Brad Parker .... the future?

[Supreme Leader]

We all hope Kelly does well
Time will tell .
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Best of all the backline (apart from Uatai) is all VERY young. They lack experience but give them another season with a few mistakes along the way and a bit of strengthening, they will be a force to liken Lyon & Matai. I am so excited about their future with the club.

 

[Snake]

The criticism of Kelly is quite harsh in my opinion. I think many are looking at Walker and comparing, but Walker is already a 3-4 season first grader and an international. Further we forget too quickly how poor Walker was in his first season at Manly. Makes Kelly's performances look brilliant. Some suggesting his defence is not up to it need to realise his defence is almost level with Walker in tackles made and little different in tackles missed. He hasnt been as spectacular as Walker, but he still does some very clever things almost reminiscent of a young Jamie Lyon. Suggesting Parker should take the role just doesnt sit right with me at this stage. Parker may turn into something special, but we've only seen hints of it so far. Risking a novice at this stage of the comp, replacing someone who has established himself quite well in his position would be highly risky. Not saying Parker shouldnt be given a chance, but let him wait his turn. Both Parker and Kelly will improve. Let them develop at their own pace.

I politely disagree and I am not sure where you got the idea that people are comparing him to Walker...unless someone has drawn a comparison in writing on the forum, I think that's an unsubstantiated guess on your behalf.

The NRL is a gruelling competition, particularly for young players. Kelly has done really well in his rookie year but even the best rookies get tired and struggle to stay mentally and physically on top throughout a season.

It's not all about Brian Kelly either; it's a team sport and his performances are starting to affect the team. Give him a couple of weeks to freshen up in NSW Cup and let him come back when circumstances warrant it. It's not a punishment, it's protecting a young rookie from the week to week grind of first grade football.

He is really struggling to help the forwards with strong carries the last month or so and with Jorge out, it's a problem. He defended stoutly against the Panthers but he has also shown a tendency to backpedal in D and some mistakes are starting to creep into his game.

I like the kid, but I just think he needs a rest for himself and for the team. In saying all this, it's just the opinion of an arm chair coach and I am sure Baz knows best.

 

[mave]

As old as I am, I really, really hate wishing time away,,,, but I can't wait for threads like this ( Re: Kelly) to be re-visited in a few years time.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

I politely disagree and I am not sure where you got the idea that people are comparing him to Walker...unless someone has drawn a comparison in writing on the forum, I think that's an unsubstantiated guess on your behalf.

The NRL is a gruelling competition, particularly for young players. Kelly has done really well in his rookie year but even the best rookies get tired and struggle to stay mentally and physically on top throughout a season.

It's not all about Brian Kelly either; it's a team sport and his performances are starting to affect the team. Give him a couple of weeks to freshen up in NSW Cup and let him come back when circumstances warrant it. It's not a punishment, it's protecting a young rookie from the week to week grind of first grade football.

He is really struggling to help the forwards with strong carries the last month or so and with Jorge out, it's a problem. He defended stoutly against the Panthers but he has also shown a tendency to backpedal in D and some mistakes are starting to creep into his game.

I like the kid, but I just think he needs a rest for himself and for the team. In saying all this, it's just the opinion of an arm chair coach and I am sure Baz knows best.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I highly rate Kelly as well. There have been a few errors creeping into his game. Wouldn't a run in the NSW cup dampen his confidence? Who would you replace him with?

 

[Duff]

I think it might be time to give Brad Parker a shot in place of Brian Kelly.

Kelly looks like he's trying too hard to prove himself, he needs to re-focus.
Parker is a centre. I'd like to see how he goes in his preferred position for a few weeks. A bit of competition for spots is healthy.

 

[Normie]

Latrell Mitchell at the Roosters benefited from a few weeks off and I would assume that he and Brian are of a similar age.

 

[Snake]

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I highly rate Kelly as well. There have been a few errors creeping into his game. Wouldn't a run in the NSW cup dampen his confidence? Who would you replace him with?

Playing FG and letting the team down would dent his confidence more than going away for a couple of weeks and freshening up and coming back with renewed energy and purpose.

In saying all this, I am not adamant that I am right...I could be completely wrong...maybe I'm overreacting, it's not as if he has been terrible...maybe we just leave it as is. If I was going to bring in a replacement, it would be Parker, but Kelly is doing OK..the next month of footy will reveal a great deal about this team as a whole.

 

[BOZO]

Latrell Mitchell at the Roosters benefited from a few weeks off and I would assume that he and Brian are of a similar age.

Latrell is a year younger than Brian

 

[Peter C]

Latrell is a year younger than Brian

Also a lot bigger and a lot faster, Parker looks like a real centre.

 

[BOZO]

Also a lot bigger and a lot faster, Parker looks like a real centre.

The way the game is played now if you don't have speed or size you are heavily disadvantaged

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Henry Peralana

Or Henry Alan Perenala.

Double arsehole.

 

[manly al]

After the very successful era of the Lyon - Steve Matai centre combination , i suppose that it would only be natural for Manly supporters to have some reasonable expectations for their successors . Walker of coarse automatically fits the bill as a first class centre , and i suppose that i can certainly acknowledge the views of Snake and Bozo and others to the notion to add another pacey and top line centre to then make Manly "s back line even more potent but also with cap considerations . Kelly is presently being given his opportunity, he is progressing quite well but of course a necessary level of performance will still be required from him and both for his sake and the teams prospects for the remainder of the season . As others have alluded to , the N R L is a highly competitive environment ,and so of course all players expected level of performance is always under review.

 

[Bearfax]

I politely disagree and I am not sure where you got the idea that people are comparing him to Walker...unless someone has drawn a comparison in writing on the forum, I think that's an unsubstantiated guess on your behalf.

The NRL is a gruelling competition, particularly for young players. Kelly has done really well in his rookie year but even the best rookies get tired and struggle to stay mentally and physically on top throughout a season.

It's not all about Brian Kelly either; it's a team sport and his performances are starting to affect the team. Give him a couple of weeks to freshen up in NSW Cup and let him come back when circumstances warrant it. It's not a punishment, it's protecting a young rookie from the week to week grind of first grade football.

He is really struggling to help the forwards with strong carries the last month or so and with Jorge out, it's a problem. He defended stoutly against the Panthers but he has also shown a tendency to backpedal in D and some mistakes are starting to creep into his game.

I like the kid, but I just think he needs a rest for himself and for the team. In saying all this, it's just the opinion of an arm chair coach and I am sure Baz knows best.

Frankly we have no one else with experience to fill that role if you drop him. Bringing on Parker is just putting another novice with even less experience in the side. He's a good prospect but he's been playing U20s most of the season. he's had some first grade experience and has performed OK. But I've seen nothing there yet that suggests we get a better outcome suddenly bringing in Parker for Kelly, if that's what you have in mind.

 

[Darren]

Yes but a bit like Lane, you don't know until they are given several opportunities. I'm still not sure on Kelly, he is slow compared to most centres and surprisingly has little speed off the mark for a small guy. He attacks well when running lines though.

 

[Snake]

Frankly we have no one else with experience to fill that role if you drop him. Bringing on Parker is just putting another novice with even less experience in the side. He's a good prospect but he's been playing U20s most of the season. he's had some first grade experience and has performed OK. But I've seen nothing there yet that suggests we get a better outcome suddenly bringing in Parker for Kelly, if that's what you have in mind.

Well the coaching staff have a different idea of Brad Parker because they really rate him...so much so, that he was drafted onto the bench to cover injury in the back row, even though the kid plays in the outside backs.

He has had a number of injuries this year and a bad concussion so the club weren't willing to use him until he started to string some games together. I can tell you the coaching staff have a really high opinion of Parker and he is thereabouts because of the potential he has shown in numerous facets of the game.

He might be off your radar, but he is certainly on the radar of stakeholders at the club. I am not crucifying Kelly, I like Brian, but I like Parker too and I wouldn't mind if he got an opportunity whilst Kelly had a rest...if it doesn't happen, I won't be losing sleep and I'll be cheering Kelly on all the same.

 

[Fluffy]

I would have started Parker above Kelly had he not been injured coming into round 1 so would be more than comfortable for him to get a shot now he has his fitness up. At that stage Parker had more experience in first grade.

In saying that Kelly has been better than I expected in his rookie season, he may be carrying a niggle or 2 that could do with freshening up but who knows.

 

[Bearfax]

Well the coaching staff have a different idea of Brad Parker because they really rate him...so much so, that he was drafted onto the bench to cover injury in the back row, even though the kid plays in the outside backs.

I think you are misinterpreting my comments about Parker. I am not saying he isnt up to first grade or that he isnt well thought of. I was merely pointing out that he has had very limited first grade experience and we still dont know at that level how good he will become. For that reason I wouldn't, if I was choosing, replace Kelly with Parker, unless through injury, because better to have someone who has been proving his worth at first grade, even if many supporters question the quality of his performances, with someone yet to prove his worth at this level.

In the end Parker may be better, but lets not rush it just because some arent totally enamoured by a young guy in his first year. I remember watching week by week a young Bob Fulton in his first year. He was of course younger, but he was at best solid with occasional flashes of brilliance. Manly's star was Frank Stanton in those days, and in 1966 he was streets better than Fulton. But Fulton benefited from that first year and within two years was showing how exceptional he would become. No one thought to drop him because his play was for the most part just satisfactory. He needed that year of experience to help make him become what he became. Let Kelly learn the trade against the best. If he doesnt make it, at least he's had the opportunity. But for now he's in my mind better than most first year players

 

[Nordburg]

I'd have Gutherson in the centres,oh wait,that's right,in the clubs wisdom they thought it was best to let a local rep junior go.Wise decision

 

[Holmsey]

I'd have Gutherson in the centres,oh wait,that's right,in the clubs wisdom they thought it was best to let a local rep junior go.Wise decision

So we could get Walker, Taupau and Keep Tom id say it was a pretty wise decision.

 

[Nordburg]

So we could get Walker, Taupau and Keep Tom id say it was a pretty wise decision.

I'd have him ahead of Walker.Walker is playing well this season but I suspect he'll have an inconsistent career.Whilst I think Gutherson will go from strength to strength.He was a local junior so if he wasn't moved on,fair chance he'd of had a long career at the club.Clubs can't afford to let quality local juniors move on