Albert hopoate cleared by specialist

[Will on the hill]

The problem on the weekend was systemic. The whole team was flat bar a couple of standouts. It's tempting to think that some of our junior talent could somehow change the entire team but realistically that is a pipe dream.

Throwing inexperienced kids into high pressure positions like 5/8 or Fullback will do no good for anyone. We need to have patience and blood them when the team is humming along and they are the cherry on top, not when we are struggling and the are expected to be the ones to drag us out of the mud.

Different story if they were killing it in NSW cup but sadly that isn't an option this year.

 

[Dion Johnson]

The problem on the weekend was systemic. The whole team was flat bar a couple of standouts. It's tempting to think that some of our junior talent could somehow change the entire team but realistically that is a pipe dream.

Throwing inexperienced kids into high pressure positions like 5/8 or Fullback will do no good for anyone. We need to have patience and blood them when the team is humming along and they are the cherry on top, not when we are struggling and the are expected to be the ones to drag us out of the mud.

Different story if they were killing it in NSW cup but sadly that isn't an option this year.

Problem is in the 30 man squad we have two fullbacks, Tom is out for an extended duration, Albert is the only other fullback in the squad, deserves his chance and a fair run in the jumps, now is as good as any time.

The game against the Sharks is a great indicator of what happens playing players out of position.

Only way to get experience in any field is to be given a shot, no matter how big the game is.

 

[Will on the hill]

Problem is in the 30 man squad we have two fullbacks, Tom is out for an extended duration, Albert is the only other fullback in the squad, deserves his chance and a fair run in the jumps, now is as good as any time.

The game against the Sharks is a great indicator of what happens playing players out of position.

Only way to get experience in any field is to be given a shot, no matter how big the game is.

Elliot played a lot of games at Fullback last year, of which we won more than our fair share. Don't understand why Des played Garrick there on Sunday. Alberts time will come, but to ask him to play FB as his first game against men, fresh off double knee reconstruction is unfair on him. He may get a run this year but only after a couple more injuries/suspensions.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Elliot played a lot of games at Fullback last year, of which we won more than our fair share. Don't understand why Des played Garrick there on Sunday. Alberts time will come, but to ask him to play FB as his first game against men, fresh off double knee reconstruction is unfair on him. He may get a run this year but only after a couple more injuries/suspensions.

No disrespect to Elliot he just doesn’t have a passing game, those out the back plays make him an easy read for the opposing teams defence. He was safe last year, nothing dynamic from him.

Albert most likely won’t get a game against the Knights, but what sort of message are the coaching staff giving Albert. For me I do not believe Elliot is going to win Manly games, Albert is a match winner.

Albert is off contract come November, would be a very sad day to loose another Manly junior to a rival club, especially one with his skills.

 

[Shoe1]

Plus he has been cleared by a specialist.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Kids a star. Just a matter of when ... and if his knees hold up. Best Hopoate progeny of the lot.
I think he’s a better prospect than Schuster ( and that is no knock on Josh).

Some time during the last off-season (seems a lifetime ago now, somehow) I got to ask Jake who, from our array of up and coming stars, did he think most likely to come through this year. He said Hoppa Jnr.

 

[winnyason]

I hope he plays soon, Garrick a worst fullback I seen for long time - good winger horrible at back

 

[Will on the hill]

No disrespect to Elliot he just doesn’t have a passing game, those out the back plays make him an easy read for the opposing teams defence. He was safe last year, nothing dynamic from him.

Albert most likely won’t get a game against the Knights, but what sort of message are the coaching staff giving Albert. For me I do not believe Elliot is going to win Manly games, Albert is a match winner.

Albert is off contract come November, would be a very sad day to loose another Manly junior to a rival club, especially one with his skills.

Garrick didn't have a passing game either but that wasn't what cost us. It was defensive reads that gave the sharks at least 18 points. Does anyone have a highlights vid of AHoppa's defensive plays?

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

Fellow junior age rep Bradman Best playing 1st grade and no issues there.

Yes will we see him carve us up 1st hand this sundee

 

[The better Robbo]

I've seen a bit of Hoppa and I'm not convinced he is a fullback. To me he would make a great centre or winger. He will probably start his career on the wing anyway with Turbo at the back. Fullback needs a lot of ball skills and from what I've seen of Hoppa he is more of a runner than a passer. We are definitely lacking depth and strike in the outside backs. I really hope Hoppa, Schuster and Metcalfe are ready and firing next year. I'd still be going hard after Saab from Dragons, he is a superstar in the making and wants to move back to Sydney. Add Fainu back in and our side next year looks a he'll if a lot stronger

 

[Dion Johnson]

I've seen a bit of Hoppa and I'm not convinced he is a fullback. To me he would make a great centre or winger. He will probably start his career on the wing anyway with Turbo at the back. Fullback needs a lot of ball skills and from what I've seen of Hoppa he is more of a runner than a passer. We are definitely lacking depth and strike in the outside backs. I really hope Hoppa, Schuster and Metcalfe are ready and firing next year. I'd still be going hard after Saab from Dragons, he is a superstar in the making and wants to move back to Sydney. Add Fainu back in and our side next year looks a he'll if a lot stronger

Agree fullback needs ball skills, one thing for sure from what I have seen of Albert he has a passing game that needs work for sure. I don’t think either option In Garrick and Elliot have ball skills.

Albert has more upside then both Garrick and Elliot. How many clubs are lining up to sign Albert, lack of opportunity will be frustrating for him, 2 years as a contracted player in the top 30, Injuries have hampered him.

Age had no bearing on his signature back then, off contract in 17 weeks.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Again, there are good arguments either way here. Be nice to start him on the wing (if we had that luxury), but maybe a baptism of fire at the back would be the making of him. The Cowboys are using an 18-year-old at fullback now and he's handled it pretty well.

As for his contract situation, there's not much we can do, but if he plays and kills it, maybe even more clubs will be lining up at his door. One thing we know for certain, his dad will encourage him to take the highest offer.

 

[stoodamire]

Some of you guys must be comedians.

Suggesting an 18 year old who has only played against teenagers and barely played a proper football game in 2 years and starting him in a high intensity position in the most elite club competition in Rugby League.

Should put in your resumes for the Warriors job with such astute footy minds.

What does Des know right.

 

[susan]

Some of you guys must be comedians.

Suggesting an 18 year old who has only played against teenagers and barely played a proper football game in 2 years and starting him in a high intensity position in the most elite club competition in Rugby League.

Should put in your resumes for the Warriors job with such astute footy minds.

What does Des know right.

He’s a gun; he will end up at fullback but it will be via centre /wing as you say.And I don’t think it will be long looking at our list of try scoring candidates in a game where points are now coming hand over fist under the new rules.
This is a new game Silvertails.

 

[winnyason]

Some of you guys must be comedians.

Suggesting an 18 year old who has only played against teenagers and barely played a proper football game in 2 years and starting him in a high intensity position in the most elite club competition in Rugby League.

Should put in your resumes for the Warriors job with such astute footy minds.

What does Des know right.

Yeh I mean garrick showed he a superb fullback ...for the sharks

 

[maxta]

I recall Brett Stewart getting a run at close to or maybe a younger age...Ponga also very young...Fidow and Best are both similar age and doing well, I think Hoppa has an abundance of talent and would have no hesitation in giving him a shot....I think Des is very astute, but is renowned for a safe approach and if we win Sunday with basically the same side who lost badly against Sharks, the calls for Hoppa, Schuster to get a run will quieten down and Des will have the result to keep the punters quiet.....but personally, I would love to see 1 if not both get a shot and think they could well step up, Schuster already played a solid NRL trial and showed something we lacked last Sunday apart from Attitude, smart ball skills and attacking options to pick apart the opposition defence.

 

[manly al]

Kids a star. Just a matter of when ... and if his knees hold up. Best Hopoate progeny of the lot.
I think he’s a better prospect than Schuster ( and that is no knock on Josh).

First time that i have seen some extended highlights of him , seems to have an abundance of toe and strength . great prospect . No wonder Manly want to keep him into the future

 

[Scorpio]

Yeh I mean garrick showed he a superb fullback ...for the sharks

Left-field thought.

I can only guess that Des summised that we looked spent in the lead-up to the match, and decided to put Garrick at fullback for experience.

Why? At full strength Elliott would not be in the squad. So what would happen if Tom goes down injured during a match later in the season? Reuben would have to fill in... Not sure who else would do it unless there are squad changes.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

How can it possibly be unfair to a player to give him a shot. I really struggle with this notion of "he's not ready yet". What is the magical litmus test that decides if he is ready? If a player is in the top 30 then they must be good enough for a run in first grade and if they have medical clearance then they should be ready to roll. We are wasting both Schuster and Hoppa IMO.

 

[winnyason]

Left-field thought.

I can only guess that Des summised that we looked spent in the lead-up to the match, and decided to put Garrick at fullback for experience.

Why? At full strength Elliott would not be in the squad. So what would happen if Tom goes down injured during a match later in the season? Reuben would have to fill in... Not sure who else would do it unless there are squad changes.

Garrick a winger and a good one, he a horrible fullback been shown in 2 games. Des does not get it wrong alot but on this instance he has