2025 recruitment & retention

frank stokes said:
I really think it is as simple as DCE gets paid the most so he gets criticised the most @Bearfax …
Personally I have always rated Chez and reckon we would have at least 1 wooden spoon in the cabinet if we had not had him for the last decade… but I get that people look to him to be the difference maker and any mistakes at critical (and often not-so-critical) times are amplified (particularly to fans that think his contract was/is a mistake)…
Thought he had a massive game on Friday too and generally agree with most of your other points - although I would argue that Friday was imo a vast improvement at centre by Reuben…
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Agreed Frank. And yes Garrick had a top game at centre on Friday night. Made me think twice about whether he should stay there. However, with Turbo and Koula coming back, I think Manly has to fit its best players in somewhere. Koula does a great job at fullback (Hopoate complicates this somewhat because his form is going to have to demand consideration). I think Turbo needs to shift to centre. Will reduce his running and likelihood of further hamstring issues. For now though I'd use Hopoate at fullback, Koula at centre with Talau and Garrick back to the wing (sorry Vaega, despite your match saving efforts on Friday). I think Talua at centre and Garrick on the wing offers more than the reverse, though both options are effective.

Issue is can Manly sustain the commitment. Friday was excellent. A few bad mistakes but overall 8/10. Almost the same team has been offering 6/10 performances. Defense and consistency remain the primary issues. Fix those and Manly will be a top 8 side and maybe even a top 4. Next game against Penrith will show their mettle.
 
Terry Zarsoff said:
Maybe Wakeham was in front of him because he was a Blacktown signing and a relatively experienced first grade player.

Aside from Wakeham’s recent issues, it sounds like there is much more upside to Humphreys.
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Potentially, he is halfback this week so chance to push his claims.

I dont want to come across the wrong way here, I like him and would live him to kick on.

Just think it is wildly premature for those that have him starting halfback 2024.
 
Bearfax said:
He's only 19 and has a bit of beef to put on. But he is 1.9 metres tall (well over 6 feet) and much taller than Koula, a little taller than Garrick and not much shorter than Turbo. And what we saw of him last weekend, showed he can take big hits. Add a few Kilos which happens as one ages and he's easily big enough for back line play
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Yep, just had a quick google.
Dylan Edwards 183cm and 94kgs ( and that's after eight years of First Grade )
 
jbb/james said:
Whenever discussing dce i see 2 main differences

Footy form obviously

And the most relevant discussions on ST

Many critiques of DCE are in response to overly zealous comment s on how he is the greatest and can do no wrong or accountability is not for him

Many conversations start out with some trying to prove DCE is worth it, others responding to huge assumptions after he just met expectations as a million dollar half with more experience than anyone, almost ever

DCE can do SFA for weeks , sets up 2 tries and he is the messiah from the woodwork . Then people mention he is actually a part time messiah at best due to the previous 3 weeks and it goes down hill, we are all haters and need a head scan

Then he is the qld messiah so thats supposed to make manly fans feel better

His first 4 years at manly we had a 71% winning, since then 46 % in games he has played in
He was recruited as the main man, given the 7 and captaincy without disruption . Its his team and only tommy is keeping his recent winning numbers anywhere near acceptable

Sure different teams, different players but yikes. He isnt going to win us a title this year or next so many who predicted this many moons ago , would have just tried a different approach

Not that he isnt a good footy player, just isnt going to deliver manly much more than 12 th on a regular basis. If he was a coach in charge he would have been cut so many times. His coaches were

I also think brooks isnt getting recognition enough on ST due to the dce fans. Admitting brooks is going better is a tough pill for some
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So, seeing as this is a recruitment and retention thread, do you think that 46% winning record would be better if we had say Gutho/Turbo at 1 regularly and say Api at 9?
Not to mention a regular more than serviceable 6.

Plonking it all on DCE is somewhat cynical in my opinion.
 
StuBoot said:
So, seeing as this is a recruitment and retention thread, do you think that 46% winning record would be better if we had say Gutho/Turbo at 1 regularly and say Api at 9?
Not to mention a regular more than serviceable 6.

Plonking it all on DCE is somewhat cynical in my opinion.
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I think in that time we have had turbo, foran blake green, api, afb and marty when marty wasnt doing stats only, api and manase together. Joel thompson, shaun lane, hastings went well. We have put so many different systems and players around him while he has been the main man only to get the same style, and lack of composure. And now brooks who seems to be doing pretty good, hardly unserviceable

Its never one persons fault team sport, but we have been chasing a role that he should try to play, at least try

Its not all his fault but results say he is not what we need to climb the ladder . Some people are happy avoiding the spoon and if thats our goal he is fit for purpose, but consistent top 8 ……i think not

Ultimately he is 35 , 36 and we are still waiting for him to grow into that role. So pretty much banking on potential rather than results still

Lui is leaving penrith because you cant offer a million plus dollars to 2 halves. DCE needs another million dollar man. Its NRL not fantasy League
 
Bearfax said:
Agreed Frank. And yes Garrick had a top game at centre on Friday night. Made me think twice about whether he should stay there. However, with Turbo and Koula coming back, I think Manly has to fit its best players in somewhere. Koula does a great job at fullback (Hopoate complicates this somewhat because his form is going to have to demand consideration). I think Turbo needs to shift to centre. Will reduce his running and likelihood of further hamstring issues. For now though I'd use Hopoate at fullback, Koula at centre with Talau and Garrick back to the wing (sorry Vaega, despite your match saving efforts on Friday). I think Talua at centre and Garrick on the wing offers more than the reverse, though both options are effective.

Issue is can Manly sustain the commitment. Friday was excellent. A few bad mistakes but overall 8/10. Almost the same team has been offering 6/10 performances. Defense and consistency remain the primary issues. Fix those and Manly will be a top 8 side and maybe even a top 4. Next game against Penrith will show their mettle.
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When was the last time we had a full compliment of our backline to pick from. We've had injuries to Koula, Saab, 2 stints and Tom now on his long obligatory one. Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.
 
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