Any concerns about the Manly 2020 squad ?

[Mark from Brisbane]

The longer this goes the more I think we’ll be going with what we have.

AND, I guess we just have to trust the mad scientist don’t we??

 

[Tragic Eagle]

We need to remember that we have a close playing group and a number of them are close to Fainu. Signing a replacement quickly might send them the wrong message and adversely affect team moral. These boys play best when happy and feel looked after.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

We need to remember that we have a close playing group and a number of them are close to Fainu. Signing a replacement quickly might send them the wrong message and adversely affect team moral. These boys play best when happy and feel looked after.

Fair comment BUT if we find out soon that he’s out for 12 months **** their feelings , it’s about winning ( for them too).

 

[brad]

Lloyd perret getting shown the door tells me we are freeing up coin for a 9 . Master Des at his under the radar best.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Lloyd perret getting shown the door tells me we are freeing up coin for a 9 . Master Des at his under the radar best.

I thought he was off contract and not renewed.

 

[mickqld]

Whilst I sort of agree with you let’s acknowledge that the really good sides have a really good hooker, not one that’s never played in the position before.

I noted well that the Goosters were so concerned about Verrill’s in the GF that they bought Jake Friend back from injury to sit in the bench “ just in case”.

And let’s face it love him or loath him , the Drizzle would be an average side without Smith.

Cust or Croker “ might” do a job but no where as near as good as an experienced 9.

We made our bed letting Api go, but with possible cap relief of $350k that should be enough to fill a gap either waiting for Fainu or building up the above two into that role.

Levi would appear to be the only one really on offer.

If we get that cap relief ( Fainu WON’T be playing next year) then I reckon we should jump.

HAHA cap relief for us. Fuk as if. Turdy too busy trying to knit loopholes for Burgess and the vermin.

 

[The better Robbo]

The return of AFB and Jake T from operations is going to a big factor . Can Manly win any games without both players could hurt the club .

We have plenty of depth in the forwards and gives guys an opportunity to impress early. If we cant win games with a couple of players missing then we are wasting our time this year. We have a 30 man squad and im actually excited to see guys given an opportunity. Look at what Keppie did last year, Garrick, Cust. Have faith that we are not just a 1 man team, we are a squad capable of pushing for a premiership.... still hopeful of adding a quality hooker to complete the squad

 

[Eagle thru 'n' thru]

We should of grabbed Isaac Luke or Cameron Smith, both were on the market and cap friendly.

I know this because the clubs they signed with had no problems fitting them in late without any problems.

Cameron Smith!! You can't be serious. Thats the most insulting thing I've read on ST. Uppercut yourself.......lol

 

[stoodamire]

Weakness are:

Left Wing - Taufua is servicable
Left Centre - Parker likewise as above
Hooker - If Fainu is ruled out indefinitely, we are up ****s creek without a paddle if we don't sign an established 9.

 

[brad]

I thought he was off contract and not renewed.

I'm sure he was contracted until end of 20 .

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

HAHA cap relief for us. Fuk as if. Turdy too busy trying to knit loopholes for Burgess and the vermin.

It's a big problem, and sort of uncharted waters for NRL. If a doctor says you are ruled out for a year (Foran) that's a bit more straightforward. But St Merge didn't sign anyone notable after deBelin was stood down, not sure really but I suspect the timing plays a big part.

For example, serious charges take ages to progress. The NRL won't give us any cap dispensation yet because Fainu hasn't even missed any games.

Plus, if we assume he continues to fight the charges, it won't be until he formally enters a plea of not guilty and gets a trial date that the NRL can legitimately calculate what dispensation to give.

Not much point giving a full season dispensation, effectively in advance, if then the player turns around in April or May and cuts a deal to plead guilty. In which case it is no longer a no-fault situation. (and I know he's denied the offences but fact is many people who deny offences end up pleading guilty to something, in order to mitigate the risk of losing at trial. And there is always a risk of losing at trial).

 

[HoldenV8]

I am not worried about Crokers or Cust's attack ... those patterns and skills will be honed over the preseason .... it is their defense that will be the test ..... and I will back them in to pass the test ....

Personally I'd expect Croker to pass the defensive test better than Cust. Croker is generally a solid defender, but TBH Cust's defence when he played first grade this year didn't impress me. He let in as many tries (if not more) with missed tackles or poor defensive reads as he scored himself or set up for others. I know he's really a first grade rookie, but I do worry about Cust's ability to defend in the middle like a hooker has to.

Cade Cust's lack of a solid defensive game is one of the reasons I never joined in the crying that went on in social media every time he wasn't picked in first grade. Seriously, the way some went on about him in Facebook you'd have sworn blind that he is destined to be a rugby league Immortal.....if you didn't know any better.

 

[Woodsie]

Personally I'd expect Croker to pass the defensive test better than Cust. Croker is generally a solid defender, but TBH Cust's defence when he played first grade this year didn't impress me. He let in as many tries (if not more) with missed tackles or poor defensive reads as he scored himself or set up for others. I know he's really a first grade rookie, but I do worry about Cust's ability to defend in the middle like a hooker has to.

Cade Cust's lack of a solid defensive game is one of the reasons I never joined in the crying that went on in social media every time he wasn't picked in first grade. Seriously, the way some went on about him in Facebook you'd have sworn blind that he is destined to be a rugby league Immortal.....if you didn't know any better.

Can't argue with any of that ... however defending in the middle, apart of fitness, is in many ways easier than defending on the edges ..... you tend to have one man running straight at you with minimum footwork and less pace .... and a fellow defender on either side coming in to help in the usual 3 man tackle ... it is a different kettle of fish as Major Burns would say ...

What Croker and Cust both have that gives them a chance of succeeding is that they are both footy players ... they'll have a go ...

 

[nightster]

We need to remember that we have a close playing group and a number of them are close to Fainu. Signing a replacement quickly might send them the wrong message and adversely affect team moral. These boys play best when happy and feel looked after.

Would they not expect us to try to get a specialist 9 to fill in while he is unavailable ? ......
We also have Edwin Ipape on a possible contract

 

[HoldenV8]

Cameron Smith!! You can't be serious. Thats the most insulting thing I've read on ST. Uppercut yourself.......lol

Someone of his talent, sure. But leave the rest of his crap at the door.

 

[HoldenV8]

Can't argue with any of that ... however defending in the middle, apart of fitness, is in many ways easier than defending on the edges ..... you tend to have one man running straight at you with minimum footwork and less pace .... and a fellow defender on either side coming in to help in the usual 3 man tackle ... it is a different kettle of fish as Major Burns would say ...

What Croker and Cust both have that gives them a chance of succeeding is that they are both footy players ... they'll have a go ...

True enough. Back rowers, centres and halves usually do more than just hit up and the occasional offload. Centres and halves especially like to run and/or step, plus they pass more and Cust was wrong footed by those things on a number of occasions. In the middle he'd have the props and Jake for help at least.

But for any one on one tackles (not that they happen often in the middle), I'd more trust Croker to bring them down than I would Cust.

 

[ALinda]

Someone of his talent, sure. But leave the rest of his crap at the door.

Yep, including that huge head and smug smirk. He can stay at the Scum where he belongs.

 

[Bearfax]

Maybe I'm missing a point here but as well as Docker-Clay there are three ex Manly hookers in the UK with better than average skills in Parcell, Hastings and Lussick Jnr. Now I know they are probably under contract, but if Manly are desperate for a Fainu replacement, are these not worth a look? Hastings and Lussick Jnr almost took their team to the Crown this year, after being almost relevation material the year before..

 

[Woodsie]

Maybe I'm missing a point here but as well as Docker-Clay there are three ex Manly hookers in the UK with better than average skills in Parcell, Hastings and Lussick Jnr. Now I know they are probably under contract, but if Manly are desperate for a Fainu replacement, are these not worth a look? Hastings and Lussick Jnr almost took their team to the Crown this year, after being almost relevation material the year before..

I think the point you are missing is ..... they weren't good enough ......

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I think the point you are missing is ..... they weren't good enough ......

Yes, some short memories round here. The shortcomings of our various pre- and post-Ballin hookers have been regularly aired in this forum, right up until the emergence of Fainu. And even he was criticised (well, only by Technical Coach, lol).
We might use someone who can tackle, or someone who can make a darting run, or someone who can read the play, or throw a perfect pass, or kick the ball ...but finding one player who can manage more than one or two of those vital functions won't be easy.