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When will the Broncos play some football?

By Gary Roberts - RLCM

Recently NRL teams have begun clearing out players that do not fit into their future plans and after Friday night's game at OKI Stadium is it time for the Brisbane Broncos to make similar decisions.

The Broncos a proud club since their inception in 1988 have enjoyed a large fan base and can boast that they play at Suncorp Stadium, one of the best rugby league arenas in the world. But in the fickle world of rugby league, the support can drop very quickly.

The Broncos hit absolute rock bottom on Friday night and showed a crowd of mainly Dragons supporters [10,302] a style of play that will not win many games in the NRL.

Their style was evident in the first stanza and did not change.

Basically, they are unable to get out of their own end positively.

This was because they constantly stuck to a game plan that has nearly had its use by date in the NRL.

The style they played in their own consisted of:

One pass to Thorn, Civoniceva or Hannant;
Or a dummy half run by Berrigan into the markers;
Or a second pass from first receiver to Thorn or Civoniceva;
Other dummy half plays were from Tate, Michaels or Boyd that did not achieve anything;

All the above players then ran straight into the ABCD defence line or markers.

Good simple plays? Or dumb plays? There had to be some reason why they were doing it.

A question should be 'why did they continue to do it?'

I will let you answer those questions.

I was going to ask Wayne Bennett why on Friday, but I was shot down in my tracks I said the Broncos had the ball for 15 sets in each half, he informed me I was wrong [Click to see video RLCMtv].



He was right on the second half figures, I made an error and later apologized to him, he also said later that he was also wrong on his first half figures.

RLCM stats showed on first half figures that the Broncos cannot get out of their own half positively to set an attacking raid and this has been happening at the majority of their games 2007.

It appears they will not or do not have the ability to take the risk in their own end. They continue to accept a negative kick on play 5 as a part of their game plan.

In other Broncos games these stats have been hidden because of a possible relieving penalty from their own end then with a restart at the other end or then gaining in a repeat set due to the initial penalty, or the possible scoring of a try, or an error by the opposition and a Bronco restart in the oppositions 'red zone'.

Maybe that was the game plan on Friday night, hoping for some of the above to happen. I would not think or hope that was in their thinking.

Constant one pass and two pass football in your own end then only to crash into the defence line has surely seen the use by date in the NRL. Styles must be created where a team gives itself the opportunity to be over the 50m by Play 3. If not our game is going backwards and fans will continue to experience similar games that lack attacking flair.

But in saying that the Newcastle Knights overcame the Roosters with a similar one pass game on Saturday night. This was because the Roosters were spreading the football in their own end, the Roosters looked good at times, but unfortunately the ball was not sticking. [Click to see video RLCMtv]



Does that answer a question?

Back to the Broncos v Dragons - Out of 15 sets in the first half the Broncos were only able to get into the Dragons end of the field on four occasions.

[First occasion] When they linked together four passes on the right side [Bronco Set 3] which gave them the opportunity to stay down there and have a crack at the Dragons two sets later.

[Second occasion]This resulted [Bronco Set 4] in no try when Justin Hodges was forced into touch whilst attempting to score.

[Third occasion] The third opportunity came [Bronco Set 6] from a kick by the Dragons on the 90m. Karmichael Hunt picked ball up on the first play and ran 80 metres.

[Fourth occasion] The Broncos received the ball back in the next set [Bronco Set 7] and scored.

The Broncos score was 4 points and that was where it finished after 80 minutes.

So in summary of the Broncos game, they had the ball 15 times in the first half.

They were unable to achieve positive field position which led to a negative kick, allowing the Dragons easy comeback yards.

They did not receive a penalty.

They continued the entire first half with one/two pass or dummy half runs.

The only variation they showed was when they linked four passes together [Bronco Set 3] and a negative kicked on the third tackle in [Bronco Set 11].

In general their overall kicking was poor.

So where to the proud Broncos go from here? Will they continue playing like that?

Surely not.

When the everyday spectator and commentator can see it, just think what the opposition NRL coaches are looking at with their sophisticated game analysis systems when studying the Broncos.

If the Broncos continue with that style, they can start making plans for the end of season trip in first week in September and if the majority of current players are retained for 2008 and a similar style of play is continued, then possibly the large crowds the Broncos have enjoyed over the years, will soon be home watching the game on TV.

RLCM Online

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Sharks snare Kimmorley

By Brad Walter and Glenn Jackson

Brett Kimmorley is set for a double celebration today, with the Cronulla captain expected to be recalled to the NSW Origin team and agreeing to a new $500,000 deal with the Sharks after five-eighth Adam Dykes quit the club.

Kimmorley is understood to have been given the nod to wear the Blues No.7 jersey at a meeting lasting several hours yesterday between coach Graham Murray, the four state selectors and NSWRL chairman Colin Love. His selection ends two years in the representative wilderness since his axing in 2005.

Cronulla teammate Greg Bird is also tipped to earn his first NSW jersey but a third Sharks player, back-rower Paul Gallen, may miss out to Melbourne's Ryan Hoffman when the line-ups for Origin II are announced.

Bird will replace injured Newcastle utility Kurt Gidley on the interchange, while Hoffman is favoured to oust Sydney Roosters forward Anthony Tupou for another bench spot in the only unforced change to the side beaten 25-18 by Queensland in the May 23 series opener.

Rookie Blues halfback Jarrod Mullen rates himself a good chance of being fit for the Knights' clash with Wests Tigers on Sunday but he will not be considered after breaking down with a calf injury against Brisbane two weeks ago.

Manly skipper Matt Orford is Kimmorley's main rival and little separates the pair form-wise, but the 30-year-old Cronulla playmaker is believed to be favoured on account of his six Origin appearances and 15 Tests.

Bird's ability to play five-eighth, lock and fill in at dummy half has put him ahead of Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah for the vacant utility spot, with the selection of Hoffman providing cover in the centres.

Hoffman was 18th man in Origin I and for the Kangaroos in the April 20 Test against New Zealand but that does not indicate that he was the next player in line for selection ahead of Gallen as the role is usually given to a player who can fill several positions in case of a late injury.

However, Hoffman's strong form this season and last, when he helped the Storm to the grand final and would have played in the Tri-Nations if not for off-season shoulder surgery, is believed to have given him the edge.

The selectors had initially considered replacing one of the props from Origin I, Manly's Brent Kite, Melbourne's Brett White or Gold Coast's Luke Bailey, but none of the other main front-row contenders, Mark O'Meley and Jason Ryles, has created a compelling case for selection.

Meanwhile, Kimmorley is expected to re-sign with Cronulla today for a further two years after Dykes yesterday told the club he will be heading to an English Super League club next season, most likely Hull.

The Sharks also signed promising Parramatta half Blake Green for two seasons.

Kimmorley's move will come at a price; his original offer of $700,000 over two years was withdrawn just over a fortnight ago.

But he has always been keen to remain at Cronulla, with his family home nearing completion.

Sharks chief executive Greg Pierce met Kimmorley yesterday, and while no official decision was made, he described as "reasonably hopeful" the club's chances of retaining him.

In other news, the Maroons side is expected to be the same as that named for Origin I, with Carl Webb recalled for Melbourne's Antonio Kaufusi, who was called in as a late replacement after the North Queensland forward tore his hamstring at training but suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Webb was yesterday cleared to play after the NRL's match review committee took no action against him for punching Cronulla centre Ben Pomeroy last Saturday night, while Cowboys teammate Jacob Lillyman will escape suspension with an early plea to a grade-one striking charge.

New Zealand Warriors winger Michael Crockett is facing a two- to three-week suspension for the high tackle that led to him being sent off and left Bulldogs winger Cameron Phelps unconscious on Sunday.

St George Illawarra's Corey Payne is the only player facing suspension after being hit with a grade-one dangerous throw charge. Payne faces a one-match suspension but Jason Ryles will be free to play against Cronulla next Monday night if he pleads guilty to his role in the tackle. SMH

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Hull sign Sharks half-back Dykes

Dykes has formed a solid half-back pairing with Brett Kimmorley
Cronulla Sharks half-back Adam Dykes has signed for Hull FC on a two-year deal from the start of next season.

The 30-year-old has played 189 games for the Sharks, scoring 52 tries, in two spells at the club from 1995-2001 and 2005 to date.

Hull coach Peter Sharp said: "I am delighted to have signed Adam. He is a very smart player and will provide strong leadership and direction.

"His left foot will provide a nice variation to our kicking game."

Dykes added: "I'm really looking forward to making the move to Hull. I've always wanted to have a shot at Super League and the Challenge Cup.

"Hull is a great club to try and achieve these goals with."  BBC Sport

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Titans eye Dane Carlaw

Matt Marshall and Steve Ricketts

Foresaken Bronco Dane Carlaw could become the latest NRL player to switch clubs mid-season after expressing interest in joining the Titans.

With his future at the Broncos heavily clouded, it is believed Carlaw has sounded out interest from the NRL newcomer through former teammate Brad Meyers, though he is likely to play out 2007 at the Broncos.

Scans taken yesterday confirmed that Meyers will miss the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage suffered in Sunday's 28-8 win over Canberra at Carrara.

The loss of Meyers on top of Michael Henderson (broken leg) and Michael Hodgson (groin) leaves the Titans thin on the ground for props, with Anthony Laffranchi expected to fill the role in the short term.

Laffranchi played front row for Wests Tigers in their 30-16 win over North Queensland in the 2005 NRL grand final, scoring a try and impressing with his workrate.

Titans chief executive Michael Searle last night admitted coach John Cartwright was keen to sign Carlaw, with the club poised to offer the off-contract 27-year-old a deal if Brisbane declines to renew his contract.

The Broncos all but sealed Carlaw's fate by signing Panthers enforcer Joel Clinton on a lucrative three-year deal.

Chief executive Bruno Cullen said: "Unfortunately for Dane, he's been on a contract for four years and hasn't given us a lot at times."

The Titans last night confirmed Meyers had spoken to Cartwright about Carlaw joining their fold - and if upset by Brisbane's stance Carlaw could seek an immediate release.

"Brad Meyers mentioned his name to us and I've had a chat with the coach about him," Searle said.

"We've said we won't actively poach Broncos players but if Brisbane aren't going to offer him a new deal, we'll sit down and have a chat.

"I will ring Bruno to find out if Brisbane are planning to offer him a new deal. If they are, we won't do anything."

Cartwright ruled out promoting an untried prop from the Queensland Cup, such as former Australian Schoolboys star Will Matthews from Tweed who has been training with the Titans squad.
Courier Mail

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Eels tame Tigers with 30-point mauling Parramatta proved their premiership credentials with a 38-8 thumping of Wests Tigers at Telstra Stadium as Feleti Mateo stamped himself a future NRL star.

Bird set for NSW Origin call-up A remarkable try-scoring record by Cronulla backrower Greg Bird is set to earn him his first State of Origin call-up when the NSW side is named on Tuesday.

Cowboys centre Bowman to retire from NRL North Queensland Cowboys foundation player Paul Bowman has announced he will retire at the end of the NRL season.

Hoffman happy ahead of Origin selections Melbourne backrower Ryan Hoffman says his Origin fate lies with NSW selectors after doing all he can to force his way into the side.

No malice in high tackle, says Phelps Bulldogs winger Cameron Phelps said he harboured no ill will towards NZ Warriors rival Michael Crockett despite the high shot that left him violently ill.
Yahoo Sport

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TUPOU GOES SOLO Bradford's new signing Tame Tupou experienced a solo training session with the Bulls.

BANNISTER JOINS HARLEQUINS Harlequins have signed second row forward Stephen Bannister from St Helens.
DYKES TO JOIN HULL Hull have announced the signing of Australian half-back Adam Dykes on a two-year contract. Sporting Life

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Titans eye Carlaw FORSAKEN Bronco Dane Carlaw could become the latest NRL player to switch clubs mid-season after expressing interest in joining the Titans.
Kimmorley poised to return BRETT Kimmorley's banishment by NSW is set to end with his selection in the Blues team to play Queensland in the return State of Origin match in Sydney.
Courier Mail

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Burns out of hospital TRAVIS Burns has been released from hospital after a bout of pneumonia, but Manly doubts the young five-eighth is any closer to deciding his playing future.
Brisbane re-signs colts BRISBANE put a downpayment on its future today, locking up young talents Joel Moon and Steve Michaels for the next two years. Foxsports

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