Brodie Croft should be the last piece of Anthony Seibold’s puzzle
After finally snaring Melbourne playmaker Brodie Croft there is no reason why Brisbane shouldn’t stop stumbling around in the dark, writes MIKE COLMAN.
Opinion
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Three weeks ago, following the re-signing of veteran backrower Alex Glenn, Broncos CEO Paul White described him as: “a really important part of the puzzle”.
With the recent signing of Melbourne discard Brodie Croft the club has finally secured another “really important part of the puzzle”.
To my mind, the most important part.
The part that means the Broncos have no more excuses.
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Last season we heard them all: there was the disruption of the Wayne Bennett will-he-stay-will-he-go imbroglio; incoming coach Anthony Seibold didn’t get a full pre-season with the team; he was stuck with Bennett’s signings and had to clean house; the players took time to get used to his style; the side was rocked by injuries and suspensions; certain individuals were more interested in playing the pokies than preparing for a finals clash with the Eels; there was no leadership …
Enough already. It’s time to forget about all the reasons why the Broncos were a major disappointment last year and see how good they can be this year.
Because there seems to be absolutely no reason why that shouldn’t be very good indeed.
David Fifita’s abortive sojourn to Bali aside, this has been a very positive off-season for the Broncos.
Sure they lost Matt Gillett, but that enabled them to keep Glenn and the signing of Croft is the icing on the cake.
Based on last season’s showing the Broncos were going nowhere this year without an experienced playmaker.
Former Brisbane schoolboy Croft, with 40 NRL games to his credit, is no greybeard but he has come through the Melbourne Storm system and that speaks volumes.
And now that the Broncos have him it gives them depth in the most crucial area on the field.
Last season the halves were little more than a shemozzle, with the rest of the side stumbling around in the dark as a result.
International Kodi Nikorima was shown the door, novices Tom Dearden and Sean O’Sullivan made promising cameos and headed straight for the casualty ward. Hooker-turned-halfback Jake Turpin joined them, and the less said about the Anthony Milford-Darius Boyd switcheroo the better.
But now, with a little bit of luck and some astute buying, Seibold actually has some viable options in his backline.
Fullback-winger Jordan Kahu is back to add another element to the logjam around the number one jersey, Jack Bird is – fingers crossed – over his injuries to bid for a centre spot, and Croft will provide some much needed direction at seven which could open the door for Milford’s return to six.
Another plus that Croft brings to the equation is freeing up Turpin to put pressure on Andrew McCullough at hooker which will be good for both of them.
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Fifita will probably miss a few games early as he pays for that one holiday drink too many but with another season under their belts the much vaulted “best young forwards in the game” should step up in his stead.
They’ve had plenty of time to get used to Seibold-speak and, of course, he will have them for a full pre-season.
So, barring any unforeseen disasters, this should be the season that tells us just how good the players – and the coach – really are.
No excuses.
Originally published as Brodie Croft should be the last piece of Anthony Seibold’s puzzle