PerthBrissy987
NRL Player
- Dec 8, 2016
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Broncos need Ashley Taylor to arrest lack of playmaking control
PAUL MALONE, The Courier-MailSeptember 24, 2017 4:41pm
Subscriber only
BRISBANE’S lack of playmaking control in their season-ending loss to Melbourne on Friday only emphasises the attraction of Titans halfback Ash Taylor for their 2019 recruiting plans.
Broncos halves Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford were unable to force a line dropout and coach Wayne Bennett remarked at his post-match media conference that his kickers had between them put five kicks over the dead-ball line.
Ex-Broncos halfback Taylor is off-contract at the end of next year and it is now a question of whether Bennett can wait 12 months before spending on another half.
One of his early calls to make after the 30-0 loss to Melbourne is whether Brisbane can contend for the premiership with Nikorima as the first-choice halfback, with Bennett promising fans on Friday his side would be “older and smarter’’ next season.
LOSS: Bennett spotlight on ‘exposed’
EXIT: Hunt shattered as Broncos caereer over
Ashley Taylor is off-contract in 2019.
Nikorima had his moments in running the ball and positioning his supports, but Brisbane’s short-kicking game, supplied in the finals by Nikorima, Milford and the outgoing playmakers Ben Hunt and Benji Marshall, was not good enough.
Like other clubs, the Broncos will keep a keen eye on the off-season “sales’’, when clubs release players to accommodate incoming signings.
But bringing any well-established players to Red Hill would require delisting players even with a salary cap increase to $9.4 million in 2018.
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Broncos bomb certain tries
Bennett said last October he did not expect to add to his roster over that off-season, but signed Marshall when he became available and forwards Korbin Sims and Mitchell Dodds, both of whom had seasons hit by injury.
Club recruiters regard patience a virtue during October and November as players are moved on to make salary cap room for more desired recruits.
Bennett has a left-centre position to fill because of Tautau Moga’s departure to Newcastle.
PAUL MALONE, The Courier-MailSeptember 24, 2017 4:41pm
Subscriber only
BRISBANE’S lack of playmaking control in their season-ending loss to Melbourne on Friday only emphasises the attraction of Titans halfback Ash Taylor for their 2019 recruiting plans.
Broncos halves Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford were unable to force a line dropout and coach Wayne Bennett remarked at his post-match media conference that his kickers had between them put five kicks over the dead-ball line.
Ex-Broncos halfback Taylor is off-contract at the end of next year and it is now a question of whether Bennett can wait 12 months before spending on another half.
One of his early calls to make after the 30-0 loss to Melbourne is whether Brisbane can contend for the premiership with Nikorima as the first-choice halfback, with Bennett promising fans on Friday his side would be “older and smarter’’ next season.
LOSS: Bennett spotlight on ‘exposed’
EXIT: Hunt shattered as Broncos caereer over
Ashley Taylor is off-contract in 2019.
Nikorima had his moments in running the ball and positioning his supports, but Brisbane’s short-kicking game, supplied in the finals by Nikorima, Milford and the outgoing playmakers Ben Hunt and Benji Marshall, was not good enough.
Like other clubs, the Broncos will keep a keen eye on the off-season “sales’’, when clubs release players to accommodate incoming signings.
But bringing any well-established players to Red Hill would require delisting players even with a salary cap increase to $9.4 million in 2018.
0:00
/
0:55
Broncos bomb certain tries
Bennett said last October he did not expect to add to his roster over that off-season, but signed Marshall when he became available and forwards Korbin Sims and Mitchell Dodds, both of whom had seasons hit by injury.
Club recruiters regard patience a virtue during October and November as players are moved on to make salary cap room for more desired recruits.
Bennett has a left-centre position to fill because of Tautau Moga’s departure to Newcastle.
