Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[GCfan]

Is he ? Or are we just being a little bit too paranoid - you confirmation bias can work both ways!

It doesn’t keep me up at night so I wouldn’t Label it as being paranoid. I don’t for a second think we should be above criticism but I find those two go over the top when it comes to us- just my opinion though.

 

[Lestronge]

Well there’s always one.
This bloke just waiting for THAT moment.

Madge can coach … but only with a team full of top players. Kiwis ✅ Blues ✅ Brisbane All Stars ✅

Face the facts. He was here 4 years, let that sink in, 4 years and each year we got worse. Yet people say he didn’t have the roster he wanted.

Now I can’t prove it but I think the NRL really wanted the Broncos in the GF. The raiders were absolutely dudded in their finals match.

Yesterday the Panthers led 14-0 at half time and I told the wife that most the calls would go to The Broncs in the second half and walah!

Madge is a good coach . In small doses . If the broncos win next weekend , my guess is he will be gone by the start of the 27 season. His intensity will wear thin guys will start the “ yea I know , it’s not my first rodeo” , and eventually “ why does this guy yell all the time”…. And the rot will infest the roster.
He’s great when he doesn’t have to motivate and inspire/ he has a good leadership group.when it’s all on him , his intense style wears thin.
He’s the Jose mourinho of nrl.
You know he’s a gun so you pray he wins something early if not the exit door isn’t too far away. He alienates people . It is what it is .

 

[liltiger]

Got to say, I'd love to do away with the 6 against. It's a blight on the game a d can be too subjective.

Spot on. That's where the ref has all the power, it comes down to interpretation of each individual with how much each ref will or won't allow before giving 6 again. Add to that human bias that refs would have with different teams doesn't have to be intentional but it is human nature and it's a huge reason why there's so much inconsistency in the officiating atm. Where I'm scratching my head is the bunker. All that money thrown into it, all the video angles and technology and they still regularly stuff up.

 

[Betterdays22]

Madge is a good coach . In small doses . If the broncos win next weekend , my guess is he will be gone by the start of the 27 season. His intensity will wear thin guys will start the “ yea I know , it’s not my first rodeo” , and eventually “ why does this guy yell all the time”…. And the rot will infest the roster.
He’s great when he doesn’t have to motivate and inspire/ he has a good leadership group.when it’s all on him , his intense style wears thin.
He’s the Jose mourinho of nrl.
You know he’s a gun so you pray he wins something early if not the exit door isn’t too far away. He alienates people . It is what it is .

My gut feel is actually that Madge has grown as a coach and might last a while at the Broncs.

 

[tigertragic]

Newcastle not a bottom team then?

Yes they are
Just saying most of the commentators are reluctant to be negative about their affiliated team
Joey has a go at Newcastle but still has supportive commentary

 

[tigertragic]

Well there’s always one.
This bloke just waiting for THAT moment.

Madge can coach … but only with a team full of top players. Kiwis ✅ Blues ✅ Brisbane All Stars ✅

Face the facts. He was here 4 years, let that sink in, 4 years and each year we got worse. Yet people say he didn’t have the roster he wanted.

Now I can’t prove it but I think the NRL really wanted the Broncos in the GF. The raiders were absolutely dudded in their finals match.

Yesterday the Panthers led 14-0 at half time and I told the wife that most the calls would go to The Broncs in the second half and walah!

Can’t ‘fully’ agree
Our current roster is way better than he inherited and is only marginally better
He inherited a cap filled with non performers that Cleary had signed on big money. Once he started to eventually clear the decks he signed API and Ice. He also identified the young Steph.
But got punted before he could coach API or ice or continue the roster overhaul
But yes he needs the right cattle as do most coaches

 

[upthetigers]

Respect to Madge not many people were putting their hand up to coach the tigers. My head says Melbourne but I would like Madge to win another premiership.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Exactly,
We've been garbage for most of our existence, certainly during his time in Commentary.
If he was banging on about how amazing we are, We'd all think he was a fkn idiot.

Tigers have never ever learned to play the game, and we've never respected the football,
Those points are in his DNA.
He resents our game because he's a winner - And he knows what it takes,
We sh*t on his beliefs, and it burns in his stomach.

Problem is, He's right.
If he wasn't, No one here wouldn't be so offended.

Put my hand up having a feeling of cringe when we cop it from Cronk, but to be fair when we played well and beat the dogs in the wet there was positive talk from him.

We just have to get better and more consistent if you want the pats on the back.

 

[Kelce68]

Exactly,
We've been garbage for most of our existence, certainly during his time in Commentary.
If he was banging on about how amazing we are, We'd all think he was a fkn idiot.

Tigers have never ever learned to play the game, and we've never respected the football,
Those points are in his DNA.
He resents our game because he's a winner - And he knows what it takes,
We sh*t on his beliefs, and it burns in his stomach.

Problem is, He's right.
If he wasn't, No one here wouldn't be so offended.

😂😂😂

 

[innsaneink]

You'll have to remind me of the plenty good?
My recollection is since Cronk has been commentating we have been amongst the bottom few teams every year and finished last 3 of those years.
Additionally Cronk being a former half often comments on what the halves are doing. Again in his time as a commentator we've had the much maligned Brooks, reserve graders Hastings and Wakeham, gone through 3 half-backs this year whilst making an Origin 6 look ordinary.
Sure there are potentially some green shoots to suggest next year the side might be better. Until they actually are however I don't expect any commentary to be positive.

Im not here to changen your mind...andnim only talking this year but not final ladder positions.
Im talking individual games...moments....tries..individual efforts etc

You dont expect any positive commentary because of our history when commenting on a game in the here and now?
Cronks often patronising towards us even when its not warranted

 

[innsaneink]

Exactly,
We've been garbage for most of our existence, certainly during his time in Commentary.
If he was banging on about how amazing we are, We'd all think he was a fkn idiot.

Tigers have never ever learned to play the game, and we've never respected the football,
Those points are in his DNA.
He resents our game because he's a winner - And he knows what it takes,
We sh*t on his beliefs, and it burns in his stomach.

Problem is, He's right.
If he wasn't, No one here wouldn't be so offended.

Hes not paid to call or describe out history...hes commenting on the game unfolding in front of him...
Butnhe cant help himself

 

[Vicious]

If we are purely talking middle forward depth, Fletcher Baker must come under consideration.
He was showing plenty of promise at the Roosters, but it hasn’t quite worked out for him at the Broncos.
He has been a standout in recent weeks for the Burleigh Bears who will play against the Warriors for the Reserve Grade Title on Grand Final Day,

 

[Lestronge]

My gut feel is actually that Madge has grown as a coach and might last a while at the Broncs.

Mate for his sake I hope so. It’s gotta be depressing to know deep down these dudes will eventually turn on you .
It will be good for the game if he can stick at the broncos

 

[Furious1]

If we are purely talking middle forward depth, Fletcher Baker must come under consideration.
He was showing plenty of promise at the Roosters, but it hasn’t quite worked out for him at the Broncos.
He has been a standout in recent weeks for the Burleigh Bears who will play against the Warriors for the Reserve Grade Title on Grand Final Day,

Interesting. Mentioned the same thing to my son yesterday. I admit, I haven't seen him play recently and therefore the the form you are talking about, but couldn't understand what had happened to him as he seemed to have a lot of potential at the Roosters.

 

[TheEnz]

💯
A coach being close to his players can be a huge positive, but there is a fine line in potentially becoming too loyal to some who may not be performing up to their contract value.
For the record I don’t think Benji coaching us is our problem.
Getting the right playing roster with the right balance is the problem and we are not far away, only 1-3 good to high quality players short,

agreed- I actually call bullshit of Benji being too close to the players commentary. The reality is that we do not have many ways to attract players to our club unless we pay massive overs...Benji has a plan around this whole family club and watching out for the mental health of players etc.. it helps attract players to the club, Bellamy is close to his players, yet he is not afraid of tearing them a new one...much the same as I am close to my kids, however, often lose my shit at them. Being close does not mean you cannot hold them to account, and in fact you will probably get more of a response than you would if you were just an authoritarian. You can see examples of this when a few of the boys came back from the offseason out of shape including Latu and Benji ripped into them...even though Latu has 2 bro's at the club, one of which won our player of the year the season prior. You can also see it in the way our behaviour on the field has changed from one of the most penalised teams with the most sin bins, suspensions etc.. to now one of the lowest.

 

[weststigerman]

So does anyone want to sign Madge back??? As I stated previously it was not the coach that was the problem, it was those below him. First year coaching a balanced side and walah grand final here we come. To all those who said Madge couldn't coach eat your words for dinner tonight 😋

His time with us was under massive salary cap duress and we sacked him before his first year out of it and gained 3 wooden spoons.

There is no doubt it was the wrong call, but it’s water under the bridge now. Decisions as a whole are much better now without Lee and Pascoe.

 

[TheEnz]

As I’ve said a dozen times. As if Cronk would ever lower himself to walk into our club.

The thing about Cronk is that he wants halves that play structure, no off the cuff stuff or overly creative. I think that is the reason the rorters are not renewing his contract as he was trying to get Sam Walker to play too structured and Sam was not responding to it, to the point where he was dropped and started to look at moving elsewhere. I don't know if Cronk coaching Luai is a good idea, however he could probably help Latu...having said that I agree that he would not come to the Tigers, first of all I think he really hates Luai as a person and a player and secondly, as you said, he prefers front running teams. I would much prefer Matty Johns working with the halves.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

If we are purely talking middle forward depth, Fletcher Baker must come under consideration.
He was showing plenty of promise at the Roosters, but it hasn’t quite worked out for him at the Broncos.
He has been a standout in recent weeks for the Burleigh Bears who will play against the Warriors for the Reserve Grade Title on Grand Final Day,

The criticism of Baker is he does miss more tackles than the average middle. Will be interested to see how he goes against Ale & Afoa on Sunday.

With not many rumours going around about who we are looking at filling our remaining 3 roster spots with, here's some food for thought from forum suggestions the past week or so ...

NB. Don't think the Bud release is official yet either and maybe 1 or 2 players of ours departing may come out of the blue.

Lock: Josh Curran or Ray Stone to fall out of the tree or take a risk with Adam Elliott (doubt it) or give an opportunity to tackling machine Mason Teague (who can cover hooker as well) or look at Sifa Talakai as an impact lock plus utility value.
Prop: Fletcher Baker or Jack Hetherington or Lazarus Vaalepu or take a risk with Wiremu Greig - all only for depth or fight for a bench spot.
Outside Back: Purely depth, Resign Brent Naden, promote Izaac Tui'tupou or recruit Albert Hopoate (take a risk after 3 ACLs, no reason he can't be as good as a Shibasaki.
Hooker: For additional experienced cover either top 30 or T&T ... Danny Levi, Soni Luke or as above Mason Teague as a utility. Or is Siliva Havilii still an option?

 

[Vicious]

The criticism of Baker is he does miss more tackles than the average middle. Will be interested to see how he goes against Ale & Afoa on Sunday.

With not many rumours going around about who we are looking at filling our remaining 3 roster spots with, here's some food for thought from forum suggestions the past week or so ...

NB. Don't think the Bud release is official yet either and maybe 1 or 2 players of ours departing may come out of the blue.

Lock: Josh Curran or Ray Stone to fall out of the tree or take a risk with Adam Elliott (doubt it) or give an opportunity to tackling machine Mason Teague (who can cover hooker as well) or look at Sifa Talakai as an impact lock plus utility value.
Prop: Fletcher Baker or Jack Hetherington or Lazarus Vaalepu or take a risk with Wiremu Greig - all only for depth or fight for a bench spot.
Outside Back: Purely depth, Resign Brent Naden, promote Izaac Tui'tupou or recruit Albert Hopoate (take a risk after 3 ACLs, no reason he can't be as good as a Shibasaki.
Hooker: For additional experienced cover either top 30 or T&T ... Danny Levi, Soni Luke or as above Mason Teague as a utility. Or is Siliva Havilii still an option?

It’s no secret the Bulldogs want a big name match winning fullback, so that could mean someone like Curran could become available to create cap space for them to throw big money at a fullback.
For the record I’m tipping they end up with Jaxon Purdue or A J Brimson, watch this space.
Did I read somewhere that Tyson Smoothy can get out of his contract with Wakefield Trinity if he gets an NRL contract?
For his defence and defensive line speed alone I think Smoothy would be very good for us as a bigger, stronger, harder hitting rotation option with Api at 9 and can play a bit of 13 also.
Jesse Arthurs must surely be looking at a change of clubs. He cannot get into the Broncos team as it is and they also have Grant Anderson joining them next season.
Arthurs is tall, good under the high ball, he’s whole hearted, quick, a good strong defender and makes good yardage metres. I’d be trying to sign him as someone who can compete with To’a at right centre, but also a safe reliable winger option if required.
So there are plenty of players who would improve our team potentially available, but as you say we would need to confirm that Bud Sullivan is remaining at Souths or heading elsewhere and we would ideally need to move Jack Bird on also.

 

[magpies forever]

The criticism of Baker is he does miss more tackles than the average middle. Will be interested to see how he goes against Ale & Afoa on Sunday.

With not many rumours going around about who we are looking at filling our remaining 3 roster spots with, here's some food for thought from forum suggestions the past week or so ...

NB. Don't think the Bud release is official yet either and maybe 1 or 2 players of ours departing may come out of the blue.

Lock: Josh Curran or Ray Stone to fall out of the tree or take a risk with Adam Elliott (doubt it) or give an opportunity to tackling machine Mason Teague (who can cover hooker as well) or look at Sifa Talakai as an impact lock plus utility value.
Prop: Fletcher Baker or Jack Hetherington or Lazarus Vaalepu or take a risk with Wiremu Greig - all only for depth or fight for a bench spot.
Outside Back: Purely depth, Resign Brent Naden, promote Izaac Tui'tupou or recruit Albert Hopoate (take a risk after 3 ACLs, no reason he can't be as good as a Shibasaki.
Hooker: For additional experienced cover either top 30 or T&T ... Danny Levi, Soni Luke or as above Mason Teague as a utility. Or is Siliva Havilii still an option?

Can any of them goal kick? I'd really like to have some options other than Doueihi and Api? Im assuming Luai, Doueihi and Latu can cover tactical kicking. Also having a forward that can fill in for a Api break would be of great benefit. Im not a fan of having one of the 4 interchange spots filled with a dedicated hooker who cant do anything else.