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2008 Preview - Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane Broncos 2008
By Michael Treacy
LeagueUnlimited.com

1. Karmichal Hunt, 2. Reece Robinson, 3. Steve Michaels, 4. Justin Hodges, 5. Darius Boyd, 6. Darren Lockyer, 7. Peter Wallace, 8. Joel Clinton, 9. PJ Marsh, 10. Ben Hannant, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Corey Parker, 13. David Stagg
RES: 14. Ashton Sims, 15. David Taylor, 16. Tonie Carroll, 17. Michael Ennis

Due for a big year -Ashton Sims

Sims is a mobile 23-year-old forward with 81 first grade games of experience recruited from the Dragons at the end of 07’. Sims initially signed to play under Wayne Bennett and next to Petero Civoniceiva, and while only half of Sims’ aspirations came to fruition it wasn’t all bad for the up and coming prop.

While Civoniceiva’s departure left him without a stable mentor, his position is now up for grabs and Sims will form a potent prop rotation with Joel Clinton, Ben Hannant and young David Taylor. Sims has reportedly shed some kilo’s to accommodate to Bennett’s style of play and Wayne is quite keen to see the youngster in the top flight.

A rookie to keep your eye on - Gerard Beale

Beale is reportedly going to be the youngest Broncos representative in the clubs history, breaking Karmichal Hunt’s record of 17 years and 256 days. Beale, a NYC under 20’s listed player, has been remarkable in pre-season training with Bennett and his staff quite impressed with the young man’s footwork and skills. He has had two solid trial matches with the first grade team and is on track for a first grade debut in the not so distant future.

What to expect from the Broncos

In 2008 expect the Broncos to come out with a vengeance to win the title for the longest serving coach in rugby league who at the end of this year is leaving the Broncos. Due to the mass exodus of stars such as Petero Civoniceiva, Brent Tate, Shaun Berrigan and Brad Thorn, Wayne Bennett has been forced to rethink his approach at the Bronco’s yet again. Expect the Bronco’s to have a more balanced game taking the sole focus away from Darren Lockyer. As a unit, the Bronco’s look a lot fresher, younger and quicker.

The Broncos management has countered the high turnover of players through purchasing very astutely, adding Ashton Sims, Joel Clinton, Craig Frawley, Peter Wallace, Tom Hewitt and the nippy PJ Marsh to their top squad. While Sims and Clinton will valiantly fill the void left by Petero, Marsh’s signing will reduce the burden of Berrigan’s departure and gives Brisbane a great platform for attacking the middle of the ruck. This running game in the ruck is now even more vital given the new reduced interchange rules.

Wayne Bennett has lost some of his favourite players and while the Bronco’s are being written off my many pundits, one cannot go past how good their bench and depth is. It is often said that a teams 14-17 win big games, and with Sims, Taylor, Thaiday and Marsh, there is plenty of impact off the bench. Outside the 17 are promising youngsters Greg Eastwood, Denan Kemp, Rodney Davies and Joel Moon, a testament to the Bronco’s strength.

If the Broncos figurehead attackers in Hodges, Lockyer and Hunt can remain fit in 2008 and young recruit Peter Wallace can do his job correctly at giving the ball as much as possible to these danger men, then expect the Broncos to make a big impact on the competition and finish between 7th – 10th.

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