Round 12, 2010: Broncos 20 - Sharks 4 at Toyota Stadium

[Ramzyv1]

Tim Smith's kicking effort tonight reminded me of when I play FIFA on my PS3 and I hold the shoot button for too long and know the ball is getting skyed even before it does. As soon as the ball came off Timmy's boot, I (and I assume everyone who saw it live) knew there was no way Fergo was getting on the end of it. Right idea, poor execution. Passable for now.

Thats just it, it wasn't the right idea. It was poor idea, poor execution. Both times Smith screwed up for Fergo the pass was on but he got kick happy. So he cost us at least two tries with that, cost us possibly another one when he threw a stupid forward pass to Barrett after Barrett had just passed it to him and then he did a **** kick at the end and it worked out like an intercept and they scored. So simplisticly he cost us potentially 24 points tonight. I know its harsh and I don't think he should be dropped but it was seriously the worst game I have seen anyone play in our halves for a long time. Even Blake Green never had a game like that.

Did you guys see Tautai grubber for himself again this game, on the third tackle?!! Sure it got a repeat set but seriously the guy is an idiot.

To Too Far Away: Gordon's error in chipping for himself when the Broncos defenders were back there was another key error in the game as it basically led to them scoring. It is inexcusable at this level but having said that, unlike Smith and Tautai he got over the error and had a good game.

 

[Jaz]

I'll probably get bagged for this, but does anyone else think that Fergo is playing a little lazy? I mean I'm sure it comes down to him not getting enough ball, but whenever he is returning the kicks it's like he's skipping. For someone with so much speed and such a great fend I don't know why he doesn't charge it back - even if the player tackles him he still makes an extra 10m as opposed to dancing up to him while the player gets closer and still gets tackled.

 

[ABshark]

He's still learning where he should be and when. I think people here (myself included) expect him to be a big, bash and barge winger because he's so tall. He's not that type of player though- he's a stepper. And in the long run, that's better, because the more I see of him the more I think his footwork and right-hand fend are going to make him in to a lethal left centre.

I originally thought he was in the mold of Folau, and everyone was telling me he was in the mould of Inglis. He's not like either though. After watching some youtube at the end of tonight's game its come to me that his sort of double sidestep, huge right fend and slightly ungainly but effective running style remind me of some centre we're after- what was his name?

Oh yeah, Gasnier. Think about it.

 

[Google News]

NRL: Origin stars fire up Broncos - New Zealand Herald

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...648415&usg=AFQjCNHKvA4lIi9pFLkHkU1NqE9SLP2e0g

Origin stars fire up Broncos
By Brent Edwards
4:00 AM May 30, 2010

Sharks 4 Broncos 20

Brisbane's big guns were in good firing order as the Broncos gained a hard-earned but flattering win over the Cronulla Sharks in Sydney last night.

Origin stars Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer and Sam Thaiday played key roles as the Broncos continued their revival with a three tries to one win.

Lockyer scored one try, through fine support, and set up the second with a perfectly-placed cross-kick, Folau ran powerfully on the right wing and Thaiday was in the thick of the forward battle.

Other Broncos to impress were fullback Josh Hoffman, halfback Peter Wallace and Matt Gillett.

Cronulla were in the game throughout but were denied by their own errors. Their best were backs Trent Barrett and Isaac Gordon and forwards Luke Douglas, Anthony Tupou and Paul Gallen.

There was little in this tight, wet-weather contest but the ability of Lockyer and company to capitalise on their chances was the difference. The Sharks were left to reflect on a result which produced no justice for all their endeavour.

It had been an eventful week for the Sharks, in 15th place, after their win against Parramatta and the news their coach, Ricky Stuart, was leaving at the end of the season.

Folau, Lockyer and Thaiday backed up from Origin duty for the Broncos who beat the Titans at their last start and started the round in 10th place.

The Broncos had hammered the Sharks by a record 44-16 in Brisbane in their previous meeting this year and were favourites despite playing away.

This time there was no score in the first quarter in the rain and on the slippery surface, though the Sharks wasted a fine line bust by Tupou by kicking away possession.

Corey Parker broke the stalemate when he kicked a disputed penalty for the Broncos after 29 minutes.

Barrett made a great kick and regather for the Sharks but, with the Broncos defence in disarray, the Sharks turned over the ball with an inaccurate kick.

The first half seemed destined to be tryless until the Broncos struck with time up. Lockyer left-footed a pin-point cross-field bomb which Folau gathered and wrestled over in several tackles for his 11th try of the season.

The Sharks had an edge in territory in the first half and would have been at least on even terms had they taken their chances. They started strongly in the second spell but the first try, after 10 minutes, was scored by the Broncos.

Fullback Hoffman made a blistering break through the centre and Lockyer was in support to take the in-pass and score. Parker's conversion made it 12-0.

The Sharks had to be next to score, and they did, Taulima Taufai crashing over after Luke Douglas cleverly kept the ball alive.

Parker made the game safe for the Broncos when he kicked his second penalty four minutes from the end and Antonio Winterstein scored the third try just before the final hooter.

Sharks 4 (T. Taufai try) Broncos 14 (I. Folau, D. Lockyer, A. Winterstein tries, C. Parker 4 goals). Halftime: 6-0.

 

[Murphy]

it was nice to met Fitz Gil and big iron
sorry i didnt hang around hang around for a chat,i was trying to baby sit my drunk donkey supporter i had with me

 

[sharky94]

Fergo is gonna be big in the future just a little bit of second year syndrome maybe. I believe next year he will take off and have his best year yet.

 

[ballmead]

It would be nice if he stopped the sideways running **** too. He's big as and should run the ball straight through opposing players.

 

[ROB SHARK]

we didnt take the opportunities that were given to us. Last nights game was one of those games you look back at and say we should of got the 2 points.
Encouraging perfromance by the boys.

 

[fitz]

it was nice to met Fitz Gil and big iron
sorry i didnt hang around hang around for a chat,i was trying to baby sit my drunk donkey supporter i had with me

Good to meet you too mate... catch up properly at the St Merge game.

 

[Murphy]

sounds good to me

 

[hitman124]

Im still filthy about last night, I hate losing to the broncos more than any other team.

 

[Ibanez]

Think Smith had money on Broncos.

Even Tautai had a better game than him. I don't usually pin a loss on one player, but Tim Smith absolutely killed it for us last night.

 

[Murphy]

dont worry bout hitman beaten by a better side,lets look forward to the rorters next week

 

[greg_bird]

besides smith and tautai, i thought the team played great

barrett snowden and toops were awsome

gal was his usual best, at least we had a dig

quit happy with the performance.......... we just lack that one of to star players that will push us up to the top 4

 

[Ibanez]

Tim Smith had a shocker, and the worst part is even when we had two hookers on the field he still wanted to take it from dummy half. I even saw him push Aiton out of the way once.

Yeah, was scratching my head at that as well.

 

[Google News]

Broncos keep a lid on - sportal.com.au

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...-92198&usg=AFQjCNEmnZiWrcYHXVVynL69TiOJqUW1iQ

Broncos keep a lid on
30/05/2010 10:59 AM
Steve Orme

Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak has called for calm after his side continued its mid-season charge with a hard-fought 20-4 victory over a committed Cronulla on Saturday night.

The Broncos overcame a spirited Sharks outfit and heavy rain to post their third straight win of the campaign and storm into the top eight.

But while delighted with the way his side is now playing, the second-year coach was quick to put the performance in perspective after the match.

"There's still a long way to go," he said.

"Next week's the halfway mark but we're going in the right direction now. We've had three good wins, they've been different types of wins but they've all been good wins and they've at least put us back in the contest now."

"It was just a tough grinding win and the guys who backed up showed a lot of courage."

"It wasn't a pretty game but we had to hang in there at different times when our line got broken and competed pretty hard I thought."

"I never felt comfortable and with two minutes to go we made that error coming out of trouble the pressure was right back on again. We've lost games with three minutes to go and being eight in front before."

Henjak was far less measured when asked to rate Darren Lockyer's performance after the skipper backed up his brilliant showing in Origin I with a match-winning effort for his club.

The 33-year-old scored one try, set up another and saved a certain four-pointer in defence with a miraculous tackle on opposite number Trent Barrett in what was a masterful display.

"I thought he was our best tonight, he led by example," Henjak enthused.

"Backing up the way he did from Wednesday, saving that try and scoring one himself, he made a huge contribution."

A typically modest Lockyer said of his 33rd-minute tackle on Barrett which denied the Sharks skipper a brilliant solo try after the NSW hopeful regathered his own kick: "I was probably just lucky, I think I got my fingers inside his shorts I was only an inch away from missing him and that's always satisfying when you get them."

"The Broncos have been going good the last couple of weeks, we've got a bit of momentum there and I thought tonight was another step forward."

"It wasn't a pretty win but we just needed to grind out a tough game like that and the boys should be happy with their efforts."

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart was pleased with his side's efforts but conceded the scoreline was an accurate reflection of the match.

"They probably deserved to win by that (margin) at the end of the game," Stuart said.

"They probably replicated their first half which is what I asked the boys (to do) in the sheds at half-time. The team that did replicate their first half was going to win it."

"You can't give good teams like Brisbane a sniff after a sniff and there was a 15-minute period there where we really gave them a good shot at us and that got them right in the game."

"I'm obviously happy with our first-half performance, it was probably one of the best first halves we've had considering the weather."

"I'm really happy with the way we're playing, I think we're improving. Over the last three weeks I'm happy with the way the boys are playing and we've just got to keep moving forward and look at next week now."

 

[D.D]

Yeh, like i said. It was a positive display. We did most things right and everyone played well bar rather poor displays and decisions from Tim Smith and Tautai. A quality and form halves and centre won it for broncos on the night. Cause of this we lost 20-4 instead of won 30-14.

Taitai's hands really let him down and his tendency to do silly kicks annoys me! He was good in defence tho. Still would like to see Matt Wright or someone given a go out there soon.
Smith needs to pick him self up abit. If he cant perform next week maybe he needs a little stint out again and Lewis or Kelly should get a run.

Encouraging to see Cuthbo getting great consistent performances. bar that one soft tackle, though still Douglas should have rapped him up easy for that try, in no was a result of cuthbo's tackle.

 

[fancyman]

Because Sharks have to play minimum 4 game in their away strip, they should of played in those black shirts, to get the blue mined set away from the broncos(Queensland).

 

[peachey]

i will point out one thing i noticed

the amount of times John Morris was at 1st marker, the bloke was there for 4 tackles out of the set, every time a tackle was made, yep there is Johnny..

 

[Lumpy]

I was at the game last night and I liked allot of what I saw. We looked like we could win the game and played with a more attacking mind set. I think at times we were trying to hard and pushed some passes that could have been held back. Having said that our fowards were great and we more than held our own.

Our back 3 were good and I do agree with some of the posts about Fergo. It is a bit of 2nd year thing combined with his growth spurt. I think it will take him 12 months to grow into his body. He is still a kid and not used to using his size and strength. Next year and beyond he will be great.

Gordon was good but his height is an issue. He could not out jump his man to cover the 2bombs in a row down his side in the 2nd half. He was against Izzie which is hard in itself but like the Panthers, our short blokes may get found out under the high ball. I was thinking last night that if Cov was on that wing he would have been able to out jump his man in defence and take his world famous 2 hand aussie rules style mark. I know people say Cov is slow but his defence is great and we needed some of that on the wing last night.

If we continue to play like that but pick and choose our passes we will win more games this year.