Bradford : Mon Feb 10, 2025 10:40 pm  

Well we've signed some of the trialists & got some young lads on loan so we have something of a squad. Question is, are Bradford, the RFL's favoured son, stronger than last year, which they look like they are, even with Meadows in the team or are Cas no longer classy? In any event a good win for Bradford.

Anything other than a fairly heavy defeat would be a surprise & certainly our experienced forwards can't afford to be as poor as they were against Goole. Ever the pessimist, Bradford by 4 scores.

Re: Bradford : Mon Feb 10, 2025 10:59 pm  

hard to argue. Feel like their outside backs will run all over ours.

Re: Bradford : Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:08 pm  

Heart says Broncos, head says Bulls… and head usually wins!

The two Warrington loanees (Jake Thewlis and Zac Bardsley Rowe) should help stiffen up the Broncos’ pack if they get into the final 17 (do we still have the Wigan pair of youngsters, Kian McDermott & Lukas Mason, available for selection?). We have to be better prepared than against Goole in the Cup. If those lads bring some aggression and go forward, it might stop Bradford from completely steamrolling through the middle which is key if London wants to keep this respectable. Cohesion is still a big issue, and one or two players alone won’t fix that overnight. It could still be a long day if the experienced forwards don’t step up. But if they hold their own and give the halves a platform, maybe the Broncos can at least ask a few questions. It should be an improved performance but whether that translates into a competitive scoreline is another matter!

The two trialists getting recent contracts is a positive - at least it means they’ve shown something in pre-season to warrant a spot. But throwing them straight into a tough Round 1 clash is a big ask, especially when the team already lacks unity. If they bring energy and enthusiasm, that’s great, but they’ll need to step up fast to make a real impact. Ultimately, the Broncos’ pack still looks light compared to Bradford’s, so it’ll come down to whether the experienced forwards lead the way. If they don’t, the trialists and loanees could be in for a brutal introduction to Championship rugby league!

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:16 am  

Torbreck wrote:

Heart says Broncos, head says Bulls… and head usually wins!

The two Warrington loanees (Jake Thewlis and Zac Bardsley Rowe) should help stiffen up the Broncos’ pack if they get into the final 17 (do we still have the Wigan pair of youngsters, Kian McDermott & Lukas Mason, available for selection?). We have to be better prepared than against Goole in the Cup. If those lads bring some aggression and go forward, it might stop Bradford from completely steamrolling through the middle which is key if London wants to keep this respectable. Cohesion is still a big issue, and one or two players alone won’t fix that overnight. It could still be a long day if the experienced forwards don’t step up. But if they hold their own and give the halves a platform, maybe the Broncos can at least ask a few questions. It should be an improved performance but whether that translates into a competitive scoreline is another matter!

The two trialists getting recent contracts is a positive - at least it means they’ve shown something in pre-season to warrant a spot. But throwing them straight into a tough Round 1 clash is a big ask, especially when the team already lacks unity. If they bring energy and enthusiasm, that’s great, but they’ll need to step up fast to make a real impact. Ultimately, the Broncos’ pack still looks light compared to Bradford’s, so it’ll come down to whether the experienced forwards lead the way. If they don’t, the trialists and loanees could be in for a brutal introduction to Championship rugby league!

I thought the Wigan pair had signed for 5 weeks, so should be available. The Warrington pair appear to be wing & centre so hope they don't appear in the pack.

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 5:22 pm  

Deadcowboys1 wrote:

I thought the Wigan pair had signed for 5 weeks, so should be available. The Warrington pair appear to be wing & centre so hope they don't appear in the pack.

Good to have a winger in our team.

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 5:58 pm  

Speaking of wingers what happened to Iliess Macani? Did he go to another club, not retained, or retired?

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 5:58 pm  

Deadcowboys1 wrote:

Well we've signed some of the trialists & got some young lads on loan so we have something of a squad. Question is, are Bradford, the RFL's favoured son, stronger than last year, which they look like they are, even with Meadows in the team or are Cas no longer classy? In any event a good win for Bradford.

Anything other than a fairly heavy defeat would be a surprise & certainly our experienced forwards can't afford to be as poor as they were against Goole. Ever the pessimist, Bradford by 4 scores.

I’m assuming a loss here, probably by a few, although not an embarrassing amount. For me the interest is how many, or if, we score. I think they are pretty good, our team is completely new and will take time so no shame in a reasonably sound away loss at this stage of the season but can we threaten? We did show some threat against L1 Goole but not nearly enough and that’s the area where we are weakest. Also hope we don’t pick up knocks- as in a few weeks time the really important games start depressingly Hunslet and Batley at home, Barrow, Fax and Donnie away.

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 6:02 pm  

Torbreck wrote:

Speaking of wingers what happened to Iliess Macani? Did he go to another club, not retained, or retired?

Had a run out for Wests in the Cup I think. Maybe the commitment of playing for London too much for the salary on offer and prefers amateur and focus on real life job? Who knows.

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 6:54 pm  

BigTime wrote:

Had a run out for Wests in the Cup I think. Maybe the commitment of playing for London too much for the salary on offer and prefers amateur and focus on real life job? Who knows.

I think he works as a personal trainer & playing some Union. Seems to have turned out against Leeds as a one off. Not too many players have more than 50 Broncos tries to their name & wouldn't mind having him back despite the odd defensive lapse. Whether the club want him & can reach an agreement is the big unknown.

Re: Bradford : Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:51 pm  

Deadcowboys1 wrote:

Bradford by 4 scores.

....but what about after the first 20 minutes?

Cannot see anything other than a thumping here. 50+ and worse to come at home