Brad Parker .... the future?

[Woodsie]

There has been several differing opinions expressed about Parkers' potential. I am keen to hear what others think.

I am firmly of the opinion that as a 19yo playing out of position on the wing, he showed enough talent and courage to convince me he has a bright future, and will be challenging for a regular FG centre spot within 12 months.

Personal information
Born (1997-02-19) 19 February 1997 (age 19)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Position Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2016– Manly Sea Eagles 4 2 0 0 8

At 6"4" and 90kg's at 19yo, he will be a handy unit when he fills out, and may well be a hot prospect.

 

[Snake]

I hope you are right but he just doesn't look like a footballer to me....big nose, red hair and a ridiculous running style...he reminds of a kid I would tease at school.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

I agree, he doesn't look like a footballer...at all. But he is a pure footballer, fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game & appears to be an intelligent player as well. Speed is his weakness, but it won't prevent him from having a long career.

 

[Woodsie]

I hope you are right but he just doesn't look like a footballer to me....big nose, red hair and a ridiculous running style...he reminds of a kid I would tease at school.

There is no way to argue that point ... you are correct, he doesn't look like a footballer.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I really like what I've seen of Parker so far. Certainly hasn't looked out of place at NRL level and I hope he continues to improve. Whether the coaching/recruitment staff see a future for him at Manly remains to be seen.

 

[double hoops]

His height is a big advantage out on that wing. Anyone willing to get in between Manu Vatuvei and the try line on debut, as a skinny little thing, has what it takes. He needs to see plenty of NRL in 2017.

He looks a just like turbo, all tall, pimply faced and gangly awkward. Good combination for the future.

 

[Shoe1]

His height is a big advantage out on that wing. Anyone willing to get in between Manu Vatuvei and the try line on debut, as a skinny little thing, has what it takes. He needs to see plenty of NRL in 2017.

He looks a just like turbo, all tall, pimply faced and gangly awkward. Good combination for the future.
View attachment 4484

I agree with that. Also he scored a couple of tries that were difficult, down low with good hands.

 

[Woodsie]

I really like what I've seen of Parker so far. Certainly hasn't looked out of place at NRL level and I hope he continues to improve. Whether the coaching/recruitment staff see a future for him at Manly remains to be seen.

At only 19yo I hope they see a future for him.

 

[ManlyTragic]

I hope you are right but he just doesn't look like a footballer to me....big nose, red hair and a ridiculous running style...he reminds of a kid I would tease at school.

He's going to get his mate Meehan onto you!!!!

 

[Bearfax]

If looks were going to determine whether you would become a great footballer or not, I'd be the next Legend... only kidding. I wasnt that good at Rugby and I didnt have the looks either, so I guess I fit the expectation.

 

[Loobs]

Boring name and a ranga. That's two strikes.

 

[Woodsie]

If looks or physical characteristics determine football prowess, I contend the single most important feature would be a pair of large robust buttocks.

There has never been a top flight RL player that was a no-bum.

Can anybody with an intimate knowledge of Parker confirm his buttock status.

Boring name and a ranga. That's two strikes.

Boy, you mark a hard score card.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Trent Barrett mentioned him quite a lot during the season so I can only imagine he is in our sights, will show us his worth when he replaces someone in our backline through injury, until then who knows. He is a great defender, standing his ground against the likes of Vatuvei. I am unsure about his attack but he's only young so I'm sure if it's poor he will improve.

 

[mozgrame]

Unlike Dylan Napa, who receives only one strike using the Loobs ranking method. lol

I read the broncos are chasing Napa. In all honesty, apart from that game this year when he destroyed souths on his own, I'm not sure I'd like to sign him.

Brad Parker on the other hand gets a big thumbs up from me. Some of the games best players look/looked nothing like footballers. Fatty, Cam Smith (have you ever seen him shirtless? It's not pretty), Nathan Hindmarsh, Barge Arse Johns, Preston Campbell.....

Not sure how Preston got on that list, but you get me, hey?

 

[Holmsey]

Hope he kicks on he is a local junior, more we have the better.

 

[lsz]

I would rather we give him a shot that some of the the players we have been linked with

 

[mozgrame]

I would rather we give him a shot that some of the the players we have been linked with

I would have given him the nod and saved our Uate money. Sorry, Akuila. Prove me wrong buddy!! Please.

 

[Fluffy]

he is a footballer - understands and reads the game really well. He will end up around 100kg so size is no issue.

What impressed me last year was his positioning, we have a noted history of leaving our wingers high and dry but he read the plays well.

The best thing i saw him do was when we were on the attack trying for a last minute win Tommy T was up in the line and the ball was going left, Parker shifted off his wing into a fullback issue just in case there was a turnover, then when we shifted the ball back right his sprinted to get back onto his wing and was ready for the attacking raid.

This tells me a few things:
1 He reads the game well
2 He has speed
3 He has stamina, this was 79th minute and he was still putting in the 1 percenters.

He would be starting this year if I were picking the team

 

[Stevo]

Pass

 

[Garts]

People said Lyon didn't look like a footballer either. Too fat etc etc. Not saying he will be like Lyon but im not going to write him off either. He looks a decent prospect from what ive seen. We seem to have a few of those in the ranks with Meehan, AFB, Hoppa, Bainbridge and Parker. Might be why we are not signing heaps of people. The coaching staff might be happy with these guys.