Do we let Taupau go?

I have respected Marty since he arrived , but one must ask the question do we need to spend $750k on a player who only plays 40 minutes a game ? Based on Turbo (when he is fit) , DCE and Jake who all play 80 minutes for their coin, Marty is the most paid player per minute in our team and with the number of front rowers we have we really need to spend the $750k on some speed and leadership and get the right balance back in our squad. At the moment it is probably the most unbalanced squad we have had since Northern Eagles days.
 
maxta said:
there was a crazy thread I seen claiming to get rid of AFB, who is an absolutely elite NRL forward, though needs to play the ball quicker after 5 -10m post contact metres on most carries...
Click to expand...

Agree AFB is a keeper ... but ... I am interested in @The better Robbo and your thoughts ...

I have a recurring thought that the change is the 6 again rule needs to see a change in the way AFB plays ... before he used to rumble up to the line, a brief acceleration, wait for 3 players to jump on, and then rumble slowly for another 5m ... and we all marvelled at the post contact metres ... and it was effective ..

However, now ... he does the same thing ... slow rumble up etc ...we still cheer the post contact metres ... but the opposition don't care about the post contact metres any more, because it is not done at speed, the rest of the defence simply take the opportunity to get set for the next run ... and worse, we don't hit the same spot again with a big body with intent ... we slowly play the ball for 2 slow passes before the line and change the point of attack to a defensive line that is well set and waiting ...

Compare the storm ... big bodies simply pushing off the fence and running hard and straight ... and at the same point .... poor Cust was targeted as the spot ... and they hit him repeatedly at speed and power ....

Sorry Max, rambled a bit ... but back to my point ... I think under the new rules AFB has to watch that Parra player .. Jnr something .... and just start coming of the back fence and put impact and destruction as priorities ... not slow rumbling post contact metres ...
 
Cant see the value of discussing whether we should keep Taupau. Bit like the talk about DCE. Both outstanding players. But the issue is he is signed with Manly until the end of 2022. To offload him would cost us a heap for no gain. We have him. Work out how best to use him. But a waste of time questioning if we should have him.
 
Bearfax said:
Cant see the value of discussing whether we should keep Taupau. Bit like the talk about DCE. Both outstanding players. But the issue is he is signed with Manly until the end of 2022. To offload him would cost us a heap for no gain. We have him. Work out how best to use him. But a waste of time questioning if we should have him.
Click to expand...
Dragons want him and would pay full freight
 
Woodsie said:
Agree AFB is a keeper ... but ... I am interested in @The better Robbo and your thoughts ...

I have a recurring thought that the change is the 6 again rule needs to see a change in the way AFB plays ... before he used to rumble up to the line, a brief acceleration, wait for 3 players to jump on, and then rumble slowly for another 5m ... and we all marvelled at the post contact metres ... and it was effective ..

However, now ... he does the same thing ... slow rumble up etc ...we still cheer the post contact metres ... but the opposition don't care about the post contact metres any more, because it is not done at speed, the rest of the defence simply take the opportunity to get set for the next run ... and worse, we don't hit the same spot again with a big body with intent ... we slowly play the ball for 2 slow passes before the line and change the point of attack to a defensive line that is well set and waiting ...

Compare the storm ... big bodies simply pushing off the fence and running hard and straight ... and at the same point .... poor Cust was targeted as the spot ... and they hit him repeatedly at speed and power ....

Sorry Max, rambled a bit ... but back to my point ... I think under the new rules AFB has to watch that Parra player .. Jnr something .... and just start coming of the back fence and put impact and destruction as priorities ... not slow rumbling post contact metres ...
Click to expand...
Very solid post and great points Woodsie...the way to create momentum is not built on post contact metres at an ambled pace...but how quickly you can have that ball spat back to your dummy half against a retreating defence.
Your point is great as the MOST important factor to create on a roll effect and help maintain a direct attack is off the back of those quick plays.
AFB is a juggernaught who powers through players for fun but definately can improve by this 1 key attribute - quicker play the balls.
Also with Marty, who is so convinced he needs to supply an offload, does not go full tilt into the defensive line and often stops and turns to provide a 2nd phase play....whereas it seems the best results are the big men to come from the back fence...bend or scatter the line and get a fast play, as more beneficial to gaining momentum which the modern game is all about which will greatly benefit the halves and open up FAR more opportunities out wide.
 
Woodsie said:
Agree AFB is a keeper ... but ... I am interested in @The better Robbo and your thoughts ...

I have a recurring thought that the change is the 6 again rule needs to see a change in the way AFB plays ... before he used to rumble up to the line, a brief acceleration, wait for 3 players to jump on, and then rumble slowly for another 5m ... and we all marvelled at the post contact metres ... and it was effective ..

However, now ... he does the same thing ... slow rumble up etc ...we still cheer the post contact metres ... but the opposition don't care about the post contact metres any more, because it is not done at speed, the rest of the defence simply take the opportunity to get set for the next run ... and worse, we don't hit the same spot again with a big body with intent ... we slowly play the ball for 2 slow passes before the line and change the point of attack to a defensive line that is well set and waiting ...

Compare the storm ... big bodies simply pushing off the fence and running hard and straight ... and at the same point .... poor Cust was targeted as the spot ... and they hit him repeatedly at speed and power ....

Sorry Max, rambled a bit ... but back to my point ... I think under the new rules AFB has to watch that Parra player .. Jnr something .... and just start coming of the back fence and put impact and destruction as priorities ... not slow rumbling post contact metres ...
Click to expand...
Some great reflection, Woodsie. Do you think he, and perhaps other forwards (perhaps Jake), would be better served to drop their weight and work at gaining a tad more agility?
 
HK_Eagle said:
Some great reflection, Woodsie. Do you think he, and perhaps other forwards (perhaps Jake), would be better served to drop their weight and work at gaining a tad more agility?
Click to expand...

I just think with AFB it is a matter of adjusting his priorities and playing style ... rather than rumble up to the line and carrying defenders ... hit the line hard and bowl the basstaards over ... become more a battering ram than a pack mule ... and get a quick play the ball ... but has to be done in concert with other big bodies ...

With Jake, I think the faster game has just taken 5% more out of him ... unfortunately it was the 5% that made him special ... don't have an answer other than to rotate him ... or cut down his play maker role ...
 
Woodsie said:
I just think with AFB it is a matter of adjusting his priorities and playing style ... rather than rumble up to the line and carrying defenders ... hit the line hard and bowl the basstaards over ... become more a battering ram than a pack mule ... and get a quick play the ball ... but has to be done in concert with other big bodies ...

With Jake, I think the faster game has just taken 5% more out of him ... unfortunately it was the 5% that made him special ... don't have an answer other than to rotate him ... or cut down his play maker role ...
Click to expand...
I would have thought the play-making would have spared some of his juice, as compared to bashing it up and contact taking it's physical toll on his energy levels. Unless he trims down and adjusts his playing style, I guess rest and rotation would seem the better choice...
 
Woodsie said:
With Jake, I think the faster game has just taken 5% more out of him ... unfortunately it was the 5% that made him special ... don't have an answer other than to rotate him ... or cut down his play maker role ...
Click to expand...

I don't think the off-season shoulder operation helped Jake either... but a change is needed.

Mind you I thought he looked much better on Sunday than he has for a while.
 
Scorpio said:
I don't think the off-season shoulder operation helped Jake either... but a change is needed.

Mind you I thought he looked much better on Sunday than he has for a while.
Click to expand...


Obviously lining over the loss of his brother. But who knows, another may suddenly appear.
 
oh you just have to giggle at some of this garbage. I will buy in - so far the experts suggest Taupau - gooorne, DCE - goooorne, Jake - goooorne (an overpaid James Graham clone someone said bahahahaha), Turbo - goorne (too expensive and injury prone), Walker - goorne, Suli gooorne, Parker gooorne, Levi - goorne, Sironen - gooorne (I am sure he is playing injured), Thompson - already gooorne and I am sure I have missed some more quality suggestions. Just wondering what quality players we are getting to replace these duds and how much we will be paying to offload them?Now some I actually agree have not been great this year for us - Suli certainly, Levi has had his moments but in this new fast paced game we missed Api, Parker has not been fab. But with three quarters of your spine gone - Turbo, Walker and Fainu/Api that really makes for a tough tough year. Yes we need some changes - certainly Waddell etc need to move on but we need a fair crack with most of our spine there all year not most of it gone all year. Just saying lets have some perspective. Without your spine it is very very hard to play up tempo/creative footy. If you don't have a hooker, 5/8 and fullback causing havoc in attack it is very very hard for centres and wingers to make breaks and be creative - all we really have left is to beat teams on the outside which is too easy to defend and our outside backs are not made for that.
 
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Manly has no attack. In recent weeks martys enthusiasm and second phase play is about the only attacking option in the team.

I understand his costs and our position with props and it makes sense from that viewpoint. i dont see wingers being anything but defensive in this team due to our lack of vision to shift the ball.

Only cust and walker have shown glimpses of using the outside men with walker rumoured to being shopped about , and cust struggling with consistency and composure ( fair enough too )

We can sell the bank, the house and the kids but until we get more from our halfback in terms of vision, we will be also rans.

Cut sirro out ffs and use the centres, move the ball early, stop routinely dishing the ball back inside to at least see whats out there. Maybe even try a pressure building game , based on kick chase. Turn our defence into attack , then maybe outside backs might be handy. Put up an attacking bomb

Parker was on fire until walks got injured

If brisbane are looking at taking hunt back surely we should offer dce to them. Or has hunt proved more value .

not a stats man but currently marty has more impact than chez in attack. He has even had to kick this season.

Its tough and i understand the question but our forwards are doing the job mostly , our spine is pathetic and the rest of the players are just making up numbers due to being completely overlooked, as opposed to being outplayed.


If we were unloading cherry even with some freight, maybe 200 k it would make sense to release marty as we could really change the team dynamic with 1.7 million but selling marty to get wingers and depth that will be overlooked seems like a step backwards if we want to score points

We have structural problems that a lick of paint wont fix

Even if manese returns it wont take coaches long to sort him out and reduce his impact , putting more emphasis back on the halves which will be the same same
 
Ranga said:
Sounds about right to me. Who is ahead of AFB? Haas and Josh Papalii?
Click to expand...

Sounds like Blocker is a bit disappointed in AFB
 

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According to Blocker

1 JHW
2 Papalii
3 AFB
4 Taukeiaho
5 Fisher-Harris
6 Klemmer
7 Haas
8 Paulo
9 Dan Saifiti
10 Jesse Bromich
 
Woodsie said:
In the Tele today ... Blocker lists his top 10 current props .... AFB is #3 .... Kapow does not feature ...
Click to expand...


Of course that depends on the assessor. Note below

www.loverugbyleague.com

Power rankings: Top six props in the NRL at present | Love Rugby League

We’ve taken a look at the top six props in the NRL at present.
www.loverugbyleague.com www.loverugbyleague.com

www.seriousaboutrl.com

Top 5 NRL Props in 2019 - Serious About Rugby League

5- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves The now back to back premiership winning front rower had a consistent 2019 and definitely was a leader in the Roosters’ premiership winning forward pack. 4- Addin Fonua-Blake AFB has his best season in 2019, proving that he and Martin Tapau are a dangerous partnership...
www.seriousaboutrl.com www.seriousaboutrl.com

Its all about perception
 
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