Barrett on Big Sports Breakfast tomorrow

[Harvies elbow]

Thanks @Mitch @HappilyManly .
A great listen.
He sounds nice and confident.

 

[Class of 96]

Baz refers to him in the podcast, as working with Manly twice a week

Ah thanx HM and 1969. I haven't had a chance to listen to the podcast and only read the link that cited the Wallabies. Also just noticed the article date was 2014.

So pleased we are still the Sea-Eagles in 2018, not that I have any ill feeling toward little Wallabies.

 

[40 years an eagle]

It is why I didn't like our 3 prop bench last year.

I didn't like our 3 prop bench last year either...it should have been 3 props and a 2nd rower, with brown in reggies.

Hope it's 2 props and 2 running backrowers this year.

 

[Woodsie]

I didn't like our 3 prop bench last year either...it should have been 3 props and a 2nd rower, with brown in reggies.

Hope it's 2 props and 2 running backrowers this year.

I don't think there is a perfect combination for the bench .... you can bet the one week you don't have a back on it ... 2 backs will get busted.

I am a bit of a dinosaur, and I still abide by the old adage of picking your 13 (17) best players and let the rest sort itself out.

The issue of running backrowers, at Manly with Baz, is an interesting topic. The modern pattern seems to be ..

Tackle 1, Kick return by FB/wing
Tackle 2, hit up wing/FB
Tackle 3, hit up centre
Tackle 4, hit up prop
Tackle 5, swing it wide to edges,
Tackle 6, Kick

The number of running opportunites available to the 2nd rowers has been dramatically cut, certainly cut enough that your top 2 2nd rowers can do the 80min.
It will be interesting to see if this pattern changes to accommodate Thommo and with a different 5/8 calling plays.

I think it will.

 

[HappilyManly]

Thanks @Mitch @HappilyManly .
A great listen.
He sounds nice and confident.

I'm really excited about Croker+Chez combo.

Nothing like unearthing an unknown and it would be stimulating for Chez too

 

[BOZO]

I'm really excited about Croker+Chez combo.

Nothing like unearthing an unknown and it would be stimulating for Chez too

The unknown is like the twilight zone
Croker could be a stud or he could be a dud .
I am looking forward to the trials
Good luck to all our hopefuls .

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Just listened to the podcast
Sounds like the goal kicking coach will decide if Wright plays or not TB said whoever is kicking the best judged by the kicking coach will get the gig
If Kelly or API or DCE is the best kicker we’ll then the other centre position is up for grabs from the trials
If wright is the best kicker then he will fill in for DW

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Brad Parker for me ,but if Tom Wright goes well in the trials I’d prefer him than Matt Wright

 

[40 years an eagle]

TB said whoever is kicking the best judged by the kicking coach will get the gig
If Kelly or API or DCE is the best kicker we’ll then the other centre position is up for grabs from the trials

Hopefully Kelly wins the kicking ability battle. I have a lot of faith in him becoming a very good centre and I like the goalkicker to be a centre or winger. It allows Api and DCE have a short break 5 or 6 times a game.

 

[globaleagle]

Probably belongs elsewhere....

https://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2018/01/31/more-of-the-running-game-for-cherry-evans/

Sea Eagles half-back Daly Cherry-Evans is set to become the running man in 2018.

And the good news for Sea Eagles supporters is that the outstanding number seven is set to enjoy an even bigger season after being named Manly’s Player of the Year in 2017.

By: Wayne Cousins

 

[Althewomanspal]

Seems obvious Hastings is on the outer. Must be something we don’t see, because he definitely has the talent. Not mentioned when asked about potential 5/8, or goal kicker. So much now rests on Lachlan Croker.

 

[Woodsie]

Never seen so much conclusion jumping in my life .... some of you could conclusion jump for Australia.

Yes the best goal kicker "in THE TEAM" will get the job .... NOT .... the best goal kicker WIll be in the team.

Of course M, Wright is practising his goal kicking, as are probably 5 others Baz didn't name.

 

[Woodsie]

I'm more of a fan of rotating 4 forwards (2/3 props and/or 1/2 backrow impact) then having a Brown or Hastings sit on the bench twiddling their thumbs. I think this is where we could be better in 2018.

We have a much stronger forward pack in 18 and utilising it the right way will be the key to dominating other packs .

I believe (and hope) this is why Baz has had Siro training in the 6... For injury cover. This has been reported on several times and I do understand that Siro needs to train there anyway as a backup but the reports are that he has spent alot of the preseason there. That tells me (if true) that a Brown or Hastings won't be used, it'll be Siro. Then someone fills Siro's spot.

If it was my team I'd have AFB and probably Sipley or Perrett on the bench to rotate with Lussick and Taupau. Then I would use 1 of Gosie/Tanginoa to give whoever is struggling in Siro/Thompson/Jurbo a break. Lastly I'd have a Lane/Paseka shaped player to come on and run riot.

That's just my take on it. Baz will probably play Brown but I get the feeling like our game will be very forward based this year. If we can steamroll other teams, our backs can do whatever they like.

I remember you not liking the 3 prop rotation, I think that's why I like it so much.... 🙂

Time will tell.

2 starting and 2 rotation props can do 40 min each .... any less than that and you are not strengthening the team you are weakening it with 2nd string players ...

Having Marty sitting on the sideline for no reason while your #5 or #6 props runs around is just D***.

 

[Paw93]

2 starting and 2 rotation props can do 40 min each .... any less than that and you are not strengthening the team you are weakening it with 2nd string players ...

Having Marty sitting on the sideline for no reason while your #5 or #6 props runs around is just D***.

Last year we did well when Marty was on the field for at least 50-60 minutes a game. Any less than that and our go forward would suffer.

 

[Woodsie]

Agree with you about Marty. But Lussick, Perrett, AFB and Sipley could all probably do with short stints. They aren't at the same level as Taupau and I'd prefer them come on and smash it out in short stints then do 40mins total of a lesser level of intensity.

As for Thompson Jurbo and Siro they are all 80min players so I'm probably way off the mark... But if I was coach that's how I'd do it. If one of those 3 is tired I'd bring in a Gosie or Tanginoa to up the intensity again. And as I said, if the game needed an injection or something, I'd take off the most tired and give Lane or Paseka a run to mix up the forwards attack.

I understand the theory of the short stint, but my theory (to be known henceforth as the Woodsie Theorem) is that they don't have long enough to truly get into the game, they don't become invested, they simply go through the paces.

They simply dilute the "pack" mentality.

 

[Woodsie]

Well this Woodsie theorem is somewhat flawed.... Because a 4 forward rotation works quite well in the right circumstances.
We won games when we were dominating in the forwards. We lost games when we were backpedaling.

All I'm saying is that when the momentum shifts and you start backpedaling, I'd prefer have a big popper there to get you the momentum back then a Brown or Hastings.
This is called the world according to Batty. It clearly overules the Woodsie Theorem.

Arrh, Batty, you underestimate me and Woodsie's Therem .... check last years results and you will find that our win % with only 2 props is higher than with 3 props ... it is why I prefer only 2

 

[Woodsie]

I do recall this happening but I think you've just registered yourself up for some good old confirmation bias. There would have been plenty we won with 3 but your discounting them now because of your love for Woodsie Theorem.

But if I get 5 mins I would actually like to see this statistically for the 2017 season.

My rule is ... whoever is telling the story ... it's their rules.

(and nobody has the time to check my outlandish statements.)

 

[stoodamire]

I didn't like our 3 prop bench last year either...it should have been 3 props and a 2nd rower, with brown in reggies.

Hope it's 2 props and 2 running backrowers this year.

I agree 100%.

Taupau was much more effective when we had 2 props on the bench.

When we had 3 props, his minutes were cut short and had much less impact.

 

[Woodsie]

I agree 100%.

Taupau was much more effective when we had 2 props on the bench.

When we had 3 props, his minutes were cut short and had much less impact.

Oh @stoodamire , if only @Batty had your good looks and intelligence .....

 

[The Who]

Heaven forbid that I'm here to defend Poo, however his versatility makes him a valued bench player. He can cover hooker, second row, lock, and positions in the backline. I see him being used in the case of a mid-game injury. Who would replace Api at hooker or DCE/Croker at half/five-eighth? I don't see him being brought on to change the course of a match.
Can you name another versatile option in our roster?
IMO, if you don't pick Poo then you could pick Hastings (to cover hooker and half), and Tom Wright (to cover 5/8, centre, wing and fullback) with two props, of whom we have an abundance.
If Jack Rabbit proves as good as we hope then I'd like to see him in our 17. Having a free-running backrower is important.
I can't fit all the options into a 17, which is a great position to be in.