Broncos Player Analysis: Round 5 Team Selection

Following the Broncos’ disappointing performance against the New Zealand Warriors, attention now turns to the Broncos’ clash versus the Sydney Roosters, and which 17 available players make up the Broncos’ most productive team for the match.

To do this, we need to look at the on-field production and the comparative ranking of each player which comprises the Broncos’ senior squad.

Methodology

In assessing the on-field production and the comparative ranking of each player which comprise the Broncos’ senior squad, each player is allocated into four positional categories (with some players considered in multiple positional categories due to their perceived versatility).

Those positional categories consist of:

• forwards;
• halves and hooker;
• centres and wingers; and
• fullback.

Once categorised, each player’s output in defined key performance indicators (KPIs) for their respective positional category is then considered, using data sourced from the NRL and QRL.

To provide a realistic picture of each individual player’s on-field production, only data from those seasons, throughout the player’s professional career, where the player has played at least 13 games in the NRL or Queensland Cup, was considered. Where a player has not met that criteria, their productivity data was not assessed.

The KPI data considered for each positional group is based on the assumption that the cornerstones of the Broncos’ tactical approach is as follows:

• To have minimal missed tackles (<2 missed tackles per player per game) in all positional categories.
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple offloads per game from each player in the forward positional group (to create second phase play for the halves, hooker and/or fullback to individually break the opposition’s defensive line or create line break opportunities for the centre and winger positional group).
• To generate 100+ run metres and multiple line breaks per game from each player within the centre and wing positional group.
• To generate 100+ kicking metres and multiple line breaks, line break assists, and forced drop outs per game from each player in the halves and hooker and fullback positional groups.

The findings provide an invaluable insight as to:

• how each player ranks against their internal competition within their positional category; and
• which 17 players make up the Broncos’ most productive team.

Internal player rankings

The player rankings by position are as follows:

Round 5 line-up

Based on the above analytical comparison, the Broncos’ aforementioned tactical basis and minimum required KPIs, and with Kelly, Willison, Carrigan, and Piakura recovering from injury, and Flegler suspended, the 17 players which comprise the Broncos’ most productive team for their Round 5 clash vs the Sydney Roosters would appear to be as follows:

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