A note to Des Hasler and the management team

[Mark from Brisbane]

Many of us here have been die hard Manly fans for a long, long time. In my case 50 years.

We've been through enormous highs and naturally the lowest of lows. Thankfully the latter has never lasted and we've recovered as champion clubs do.

Des you of course know this as well as anyone given your esteemed playing and coaching career at the club.

I realise it's only round 4, and we've played 3 of the elite top 4 teams. Of course we've also played these games without a fullback and a hooker, arguably now the two most important positions on the field. On top of that back we've suffered back row injuries to Siro, Davey and Olakau'atu leaving us threadbare. Any team would suffer up against all of that.

However it's not about the fact we've lost these games, fans are ok with gutsy losses. It's the WAY we've lost them, and the blowout scores with defence that is completely unacceptable for a Manly first grade team. A team that looks mentally shot after 20 minutes.

Moving forward there's just TWO things we'd like to see:

1. The best 17 players selected who are the ones to build our future (even if that means trying hard but losing)
2. A coach who's not afraid to drop players who are either out of form, out of position, or simply not contributing

To that end, this is the team I'd like to see picked tomorrow afternoon, and why:

1. Tom T - we shouldn't be afraid to rotate him with Funa
2. Funa - hasn't let us down before, can cover FB too
3. Harper - impressive back end of last year, deserves his chance, and also FB cover
4. Walker - pressure off from FB
5. Tuipulotu - we need size and speed on the wing
6. Schuster - Joey Johns said on Thu night Josh MUST be the ball player (and not making 35 tackles)
7. DCE - needs all the help he can get and Schuster is the future
8. Aloiai - the best prop to date, must start
9. Cust - every man and his dog knows Cade is by far the best option who must play at least 60-65 mins
10. Taupau - needs a hard as nails partner like Josh A
11. Sipley - we desperately need size on the edge
12. Saddler - happy to swap with another Blacktown name if there is a better option (until Siro back obv)
13. Jake T - should he be the capt and let DCE get back to his best?

14. Foran - should only be used EXACTLY like Benji for 15-20 mins only (unless injury)
15. Paseka - sheer size and impact off bench
16. Keppie - ditto Paseka
17. Gosiewski or Ben Turbo or Suli (as edge forwards who can also cover centre)

DROPPED:
Parker - ball handling and defence must be practised at Blacktown
Suli - unless he can play 2nd row like a Joey Leilua
Saab - great kid but clearly not ready for first grade yet
Croker - had chances but unfortunately not a first grade player
Boyle - same as Croker

As said, losing with heart and guts is totally fine. But capitulating is not ok.

Please, let's do this now before it's too late and we are 8 losses down.

Nice post , well written and hard to disagree.

 

[Johnno74]

I think bring back the Biff was only making a point,I agree no haters we all are entitled to an opinion all relevant

 

[BOZO]

Crikey Mave isn't the whole idea of a Fan Forum to express opinions?

That's all I'm doing, so I'd rather constructive responses rather than the 'opinions are like arseholes' comment.

As it happens, moments after I uploaded my original post, James Hooper on NRL360 said:

1. Cust MUST be the no.9
2. Schuster MUST be the no. 6

I'll leave it at that!

I like the Cust at 9 and schuster at 6 but I do not like Funa any where near our backline

 

[bob dylan]

Buy a ****ing hooker.

Cam Smith, Robbie Farrah or George Piggins I dont care.

I dont get what happened with Danny Levy, I never liked him, but Des picked him for all 20 games last year, then all of a sudden we replace him with no one????

He was good enough in the coaches eyes to play every match then he got punted.

 

[BOZO]

Buy a ****ing hooker.

Cam Smith, Robbie Farrah or George Piggins I dont care.

I dont get what happened with Danny Levy, I never liked him, but Des picked him for all 20 games last year, then all of a sudden we replace him with no one????

He was good enough in the coaches eyes to play every match then he got punted.

Were you not impressed with Cust last week ?

 

[Waz13]

Buy a ****ing hooker.

Cam Smith, Robbie Farrah or George Piggins I dont care.

I dont get what happened with Danny Levy, I never liked him, but Des picked him for all 20 games last year, then all of a sudden we replace him with no one????

He was good enough in the coaches eyes to play every match then he got punted.

Levi is playing Qld cup for North’s Devils along with a bunch of other ex NRL 9s

 

[Waz13]

Were you not impressed with Cust last week ?

I’m really keen to see Cade start this week. I liked what I saw in the All star game from him and have struggled to understand why he’s not had more time at 9. Only worry is he prob doesn’t have 80 in him. Maybe put Foz to 9 for a bit to spell him and Schu to 6. He’ll be named 9 tomorrow I should think......

 

[BOZO]

I’m really keen to see Cade start this week. I liked what I saw in the All star game from him and have struggled to understand why he’s not had more time at 9. Only worry is he prob doesn’t have 80 in him. Maybe put Foz to 9 for a bit to spell him and Schu to 6. He’ll be named 9 tomorrow I should think......

I think Foz has been good for us at 5/8
I would have Schuster at lock and move Jake to prop and also use Jake at hooker to give Cust a spell

What do you think ?

 

[Waz13]

I think Foz has been good for us at 5/8
I would have Schuster at lock and move Jake to prop and also use Jake at hooker to give Cust a spell

What do you think ?

Honestly Bozo I just want to see sone changes tomorrow. I like what’s suggested tho. Tbh I like a lot of the teams and combos people put out there as alternatives. My teams mostly look the same. But as we know we ain’t the ones picking the team. Let’s hope Des makes sone changes tomorrow. At the very least Walker to Centre and Cust to start at 9. Right now I’d take that from Des.

 

[BOZO]

Harper
Saab
Walker
Suli
Garrick

Foz
DCE

Jake
Cust
Kappow
Aloiai
Olakuataia
Schuster

Paseka
Keppie
Jetsie / utility
Sipley

Players still injured , Tom , Siro, Jorge , Tippitoes

 

[BOZO]

Honestly Bozo I just want to see sone changes tomorrow. I like what’s suggested tho. Tbh I like a lot of the teams and combos people put out there as alternatives. My teams mostly look the same. But as we know we ain’t the ones picking the team. Let’s hope Des makes sone changes tomorrow. At the very least Walker to Centre and Cust to start at 9. Right now I’d take that from Des.

Des needs to change some things for sure because what he has been doing for the past 12 club record thrashing is not working

Any one looks really really dumb doing the same thing over again and again and failing again and again

What happened to Des the innovation man ?
This Des has come to a Dead end