Perry to take control
by Scott Dickson
EXPERIENCED halfback Shane Perry is aware much of the baby Broncos chances against high-flying Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday rest on his ability to again step up as chief playmaker.
With Test playmakers Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt absent due to Queensland Origin duty and a foot injury respectively, coach Wayne Bennett will again look to Perry, 28, to steer the Broncos to victory in round 17 when he partners the less experienced Brett Seymour, 21, in the halves.
Perry?s solid showing in the round 14 loss to South Sydney may have completed that task but for the baby Broncos cruelling themselves with numerous second-half handling errors.
Perry?s role since his Broncos debut in round 1 has been to control the forwards, earn the side field position and act as a decent link man to Lockyer who works with the outside backs including Hunt.
But the former Canterbury and Western Suburbs star is again ready to call the majority of the attacking shots and feels ?no pressure at all? by the added responsibility.
?With Darren and Karmichael missing there is no doubt I have to act as the chief playmaker,? Perry said.
?My main role on Sunday will still be to guide the forwards around and earn the side good field position but I will also be working with the outside backs. Not as much as Brett will, because that is his role as five-eighth, but I will be much more involved than usual.
?The kicking game will virtually be my responsibility this week but in saying that Brett has a good kicking game and can finish off sets if necessary.
?But in assuming the leading ball playing role, I must be careful not to get too carried away with things and try to do too much as that can lead to the attempt of difficult plays which results in mistakes.
?I will have to stay patient and keep things simple.?
In the 34-14 loss to the Rabbitohs, Perry kicked and directed play well, and had a hand in all three of the baby Broncos tries.
The highlight of his night was a torpedo-type chip kick that fell nicely for try-scoring winger Leon Bott in the corner to bring the Broncos back to 16-14 just after half-time.
?I was reasonably happy with the way I performed but we cruelled ourselves by making too many mistakes,? Perry said.
Stand-in captain Shane Webcke said the Broncos would rely on Perry to pull most of the strings in attack against the equal second-placed Sharks and is confident he will deliver.
?Shane has been outstanding this year and a revelation in many ways,? Webcke said. The experience he has brings plenty of maturity to the halfback area, something we have lacked in recent years.
?That is nothing against Brett Seymour. It is just that Shane has been around the ropes and certainly knows how to direct a side around.?
Not named in the initial side on Tuesday, Greg Eastwood (hamstring tear) and Ben Hannant (knee cartilage) trained well yesterday after suffering injury against the Dragons in round 15.
Bennett yesterday trialled utility Eastwood, winger Scott Minto, second-rower Dane Carlaw, and 18-year-old five-eighth/lock Joel Moon all at centre.
The feeling is Eastwood, if passed fit, will partner rookie Moon in the centres, shifting named centres Minto and second-rower Carlaw back to their preferred positions.
Hannant could come onto the bench for fellow prop Nick Kenny who cross-trained yesterday after breaking a foot a month ago in Toowoomba?s round 13 match against Tweed Heads.
But Kenny, 23, is desperate to return to the playing field against the Sharks after the injury spoilt his chance to play his second career NRL game for the baby Broncos in round 14.
?I was devastated to miss the chance of playing against the Rabbitohs, so I am keen to play for the Broncos this weekend,? said Kenny, who played in the corresponding NRL fixture last year.