Back 5 with Koula returning ?

[Tragic Eagle]

I see Talua and Burbo competing for a bench spot and IMO Talua's form has him in front. Koula and Garrick are two very quick centres and their speed makes our backline even more dangerous. I can see Lodge getting back into the side if her keeps up the form he showed in Reggies this weekend. Bullemore has been amazing and I have him ahead of Sipley, Waddell and Burbo based on current form. We are building form and momentum at the right time of the season whilst still in touch. Exciting times ahead.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Seibold said today Koula is back this week and will be in the team, as he should in my view very talented.

Couldn't be bothered re-listening to it, but from memory he said when fit Koula will definitely be "in the 17". Could be a clue (or a clue to the fact Seibold hasn't yet made the decision) 🙂

 

[silvereagle]

Will be very interesting to see who is selected today. Great position for the club to be in at this point in the season. I would not be changing the run on team from last week. GCKT as my 14, Tolu as my 15 with a roving commission through either the backline and / or 13 right through the middle. He is tough enough and can also handle the defensive requirements. Love to see how he goes there rather than "fixed" out in the centres where he perennially always seems crowded with defenders. Brown and Bully would be my bench. Paseka and Alio Olio to start. Now that would add an interesting dimension not only to our attack but also our rucking out of our 20.

 

[maxta]

Couldn't be bothered re-listening to it, but from memory he said when fit Koula will definitely be "in the 17". Could be a clue (or a clue to the fact Seibold hasn't yet made the decision) 🙂

He said similar about the Frog, who was instantly back in the run on side and feel same for Koula.....Talau has been great and Lehi showed magic touches of class again on Saturday......talau has been the best outside back for Manly in 2024 imo.....Koula has much promise, but not been as prominant as I expected as yet....

 

[LeonardCohen]

Yeah I tend to think it’ll be Hoppa on bench and Talau keeps his spot.

 

[manly al]

Will be very interesting to see who is selected today. Great position for the club to be in at this point in the season. I would not be changing the run on team from last week. GCKT as my 14, Tolu as my 15 with a roving commission through either the backline and / or 13 right through the middle. He is tough enough and can also handle the defensive requirements. Love to see how he goes there rather than "fixed" out in the centres where he perennially always seems crowded with defenders. Brown and Bully would be my bench. Paseka and Alio Olio to start. Now that would add an interesting dimension not only to our attack but also our rucking out of our 20.

Just can not see the merit of placing one of the quickest backs in the comp [ Koula ] with no previous experience in the middle and i would probably think no real desire to be there as well .
And especially so early in his career for such a quite drastic change of playing style .
Talau is a different proposition and not only the fact that he played much closer to the ruck against the Bunnies some weeks ago .
Really comes down to who has the most to offer all round as a centre and surely would have to still result in Garrick and Koula .
Gordie has probably warranted a bench spot and if Brown starts again , could well be a case of Gordy [ froggy will need a rest at some stage ] Talau , Bully and Burbo or Sipley on the bench depending on how a manageable interchange could be worked from that .
Or Burbo and Sipley on the bench [ not including Gordy ] but that would require Lawton to have some stint as a 9 and not sure Seibs would necessarily go with that option
Just so hard to omit Talau from the 17 based on obviously so many of his good efforts this seasons

 

[joshcooper123]

1. tommy
2. saab
3. koula
4. garrick
5. talau
6. brooks
7. cherry
8. paseka
9. croker
10. brown
11.olakau'ata
12.lawton
13 jake

14. hopoate
15. bullemor
16. sipley / aloiai
17. burbo

don't need gordy on the bench as lawton can spell croker and play 9 and burbo can come on and play back row.
Lehi can come on and play wing and talau will play in the middle at around 50-60 mins when middles are tired

 

[silvereagle]

Just can not see the merit of placing one of the quickest backs in the comp [ Koula ] with no previous experience in the middle and i would probably think no real desire to be there as well .
And especially so early in his career for such a quite drastic change of playing style .
Talau is a different proposition and not only the fact that he played much closer to the ruck against the Bunnies some weeks ago .
Really comes down to who has the most to offer all round as a centre and surely would have to still result in Garrick and Koula .
Gordie has probably warranted a bench spot and if Brown starts again , could well be a case of Gordy [ froggy will need a rest at some stage ] Talau , Bully and Burbo or Sipley on the bench depending on how a manageable interchange could be worked from that .
Or Burbo and Sipley on the bench [ not including Gordy ] but that would require Lawton to have some stint as a 9 and not sure Seibs would necessarily go with that option
Just so hard to omit Talau from the 17 based on obviously so many of his good efforts this seasons

Good points Al. I just think we have been missing something with Tolu in the centres. Plus I like the backline as it is. I guess we are about to find out what Seibold thinks about that.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Yeah I tend to think it’ll be Hoppa on bench and Talau keeps his spot.

I agree. How many times recently has a back gone down and aside from burbo we have no cover. If we can manage our big man rotations im all for it.

 

[Will on the hill]

Hate to say it but on form Burbo misses out. It's not that he has been terrible, just that the other options have been exceptional. Lawton has won the left edge BR spot and Talau is better centre coverage.

Gordy adds a point of difference at hooker and I don't want to see Lawton playing there again, unless at least 2 of our 3 specialist hookers are unavailable.

Last time(the only time) we had all 6 of our back 5 options available (Cowboys R18), Lehi was on the bench. Since then he has had 3 games on the wing and has been one of the best on ground in all 3. Lehi may of done enough to win the spot but Talau has been so good on the wing that Seibs has an incredibly difficult choice here.

I think he goes with experience and plays Hoppa off the bench but won't be shocked if he gets the start with Talau on the bench.

 

[Bloke on the hill]

Fitness & injuries could play an important role in who gets picked, but they will usually keep that info in-house.

 

[Eagle 1]

It will be a difficult choice the coaching staff now they have good options, no mention of Alioia on the SEN Seibold interview, spoke of Croker, Guaca, the back 5 and Hoppa.

I think this is what Seibold will go for, though most likely wrong.

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hoppa
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Tent
9. Croker
10. Alioia
11. Guaca
12. Lawton
13. Jake

14. Talau
15. Brown
16. Ben T
17. Bully

It’s a small bench that covers a few areas,

Like it, but it's either Sips or Lodge for Burbo for mine.

 

[Eagle 1]

He said similar about the Frog, who was instantly back in the run on side and feel same for Koula.....Talau has been great and Lehi showed magic touches of class again on Saturday......talau has been the best outside back for Manly in 2024 imo.....Koula has much promise, but not been as prominant as I expected as yet....

What an embarrassment of riches (players) we have coming into the finals. With lighting fast backs and our forwards starting to dominate games, it's exciting time's ahead.

 

[Highflier]

What an embarrassment of riches (players) we have coming into the finals. With lighting fast backs and our forwards starting to dominate games, it's exciting time's ahead.

hmmm,,, please dont put the mock on us Eagle 1 ,lets just say we are currently comfortable with some long awaited general depth
Go Manly!!

 

[rmd]

At the moment, I couldn’t drop Talau, as he has been so good getting across the try line and strong in bringing the ball back.

When Koula comes back, he has to be at Centre, as he just offers so much speed in attack and grunt in defence.

Lehi is going to be a real star, however, he is still young and a bench spot is a must, as he covers so many backline positions.

Given our plethora of outside backs, when all are fit, I’d definitely try Talau in the back row in 2025, but not this late in the season.

If Manly can get the ‘Top 17’ players on the field on the same day, we will definitely be a threat come finals time.

Peseka
Croker
Aolia
Olakuatu
Lawton
Jake
DCE
Brooks
Koula
Garrick
Saab
Talau
Turbo

Reserves
Bullemor
Lodge
Hoppa
Burbo

 

[stoodamire]

At the moment, I couldn’t drop Talau, as he has been so good getting across the try line and strong in bringing the ball back.

When Koula comes back, he has to be at Centre, as he just offers so much speed in attack and grunt in defence.

Lehi is going to be a real star, however, he is still young and a bench spot is a must, as he covers so many backline positions.

Given our plethora of outside backs, when all are fit, I’d definitely try Talau in the back row in 2025, but not this late in the season.

If Manly can get the ‘Top 17’ players on the field on the same day, we will definitely be a threat come finals time.

Peseka
Croker
Aolia
Olakuatu
Lawton
Jake
DCE
Brooks
Koula
Garrick
Saab
Talau
Turbo

Reserves
Bullemor
Lodge
Hoppa
Burbo

Brown is in the top 17 everyday of the week. Twice on Tuesdays.

 

[maxta]

Brown is in the top 17 everyday of the week. Twice on Tuesdays.

Yeh lost me at " No Brown"
I'm sure it was simply an oversight as I do not know 1 Manly fan who has watched the game in 2024 not have Brown as 1 of the first players picked

 

[danny-boy]

wow Koula named as 18th man. Well it’s a way to keep us guessing til game day.

 

[silvereagle]

wow Koula named as 18th man. Well it’s a way to keep us guessing til game day.

Well I was pretty close with my team prediction above. Surprised Seibold opted for Ben rather than Tolu on the bench. We know what we get from Ben. We don't know what we might get from Tolu. Against the Worriors I would have tested the waters.

 

[Phobia]

Well I was pretty close with my team prediction above. Surprised Seibold opted for Ben rather than Tolu on the bench. We know what we get from Ben. We don't know what we might get from Tolu. Against the Worriors I would have tested the waters.

Wahs nearly back to full strength, only really two outs for them for what I can tell. Real danger game this one. Probably a good idea to try and keep it a little conservative this week.