Can we win the comp without JWH?

[Kingsgrove-Loiner]

It would be a very timely return if Sammy Moa is fit for Friday.

IMO Moa and Matagi will comfortably cover JWH's absence. Don't get me wrong, I'd be happier with him there, but I still think we have the pack to win this thing.

Pearce missing is a different kettle of fish though.

[LeCoq]

I effin hope so. I thought our Baby Props; Liu, Napa and Kane were immense last night.

Liu hasn't been getting the raps from last night but I thought he was close to MOTM. His carries were direct and really bending the Broncos line. In addition Liu has the knack of nearly always landing on his chest and all fours so gets very fast play the balls for Jake to get the roll on. Liu rarely gets rolled or rag dolled.

JWH is a massive loss as leader of our pack. But now it's time for our cubs to step up. The script is in and we may even get some media support on our way to the GF.

I absolutely agree. I don't think Lui gets the accolades that he deserves. Even in comparison to the likes of Napa and Evans - both of whom have bigger and more prevalent media profiles - Lui offers probably just as much as them if not more. He goes about his work in a no fuss sort of way, shy's away from the cameras and keeps things pretty simple. He made a significant contribution in 2013 but missed out on a bench spot in the GF. Being part of that campaign, however, he will know what the business end of the season means and what's required to step up and win a GF. I'm confident he will do a good job.

I'm also confident in Napa and Evans but unlike Lui - I think those guys have the potential to have one or two brain snaps. What we're going to miss the most about JWH (on both the offensive and defensive ends) is his controlled aggression; in recent years in particular, he has learnt you can play just as hard as anyone without collaring people, or going in for headbutts or elbows to the face of a tackled player etc. Toughness is not that shit, it's sprinting 50 meters as a prop to be the first one to hammer and trap a FB in his in goal.

Put Matagi and hopefully Moa next to the other three and provided each steps up a bit, we can cover for JWH.

Junior is a big loss but hopefully he mends faster than whats expected; in his absence, I think Hastings and Maloney will do a good job.

[2026]

One bloke from our 17 needs to roll the sleeves up and do his job in his absence ..I suspect Moa is the man for the job

Brain,

Napa stepped up in JWH absence. He was hitting harder than he usual does and was relentless.

Dylan the enforcer!

[BUDDY]

We played 65 minutes without JWH and Pearce and we pretty much had the Broncos covered. Fatigue was getting us in the end but that was with one on the bench.
With Moa and Matagi and hopefully SKD to come back nobody can write us off. The bookies still have us as favourites.

When was JWH interviewed?

“I’m pretty sure it is (the ACL),” he said. “I think that’s minimum six months.”

Surely he would have known after the MRI that night. There is no definite about his reply. Maybe wishful thinking but Adam Reynolds had the same injury at one point as was going to miss the season didn't he.

[easts4eva]

Clearly you've never torn your ACL!

If it is indeed a torn ACL, and there's been nothing to suggest otherwise, then it is a complete impossibility that he might come back.

There's zero stability in his knee right now and it'd take two or three hit ups if he's lucky before he went down writhing in agony.

Sorry Doctor, just trying to lift the mood that's all.

[Johnny Tobin]

Brain,

Napa stepped up in JWH absence. He was hitting harder than he usual does and was relentless.

Dylan the enforcer!

I haven't seen anyone hit as consistently hard as Napa since Morley - and Moz could shoulder charge. Though I am yet to see Napa really run out of the line to smash someone like Moz did a few times a game. Maybe it doesn't fit with our defensive structure.

God I loved Morley. My favourite rooster of all time. Even named my son after him.

[2026]

I loved Morley too. I find that the English players add another dimension to the NRL and are very entertaining.

Napa is fearless! He will develop into something very special.He's quite a clever footy player and picks his moments well.

I had a chat with him some time ago and he was one of the nicest, laid back. down to earth and respectful young men i have met.