Croker - Honest opinions need apply

[Kevinward777]

I was only expressing my views on his game against the Knights .Just because it is round one it does not mean we cant evaluate players performances . I agree with you that this kid is not close to the talent of DCE . Ricky Stuart did not rate him either and I think he may be right .

Jimmy the Jet was world class terrible against the Goons last week.

 

[Kevinward777]

That’s it

 

[EaglesDontTweet]

NRL Tonight reporting Manly have formally talked to Riley Jack's Manager this week

Straight into @globaleagle's (All Canadian) YART.🙂

 

[TokyoEagle]

The only negative really was his lack of experience showed. Ioption of giving him of helping organise the attack, he stayed on the left and only really got involved when the play went to that side. Of course, Barrett may have told him to do just that in his first game just to make it a bit easier for him. He handled it well enough, other than the offload from the ground that lost possession. But he needs to get more involved overall because DCE is simply not capable of game managing the team in attack.

The question still remains though. Is Croker capable of doing that right now? I don't think any of us want to go through half or a full season of watching the kid learn at the expense of the team not being as competitive as it should be.

I couldn't fault his defence. Often in the NRL, even with veteran halves but more so with younger ones, they have to be bailed out of trouble a lot of times by their back rowers. But Croker didn't need to be bailed out by Thompson from what I saw.

Happy to give him a few more weeks to see what he has got. With Hastings on th bench this week we have the ootion

Well I’d be guessing if the cap debacle rolls on there’s no chance of signing another player ( Albert Kelly springs to mind) so we are either stuck with Croker or Hastings for the 2018 season at least.

**** you Greenslime, we haven’t lost but you are still winning!

Is Kelly really the player we need. No point buying for the sake of buying.

 

[manlyfan76]

Biography:
Jacks spent his first year in Melbourne splitting his time between first grade and feeder level. His 12 games in 2017 showcased what the mature age recruit was capable of as he performed strongly in the No.6 playmaking role. Now with a season of NRL experience under his belt, Jacks will be pushing for the vacant halfback role in the Storm side.

 

[HappilyManly]

Is that a tv show?

Yes, nightly 5:30 on Foxtel chnl 502

Badel reported it live and said the Titans & Manly made formal approaches

 

[BOZO]

Jimmy the Jet was world class terrible against the Goons last week.

All I care about is how our centres will go next week 😉

 

[BOZO]

You can evaluate after 1 game or go better and judge a rookie on half a game...just maybe not too accurately.
As for Ricky - his judgement in recent times had him up with Anthony Griffin in betting odds as the first coach sacked, he is just as likely wrong.

I agree with you maxta , I am no accurate judge I am a bozo (lol) that has his views. As for Ricky Stuart he was one of the best halves in the game who has done it all and seen it all so I respect his judgement .

 

[Budgie]

All I care about is how our centres will go next week 😉

More than winning?

 

[maxta]

I agree with you maxta , I am no accurate judge I am a bozo (lol) that has his views. As for Ricky Stuart he was one of the best halves in the game who has done it all and seen it all so I respect his judgement .

Sticky was a great union convert who was an integral part of that dominant Raiders era.
As a coach, has been punted by Slimes and his players choices of who stays and go’s was very odd....also went ordinary in 2017 at Canberra, considering the roster he had, expected a fair bit more.
No doubt clever, with a great football brain, his arrogant nature makes him seem to lose players and if they fall out....your not in the “Ricky” club.
Don’t think I am backing Croker because he is a gun, simply a matter of - at least 2 -3 more games to get a truer indication.
I am with most that this should not be a season long guinea pig experiment and if it’s not working- new game plan.
Keep in mind Maloney looked like a fish out of water getting used to 5/8 at his new Penrith club in game 1 and he is a triple premiership winning 5/8. - that’s my best attempt at perspective on this.

 

[Fluffy]

Speaking of the 19 year old Ponga , I thought he was the most dangerous back on the field . On the day he out played Tom Turbo . That's how I saw it on full match fox Replay

TT was poor by his standards and one of the worst fullbacks in round 1. Made his usual errors but offered very little in attack compared to last year. Not sure if he had a niggle or in game cork etc but didn't get very involved.

The good news is he doesn't play that bad very often and we will see a much better round 2 from him.

 

[Fluffy]

How do we evaluate players on how good they are ?
By comparing them with the good ones . That's how I do it .
I remember last season a 19 year old half Brodie Croft made his debut for the Storm and scored 3 tries and set up 2 others .
The 21 year old Croker made his debut for us last week playing his second NRL game since 2016 and after watching the replay of the game I can see why Ricky Stuart did not try and keep him at the Raiders .
I know that some players take time to shine but for mine Croker will not be the star that will lead us to a grand final .
I would like to see Croker have a big game this week and prove me wrong

Watched Croft on the weekend and no better than Croker, made 2 errors plus a falcon (not counted against him as an error) poor kicks and his soft attempted tackle led to the dogs first try. Croft is far more experienced in his 3rd season with the same club as well so should be miles ahead of Croker.

 

[maxta]

TT was poor by his standards and one of the worst fullbacks in round 1. Made his usual errors but offered very little in attack compared to last year. Not sure if he had a niggle or in game cork etc but didn't get very involved.

The good news is he doesn't play that bad very often and we will see a much better round 2 from him.

That second half when the game was on the line, was waiting for TT to step up....then noticed he was limping/ hobbling about and even 1 kick return it was like B Stewart when he was shot in 2016....hope its just a niggler and he is 100% set Sunday.

 

[Budgie]

That second half when the game was on the line was waitin for TT to step up....then noticed he was limping/ hobbling about and even 1 kick return it was like B Stewart when he was shot in 2016....hope its just a niggler and he is 100% set Sunday.

Hope that limp isn't the reason for Hastings.

 

[Woodsie]

Sticky was a great union convert who was an integral part of that dominant Raiders era.
As a coach, has been punted by Slimes and his players choices of who stays and go’s was very odd....also went ordinary in 2017 at Canberra, considering the roster he had, expected a fair bit more.
No doubt clever, with a great football brain, his arrogant nature makes him seem to lose players and if they fall out....your not in the “Ricky” club.
Don’t think I am backing Croker because he is a gun, simply a matter of - at least 2 -3 more games to get a truer indication.
I am with most that this should not be a season long guinea pig experiment and if it’s not working- new game plan.
Keep in mind Maloney looked like a fish out of water getting used to 5/8 at his new Penrith club in game 1 and he is a triple premiership winning 5/8. - that’s my best attempt at perspective on this.

Agree, Stuart won a premiership as coach with a team entirely recruited and built by Graham Murray ...... he has been far less successful when the recruitment was his responsibility, to the point I would suggest he is not very bloody good a judge of talent ...

It appears with the happy clapping Raiders he has given up on trying to pick talent and has just gone with recruiting the biggest dumbest dirtiest thugs he can find and try to bash his way to another title ....

 

[Fluffy]

How do we evaluate players on how good they are ?
By comparing them with the good ones . That's how I do it .
I remember last season a 19 year old half Brodie Croft made his debut for the Storm and scored 3 tries and set up 2 others .
The 21 year old Croker made his debut for us last week playing his second NRL game since 2016 and after watching the replay of the game I can see why Ricky Stuart did not try and keep him at the Raiders .
I know that some players take time to shine but for mine Croker will not be the star that will lead us to a grand final .
I would like to see Croker have a big game this week and prove me wrong

Will also note that Croft missed 7 tackles in round 1 in his 3rd season with the same club (so one would think he understands the defensive structures).

I take it you are only keen on highlight reel players judging by your comments.

 

[lurker]

I was only expressing my views on his game against the Knights .Just because it is round one it does not mean we cant evaluate players performances . I agree with you that this kid is not close to the talent of DCE . Ricky Stuart did not rate him either and I think he may be right .

Cause ricky stuart is a terrific judge of talent? he paid two 5/8s big money and now has one off the bench. They had too many of the same type of player to keep him and he had gone through a bunch of injuries. Tell me where ricky stuart has said he doesn't rate him?

 

[Ned]

I agree with you maxta , I am no accurate judge I am a bozo (lol) that has his views. As for Ricky Stuart he was one of the best halves in the game who has done it all and seen it all so I respect his judgement .

Ricky was a great player, but as a jusdge of half backs he's never been hapy with anyone he's had play for him. None of them live up to the inflated impression he has of his own ability.

 

[BOZO]

Ricky was a great player, but as a jusdge of half backs he's never been hapy with anyone he's had play for him. None of them live up to the inflated impression he has of his own ability.

When your the best you expect nothing but the best so I can understand where Ricky is coming from .

 

[BOZO]

Cause ricky stuart is a terrific judge of talent? he paid two 5/8s big money and now has one off the bench. They had too many of the same type of player to keep him and he had gone through a bunch of injuries. Tell me where ricky stuart has said he doesn't rate him?

Ricky is more qualified to be a better judge than you and I as he has achieved all in the game and if you think other wise than believe what you think .
I agree with you that the Raiders did have the same type of players as Croker who are a dime a dozen and you have answered your own question there .
Croker was very thankful for our club for giving him an opportunity that Ricky didn't .