot of things that was exposed last Saturday. The best & worst of Hammer as a fullback is too wide apart at centre not so much because he's a luxury player and luxuries are best served at centre as we saw with Mitchell last week, Crichton, Best, Staggs and others.

There's not much left in the forwards tank although when I was asked by a content producer in the pre-season about whether Kuli's best spot is prop (done long before Rd.1) I didn't really commit on the question maybe it's the only forward change Dolphins can look at. In terms of hitting the edges to score tries Lemuelu and Keeley have had better strike rates than Kuli and possibly the only way to solving the prop crisis for this week as Lemuelu and Keeley have done quite well in 11-12. Kuli has to step up and be the leader of the pack this week and shut down the Broncos 1-2 punch.

I'd really like to see how Kuli goes in
front row for the rest of the year, and particularly this week with Molo out. He, Lemuelu and Keeley have been among our best all year and with so many injuries in the forwards we can only be a better side with all of them on the field. Edge forward might be Kuli's best position and I expect he'll be back there next year but, right now, I'd like to see his aggression leading our pack in the middle

 

[257Matt]

Fuller fullback, Hammer centre, Feagai out

 

[mr_c]

they wont put fin as prop more likely to be fuis to be a toiler like ker n mark n is i see him there full time as senior statesman prop next year

 

[midlands hobo]

The last couple of games, especially last week, his negatives outweighed the positives.

Trai as FB with Hammer as a centre is a perfect combo. Trai can break the line and then offload to hammer steaming by is a deadly prospect. Hammer breaking the line isn't likely hes amazing in broken field but 1 up against a set line hes got the go forwards of a wet paper bag

 

[Red]

Trai as FB with Hammer as a centre is a perfect combo. Trai can break the line and then offload to hammer steaming by is a deadly prospect. Hammer breaking the line isn't likely hes amazing in broken field but 1 up against a set line hes got the go forwards of a wet paper bag

💯

 

[Red]

Sydney Roosters are a team no one else in the top 8 wants to face in week 1 or 2 of the finals. I'm confident we can beat them but we need Kaufusi to not be suspended for a bit and we need Herbie back.

 

[Josh]

• Dolphins by 16
• MOTM - Fuller
• FTS - Hammer

 

[Blockade]

The enormity of tonight's game cannot be overstated for both clubs. A Dolphin loss will probably see the end of a season dominated by lopsided victories and tremendous potential, but marred by long term injuries. Can they bounce back from last week's massacre? Will Fuller add an extra element of x factor? I just felt the biggest earthquake of my life this morning. I'm hoping the Dolphin's can cause a similar type tremor tonight, thus endangering the Bronco's post season chances in the process. Dolphins by 8.

FTS- Averillo
MOTM- Katoa.

 

[Equaliser]

• Dolphins by 6
• MOTM - JMK
• FTS - Averillo

 

[Red]

If Dolphins win this there will be and should be recriminations at Red Hill. I think unless we both make the finals, which is unlikely, this might be the last game they start as favourites against us in a long time.

• Dolphins by 2
• MOTM - Donoghue
• FTS - Hammer

 

[Dolph]

• Dolphins by 16
• MOTM - Fuller
• FTS - Hammer

If Dolphins win this there will be and should be recriminations at Red Hill. I think unless we both make the finals, which is unlikely, this might be the last game they start as favourites against us in a long time.

• Dolphins by 2
• MOTM - Donoghue
• FTS - Hammer

Good signs so far.