Dylan Walker signs with Warriors for 3 years

[Shoe1]

There is no doubt Walker is a complete goose off the field. However as a 14 for us he is high quality - probably the best 14 in the game. He will be great again in that role this year if he gets injury free. Would have loved to keep him 1 more year but a three year deal is just crazy. Warriors totally deluded thinking that he stays injury free or relatively injury free for three more years after this year!

Lower teams have to do this in order to climb to the middle of the ladder. I expect this year to be a good one for Walker, but he will probably peak before going across the ditch.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Lower teams have to do this in order to climb to the middle of the ladder. I expect this year to be a good one for Walker, but he will probably peak before going across the ditch.

yes indeed - I think he will have a great year. But his best years are almost behind him. He wont have the luxury of playing behind a great pack and with Tommy, DCE etc over there.

 

[Kalvin]

Did you mean playing centre or following Walker out the door to find somewhere to play 6

Was thinking for the utility role (at least whilst foran is around)... I know there has been conjecture on here on which position suits him best but he could cover halves, backrow... possibly could do a job in the centres if needed also?

 

[Eagle 1]

Would Schuster be an option?

Don't think so Kalvin, not sure Schuster would take to coming on and be expected to bust through the meat of opp forwards. He's a ball playing type who puts players through gaps, but on the other hand have seen him break tackles through slight of hand/dummy and go runs.

 

[Brookie Bob]

Here's a left-field option - Christian Tuipulotu. Noticeably bigger than Walker (Tuipulotu - ht: 186 cms, weight: 106 kgs) - he's as big as a decent sized second rower. Obviously quick enough to play in the outside backs, so would add zip in the middle third.

It will come down to whether or not Tuipulotu wants to make a name for himself sooner rather than later, and put his hand up for this new-style 14 role or not. His weakness would be hands and passing game - this new 14 role also acts as a pivot/ball-distributor in the middle of the field. In that respect, Lawton is better.

Clubs may even start recruiting for 'specialist' 14's.

Maybe have Tuipulotu as a '15' - a cover for the backs on the bench, and a cover for second-row as well - and keep Lawton as the 14. Our emerging depth is probably part of the reason that Walker is leaving - he knew that he didn't have a lot of hope cracking a centre spot with Manly again (about 4 in front of him, even with Suli leaving), which is obviously what he wanted.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

not sure Schuster would take to coming on and be expected to bust through the meat of opp forwards. He's a ball playing type who puts players through gaps,

You can't be an effective ball player unless you are also a running threat. Whether through power speed or evasion. Otherwise they just put one bloke in front of you and can get ample numbers to cover the support runners.
Exhibit A - Kyle Flanagan

 

[Eagle 1]

You can't be an effective ball player unless you are also a running threat. Whether through power speed or evasion. Otherwise they just put one bloke in front of you and can get ample numbers to cover the support runners.
Exhibit A - Kyle Flanagan

So basically, you agree with my thoughts on Shuster, not to be Walkers replacement.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

So basically, you agree with my thoughts on Shuster, not to be Walkers replacement.

No I wasn't commenting on that at all.
As it happens I think he'd be an incredible 14, but personally I'd prefer him somewhere he can play full 80 minutes.
I thought you were suggesting he is not a running threat as a forward, but I disagree with that.

 

[alafua8]

No I wasn't commenting on that at all.
As it happens I think he'd be an incredible 14, but personally I'd prefer him somewhere he can play full 80 minutes.
I thought you were suggesting he is not a running threat as a forward, but I disagree with that.

Exhibit A ; Flanagan is only playing because of his old man .He would not make our reserve grade or under 21s .

 

[Eagle 1]

No I wasn't commenting on that at all.
As it happens I think he'd be an incredible 14, but personally I'd prefer him somewhere he can play full 80 minutes.
I thought you were suggesting he is not a running threat as a forward, but I disagree with that.

Well, he's not a running threat, if you are going to use Shuster in the same way and style as Walker is used. He's not that type of player.

 

[robbiea]

Here's a left-field option - Christian Tuipulotu. Noticeably bigger than Walker (Tuipulotu - ht: 186 cms, weight: 106 kgs) - he's as big as a decent sized second rower. Obviously quick enough to play in the outside backs, so would add zip in the middle third.

It will come down to whether or not Tuipulotu wants to make a name for himself sooner rather than later, and put his hand up for this new-style 14 role or not. His weakness would be hands and passing game - this new 14 role also acts as a pivot/ball-distributor in the middle of the field. In that respect, Lawton is better.

Clubs may even start recruiting for 'specialist' 14's.

Maybe have Tuipulotu as a '15' - a cover for the backs on the bench, and a cover for second-row as well - and keep Lawton as the 14. Our emerging depth is probably part of the reason that Walker is leaving - he knew that he didn't have a lot of hope cracking a centre spot with Manly again (about 4 in front of him, even with Suli leaving), which is obviously what he wanted.

Maybe ,but wingers generally not the best ball players.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Well, he's not a running threat, if you are going to use Shuster in the same way and style as Walker is used. He's not that type of player.

Why would anyone use Schuster the way Walker's being used, they are totally different types of player?

 

[Kalvin]

Where I was coming from as Schuster could be a good #14 utility option for the team (as can cover multiple positions)... however agree that he would be a different proposition to walker & don't think we would utilise him quite the same

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Was thinking for the utility role (at least whilst foran is around)... I know there has been conjecture on here on which position suits him best but he could cover halves, backrow... possibly could do a job in the centres if needed also?

Schuster is way way too good to be a 14! Dylan was a 14 because really there was no starting spot for him and he doesn't now really fit a set position and isn't good enough in any position really to be selected straight up. Schu can play 5/8 or backrow equally as good and both at a super high quality. You can't have that talent languishing on the bench.

 

[Pittwater Legend]

In terms of seasons, we are now in our longest premiership drought since we first won a title in the 1970’s. If we don’t win the comp by next year then you can add years to that drought as well. Walker’s recruitment and time here have been a part of that. He is not the future for our club’s success. I do like who we have coming through the ranks and think it is a great decision to let him go

 

[Disco]

In a years time I could see Weekes as a 14 in the Hynes mould

 

[40 nil]

In terms of seasons, we are now in our longest premiership drought since we first won a title in the 1970’s.

Our longest premiership drought since the seventies was 1996-2008. This would be surpassed if we don't win this year or next year => 2011-2023 winless.

 

[Scorpio]

Schuster is way way too good to be a 14! Dylan was a 14 because really there was no starting spot for him and he doesn't now really fit a set position and isn't good enough in any position really to be selected straight up. Schu can play 5/8 or backrow equally as good and both at a super high quality. You can't have that talent languishing on the bench.

I disagree

Giving Josh 50-60 minutes in a roving role in the middle (where he will have a bit of licence to do some ball playing) to me, right now, seems like it could be a better fit for his skill set than:

• Playing 80 minutes at second row where he will have to do a lot of tackling;
• Playing 80 minutes at 5/8 where he will need to provide structure for the rest of the squad around him, and not just provide the occasional piece of ad lib brilliance

Just my opinion

 

[Kaufusi's Elbow]

Good player mishandled would be my summation. I have always rated him and should have stayed centre, not fullback, 5/8 or 14. If we did that he would be remembered as a good Manly centre.

 

[Pittwater Legend]

Our longest premiership drought since the seventies was 1996-2008. This would be surpassed if we don't win this year or next year => 2011-2023 winless.

When I said our longest drought by seasons, I was not including 2000-2002. Yes you are right that if we don’t win it by 2023 then we will be in our longest drought by years, which I also mentioned in that post.