I see a lot of Healthy discussion on this site and in the media about Des Hassler.
A lot of it in my opinion is unfair and unwarranted.
Des has a team with only one or two big game bankable player at the moment. The rest are a fairly hot and cold team when you look at them individually.
Des does a great job of getting at least a couple of these players to fire each game. Below is my assessment of the “first choice†playing group.
1. Brett Stewart – Our number one and most consistent player. Big game player rarely missing in action
2. Michael Robertson – Once he gets on a role in a game he can be unstoppable. But I think I can count on one hand the amount of times he has done it.
3. Steve Matai – A great player does not mind a big game but sometimes gives away stupid penalties.
4. Steve Bell – Great player when he was at Melbourne. Everyone in the league has worked out you step inside every time. Get over it.
5. Michael Bani – Good solid player. Not enough time in the top grade to give a long term judgement.
6. Jamie Lyon – Good player playing out of position. Drop Bell and put this guy in the centres then we might have a second big game player.
7. Matt Orford – Big game chocker. I wish it wasn’t true but the last game against Melbourne proved it.
8. Josh Perry – Was not consistent at Newcastle lets hope he has new drive at Manly. Early signs are good. Was not there for the Melbourne game. Would he have changed the result who knows…
9. Matt Ballin – Good little player not brilliant though.
10. Jason King – What an improved player. I really take my hat off to this guy. Hasn’t had a blinder in a big game I can remember.
11. Anthony Watmough – Great player when he fires. Hasn’t gone on with it for a whole season. Maybe its injury who knows.
12. Glenn Stewart – Another great player when he fires. I think he did 2 hit ups in the City Country. Unbelievable really to have a chance like that and not go looking for the ball at every opportunity.
13. Luke Williamson – WOW what a boring player. Would anyone else in the comp have him in the team?
14. Heath Le’Strange – So far so good lets see some more of him.
15. Adam Cuthbertson – A freak when it comes off. Can go missing like the rest of them in the big ones.
16. Steve Menzies – My favourite all time Manly player. What a freak this guy is. Imagine if we had a 5/8 and beaver was allowed to follow him around and run off him. They were the days. Stick him in 5/8 I say. Big game player no doubt.
17. Mark Bryant – That one legged hit up against Parramatta is the best thing I have seen him do.
Compare that team to all the premiership winning teams and we are one to two consistent big players down.
Des is doing his best with a good group of players. They need to look at themselves and try to be consistent and fire in the big games. If they were this would be a great team.
Just my thoughts everyone is welcome to there own.
A lot of it in my opinion is unfair and unwarranted.
Des has a team with only one or two big game bankable player at the moment. The rest are a fairly hot and cold team when you look at them individually.
Des does a great job of getting at least a couple of these players to fire each game. Below is my assessment of the “first choice†playing group.
1. Brett Stewart – Our number one and most consistent player. Big game player rarely missing in action
2. Michael Robertson – Once he gets on a role in a game he can be unstoppable. But I think I can count on one hand the amount of times he has done it.
3. Steve Matai – A great player does not mind a big game but sometimes gives away stupid penalties.
4. Steve Bell – Great player when he was at Melbourne. Everyone in the league has worked out you step inside every time. Get over it.
5. Michael Bani – Good solid player. Not enough time in the top grade to give a long term judgement.
6. Jamie Lyon – Good player playing out of position. Drop Bell and put this guy in the centres then we might have a second big game player.
7. Matt Orford – Big game chocker. I wish it wasn’t true but the last game against Melbourne proved it.
8. Josh Perry – Was not consistent at Newcastle lets hope he has new drive at Manly. Early signs are good. Was not there for the Melbourne game. Would he have changed the result who knows…
9. Matt Ballin – Good little player not brilliant though.
10. Jason King – What an improved player. I really take my hat off to this guy. Hasn’t had a blinder in a big game I can remember.
11. Anthony Watmough – Great player when he fires. Hasn’t gone on with it for a whole season. Maybe its injury who knows.
12. Glenn Stewart – Another great player when he fires. I think he did 2 hit ups in the City Country. Unbelievable really to have a chance like that and not go looking for the ball at every opportunity.
13. Luke Williamson – WOW what a boring player. Would anyone else in the comp have him in the team?
14. Heath Le’Strange – So far so good lets see some more of him.
15. Adam Cuthbertson – A freak when it comes off. Can go missing like the rest of them in the big ones.
16. Steve Menzies – My favourite all time Manly player. What a freak this guy is. Imagine if we had a 5/8 and beaver was allowed to follow him around and run off him. They were the days. Stick him in 5/8 I say. Big game player no doubt.
17. Mark Bryant – That one legged hit up against Parramatta is the best thing I have seen him do.
Compare that team to all the premiership winning teams and we are one to two consistent big players down.
Des is doing his best with a good group of players. They need to look at themselves and try to be consistent and fire in the big games. If they were this would be a great team.
Just my thoughts everyone is welcome to there own.
