What Needs To Be Done
by
Monday August 04, 2003

It was another unenthusiastic display by the Broncos in last Saturday nights loss against the Sharks.  After a promising start in the first 10 minutes when Berrigan assisted Craig Frawley over the line, the Broncos were completely lost in attack, and continued to make poor decisions in defence. Once again, our attack was non-existent, and our halves aren't doing us any favours.

I could sit here and whinge about it all day, but instead I'm going to write about what needs to be done if we're going to beat the Panthers on Friday night.

Firstly, our halves. They still don't give us any flair in attack, and their kicking game is a disappointing. Without decent field position, you can't win games. Berrigan doesn't support Ikin, and Ikin doesn't really do much to support Berrigan either. Our halves combination isn't working, and if we're going to outscore the best attacking team in the comp next week, we must score points.

I'm getting sick of saying this, but Scott Prince must be our halfback. Maybe then, Ikin and Prince can get something together, and maybe then our backs wont be starved of possession, or maybe we will be able to create more attacking opportunities. Our kicking game would most definitely improve as well with Prince in at halfback. If Prince and Ikin aren't our halves for next week, then I honestly can't see our attack improving unless Ikin and Berrigan somehow find a way to work together to give the team some attacking flair.

Secondly, our forwards. It seems like Shane Webcke is the only forward doing the hard work, and getting the metres. Why can't all our forwards have the same impact? Meyers needs a stint in Toowoomba to get some confidence back, and to tighten up on his defence. Carlaw needs to find some aggression. He's big, strong, and has a good fend, but he doesn't have the impact that he should. So much potential, but it's all going to waste. Carlaw needs to be a bit more enthusiastic, and determined in his runs. Carl Webb needs to work on his match fitness, but other than that, I have no complaints about Webby. Corey Parker also needs to find a bit more grunt in his charges, like the ones earlier in the year when he was just about certain to get a QLD jumper before he got injured. Civoniceva also needs to find a bit of grunt and put more effort into his runs. Also, with McGuire and Meyers out this week due to injury, it allows Berrigan to be an impact player off the bench, and Mapp to come in onto the bench, and Wyatt at Lock.

So basically, for the past weeks, our forwards have been quite soft to say the least. If we're going to have any chance against the Panthers on Friday night, our forwards needs to step up and show some aggression. We don't want Puletua and Galuvao running riot.

And Thirdly, the whole team needs to be a bit more enthusiastic all round. That means, supporting the ball runner, chasing kicks with determination, tackling hard, and making the effort to get involved - all of which was missing against the Sharks and the Eagles.

I know we can do it without Lockyer. But changes must be made to the team, and the players mentality. Come on Broncos, lets show some determination and heart this Friday night!

My team for this Friday night would be:

1.De Vere
2.Minto
3.Tate
4.Frawley
5.Kelly
6.Ikin
7.Prince
8.Webcke
9.Swain
10.Civoniceva
11.Parker
12.Carlaw
13.Wyatt

14.Berrigan
15.Mapp
16.Gee
17.Webb

Broncos Vs Panthers - Broncos by 2
Roosters Vs Sharks - Roosters by 20
Cowboys Vs Knights - Knights by 6
Tigers Vs Souths - Tigers by 14
Dragons Vs Warriors - Warriors by 1
Bulldogs Vs Storm - Bulldogs by 22
Manly Vs Raiders - Raiders by 18

Cheers,
Rocky