A quality hooker

[Disco]

This thread is not designed to bash Croker nor is it to lay the blame of the recent results at his feet.

He was a makeshift hooker made fulltime and he has shown progression and has been a solid contributor.

But a classy hooker really would unlock so much more from this team.

If Manase returns and his shoulder is up to it then great but if not we have to go to market (Unless Gordie bursts through)

IMO we cannot go into 2023 with such limited potential in this key position

 

[maxta]

It's becoming too obvious
I like a goer - that is Croker...but his distribution tonight and last week was lucky to be NSW cup level
The 2nd biggest problem to the defence allowing the attack to play the ball so fast there is zero chance to compete

 

[Eagle 1]

After another crushing defeat, I actually thought Crocker played really well tonight.

 

[maxta]

After another crushing defeat, I actually thought Crocker played really well tonight.

Tried hard I agree
But played well- can't picture how ?

 

[Waz13]

After another crushing defeat, I actually thought Crocker played really well tonight.

He does a lot of things well. His service and Jakes slow distribution off it is really pedestrian

 

[malroon]

Forwards owned, but we'll blame the hooker..

 

[Eagle 1]

Tried hard I agree
But played well- can't picture how ?

Had two good runs and a nice kick from memory, something he hasn't done for a while.

 

[maxta]

Had two good runs and a nice kick from memory, something he hasn't done for a while.

Definitely liked him scooting and made an impression those moments catching both the defence and myself of guard
My problem with Croker tonight- every time from dummy half rather than heads up play (minus the 2 runs) - he picks the ball up from the play ball and just loops a pass so slowly the defence is swallowing the runner.... just wish he gave quick service to put the runner on the front foot creating momentum - without being rude he stifled the attack

 

[Disco]

Forwards owned, but we'll blame the hooker..

I mean I start the thread at pains to point out that Im not blaming the hooker but I do think the ability to engage the markers and crisp clean service will help the team immensly against the competing top 4 teams.

 

[Eagle 1]

Definitely liked him scooting and made an impression those moments catching both the defence and myself of guard
My problem with Croker tonight- every time from dummy half rather than heads up play (minus the 2 runs) - he picks the ball up from the play ball and just loops a pass so slowly the defence is swallowing the runner.... just wish he gave quick service to put the runner on the front foot creating momentum - without being rude he stifled the attack

True, his passing game lets him down somewhat in the big moments of the game. As a Manase fill in it's all we got !!

 

[maxta]

True, his passing game lets him down somewhat in the big moments of the game. As a Manase fill in it's all we got !!

Yeh mate - seems that way....
If anything that young 9 Tong looked way crisper in the trial, but up against the big boys early is a big ask and can kill off a career....unfortunately for myself as a Manly bloke watching from the lounge in hope, see far more upside and possibilities with the young bloke and would give him a chop, initially off the bench, but unlikely and as you say we are VERY limited in this position

 

[malroon]

we have a hooker, his name is Walker, but he is planted on the bench..

 

[Eagle 1]

Yeh mate - seems that way....
If anything that young 9 Tong looked way crisper in the trial, but up against the big boys early is a big ask and can kill off a career....unfortunately for myself as a Manly bloke watching from the lounge in hope, see far more upside and possibilities with the young bloke and would give him a chop, initially off the bench, but unlikely and as you say we are VERY limited in this position

True, Tong looks like a great prospect for us, maybe just drip feed him into certain games, give him a taste first.

 

[Eagle 1]

we have a hooker, his name is Walker, but he is planted on the bench..

not sure Walker could cope with the amount of tackling that he would have to do, he tends to go down a lot with injury as well, it's a NO from me malroon..

 

[maxta]

True, Tong looks like a great prospect for us, maybe just drip feed him into certain games, give him a taste first.

About that - The pressure to make him a saviour is pushing it....but seems a real well measured kid who just "has that ability " as a natural footy player who knows his surrounds....heads up and has great service....defence seems solid too
I admire Croker who has a full dig, but in such a vital position in the modern game, will continue to struggle against the best opposition with him at 9...

 

[sheridanstand78]

This remains the elephant in the room. Croker does an adequate job and is brave in defence. He is limited when it comes to distribution, kicking and rarely runs the football apart from a couple of efforts tonight.

We need a 9 who organises our ruck, ensures that we get over the advantage line and gives our halves and fullback a chance to have some time to create things.

We are being found out especially against the top teams who have a crispness that we sorely lack.

I understand that the club is showing loyalty to Fainu in view of his situation and also that he has some rather talented younger brothers who we need to retain.

We need an answer about his availability and by July we should know. Once we do not we need to move quickly to either get Fainu match fit and ready if we are in contention for the finals. The glaring thing is that by then its nearly 3 years since he played and anyone who thinks he will come in and produce the goods straight away is deluded. The alternative is that if he fails to get off the charges against him we need to do the right thing by the team and target a quality 9.

Our team is crying out for someone to organise and control the ruck. The evidence of the first two games tells you how shorthanded we are in this area.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

It's becoming too obvious
I like a goer - that is Croker...but his distribution tonight and last week was lucky to be NSW cup level
The 2nd biggest problem to the defence allowing the attack to play the ball so fast there is zero chance to compete

Yeah I agree

He took that one sharp run early in the game and
1. our players looked shocked
2. our players looked lively for a brief moment after that

 

[Remy]

If Manase situation doesn't get solved, we should go for Jayden Berrell. QLD cup player of the year last year, behind blayke brailey at the sharks at the moment, only signed for this year, 26 year old so got some maturity and has a strong running game and craftiness at dummy half. I reckon having him as a specialized hooker for a year or two whilst Gordon gets ready, will work out.

 

[Kalvin]

Crocker caught our whole team off guard last night with his 2 runs from dummy half... had he have had any support up the middle we were a good chance of scoring!

Not sure if Tommy is carrying a niggle or just off guard/off game atm

 

[Shoe1]

If Manase situation doesn't get solved, we should go for Jayden Berrell. QLD cup player of the year last year, behind blayke brailey at the sharks at the moment, only signed for this year, 26 year old so got some maturity and has a strong running game and craftiness at dummy half. I reckon having him as a specialized hooker for a year or two whilst Gordon gets ready, will work out.

I think waiting 2 years is not the way. Let’s blood our good young players. Plenty of teams have 19 and 20 year olds doing well. Now is the time, and can be out there with experienced players, before they get dropped or fired.