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.