Danny Levi

[Deleted member 26876]

I have another little idea and put this in the Marshall thread. This because Fainu isn't likely available in 2021 either

• Release Levi + Sign one of Roosters backups (Verills or F. Lussick) or Parcell from Super League.
• Alternatively, if we don't decide to sign a hooker for next season, Cust can have the role
• Let Olakautau fill Thompson's spot w/ Gosie backup or bench
• Let Harper fill Walker's spot (free up money)
• Sign Benji Marshall as bench hooker/utility and cool-headed mentor (one year deal, low contract, no one wants him)
• Let Cust be number 18 if we sign a 9 (he'll manage plenty of games anyway with our injuries)

Spine:
1. Tom Trbojevic
6. Josh Schuster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
9. Cade Cust ------------------------ [ or alternatively: S. Verills/F. Lussick/ M. Parcell ]
14. Benji Marshall

Wingers: Signing + Saab, Hopoate, Miski
Centres: Harper, Suli, Parker, B. Trbojevic
Second-Row: Siro, Olakautau w/ Jetski to the bench/depth

 

[Peter C]

I have another little idea and put this in the Marshall thread. This because Fainu isn't likely available in 2021 either

• Release Levi + Sign one of Roosters backups (Verills or F. Lussick) or Parcell from Super League.
• Alternatively, if we don't decide to sign a hooker for next season, Cust can have the role
• Let Olakautau fill Thompson's spot w/ Gosie backup or bench
• Let Harper fill Walker's spot (free up money)
• Sign Benji Marshall as bench hooker/utility and cool-headed mentor (one year deal, low contract, no one wants him)
• Let Cust be number 18 if we sign a 9 (he'll manage plenty of games anyway with our injuries)

Spine:
1. Tom Trbojevic
6. Josh Schuster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
9. Cade Cust ------------------------ [ or alternatively: S. Verills/F. Lussick/ M. Parcell ]
14. Benji Marshall

Wingers: Signing + Saab, Hopoate, Miski
Centres: Harper, Suli, Parker, B. Trbojevic
Second-Row: Siro, Olakautau w/ Jetski to the bench/depth

Don't know why people harp on about Miski, he's not tall, not fast, he's 25 and played as many first grade games as the number of toes on a three toed sloth, surely there must be someone else out there, anywhere.

 

[HoldenV8]

Funny you should mention that. My 14 year old was telling me over dinner that he was watching season highlights of our 2008 season today (probably instead of concentrating on his school work), and he said “I have to say, they are one of the best NRL sides I’ve ever seen. Their passing was amazing!” I suggested this was largely due to Ballin’s direct, sharp delivery from dummy half... He really was exceptional. Did two out of three important things for a hooker very, very well - tackling and passing. Was a massive part of our success in that era.

Unlike now, back then we also had a very good ... a VERY good ... 1-2 punch at dummy half. We had Matty Ballin with his (almost always) immaculate service from dummy half and his tireless defensive work. Then after we'd worn the opposition down we'd have Heath L'Estrange come on (usually sometime after half time) and provide flair, running and ball playing. Plus he wasn't a bad defender either.

Unfortunately in 2020, our 1-2 dummy half punch has been more having 2 shots on the bar. Doesn't do anything for us and its costs us a lot to do it, not in terms of salaries for Levi and Croker but in terms of the fact that neither have been all that good at it.

 

[mosto]

Unlike now, back then we also had a very good ... a VERY good ... 1-2 punch at dummy half. We had Matty Ballin with his (almost always) immaculate service from dummy half and his tireless defensive work. Then after we'd worn the opposition down we'd have Heath L'Estrange come on (usually sometime after half time) and provide flair, running and ball playing. Plus he wasn't a bad defender either.

Unfortunately in 2020, our 1-2 dummy half punch has been more having 2 shots on the bar. Doesn't do anything for us and its costs us a lot to do it, not in terms of salaries for Levi and Croker but in terms of the fact that neither have been all that good at it.

My 13 yr old was watching last years game v Parra. He said, 'Why don't we play like that this year?'. The obvious difference was Fainu and Turbo. Not only Fainu's distribution, but constant probing around the ruck had the eels defence constantly retreating, then when he made a half break, Turbo was straight into dummy half and causing havoc. Couple that with the go forward Marty and AFB were providing, and DCE had all the time and the world.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Don't know why people harp on about Miski, he's not tall, not fast, he's 25 and played as many first grade games as the number of toes on a three toed sloth, surely there must be someone else out there, anywhere.

I agree, I was just listing the players we will have as options in those positions. Centre and wing stocks seem a little dodgy although we can probably try fix that this off season as well

 

[HoldenV8]

I agree, I was just listing the players we will have as options in those positions. Centre and wing stocks seem a little dodgy although we can probably try fix that this off season as well

The sad thing is that as much as we've been bagging Jorge out on his left wing ... he's probably a better option than Miski.

You know, without Jorge playing tonight our most experienced back (1-5) is Brad Parker who has played a whopping 60 games. And he's the only one of our outside backs who has even played 10 games (Funa plays his 10th tonight).

Funa - 9 games
Miski - 4 games
Parker - 60 games
Harper - 3 games
Hopoate - 2 games

In fact, our 1-6 tonight packs a grand total of 94 games between them because Cust has only played 16. Thankfully DCE has 233 games under his belt otherwise we would have arguably one of the most inexperienced NRL 1-7's in first grade in recent memory.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

The sad thing is that as much as we've been bagging Jorge out on his left wing ... he's probably a better option than Miski.

You know, without Jorge playing tonight our most experienced back (1-5) is Brad Parker who has played a whopping 60 games. And he's the only one of our outside backs who has even played 10 games (Funa plays his 10th tonight).

Funa - 9 games
Miski - 4 games
Parker - 60 games
Harper - 3 games
Hopoate - 2 games

In fact, our 1-6 tonight packs a grand total of 94 games between them because Cust has only played 16. Thankfully DCE has 233 games under his belt otherwise we would have arguably one of the most inexperienced NRL 1-7's in first grade in recent memory.

Taufua is fine when Tom is playing because trbo covers his defence half the time. But personally if there is no suited replacement at the club (hoppa might improve) id rather sign a no frills experienced winger that is good in defence on a one or two year deal in taufua's place (Eg. a corey thompson style player). Then, also trade Garrick for some potential strike in someone like Saab. As long as we can fill some strike elsewhere, get a quality nine or improve the amount of playmakers in the side. Our second rowers need to get a passing game going. Or at least for next year we can just do what penrith do with kikau on olakautau and use him as a cheat code until we can afford some backs in 2022.

Baby steps, but i think keeping taufua is probably a little bit one step forward, two steps back for mine. He might do ok, but I think our squad needs some changes to happen now that will improve the reliability of our side in defence. Then bit by bit we improve our strike (which looks like it has great potential w/ schuster, harper and co. for next year onwards)

 

[Shoe1]

Can someone please introduce Levi to Barrett?

 

[ManEagle]

I am not one to bag our own players, so I have found it difficult talking about Levi and Crocker, and have largely not commented unless in perspective or finding some positive.
Mind you during the game, have a few nicknames for both that go together . In perspective Levi I know is just a fill and was a desperate signing, but wow we need a 9 solution till Fainu comes back because neither are the answer.
All this talk about other player changes and back replacement, yet our single biggest problem stems from 9 and direction around the park.

Unless Levi or Crocker can somehow go through a stunning metamorphosis during the off season like a Caterpillar to a Butterfly we will be screwed again.
I fear though the metamorphosis will be more like a cockchafer to a Beetle.

 

[BOZO]

I am not one to bag our own players, so I have found it difficult talking about Levi and Crocker, and have largely not commented unless in perspective or finding some positive.
Mind you during the game, have a few nicknames for both that go together . In perspective Levi I know is just a fill and was a desperate signing, but wow we need a 9 solution till Fainu comes back because neither are the answer.
All this talk about other player changes and back replacement, yet our single biggest problem stems from 9 and direction around the park.

Unless Levi or Crocker can somehow go through a stunning metamorphosis during the off season like a Caterpillar to a Butterfly we will be screwed again.
I fear though the metamorphosis will be more like a cockchafer to a Beetle.

When a team capitulates all weak positions are exposed and not just the number 9 as the smart opposition coach targets areas where his players run to and run around or run through .

 

[Shoe1]

Actually don’t introduce him to Barrett. This performance off the bench is good so far. Happy to keep Danny as our backup or bench hooker if he can keep this up.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Actually don’t introduce him to Barrett. This performance off the bench is good so far. Happy to keep Danny as our backup or bench hooker if he can keep this up.

Yeah I agree he seems to go alright as a 14. I'd get rid of Croker before him.

 

[The better Robbo]

I'm starting to think it's our 2nd hooker that is the problem. Levi on the cheap would be ok IF we had someone to partner with him. Cust and Croker and performing like depth players

 

[XV-1]

Levi is definitely the problem. It's just that Croker is not the solution.
We need a specialist hooker with game mgt skills

 

[MadMarcus]

Funa - 9 games
Miski - 4 games
Parker - 60 games
Harper - 3 games
Hopoate - 2 games

Add Turbo, Walker and Saab to this list and that’s a pretty good bunch of backs with good depth.

It’s a young man’s game with the new 6 again rule, so I think this is a well balanced mix of youth and experience.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I think the Sivo case was a storm in a teacup, he merely tugged at a waitress's skirt, perhaps improper, and perhaps serious by fijian standards, but hardly in Debelin league of accusations

Really? Scott Bolton may beg to differ

NRL suspend Scott Bolton for ten weeks after common assault charge

Scott Bolton has been hit with a 10-week suspension and a fine totalling five per cent of his salary, as the NRL impose sanctions on off-field behaviour matters.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[40 years an eagle]

Levi is definitely the problem. It's just that Croker is not the solution.
We need a specialist hooker with game mgt skills

Agreed...Cust at 9 is not the solution either.

Going into 2021 without a REAL hooker would be absurd!
Our acquisition and retention people must be chosen from remedial class dropouts. Do the names Tom and Manase not spark any neuron responses in these people?

 

[robbiea]

Levi getting more minutes was better.If Croker played that extra 10-15 mins we probably lose.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Don't know why people harp on about Miski, he's not tall, not fast, he's 25 and played as many first grade games as the number of toes on a three toed sloth, surely there must be someone else out there, anywhere.

Well said, he is does not have any upside from what I have seen of him.