Croker - Honest opinions need apply

[TimmyQ]

My work has blocked nrl.com

Can you please paste the article?

I think before u worry about nrl.com u need to get on seek.com. Fark working for a mob that won't let u look at a footy website..

 

[40 years an eagle]

Woodsie and HoldenV8 got it right.

Almost all of our attack originated from our own 25 because of team mistakes and MOSTLY because of penalties keeping us down our own end.
That requires solidly moving downfield so it doesn't keep compounding the problem, not a time for risk-taking in t first game of the season. We and Croker did that.
If we had the ball they had, we and Croker would have many opportunities for more expansive attack and would have put on 40 points.

The great dogboy didn't shine even with all that great ball they had.
Give the kid a break, it was a tough initiation and he did ok/good... and will go better if our play gives him some opportunities.

It was a good learner FOR ALL.

 

[BOZO]

Woodsie and HoldenV8 got it right.

Almost all of our attack originated from our own 25 because of team mistakes and MOSTLY because of penalties keeping us down our own end.
That requires solidly moving downfield so it doesn't keep compounding the problem, not a time for risk-taking in t first game of the season. We and Croker did that.
If we had the ball they had, we and Croker would have many opportunities for more expansive attack and would have put on 40 points.

The great dogboy didn't shine even with all that great ball they had.
Give the kid a break, it was a tough initiation and he did ok/good... and will go better if our play gives him some opportunities.

It was a good learner FOR ALL.

ok/good does not cut it with our great 5/8 Grand final winners
We have high expectations . We are the Manly Sea eagles and not the mediocre North Sydney extinct bears .
That's looking it from another perspective and this is what this great forum of ours is for .

 

[maxta]

ok/good does not cut it with our great 5/8 Grand final winners
We have high expectations . We are the Manly Sea eagles and not the mediocre North Sydney extinct bears .
That's looking it from another perspective and this is what this great forum of ours is for .

Would love the great Cliffy Lyons time warped to this squad Bozo, but let me add....
In a game like last Friday, with so many penalties and errors and not much opportunity to produce the big plays against a scattered, retreating defensive line - even Cliffy would struggle to be a headline act, with the limited time and space that was on offer.
In actual fact, many more experienced halves could have easily compiled far more errors trying to overplay the hand, when it was simply not a game to do this.
Very, very tough game to judge a rookie on and personally, have never been an avid Croker fan and know little about his ability, just feel he was on a whipping post unless Manly won the game and I reckon he was solid, (not great) under the circumstances at that cauldron on the night.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Are you always premature Bozo?

Let the kid have a chance to play when THE REST OF THE TEAM allow him by giving him decent field position.

I see you've been painfully quiet on Kelly because he played well, I hope you are not going to focus on Croker as your new whipping boy before he even gets a fair crack.

 

[BOZO]

Would love the great Cliffy Lyons time warped to this squad Bozo, but let me add....
In a game like last Friday, with so many penalties and errors and not much opportunity to produce the big plays against a scattered, retreating defensive line - even Cliffy would struggle to be a headline act, with the limited time and space that was on offer.
In actual fact, many more experienced halves could have easily compiled far more errors trying to overplay the hand, when it was simply not a game to do this.
Very, very tough game to judge a rookie on and personally, have never been an avid Croker fan and know little about his ability, just feel he was on a whipping post unless Manly won the game and I reckon he was solid, (not great) under the circumstances at that cauldron on the night.

I acknowledged what you are saying but when we had the ball our dominating forwards also laid the platform for Croker and to me a round 1 record of 4 errors for a player is not solid . Just my view on game one . Stand by for game two

 

[BOZO]

Are you always premature Bozo?

Let the kid have a chance to play when THE REST OF THE TEAM allow him by giving him decent field position.

I see you've been painfully quiet on Kelly because he played well, I hope you are not going to focus on Croker as your new whipping boy before he even gets a fair crack.

What is so premature of calling each game as you see it ?
You have said Croker played well , that's your call and mine is different . I obviously have higher expectations than you . Lets see how he goes this week and I hope he goes well so I can be quite on Croker just like I have been with Kelly .
It sounds like I don't have a high thresh hold for painful mediocre performances like you do feathered friend 😉

 

[maxta]

I acknowledged what you are saying but when we had the ball our dominating forwards also laid the platform for Croker and to me a round 1 record of 4 errors for a player is not solid . Just my view on game one . Stand by for game two

Agree the forwards laid a good platform, but the fact is unless you are a side drilled as well as Storm, round 1 will produce a stack of errors.
The error that would concern me, is defence and he was rock solid....the handling errors I cut in half as 2/4 he copped poor passes, so 2 errors and great defence, several nice passing plays including a sweep play for Taufua to score and a few support plays on half breaks showed a bit of vision and enthusiasm.
Let’s face it....after winning key field position- DCE and Tom are rightfully our “Go too” players, no rookie in game 1, will jump in front of these 2 players to make the big plays, if he did he would be playing for Blacktown this week.

 

[manlyfan76]

Far too small a sample size to really rate croaks yet.
I'd say he has good potential and played a fair game bit have not seen him when lie forwards are struggling or when dce is busted and can't kick and croaks has to be the dominate kicker.

If end one was his average game, I can't wait for his good ones!

 

[BOZO]

Agree the forwards laid a good platform, but the fact is unless you are a side drilled as well as Storm, round 1 will produce a stack of errors.
The error that would concern me, is defence and he was rock solid....the handling errors I cut in half as 2/4 he copped poor passes, so 2 errors and great defence, several nice passing plays including a sweep play for Taufua to score and a few support plays on half breaks showed a bit of vision and enthusiasm.
Let’s face it....after winning key field position- DCE and Tom are rightfully our “Go too” players, no rookie in game 1, will jump in front of these 2 players to make the big plays, if he did he would be playing for Blacktown this week.

Let’s face it....after winning key field position- DCE and Tom are rightfully our “Go too” players, no rookie in game 1
I cant believe we send a playmaker into a game without giving him the confidence of approval to take full responsibility of his role .
Its like sending a boxer into the ring with one arm tied behind his back .
Any way maxta lets see how Croker plays against the eels .

 

[Spartan Eagle]

I can't rate him as a player purely based on one performance. He obviously didn't shine though..with 4 errors he's leading the way in the NRL..

 

[maxta]

Let’s face it....after winning key field position- DCE and Tom are rightfully our “Go too” players, no rookie in game 1
I cant believe we send a playmaker into a game without giving him the confidence of approval to take full responsibility of his role .
Its like sending a boxer into the ring with one arm tied behind his back .
Any way maxta lets see how Croker plays against the eels .

You must have been really shocked after DCE played his first game and didn't take control of the game and was criticised with ppl claiming he was not up to it, then went on to play a lead role in winning the comp and representing Australia that same year ??
Not saying this kid is close to the same talent, but a simple example of writing off a player too early....I mean - after 1 game ??

 

[pjayz]

Are you always premature Bozo?

Let the kid have a chance to play when THE REST OF THE TEAM allow him by giving him decent field position.

I see you've been painfully quiet on Kelly because he played well, I hope you are not going to focus on Croker as your new whipping boy before he even gets a fair crack.

I agree with the sentiment; however, we had great field position in round 1. Our forwards dominated.

 

[Woodsie]

I agree with the sentiment; however, we had great field position in round 1. Our forwards dominated.

Field position is one thing we surely didn't enjoy in rd 1.

 

[pjayz]

Field position is one thing we surely didn't enjoy in rd 1.

Actually, you are right. We topped the league in metres made and that was evident by seeing how strongly our forwards ran; however, drop balls and penalties gave the territory advantage to the Knights.

Next time please refrain from pointing out my errors.

 

[BOZO]

You must have been really shocked after DCE played his first game and didn't take control of the game and was criticised with ppl claiming he was not up to it, then went on to play a lead role in winning the comp and representing Australia that same year ??
Not saying this kid is close to the same talent, but a simple example of writing off a player too early....I mean - after 1 game ??

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 .

 

[40 years an eagle]

I would hardly call your hasty, harsh vocal assassination of some players' abilities an "evaluation".
You were dead wrong about Kelly and hope likewise with Croker.

I don't think you have noticed that we are held to a SALARY CAP and it is not possible to have more than 4 or 5 superstars in our team at any given time.

You should go follow the "exempt" clubs if you want a team of stars or be a little more patient/tolerant of young guys learning FG.

 

[manlyfan76]

I would hardly call your hasty, harsh vocal assassination of some players' abilities an "evaluation".
You were dead wrong about Kelly and hope likewise with Croker.

I don't think you have noticed that we are held to a SALARY CAP and it is not possible to have more than 4 or 5 superstars in our team at any given time.

You should go follow the "exempt" clubs if you want a team of stars or be a little more patient/tolerant of young guys learning FG.

Troll is what troll does.

 

[HappilyManly]

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

 

[maxta]

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 .

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.