Kobe Hetherington

[Ohgeez]

He seems to think he can handle that role. He has trained in that role with the Broncos. He has the workrate, fitness and mobilty to play backrow, so why not @Ohgeez

Hetherington: I can play on the edge if needed | NRL.com

Broncos workhorse Kobe Hetherington speaks to the media as the squad ramps up preseason preparations, following the break.

www.nrl.com

There’s plenty of reasons:

1. Hetherington saying he can do a job in the back row doesn’t mean that’s his best position. I’m sure Bullemor would also say he can do a job but they are both much more effective in the middle.

2. Broncos clearly didn’t see him as a back row option as they used 5+ other players over him this year including 6’7 115kg Willison.

3. Everyone on here has said we lack the balance in the middle of power running & ‘smaller’ guys with good leg speed. Kobe helps to balance this.

4. Sipley & Josh A leaving means there is an obvious need for props. Our only 1st grade signing in the forwards for next year should not be playing back row when Burbo + Ola can play 80.

 

[Eagles4Life]

There’s plenty of reasons:

1. Hetherington saying he can do a job in the back row doesn’t mean that’s his best position. I’m sure Bullemor would also say he can do a job but they are both much more effective in the middle.

2. Broncos clearly didn’t see him as a back row option as they used 5+ other players over him this year including 6’7 115kg Willison.

3. Everyone on here has said we lack the balance in the middle of power running & ‘smaller’ guys with good leg speed. Kobe helps to balance this.

4. Sipley & Josh A leaving means there is an obvious need for props. Our only marquee signing in the forwards for next year should not be playing back row when Burbo + Ola can play 80.

Pretty awesome response @Ohgeez Whats your starting pack and bench for round one 2026?

 

[Phobia]

I agree with you and think some are in denial thinking Jake still has anything left to offer, but the fact is he will be on $1m+ next year and likely the captain, so he will be in the starting side no matter what. We can't bench middles with actual go forward like Paseka or TKO for him, so he will still be the lock. Would play him exactly as NSW did in Origin last year.

My main hope is that the signing of Kobe doesn't hold Navale back, realistically he should be the one rotating with Jake as you mentioned, but with Waddell still floating around and Lodge/Brown likely back in the picture I can see him missing out again.

Excellent comment, and that's something I have worried about too.

Just about everyone on here seems to believe that our best bench next year would be something like:

14. Utility
15. Navale
16. Bullemor
17. Hetherington

This is assuming that Paseka, Taukeiaho, and Jake are starting.

But it's undeniable that there's competition with Navale. A few other names that haven't mentioned as, unfortunately, likely being in competition with him; Matt Lodge and Nathan Brown.

Nathan Brown is busted, might still have a little to offer, but we should be building for the future.

I hope the coaching staff have moved on from Lodge playing off the bench, as he doesn't match the tempo of the game. He can still do a solid-to-good job in the opening 20-30 mins of the game, but that is all.

Waddell... Is Waddell. He does a decent job in the middle, but Navale will be ahead of him, especially with another off-season.

 

[Ohgeez]

Pretty awesome response @Ohgeez Whats your starting pack and bench for round one 2026?

8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Ola
12. Ben
13. Jake
14. Navale
15. Bullemor
16. Hetherington
17. Laiafi/Lodge/Bryan/Waddell/ a utility signing (Schoupp would have been a option)

 

[Cochrane]

I guess in a sense our pack is still unbalanced atm with the inclusion of not knowing how to play Jake. I like the acquisition of Kobe, but cant say where he fits best. I hope we get to see a bit of him in the finals.

OLA and Ben are the only real edge players, the rest are middles.

 

[The Wheel]

I guess in a sense our pack is still unbalanced atm with the inclusion of not knowing how to play Jake. I like the acquisition of Kobe, but cant say where he fits best. I hope we get to see a bit of him in the finals.

OLA and Ben are the only real edge players, the rest are middles.

Yes we need another edge player or hope the young fella Hart steps up in a big way

 

[Cochrane]

Yes we need another edge player or hope the young fella Hart steps up in a big way

Like the look of him, I have no idea how realistic he is for 2026 or 27?

 

[Rocky]

This year Jake made an average of 54 run meters
Zero tackle breaks .
1 off load total.
Five hit ups per game
2.5 post contact meters per hit up
Total run meters 840 (17 games)
93% tackle

And he will do what at prop exactly?

Perhaps you should ask guys like the SOO coach or the Australian coach. These guys have either picked him recently or are apparently considering picking him for their teams.

We all know Jakes attacking stats aren't great. But perhaps he offers more than that elsewhere on the field and in the dressing room. Just a thought.

 

[Cochrane]

No doubt he strengthens manly defensively massively.

The trick is, how does manly play him in 2026. Can they get more offensively out of him if he is substituted and only plays 2x 20min slots. What will be the most effective 20min slots to use him taking into account the position he will play and others playing that position?

I think most agree his 80 min days are limited if not over

 

[madmax]

8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Ola
12. Ben
13. Jake
14. Navale
15. Bullemor
16. Hetherington
17. Laiafi/Lodge/Bryan/Waddell/ a utility signing (Schoupp would have been a option)

Paseka
Simpkin
TKO
Olakau’atu
Hart
Navale
Res: Walsh, Bully, Hetherington, Jrbo
Won’t happen but It’d be great!

 

[manlyfan76]

Perhaps you should ask guys like the SOO coach or the Australian coach. These guys have either picked him recently or are apparently considering picking him for their teams.

We all know Jakes attacking stats aren't great. But perhaps he offers more than that elsewhere on the field and in the dressing room. Just a thought.

Play him like origin coach did?
10 mins per game?

I don't think your argument is too well thought out.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

We all know Jakes attacking stats aren't great. But perhaps he offers more than that elsewhere on the field and in the dressing room. Just a thought.

 

[349]

Is Turpin getting a run off the bench to rotate with Simpkins or purely a depth signing?

 

[Eagles4Life]

Is Turpin getting a run off the bench to rotate with Simpkins or purely a depth signing?

I think he's staying at the Bulldogs.

Dummy-half rejects rival approach to remain loyal to Bulldogs

He was offered a two-year contract from a rival team.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[349]

With Jazz gone and Turpin not coming, a backup Hooker is the next puzzle piece as I think Crocker will be lucky to come back.

 

[Rocky]

Play him like origin coach did?
10 mins per game?

I don't think your argument is too well thought out.

Neither is yours if you think a club game is like origin or a test match my guy.

moving on

 

[Eagles4Life]

With Jazz gone and Turpin not coming, a backup Hooker is the next puzzle piece as I think Crocker will be lucky to come back.

Perhaps we should play Brooks off the bench as hooker/halves cover and fast-track Muagutitia into that backup hooker role?

 

[Waz13]

I think he's staying at the Bulldogs.

Dummy-half rejects rival approach to remain loyal to Bulldogs

He was offered a two-year contract from a rival team.

www.zerotackle.com

More good news!

 

[manlyfan76]

Neither is yours if you think a club game is like origin or a test match my guy.

moving on

Haha, you bought up origin and Australia. Now it's not relevant?

Jake was dropped from both.

 

[manly al]

On reflection , guess that the Kobe signing is not quite a like for like for Jazz for instance , as Jazz a bit more adaptable to be able to play 9 from some indications but could well be required there to compliment Simpkin
Guess also to take into account, what the intention is at this stage on how to incorporate Jake
In the realistic sense , should really go, also at this stage with Tent , T K O and Bully as main prop options
Jake , match ready , would presumedly still have a bit of an edge on Kobe defensively but obviously hardly yardage wise and would also have to assume Kobe a bit more in contention in a prop role then Jake
Jake to start as a 13 and work in conjunction with Navale there but would only justify that by playing big minutes there and then would more then likely reduce Navale 's attacking effectiveness
No doubt all of this has or is still being considered in the context of finally nabbing Koby
T K O would probably have to rate as one of the buys of the year
Personally had some doubts that it would work out taking into account his recent or just previous injury issues and has really pleasantly surprised in the season proper with this background coming in
Can "t be critical of Jake now being on 1 . 2 mil but unless some amazing transformation , will probably be able to provide hardly a third of that value in 26 , performance wise
Of course , hope it is not the case and can somehow get to about half