AFB 2017 Impact

[maxta]

AFB had a great start to his career in a Manly pack that was impacted by injury in 2016.
Off the bench he often lifted a side being bullied and outmuscled along with Vave.
He could prove absolute key in 2017 after having a taste of NRL and already touted as a rep player after only a handful of games.
If this pack stays healthy, I really think they will surprise many of these experts writing Manly off as wooden spooners.
AFB can power through the line and often showed he could supply 2nd phase play through offload....an area Manly need to improve and it was no coincidence once Kapow and AFB started popping unloads in traffic the Manly attack rolled forward.
This monster youngster has aggression, size and loves collision....this 2017 pack is potentially far more potent imo and really looking forward to an attitude to see Manly win back the tag of an Intimidating, tough pack unlike the familiar powder puff performances of 2016.
AFB could well be the player to lead the physical revival with Kapow, Big Meehan, Darcy & Jake also providing the steel.

 

[Loobs]

He was a **** up and has talked about righting those wrongs so hopefully he continues down that path. The fact he's done what he did will always put an asterisk next to his name as you can never escape your past but recognising that and wanting to be a better person and actually doing something about it is probably he best one can hope for from that situation. If he follows through he's also a good example to others like Jamil and shows you don't have to be defined forever by your mistakes. Hey are part of you yes but it's not the end of your story.

Personal stuff aside I hope the experience with the NZ train in squad pushes him along too.

 

[Holmsey]

He was a **** up and has talked about righting those wrongs so hopefully he continues down that path. The fact he's done what he did will always put an asterisk next to his name as you can never escape your past but recognising that and wanting to be a better person and actually doing something about it is probably he best one can hope for from that situation. If he follows through he's also a good example to others like Jamil and shows you don't have to be defined forever by your mistakes. Hey are part of you yes but it's not the end of your story.

Personal stuff aside I hope the experience with the NZ train in squad pushes him along too.

Loving the negativity at the club at the moment.

 

[Loobs]

Loving the negativity at the club at the moment.

When you are a bit older you might actually understand what I was saying.

 

[Woodsie]

What I liked is in the interview he gave at the end of the season he identified the key areas he needs to improve in. Fitness and consistency, and also named Myles as a major influence in pushing him.

A good off season may just be the making of him. If he reaches 75% of his potential he will be awesome.

PS (yes, I am aware that I have given the Myles haters a golden opportunity to bag him, but given they don't have much else to add I thought I would throw them a bone)

 

[Holmsey]

When you are a bit older you might actually understand what I was saying.

I know negativity when I see it. Just keep bringing addins past up you think that's a good thing to do. Why can't you just look at the person he is now.

 

[Loobs]

I know negativity when I see it. Just keep bringing addins past up you think that's a good thing to do. Why can't you just look at the person he is now.

Yes that is how the world works. Silly me for thinking otherwise.

You have a lot to learn kiddo.

 

[Loobs]

What I liked is in the interview he gave at the end of the season he identified the key areas he needs to improve in. Fitness and consistency, and also named Myles as a major influence in pushing him.

A good off season may just be the making of him. If he reaches 75% of his potential he will be awesome.

PS (yes, I am aware that I have given the Myles haters a golden opportunity to bag him, but given they don't have much else to add I thought I would throw them a bone)

I think having some important Kiwi internationals with him every day will help too. Seeing Tapau and what he does at training, effort and intensity etc. shows him what is needed to get to the next level.

 

[1969]

Yes it's amazing how close to $10k per game can change you thinking, you can't get that sort of coin laying bricks. I know a few guys who have spent time in the big house, and they have turned themselves around, they ain't going back, and they are on about $1200 per week. When you have a choice of a nice house at Dee Why, or be someone's bitch in a 10 x 6 cell, you can change your mindset. Keep him away from the sauce, and he could be a rep player. What a great inspiration he could be doing community work, and helping others with their life choices.

I wish him well.

 

[Bearfax]

I am a bit older...66...and what I've learned is you cant pigeon hole people or consider them templated by early behaviour. Its often quite unpredictable.

Some start out as louts and trouble makers, find their niche or supportive group and turn into responsible well regarded people. Some start out as louts and continue that way for the rest of their life. Some start off as near saints, or look to be living that way and turn into monsters. Some are just nice people all their lives.

And almost all are not good or bad in all aspects of their life. Some can be ruthless criminals and yet loving fathers and husband. Some can be well respected and sociable people loved by members of the community for their work and generosity, and monsters to their wives and children. Most of us have some skeletons in our cupboard we keep well hidden and feel shame over.

Predicting what a person will be like is always a lottery ticket.

 

[Go manly]

When you are a bit older you might actually understand what I was saying.

Hey loons
I got an idea
Next time start with
Knock knock.....

 

[Deleted member 26876]

AFB had a great start to his career in a Manly pack that was impacted by injury in 2016.
Off the bench he often lifted a side being bullied and outmuscled along with Vave.
He could prove absolute key in 2017 after having a taste of NRL and already touted as a rep player after only a handful of games.
If this pack stays healthy, I really think they will surprise many of these experts writing Manly off as wooden spooners.
AFB can power through the line and often showed he could supply 2nd phase play through offload....an area Manly need to improve and it was no coincidence once Kapow and AFB started popping unloads in traffic the Manly attack rolled forward.
This monster youngster has aggression, size and loves collision....this 2017 pack is potentially far more potent imo and really looking forward to an attitude to see Manly win back the tag of an Intimidating, tough pack unlike the familiar powder puff performances of 2016.
AFB could well be the player to lead the physical revival with Kapow, Big Meehan, Darcy & Jake also providing the steel.

If you go to totalfootystats.com you can find the average metres per game (per player) and most of our forwards dominated most other sides ones making around 110m a game each while other sides stood at around 85m a game on average. You'll find that Lussick, Trbojevic and Tapau are the core of the pack.

 

[Fluffy]

AFB will be much better with an off season to target his weaknesses (fitness) and i expect him to play a good 40 minutes per game.

Meehan, if cleared will probably be a bit like AFB this year off the bench.

 

[maxta]

Its not just about metres....AFB brings an intimidating factor and in 2017, expect this to increase....as stated by AFB himself - needs more fitness = more quality hit ups = with Kapow the most metres per hit up after contact.
As for Jake - will be the core of this pack for a decade plus....but need certain X factor forwards like this bloke to compliment him.

 

[double hoops]

If you go to totalfootystats.com you can find the average metres per game (per player) and most of our forwards dominated most other sides ones making around 110m a game each while other sides stood at around 85m a game on average. You'll find that Lussick, Trbojevic and Tapau are the core of the pack.

Lussick dominated sure. The other two will have over inflated stats because they played longer minutes if not a full 80 mins as compared to Darcys 40 or 50.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Lussick dominated sure. The other two will have over inflated stats because they played longer minutes if not a full 80 mins as compared to Darcys 40 or 50.

Darcy makes more impact, although the stats combined with those for the hit ups show me enough that they are all as good as eachover.

 

[Loobs]

Lussick dominated sure. The other two will have over inflated stats because they played longer minutes if not a full 80 mins as compared to Darcys 40 or 50.

I'd say someone getting the metres from the opening whistle is better too as they are getting it against fresh starting quality forwards as opposed to either tired or bench quality. When Darcy turned it on post his mothers passing, he was up with the best props in the game. He channelled his grief into dominance.

 

[Fluffy]

Lussick dominated sure. The other two will have over inflated stats because they played longer minutes if not a full 80 mins as compared to Darcys 40 or 50.

Depends which stat you look at - Lussick would have inflated stats for metres per hitup as he had a lot more rest time so would have been fresher than the others who played long minutes.

It also depends on what the coach asked them to do - did he want Lussick to go hard early and Taupau to save himself for later in the game when the opposition are more tired?

and that is purely hitups - defense is what wins matches and that is a team effort. Were Lussicks failed attempts at the big hit worth it? Personally I think so as it scares the opposition and very few left big gaping holes. I would like him to work on improving this to a better than 50% strike rate though like Matai did.

Either way you look at it Jake, Taupau and lussicks 2nd half of the year were good and with AFB coming along that is a pretty good framework of a pack to build around and Lussick is the old man at 26.

 

[maxta]

Depends which stat you look at - Lussick would have inflated stats for metres per hitup as he had a lot more rest time so would have been fresher than the others who played long minutes.

It also depends on what the coach asked them to do - did he want Lussick to go hard early and Taupau to save himself for later in the game when the opposition are more tired?

and that is purely hitups - defense is what wins matches and that is a team effort. Were Lussicks failed attempts at the big hit worth it? Personally I think so as it scares the opposition and very few left big gaping holes. I would like him to work on improving this to a better than 50% strike rate though like Matai did.

Either way you look at it Jake, Taupau and lussicks 2nd half of the year were good and with AFB coming along that is a pretty good framework of a pack to build around and Lussick is the old man at 26.

Very accurate call.... From start to finish....personally think Darcy went great, as the stats say.....others were solid also .....especially Kapow as 2016 rolled on.
Just feel both AFB in particular and Meehan could well change where Manly finish this season....only time will tell....

 

[winnyason]

I believe he will start and rotate with Meehan. If he is consistent he could be anything