Croker - Honest opinions need apply

[winnyason]

I don’t understand what people’s expectation of Croker were on Friday. Is it his fault that he didn’t play a good enough foil to his more highly experienced and better paid halves partner ? Do we think he didn’t do what was asked of him in his SECOND only NRL game ? Be interested to hear what everyone thought his brief may have been. Personally I think he just does what he is told, it’d take some church bells to rock up and start dictating terms to DCE and to rip straight in to owning the game management and kicking game.

I might be wrong but I doubt baz threw him the keys and said “here you go mate, you’re driving this thing don’t f@&k it up”. It’s not his fault he got picked over Hastings, that’s Cletus’s fault by not forcing the coaches hand and making himself irresistible to the final 17. I’m happy to see how the Frog goes over the next couple of weeks, thought there’s enough there to build on.

I get that, but the biggest problem is every fan seen how Blake Green performed for warriors and improved there team. Now our club made decision not to upgrade his deal this imo could be big mistake.
Was it certain Pearce was here til cap issue came ?
Did club know of cap problems when green asked for release ?
Croker solid but solid won’t win you a comp at 6 nor maybe make 8, we made massive inroads last year and imo look to gone backwards. Solid not gonna crack it, a lot of clubs below us have improved half’s we have become weaker.
Nrl not the place to develop a kid, it’s sink or swim in a spine position you don’t have time to make it.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I get that, but the biggest problem is every fan seen how Blake Green performed for warriors and improved there team. Now our club made decision not to upgrade his deal this imo could be big mistake.
Was it certain Pearce was here til cap issue came ?
Did club know of cap problems when green asked for release ?
Croker solid but solid won’t win you a comp at 6 nor maybe make 8, we made massive inroads last year and imo look to gone backwards. Solid not gonna crack it, a lot of clubs below us have improved half’s we have become weaker.
Nrl not the place to develop a kid, it’s sink or swim in a spine position you don’t have time to make it.

Mate on Blake Green, he’s 32 I think and probably will have a good year this year, think he might turn 33. Anyway give or take he’s going to be around 35 in his final year at the warriors and really will just be another Nate Myles sucking up Cap for no return.

The club had signed him for two years, he wanted another 3.

Right decision made long term, possibly wrong decision short term.

 

[winnyason]

Mate on Blake Green, he’s 32 I think and probably will have a good year this year, think he might turn 33. Anyway give or take he’s going to be around 35 in his final year at the warriors and really will just be another Nate Myles sucking up Cap for no return.

The club had signed him for two years, he wanted another 3.

Right decision made long term, possibly wrong decision short term.

Look I first I was the same. But look at best clubs they have 2 top level half’s.
I believe clubs has stuffed this up the release, chase of Pearce coming then not, cap fighting with league. I be honest dce not shown much to lead team around park when Kieran Foran left and not off to great start without green. Our go forward keep us in games but dumb crap like running on 5th not rolling it into ingoal is inept dce simply is not a genuine half.
We paid a lot of dough for a 6 in reality.
I just think it will end in tears this season In those clutch moments. Albert Kelly are we kidding he plays off the cuff that’s it all the time. Todd totally f@@@ked up our season, all dce needed was hodgkinson or bubbler to guide team around park.

 

[HoldenV8]

We have a forward pack who will provide a lot of room. But unfortunately we don't have the set up in the halves to take advantage of it.

And believe me, there are better teams than Newcastle in this competition who will beat us by more than just a field goal in golden point if we don't get it right.

The reality is that we have thrown the reigns to a rookie and the expectation is that he will work it out very quickly and become the on-field team manager that we need. And while yes, it may have only been his second first grade game and his first game with Manly, and I think anyone who saw him will agree that Croker can become a solid first grade 5/8, right now he is way too green to handle the role.

DCE has had many chances to prove that he can game manage a team, but he just can't do it. As a consequence his halves partner needs to be able to take charge of the team like Foran did so successfully and like Green did last year. I'm just not sure that right now Croker is that player.

Its why I think that regardless of whatever he's done to get himself in the dog house, right now we should be going with Hastings at 5/8 and bringing Croker along slowly.

 

[Snake]

In defence of those who are a little critical of Croker...

I think we all know deep down that it's (a) not his fault, (b) he couldn't really do more than he did the other night, and (c) he deserves a bit more time...

but...

maybe I don't speak for everyone, but personally I think we are using him as a scapegoat because we don't really know how to feel about this whole Green/Moylan/Pearce/Lamb/Hastings/Croker situation. There are more questions than answers and last year looked like it was going to be a stepping stone to greater things...maybe we would keep the same squad and be another year wiser...or maybe we would land an even bigger fish to play in the halves...

All of the sudden we are down a huge piece of the puzzle (part of the spine) and maybe we will go backwards. That's scary for fans who last remember being a force 5 seasons ago. The rebuild may have stalled and the way forward is unclear...

Unfortunately, and unfairly, Coker is in the line of fire until we start winning and normal transmission resumes. It's a peculiar time to be a Manly supporter, I must say.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

In defence of those who are a little critical of Croker...

I think we all know deep down that it's (a) not his fault, (b) he couldn't really do more than he did the other night, and (c) he deserves a bit more time...

but...

maybe I don't speak for everyone, but personally I think we are using him as a scapegoat because we don't really know how to feel about this whole Green/Moylan/Pearce/Lamb/Hastings/Croker situation. There are more questions than answers and last year looked like it was going to be a stepping stone to greater things...maybe we would keep the same squad and be another wiser...or maybe we would land an even bigger fish to play in the halves...

All of the sudden we are down a huge piece of the puzzle (part of the spine) and maybe we will go backwards. That's scary for fans who last remember being a force 5 seasons ago. The rebuild may have stalled and the way forward is unclear...

Unfortunately, and unfairly, Coker is in the line of fire until we start winning and normal transmission resumes. It's a peculiar time to be a Manly supporter, I must say.

And, as fans, through forces all beyond our control OR understanding.

I’m still of the belief that maybe we’d of been better off just to accept Toddy’s ruling, not fight it, take a light penalty and if we’d done that maybe Pearce would be an Eagle today.

But of course I don’t know the behind the scenes story.

 

[eaglebuzz]

In the short term I'd like to see Hastings given a crack, but hopefully in the next couple of weeks we will sign Albert Kelly.

 

[Rodo]

He ran across field a couple of times, stopped, turned and ran back to where he came from; not good at all. Play straight and direct!

He went for the hail Mary field goal in Golden Point; play to the corner and apply pressure.

He got caught with the ball in Golden Point when he was right in front of the post. He should have kicked the bloody thing regardless of how close the opposition were because any deflection would likely result in us getting the ball back and at best the ball goes over. He also wasn't standing deep enough.

I will never question his passion, desire or commitment, but he did not play a smart game and I am embarrassed whenever I see him crab back and forth across field. It's just about the dumbest thing a half can do in the NRL. It flies in the face of everything they train to do during the week.

Just shows you the difference in a player like JT and DCE. JT plays the game like a game of chess; always looking a play or two ahead, knowing where his players are, where they should be, where he should be and what the opposition is likely to do. DCE on the other-hand does not think ahead and tries to work things out when he gets the ball and by this stage it's too late.

 

[manly al]

Simple remedy for a half or 5/8 when they run into trouble and with limited options in front of them is just to bring a player back inside or just pass to other player to take it forward , and then get ready for the next play after an ideal quick play the ball . Obviously once a half runs back across the ruck and usually then inevitably gets tackled and out of play , really just a waste of a set or two and less attacking options .

 

[lurker]

Has everyone forgotten that the 9th immortal Blake green was literally a speed bump last year? At least Croker looks like he can defend and they ran a fair bit at him. I thought he looked pretty sharp in the sweep play to put Jorge over.

He’s a young kid. Give him a few weeks.

From what I’ve heard Hastings is in love with himself and is hard to cop. There’s a reason why he was offside at the roosters and then here. I trust the coaching staff who spend a lot of time with these guys to know how the chemistry will gel. Barrett has brought the happiness and love back. They look like they’re enjoying themselves and that shouldn’t be screwed with.

 

[HoldenV8]

Just shows you the difference in a player like JT and DCE. JT plays the game like a game of chess; always looking a play or two ahead, knowing where his players are, where they should be, where he should be and what the opposition is likely to do. DCE on the other-hand does not think ahead and tries to work things out when he gets the ball and by this stage it's too late.

Would that be the same JT who couldn't do anything with the Cowboys until Morgan, Granville and Coote came in to take over the running of the team leaving him to play his natural what's in front of him style?

Kinda sounds like how it is with DCE.

Thurston may have the runs on the board as far as most are concerned, but both he and DCE play a very similar type of game (which is a lot of the reason why they never gelled for either Qld or Australia). Both need game managers out there to allow them to provide the brilliance without the burden of trying to organise.

Don't get me wrong, I do agree that Thurston is a better organiser than DCE. But like Cherry its also the weakest part of his attacking game.

 

[mave]

Stop using logic to justify your argument.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Frog....I think I like it!!

I'm actually thinking "Kermit" might be better....coming from Canberra he is a green croaker.

 

[Damien2812]

Like I said before Manly tried to sign Pearce but failed in result lost Green. We have been since then trying to sign Hodko and Carney because obviously Barrett wasn't 100% that Croker will be the right person for the job...

 

[Wombat64]

If Croker cant organise and take more action off of Daly then he needs to go or our seasons goes down the drain quicksmart.

And you replace hime with? Hastings? Are we sure that he would do any better?

 

[maxta]

The general consensus seems to be Croker was solid in defence, a little down on organising and reasonably alert on his pass selection though at times, like any new 5/8 - the timing and combinations at time were a bit off.....
The only thing I can get out of this constructive debate at this point, is the fact we will all be far clearer on Croker in 3-4 weeks....and most importantly, I think it will take this time for Croker to find himself, what best he can bring to the team.

 

[Wombat64]

There is so much strike power in this squad. Coaching it is the real issue, and I am afraid Barrett coaches like a rookie!
The announcement of Croker being a long term halves partner for Cherry was ridiculous. Talk about putting him in the spotlight. IMO Barrett is the only one under pressure. Year 3 will demand more and more scrutiny. I really hope he knows what he is doing with that squad, because I have not seen any real improvement in discipline and game management. Happy to be proven wrong after 6 rounds

But we did try to sign someone better as the club knew it was a weakness. I'm sure Croker isn't Barrett's first choice but what's he gonna say the kids ****. The clowns running the NRL are blocking us. It's hard to put the blame on Barrett or even our usual scapegoat Lewis Brown for this one. I guess the blame if there is any is that the club let Green go ...... without a decent backup.

 

[Chip and Chase]

It's hard to put the blame on Barrett or even our usual scapegoat Lewis Brown for this one

Lewis could have done the honourable thing and asked for a release to free up some cap space for us 😉

 

[Tragic Eagle]

And you replace hime with? Hastings? Are we sure that he would do any better?

Well never know until he is given a go!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I’m still of the belief that maybe we’d of been better off just to accept Toddy’s ruling, not fight it, take a light penalty and if we’d done that maybe Pearce would be an Eagle today
.

Doubt we would have been given a light penalty if we just accepted it Mark, if we do get a light penalty it will be due to fighting it so hard.

As for Croker he will get several weeks at least to show what he can do. The tackle on Guerra alone was worthy of keeping his. If Hastings ever came up with a tackle like that he would be in the team.

He probably will be soon anyway. If he keeps playing well Brown will get a stint in reggies to get match fitness and Hastings to the bench.