Matty Ballin

[Snake]

Fair enough if Barrett wants Api to be the new 80 minute hooker, but surely you can do worse than Ballin for a replacement? Why did we sign Purcell if we have one of the toughest and most respected players running around in NSW Cup?

I remember the Dragons had Fein as no.1 hooker at the club in 2010, and he broke his ankle in the first round...luckily, Luke Priddis was in reserves and stepped up to help them win the minor premiership before Fein's eventual return a few weeks out from the finals. I don't know why we be hell bent on cutting this guy?!

 

[HappilyManly]

Maybe Barrett wants to be the prettiest one at Manly

Matty is still the reigning Sexiest Man in League, as they stopped the competition after he won

 

[tookey]

I would have thought that ballin has earned the right to at least be spoken to by the new coach to discuss his future plans rather than be told by the "recruitment committee" whoever they are that he is no longer wanted.

Ballin deserves some respect from the club

 

[Peter C]

Matty is taking it to the RLPA as he signed, was registered and the machinations of the Board are not his problem

Manly can pay him out as he already said that NSW Cup is fine by him. If someone looked at his work /study/family schedule, they would not be able to fit it all into 24 hours

Pathetic media assault now directed towards Matty.
Next we will get the Arko story on how a player gets complacent after 5 years at a Club - like the one he so patronizingly issued about 2v a few weeks ago

Indeed, he has a contract for another two years, whether he plays NRL or NSW Cup is irrelevant, Manly still has to pay him, unless he get's a much higher offer from the English Super League, as I can't see what other NRL club he could go to.

 

[Lyonstomenzies]

Reminds me of what happened with Kevin Kingston and the clean out at the Panthers.

http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/le...per-told-to-find-new-club-20130520-2jwd0.html

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Indeed, he has a contract for another two years, whether he plays NRL or NSW Cup is irrelevant, Manly still has to pay him, unless he get's a much higher offer from the English Super League, as I can't see what other NRL club he could go to.

Matty may have only one season left in his contract . according to a article in the SMH it states that he has to play a certain amount of games
Can't believe they are treating Matt like this after the G Stewart drama
One thing for certain if they do put him Nsw cup next season he will be pushing all the way to get back in 1st Grade
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...the-club-to-stick-by-him-20150805-gis4bq.html

 

[HappilyManly]

Sterlo Show had Cam Smith lauding Matty.

Singing his work ethics and questioning his potential release, the fact that Matty deputized for him at SOO, that he is a great person

This week we had a guy ride a dirt bike on the Teahupoo Waves, and now this - week of wonders

 

[Jerry1]

You sign a 2 year deal - If they don't want you hell they just have to pay you..
Tuff **** penny boy.. Same as wolfie.. Suck it up & take the coin you are owed..
Stuff em...

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Very few Manly legends down through the decades get to leave on their own terms. He has a contract, which is great, and if he wants to stay and fight for his position I wish him all the best. He is a person capable of changing others' minds, so I wouldn't put it past him to persuade Barrett. Meanwhile its only a plus to have him around the joint, he won't be white-anting anyone.

 

[JenEagle]

I feel terrible about this. It is non manly like to treat one of our greatest players like this. He has signed a contract. End of story.

 

[Top End Eagle]

He didn't play well at the start of the year. He played the way he always has and defended like a maniac like always. But that's no longer enough from a dummy half now days. Luke Friend Granville Smith. They're not dummy halfs like ten years ago. The game has changed.

That's not MB's fault. He has been outstanding for us. And in the past month has played beautifully 3/4 games. He deserves better.

He is quite possibly the best human in the game. A workaholic fitness fanatic. Son of a school teacher/principal from rural Queensland. A gentleman and and a family man. An origin player and a dual premiership winner. He deserves more than we are giving him more than this treatment.

But the game has changed. It's for massive explosive Polynesians now. And blokes like Gary Larson, Brad Clyde, Dallas Johnston, Billy Moore, Matt Ballin are overlooked because the game has gone to **** and they want to make it easier for all the blokes with the superstar ability to succeed at the expense of the blokes with heart.

Used to be you needed both.

I'm out.

Get in the sea NRL.

8 interchanges? FMD! Here comes the head bin for anyone needing a spell.

I'm out out.

 

[JenEagle]

Far out. I can't believe we would let Matty Ballin go to the Rabbitohs. Please no. Haven't we learnt our lesson with gift

 

[Deleted member 24974]

Thought was Matty great tonight

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

That would be ironic wouldn't it? Claiming Toovey had to go in part because he didn't re-sign a ZtH favourite, only to let Ballin leave for the same club.

We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[ManlyMit]

Wouldnt take readingtheplays word as gospel, no different to the lurker or the mole I reckon.

 

[rifraff]

It might have just coincided with the wins-losses.. But Ballin has been a totally different player since his position has been challenged..Really stepping up and showing he wants to stay there.

 

[Top End Eagle]

It might have just coincided with the wins-losses.. But Ballin has been a totally different player since his position has been challenged..Really stepping up and showing he wants to stay there.

Spot on. Hodges helped him out a bit there for a few weeks and then he was really disappointing against the cows but each game since then he has been outstanding and really mixing it up as well.

I think another factor helping him though is our forwards aren't running one out and alone anymore. They are using skill rather than size to get over the advantage line and its a chicken and egg relationship allowing MB to get more space to make more metres on the next play.

 

[eagle66]

I thought MB was superb tonight, his service was great and is starting to get some quick movement around the ruck. Would hate to see if the below happens!


@ReadingThePlay: My mail is Matt Ballin strong chance now to be at Rabbits next yr. #NRL

Always wonder where the stories come from. I am sure this came out of the Burrow when someone suggested that Souths should get Ballin for one season to help the two young hookers. He was howled down by the rest of the forum.

 

[Beaver boy]

Must admit Matty was great in attack last night. Very creative from dummy half and actually got the team going forward.

 

[Simonmyers11]

He has definitely been a lot more vocal out there, really barking at the forwards and directing them where to run, and his delivery to DCE and Foran has been a lot more crisp (obviously coinciding with the forwards go forward meters)