Game Day: Cowboys v Manly [Round 13, 2019]

I wasn't able to watch our win against the 'Boys but I'm reading posters ripping into Turbo for his performance. I paused, thought about it for a moment, and then it dawned on me:
Turbo has played/started in three matches for us this season.
We won them all.
I would think that should be the end of the earlier discussion.
 
Sue said:
Can someone tell me how moving a bloke from one side of the field to the other will fix defensive issues when you have Jorge out there( who I love for different reasons ) but seriously is the least game aware player in the NRL and would be a nightmare to defend beside.Throw in Cade playing his third game out there as well.Des ain’t that silly.How could that possibly help Walkers defense?

The reason he was moved is because he is a seasoned player who Des believes can handle both sides of the field and make a better combination till Parker returns.

Des wouldn’t move Suli there for a reason.Suli inside of Tafua would be a total fiasco.They both have the turning circle of the Titanic.Imagine the short grubbers in behind them. I don’t want to think about it.And if Suli did play on the left for Manly he certainly didn’t do it inside Jorge. It simply would not work.

Keep hearing Walker doesn’t pass. Moses makes Walks look like a distributing halfback. Would have thrown two passes in two years.Garrick is one of the few players with speed in our backline and rarely gets it outside of kick returns and broken play.


It’s all moot anyway. If anyone thinks Des is going to drop Walker for Suli then I think they’ll be disappointed for a long time.Suli will be competing for a wing spot when Parker returns to the left. It’s a good problem to have as both Parker and Suli have improved markedly under Des.
Click to expand...
Its a pretty sad state when you have to move your "star" centre from his preferred side of the field to compensate for other people in the team... Who would have thought that we'd all be praying for Parker's return.
At no stage did i say walker would be dropped, in purely stating he has some massive flaws in his game in defence. I also stated that he rarely passes, he always thinks run first! Also Ive stated plenty of times that suli is in the same boat as walker when it comes to not passing and poor defencive reads. I believe both their best positions is on the wing! However seeing that we have no other options walker probably will be our right centre and suli to fight out for left wing.
You say walker is seasoned player who can handle both sided of the field??? He has let in 6 tries in 2 weeks. Its a massive issue for us going forward. I can only hope he gets his issues sorted but I am not convinced. The fact he missed the start of the year is NO excuse. He was not injured and would have been training with this rushing defence the whole pre season.
 
Robbo my point is simple. Forget about how Walks is going. You said he was moved to fix his defense.
Im just saying he was moved because Suli and Tafua could not possibly work for a multiple of reasons.

Happy to disagree on the pros and cons of Walker as he is a polarising character with everyone but Walker was never moved to partner Tafua to fix his defensive issues.
A Suli Tafua combination with two speedsters on the other side would make Walkers supposed issues irrelevant. Would be a train wreck in so many ways and does not make one bit of sense.Both have good attributes but both turn like the titanic and have no pace.Disaster.

And maybe the thought of losing your entire career has messed with him more than we think. A player of his pedigree deserves time in a team which without him has the slowest three quarter line in the comp.
 
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Sue said:
Can someone tell me how moving a bloke from one side of the field to the other will fix defensive issues when you have Jorge out there( who I love for different reasons ) but seriously is the least game aware player in the NRL and would be a nightmare to defend beside.Throw in Cade playing his third game out there as well.Des ain’t that silly.How could that possibly help Walkers defense?

The reason he was moved is because he is a seasoned player who Des believes can handle both sides of the field and make a better combination till Parker returns.

Des wouldn’t move Suli there for a very simple reason.Suli inside of Tafua would be a total fiasco.They both have the turning circle of the Titanic.Imagine the short grubbers in behind them or the chase on a line break. I don’t want to think about it.Having your two fastest backs together with two big slow turning men on the other side is a recipe for disaster.If Suli did play on the left for Manly he certainly didn’t do it inside Jorge. It simply would not work.

Keep hearing Walker doesn’t pass. Moses makes Walks look like a distributing halfback. Would have thrown two passes in two years.Garrick is one of the few players with speed in our backline and rarely gets it outside of kick returns and broken play with Moses inside.


It’s all moot anyway. If anyone thinks Des is going to drop Walker for Suli then I think they’ll be disappointed for a long time.Suli will be competing for a wing spot when Parker returns to the left. It’s a good problem to have as both Parker and Suli have improved markedly under Des.I like the idea of Moses on a wing.
Click to expand...
You also said how does moving a player from one side of the field to the other fix his defencive issues? But then you say Des had to play suli on the right because you could not have him defend on the left next to Taufua. Isnt that a contradiction to what you are trying to say?
 
Here is a thought out of left field.....

When Parker returns, he goes straight back to left centre, Dylan Walker goes back to the right, Suli takes Jorge's place on the wing.....and Jorge take's Jetski's place on the bench as a utility / impact player?

I do worry about Jorge's potential work rate as a forward, even off the bench. But his runs and defence are better than Jetski's, and of course he can also easily slot into the backline.

Tom Trbojevic
Moses Suli
Dylan Walker
Brad Parker
Reuben Garrick
Lachlan Croker / Cade Cust
Daly Cherry-Evans
Addin Fonua-Blake
Api Koroisau
Martin Taupau
Joel Thompson
Curtis Sironen
Jake Trbojevic

Manase Fainu
Jorge Taufua
Taniela Paseka
Corey Waddell

It probably won't happen, but its just a thought.
 
The better Robbo said:
You also said how does moving a player from one side of the field to the other fix his defencive issues? But then you say Des had to play suli on the right because you could not have him defend on the left next to Taufua. Isnt that a contradiction to what you are trying to say?
Click to expand...
The better Robbo said:
You also said how does moving a player from one side of the field to the other fix his defencive issues? But then you say Des had to play suli on the right because you could not have him defend on the left next to Taufua. Isnt that a contradiction to what you are trying to say?
Click to expand...
Simple answer. Suli being not suited with Tafua is not about defensive structures or Moses defensive issues. I think he defends quite well.Both are big and relatively slow men who as a combination couldn’t handle short kicks in behind and could not chase down line breaks. You need speed on both sides .Would not work and wastes the talents of the players involved.
 
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HoldenV8 said:
Here is a thought out of left field.....

When Parker returns, he goes straight back to left centre, Dylan Walker goes back to the right, Suli takes Jorge's place on the wing.....and Jorge take's Jetski's place on the bench as a utility / impact player?

I do worry about Jorge's potential work rate as a forward, even off the bench. But his runs and defence are better than Jetski's, and of course he can also easily slot into the backline.

Tom Trbojevic
Moses Suli
Dylan Walker
Brad Parker
Reuben Garrick
Lachlan Croker / Cade Cust
Daly Cherry-Evans
Addin Fonua-Blake
Api Koroisau
Martin Taupau
Joel Thompson
Curtis Sironen
Jake Trbojevic

Manase Fainu
Jorge Taufua
Taniela Paseka
Corey Waddell

It probably won't happen, but its just a thought.
Click to expand...
That’s what will happen. Parker keeps left centre and deserves to. Walker back to right centre and Moses( who is better suited to wing ) dukes it out with Jorge for the wing spot with Jorge getting first crack due to incumbency.

A big problem for Jorge would be defensive decisions on the edge as a bench backrower. All the block plays come through that corridor and Jorge making those decisions could be a nightmare.

Jorge is a tough one for me. One of my all time favourites but the modern game with emphasis on kicks and speed are making it tough for him. Nothing better than watching the big guy having a great game.
 
HoldenV8 said:
Here is a thought out of left field.....

When Parker returns, he goes straight back to left centre, Dylan Walker goes back to the right, Suli takes Jorge's place on the wing.....and Jorge take's Jetski's place on the bench as a utility / impact player?

I do worry about Jorge's potential work rate as a forward, even off the bench. But his runs and defence are better than Jetski's, and of course he can also easily slot into the backline.

Tom Trbojevic
Moses Suli
Dylan Walker
Brad Parker
Reuben Garrick
Lachlan Croker / Cade Cust
Daly Cherry-Evans
Addin Fonua-Blake
Api Koroisau
Martin Taupau
Joel Thompson
Curtis Sironen
Jake Trbojevic

Manase Fainu
Jorge Taufua
Taniela Paseka
Corey Waddell

It probably won't happen, but its just a thought.
Click to expand...
Nice thinking, but Jorge would have to come on as a front rower which I doubt would happen.
I do think that, in time, Suli could become a prop. I can only see him bulking up with all the training etc. and he is already too slow to be a legitimate centre/winger.
 
Sue said:
Robbo my point is simple. Forget about how Walks is going. You said he was moved to fix his defense.
Im just saying he was moved because Suli and Tafua could not possibly work for a multiple of reasons.

Happy to disagree on the pros and cons of Walker as he is a polarising character with everyone but Walker was never moved to partner Tafua to fix his defensive issues.
A Suli Tafua combination with two speedsters on the other side would make Walkers supposed issues irrelevant. Would be a train wreck in so many ways and does not make one bit of sense.Both have good attributes but both turn like the titanic and have no pace.Disaster.

And maybe the thought of losing your entire career has messed with him more than we think. A player of his pedigree deserves time in a team which without him has the slowest three quarter line in the comp.
Click to expand...
suli and Taufua wouldnt work in defence? Ok ill go with that but parker is no speedster amd seems to defend next to jorge just fine. On the opposite side of the field we had Garrick and Walker 2 speedsters yet they let in 3 tries. We can agree to disagree but I still firmly believe walker was moved because Des didnt want a repeat of the 3 tries scored down that side of the field. After the weekend its clear its not a matter of what side Walker plays, whatever side of the field he is on struggles big time, maybe its just walker. Its not about speed in defence, its about read and technique. Parker is a perfect example
 
Parker works with Tafua because he is not huge and has agility despite being not a speedster.

But fair enough . Agree to disagree . I suppose I have faith that a young guy who has had a couple of ordinary games who has played origin and for his country is not a turnstile and will sort it out. You don’t get to be a kangaroo if you can’t defend to at least a decent standard. I’m willing to give him more time than a couple of games.

I hope I’m right and the reality is you need strike our wide to win the big games as Storm Roosters and co prove each year so we should all be hoping he comes good because workmanlike on its own doesn’t win trophies.
 
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The better Robbo said:
He got moved to the left cos his defence was terrible on the right and was responsible for 3 tries in one game!!! Simple as that. Also, So what you're saying is that suli is preferred at right centre than our "almighty dally m centre of the year" walker? Why not just play suli on the left as he has done plenty of times previously for us and tigers.
Parker owns left centre so where does that leave walker?
If walker was the star you make him out to be then no way he is moved out of his preferred right centre to accommodate suli!
Walker was moved to fix his defencive issues which were only further noticable on the wknd
Click to expand...
Obviously des thinks suli is not good at left center duh! Ok lets do this... i tell you now walker will be right center when parker comes back... leaving suli to be dropped or moved to wing though i doubt that as garrick is a good winger and kicker. Replacing taufua would be ideal.
So if walker moves back to right center you lose and must do a monkey dance and post it. If i lose ill do the same. Do you concur?
By the way walker hasn't played since August last year before the game your talking about and hes never played with any of the boys garrick lg Elliot so what do you expect he can't just come and be on the same page as the rest just like turbo even he struggled.
 
Bring back the.... Biff? said:
Obviously des thinks suli is not good at left center duh! Ok lets do this... i tell you now walker will be right center when parker comes back... leaving suli to be dropped or moved to wing though i doubt that as garrick is a good winger and kicker. Replacing taufua would be ideal.
So if walker moves back to right center you lose and must do a monkey dance and post it. If i lose ill do the same. Do you concur?
By the way walker hasn't played since August last year before the game your talking about and hes never played with any of the boys garrick lg Elliot so what do you expect he can't just come and be on the same page as the rest just like turbo even he struggled.
Click to expand...
I never once said walker should be dropped and I never once said walker isnt our best option at right centre. I said and I maintain his best position would be wing. HOWEVER since we have limited options at right centre, the other being suli who I also say is best as a winger then walker will no doubt hold down right centre. Parker has done enough to claim left centre so the only real option for walker is back to right centre.
Fair enough he hasnt played with most of them but he hasn't been injured and has trained with these defencive structures all pre season. No excuses.
Rewind 10 years when we had killer and matai at centre, would you be happy with walker on the wing? Would you ever consider moving either to accommodate walker? No way in hell. Walker is there out of necessity, there is no other real options. I think walker is playing himself out of a new contract offer from manly. I really do hope he turns it around asap
 
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Bring back the.... Biff? said:
Obviously des thinks suli is not good at left center duh! Ok lets do this... i tell you now walker will be right center when parker comes back... leaving suli to be dropped or moved to wing though i doubt that as garrick is a good winger and kicker. Replacing taufua would be ideal.
So if walker moves back to right center you lose and must do a monkey dance and post it. If i lose ill do the same. Do you concur?
By the way walker hasn't played since August last year before the game your talking about and hes never played with any of the boys garrick lg Elliot so what do you expect he can't just come and be on the same page as the rest just like turbo even he struggled.
Click to expand...
How about a manly wang dance instead of a monkey dance 🙂
 
The better Robbo said:
I never once said walker should be dropped and I never once said walker isnt our best option at right centre. I said and I maintain his best position would be wing. HOWEVER since we have limited options at right centre, the other being suli who I also say is best as a winger then walker will no doubt hold down right centre. Parker has done enough to claim left centre so the only real option for walker is back to right centre.
Fair enough he hasnt played with most of them but he hasn't been injured and has trained with these defencive structures all pre season. No excuses
Click to expand...
Mate id love to see suli on the wing over taufua with parker his center. Walker and garrick along with dce will form a deadly combination imho. Walker needs good early ball like dce gave to chambers in origin. Also walker and dce have played together before so there defense and communication should be good. Walker also needs to make those tackles if he runs up
 
Player Josh McGuire
Club Cowboys
Minute of match 4th
Charge/incident Contrary conduct
Charge grade 1
7yrs incident free for discount No
Base penalty for charge $1500
Penalty points - early plea $3400
Penalty points - guilty $4500
Prior similar offences in last 2 years (50% loading) 4
Prior non-similar offences in last 2 years (20% loading) 0
Carry-over points to be added N/A
Misconduct on whom? Dylan Walker

WTF 😡 Second eye gouge and he gets a fine.
Some Raider kid got 5 weeks for 1st gouge just last week :swear:
 
Player Jorge Taufua
Club Sea Eagles
Minute of match 7th
Charge/incident Tripping
Charge grade 1
7yrs incident free for discount No
Base penalty for charge $1500
Penalty points - early plea $1150
Penalty points - guilty $1500
Prior similar offences in last 2 years (50% loading) 0
Prior non-similar offences in last 2 years (20% loading) 0
Carry-over points to be added N/A
Misconduct on whom? Tom Opacic

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/08/tom-burgess-charged-and-two-others-fined-over-brawl/

Anyone see this :think:
 
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