Pre-Game Manly v Tigers [Round 9, 2022]

[jbb/james]

I don't think Des will put in a lower grade player, however promising, but also just back from injury (Tuitavake) for a player that he undoubtedly had a hand recruiting to the club recently - who can cover both prop and second row - and who is as fast as most of our backs (Bullemor). And also probably smarter than most of our first grade side as well.

As for the other two - I'll admit I'm confused. I didn't know the following were playing for us:

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Getting in a cartoon character to play instead of Korean popstars is hardly like for like.

It's probably illegal to play 7 somewhat tuneful (?) Koreans to play as one interchange player in the first place; I'm sure the ref (however incompetent) is going to notice if we put 19 players on the field at once, even if it makes the idea of 'gang-tackling' an appealing option.

A cartoon character instead, though? Maybe the Road Runner in the backs as an option............or Scooby Doo could help solve our defensive mysteries. Fred Flintstone is probably more prop-forward size in all reality. Unfortunately - given that they are all celluloid images on film - or computer-generated images, any defense at all is probably too much for them. Not really "yabba dabba doo", more like "yabba dabba don't", I would think.

not sure of your confusion, that is a dead set pic of deluis yuk yuk yuk

 

[Woodsie]

Confess I have been underwhelmed by Bullimore so far .. but haven't written him off .. he has the physical attributes to make a difference .. just needs to show some grunt and put on his mean face .

 

[WiseyEagle]

2 hours to go

 

[WiseyEagle]

Ok - just under 4 hours to go till the team announcement.

Against my better judgement, this is who I think may be listed today - and why:

Backs
Turbo - automatic selection - hope he is 100%.
Garrick - automatic selection as left winger.
Harper - opportunity for redemption due to lots of injuries, but will play left side rather than right this time to see how he goes, and to pair him with Garrick who has been steady in defence. Should be counting his blessings that something may have gone his way this week, even if it is injuries to team mates that may give him another starting spot.
Koula - starting to establish himself at right centre, getting familiar with the position, don't complicate him by changing his spot.Watch where you put your head in tackles!
Tuipulotu - takes Saab's spot for the next 4 weeks at right wing; we should see a continuation of good strong carries out of his corner if they kick to him. Really liking how he is kicking on.
Foran - getting better every game this year - amazing application from him. Winning mentality.
Cherry-Evans - tried his heart out to successfully game-manage us to a win last week. Nearly came off. Class performance overall.

There are definitely attacking points in that lot.

My concerns: Harper gets stage fright again, stuffing up our left edge defense this time; or our right edge has issues due to inexperience. A lack of first grade experience is why I haven't listed Weekes (or Burbo as a starting centre); with a lack of pace / slow play the ball as a reason why I have not listed Tafua.

Forwards
Keppie - adds defensive starch in the middle third, good for the arm wrestle parts of the game. I hope he 'plays smart', and plays to his strengths.
Croaker - best option we have in this role. Adds a lot of defensive cohesion /football smarts in the middle third. Unfortunately - may have to play 80 minutes this week.
Sipley - size, hard straight runs, intimidation straight up. Glad to have him in the side.
Olakau'atu - straight back in at right side second row, should be fresh and ready to rip in.
Schuster - adds so much on the left side, works so well with Foran, hopefully can work well with Harper - maybe add something to the latter's game.
Jurbo - lock him in, Eddie. You'll know we are going well if he gets a spell from an interchange player. I'm hoping that happens at some point.

Interchange
Walker - doing his roving middle third role, was very good last week. Glad he seems to have overcome his leg injury.
Burbo - gets more confidence with each first grade outing, our 2nd row / centre insurance (and we always seem to need that these days!). Would love to see a 'starring' cameo from him sooner than later. (Running off a Schuster pass for a spectacular try?).
Bullemor - can interchange for both prop and second row if needed; hopefully gets more minutes than last week to get more value from him. We need more value from his position, I think he has it in him to deliver it.
Tapau/ De Luis/ Tuitavake - who wants it the most? Who puts up their hand to make a difference? If I were Des, I would say to Marty, "you have a massive amount more first grade / big game experience than anyone else being considered for your spot - yet here we are." Run hard, tackle hard, good line speed, good completion rate...... it's not rocket science needed from big forwards...!! How about 40 minutes of honest effort, maybe 10 to 15 carries, 150 metres, about 25 tackles with no misses..... (or silly passes)! Own the middle third from the 20th minute to the 60th minute - a crucial time.


The potential for confusion in our back and who gets the final bench spot are the only real concerns for me - as long as Turbo has recovered. If Davey was fully fit, he might be under consideration - would be good if he was. Aloiai should be back the following week, and selection should get easier again.

Here's hoping for a big win (our for and against needs it), and no injuries this week!

Fax this off to Hasler straight away, you still have to 2 hours to convince him!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Confess I have been underwhelmed by Bullimore so far .. but haven't written him off .. he has the physical attributes to make a difference .. just needs to show some grunt and put on his mean face .

Play him in his position and with decent minutes and then review again.

He’s young so has a bit to learn but he’s talented.

 

[Woodsie]

Play him in his position and with decent minutes and then review again.

He’s young so has a bit to learn but he’s talented.

That may be the big question .. what is his position?

 

[Mitch]

Looks like a few troops will be back this afternoon. Should see Turbo and Aloiai in the squad.

 

[double hoops]

Think I'd prefer to see Turbo miss this one out. Garrick too.

 

[mickqld]

Think I'd prefer to see Turbo miss this one out. Garrick too.

I agree, rest all the injured players and let the reserves prove their worth. Turbo, Walker, Garrick, Aloiai, Davey. Surely we can beat the tigpies at home without them. Give Harper, Jorge, De Luis, Burbo a go. Then we go full speed into magic round and then Parra and Storm after with a near full strength squad.

 

[Koko22]

Hope we don't rush Turbo back early because of the injuries.

 

[Sheikheagle]

My only changes would be, Tuitavake for Bullymore and Barney for Kapop.

Haha I like kapop very apt.

 

[WiseyEagle]

I bet Jorge is smashing a chair or garbage bin lid against a wall at the moment in anticipation of getting a call up to 1st's this weekend. Go Jorge!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

We are paying Turbo approx $50,000 per game - and people want to rest him when he's fit?
Ah No, I don't think so!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

That may be the big question .. what is his position?

Middle forward

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

5 minutes until TLT

Be of the more interesting announcements this year.

 

[HoldenV8]

Before the team comes out in 3 minutes, this is my tip


FB - Tom Trbojevic
WG - Reuben Garrick
CE - Tolutau Koula
CE - Morgan Harper
WG - Christian Tuipolotu
FE - Kieran Foran
HB - Daly Cherry-Evans
PR - Toafofoa Sipley
HK - Lachlan Croker
PR - Martin Taupau
SR - Haumole Olakau'atu
SR - Josh Schuster
LK - Jake Trbojevic

BE - Dylan Walker, Ben Trbojevic, Ethan Bullemor, Sean Keppie.

Turbo and Guac to return. Saab and Parker out injured giving Harper a reprieve. Des will probably name Keppie to start, but I think Sips will on the day.

 

[Mitch]

Big outs for Tigers with Naufoluma and Leilua out.

 

[HoldenV8]

Damn, missed it by that much......

NRL Team Sheet: Round 9 v Wests Tigers

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Coach Des Hasler has named his squad to take on the Wests Tigers at 3pm this Saturday at 4 Pines Park

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Mitch]

NRL Team Sheet: Round 9 v Wests Tigers

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Coach Des Hasler has named his squad to take on the Wests Tigers at 3pm this Saturday at 4 Pines Park

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[StuBoot]

Burbo at 3
Alioai and Sipley on the bench