Skill…We need an injection!
by
Tuesday October 12, 2004

You either have it or you don’t Although Wayne Bennett implements a lot of skills training at practice to help build the skill level of the team, there are some players who have natural skill. It’s those players where I think our future lay.

In the forwards we will have plenty of strength and go forward, Shane Webcke, Dane Carlaw, Petero Civoniceva, Darren Mapp, Corey Parker, Tonie Carroll and Brad Thorn. But I wouldn’t class any of those forwards as having a lot of skill, sure they are skillful at what they do, but they’re no Phil Lee.

The skillful players that must come into contention every week next season are; Sam Thaiday, Neville Costigan and Tom Learoyd. Thaiday is strong through the line, has a classy step for a big person and has a good passing game. Costigan has shown his ability to cover anywhere in the back row, hooker and the halves, he has a clever kicking game, creative ball playing abilities and that raw aggressiveness to his defence. Learoyd has amazing speed off the mark, creates second phase play through his off-loading ability plus his natural ability to run into a gap. These players combined with Barry Berrigan give the Broncos forward pack an edge over every other pack in the competition, except maybe the Bulldogs.

The backs are a similar scenario; we have our established stars, Darren Lockyer, Shaun Berrigan, Brent Tate and Casey McGuire. Players that need to be included in the team are; Gary Tupou, Berrick Barnes and of course Karmichael Hunt. Barnes will probably fight it out with McGuire for the utility position on the bench, while Brett Seymour will no doubt slot back into halfback with Lockyer continuing on in the pivot position. That leaves Hunt at the back and the ‘Giant’ Tupou on the wing. Tupou will probably be a damaging winger for the Broncos next year, his ability to score a try from long range are just what Brisbane need, including his ability to return the ball with penetration.

I would like to see a top 25 squad for next year as follows:

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Gary Tupou
3. Brent Tate
4. Shaun Berrigan
5. Justin Hodges
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Brett Seymour
8. Shane Webcke
9. Barry Berrigan
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Brad Thorn
12. Dane Carlaw
13. Tonie Carroll

14. Sam Thaiday

15. Darren Mapp

16. Corey Parker

17. Berrick Barnes

18. Neville Costigan

19. David Stagg

20. Tom Learoyd

21. Casey McGuire

22. Mick Ryan

23. Stu Kelly

24. Nick Parfitt

25. Scott Minto