Bench depth is Good - How Good ??

[maxta]

The Manly bench has players fighting for a spot in the 14 - 17.
I recall not so long back our bench had zero impact and looked 2nd rate....in truth - was up with the worst in the comp.
Manly glasses maybe need a clean, but I see this now as 1 of the better benches in the NRL and to make it better, those lucky enough to be there know they have a few other potential hungry players snapping at the heals for a spot.
Many good judges say a strong bench highlights you have a strong team and this is the case at Manly today.
When Paseka gets back will only lift again, just in time for finals footy.
There's no doubt this is the strongest Manly banch for a Long time, but how does it compare to the other heavyweights ??

 

[grassy]

Agree we are doing something right and I think it has a lot to do with Des. I think Des has taken a no dickhead approach which to be honest is the best move he has made so far. Melbourne have done it and also the panthers and look where they are sitting on the ladder. A team is never going to be perfect but it does help to have the correct outlook. Foundation needs to be in order and strict and Des is making our players earn their spot instead of just giving them the jumper they want.Edit… players like Turbo are backing him up to a tee.

 

[manly al]

Have to take into account that with Walker and Lawton and as essentially general utility value likely to be on the bench along with two big boppers , going to put a lot more emphasis on Manly 's back three going the full distance or close to it . Seems a bit of a horses for courses approach at present

 

[Chip and Chase]

The only benches that count in the finals will be Storm and Penrith, so compare how we stack up against them.

Storm will have Grant and Hynes on the pine along with NAS and Kamikamica most likely. That's the benchmark there, excuse the pun

Penrith's will depend on whether they back Api to play 80 I suppose. But they'll have Liam Martin, and TPJ with maybe May and Kenny, or Sorenesen/Eisenhuth.

 

[Eagle 1]

Have to take into account that with Walker and Lawton and as essentially general utility value likely to be on the bench along with two big boppers , going to put a lot more emphasis on Manly 's back three going the full distance or close to it . Seems a bit of a horses for courses approach at present

Wasn't a fan at first, of having Lawton and Walker on the bench together. But Des has made the right call again. The game is so much faster now, you can see the benefit of having these type of players coming into the game, exploiting the oppositions weaknesses.

 

[Chip and Chase]

By the way what are we claiming is our strongest bench ?? Assuming Kapow and Tent start

Contenders

Sipley
Aloiai
Lawton
Walker
Keppie
Suli
Siro
Deluxe
Burbo
Jetski
Cust
Funa

 

[ALinda]

By the way what are we claiming is our strongest bench ?? Assuming Kapow and Tent start

Contenders

Sipley
Aloiai
Lawton
Walker
Keppie
Suli
Siro
Deluxe
Burbo
Jetski
Cust
Funa

That is a very good question. This list has an array of players with various strengths and weaknesses. Imho Aloiai, Lawton and Walker have to be there and I think the 4th one largely depends on the opposition on the day - remembering Marty said the other day that his role differs for every game depending on the opposition.

 

[The Who]

Gus the 'Guru' claims Manly doesn't have the forward strength to match Melbourne or Penrith. That is a challenge to our boys.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

The only benches that count in the finals will be Storm and Penrith, so compare how we stack up against them.

Storm will have Grant and Hynes on the pine along with NAS and Kamikamica most likely. That's the benchmark there, excuse the pun

Penrith's will depend on whether they back Api to play 80 I suppose. But they'll have Liam Martin, and TPJ with maybe May and Kenny, or Sorenesen/Eisenhuth.

Yep and in comparison we are pretty weak.

Of its won on benches give Storm the trophy now !

 

[Rocky]

That is a very good question. This list has an array of players with various strengths and weaknesses. Imho Aloiai, Lawton and Walker have to be there and I think the 4th one largely depends on the opposition on the day - remembering Marty said the other day that his role differs for every game depending on the opposition.

Aloiai, Lawton, Keppie and Walker

 

[Eagles4Life]

Gus the 'Guru' claims Manly doesn't have the forward strength to match Melbourne or Penrith. That is a challenge to our boys.

Now that's going to fire up the pack to prove him wrong. It also plays well with Des's under the radar approach. Thanks Gus.

 

[Rafferty]

Gus the 'Guru' claims Manly doesn't have the forward strength to match Melbourne or Penrith. That is a challenge to our boys.

Heard the Goulding say last night he thought we didn’t have the defence to win it, that he was concerned that we may have already peaked and that our run could well be over, I guess we’ll see about that Guss and fuk you anyway, I‘m pretty sure we‘re not listening to you or anyone else.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Keppie pretty good last night. Has he earned himself a bench spot for the finals ?

Lawton & Walker seems like it is locked in. Des giving Walker plenty of minutes again last night. Lawton provides that backrow/hooker cover.

Paseka not a lot of game time last night, so not sure what's doing there ? But he has to be in 17 based on form for most of the year. So does Sippers miss out for Keppie ?? I think Keppie is better defensively which is what is going to win you finals. Aloiai and Marty to start, Paseka and Keppie bench.

 

[maxta]

Keppie pretty good last night. Has he earned himself a bench spot for the finals ?

Lawton & Walker seems like it is locked in. Des giving Walker plenty of minutes again last night. Lawton provides that backrow/hooker cover.

Paseka not a lot of game time last night, so not sure what's doing there ? But he has to be in 17 based on form for most of the year. So does Sippers miss out for Keppie ?? I think Keppie is better defensively which is what is going to win you finals. Aloiai and Marty to start, Paseka and Keppie bench.

Keppie played great - ran hard with purpose and his defence, along with Jake - was a big part of laying the platform for Manly to gain momentum and a flurry of late points

 

[eaglebuzz]

Keppie and Paseka should be in the 17, I think yesterday proved that. Sipley looked gassed after less than 20 mins. I have a feeling he'll be the one to drop out for Aloiai, other than that I think last night was our strongest 17.

 

[Eagle 1]

Keppie and Paseka should be in the 17, I think yesterday proved that. Sipley looked gassed after less than 20 mins. I have a feeling he'll be the one to drop out for Aloiai, other than that I think last night was our strongest 17.

Thought Sipley had a quality game, strong runs, made a number of telling tackles on potential breaks and unlucky not to score. Aloiai, Sipley, Lawton and Walker for mine. If Keppie gets the nod, I'm ok with that, Des will know.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Keppie played great - ran hard with purpose and his defence, along with Jake - was a big part of laying the platform for Manly to gain momentum and a flurry of late points

I can see our starting pack being Aloiai Croker Keppie Schuster Haumole and Jake - wont be who Des names but they will run on I think. Some real defensive mongrel and rip in ball carries from that pack. Paseka and Marty to come on when the props need a break.

 

[Remy]

Keppie is obvious, Aloiai is obvious, Walker is obvious but until someone can tell me how we can use Lawton besides him being an injury cover which means we pretty much have a 3 man bench, I'm going with Sipley to take the last spot on the bench.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Keppie is obvious, Aloiai is obvious, Walker is obvious but until someone can tell me how we can use Lawton besides him being an injury cover which means we pretty much have a 3 man bench, I'm going with Sipley to take the last spot on the bench.

Interesting take.

For mine...Lawton, Marty, Slippers and Kelpie. Lawton can do everything walker can do, plus injury and Frog cover. He has missed like 2 tackles since he came here and he lifts the tempo when he comes on, like Kelpie does. It's finals footy, defence wins games.

There is a LOT of Walker praise, and he has done good...but it scares me that he has a game-changing rush of ego mistake in him. To each their own opinion and I would be happy to eat my words if he actually makes a game-changing difference.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Keppie is obvious, Aloiai is obvious, Walker is obvious but until someone can tell me how we can use Lawton besides him being an injury cover which means we pretty much have a 3 man bench, I'm going with Sipley to take the last spot on the bench.

I'm not advocating for this option BUT a better way to utilise Lawton could be to start him in place of Schuster. Play him on the edge for 20 minutes, then bring him off until the 60 minute mark. Swap out Croker, and get him back on as dummy half for the last 20 minutes. I think we are blunting Schuster's attacking effectiveness by playing him for 80 minutes. Walker plays the same minutes in the same role he is playing now. The two bench props rotate exactly as they are doing already. Schuster gets 60 minutes, as does Walker & Croker. Lawton gets 40 minutes in two stints. Yes I know it's not going to happen, but it is an option to better utilise Lawton.