Faith in Walker

[manlyfan76]

We bought him in the hope he would become a 5/8 much like Broncos are hoping Staggs can. They were both centres before that. He wasn't actually a 5/8 at the time of the signing, it was a hope and a prayer!

Correct. Supercoach pinned his hopes on having the dragon's backrower be our starting centre.

 

[alafua8]

I completely disagree with that. He started playing 5/8 for us in 2018, because we had no other alternatives, and was the best option available (at that time). We got Hodko very late that year, to fill in, because even Barrett felt we needed two specialist halves (and Barrett messed around with Tom Wright, who ended up leaving) - and he ruined Nicho Hynes.

In his 9 years in first grade, this is his second highest tackle efficiency %

Below is the 2018 team. Love the absent players - apparently Peter Schuster played for us that year haha

View attachment 18730

Peter Schuster would be the perfect back up for Turbo now if Barret knew what he was doing. He stuffed up Manly and some players big time .

 

[The better Robbo]

No joke Sherlock
Your missing the point buddy.
I'm not arguing with you, I'm saying Manly bought him to play 5/8 not to be a centre, call it what you will but he was bought to play 5/8, so posters saying he isn't getting a fair go because he is not playing centre are overlooking the fact we was never in the side to be one.
We put him back to centre but again he was shifted out.

2 coaches and the great Bozo saw it that Walker is neither a 5/8 or centre. So his present utility role and sub is likely his best shot with us.

Must have been a misunderstanding because I wasn't disagreeing with you either. Agree it now seems his best position is a utility and cover for injuries.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Correct. Supercoach pinned his hopes on having the dragon's backrower be our starting centre.

In fairness he was training the house down. And he paved the way for unfashionable ranga centres

 

[Rafferty]

Must have been a misunderstanding because I wasn't disagreeing with you either. Agree it now seems his best position is a utility and cover for injuries.

Interesting to see how it all works out, has to be put together on the back of form I suspect, 9 is probably the key, Fainu will be 1st choice, if available, then we have Lawton and Croker as back up, I’m presuming the bench works best with 3 big men and the utility, so Walker, Lawton and possibly Croker come into selection consideration for the 14, pending injuries and other availabilities. Then there’s Suli, what is his role going into next year, it’s big coin to leave out or squeeze into an already overloaded bench.

Its hard to rate Walker ahead of Lawton at the moment, Do we carry Lawton as a bench player? I know his been doing a good job playing in the SR but its probably not his preferred position and Gauc and shoe will start when fit and available, the alternative is to carry both Walker and Lawton on the bench, dual utilities! or are we better with 3 big men on the bench, (I think so) and it could be how Des is thinking with Woods coming over and the fact we already have 6 props, add woods, 7 props, that seems a little stacked up front, unless we are moving one on.

Lawton at 14 covers 9 if Manase can’t play 80 or gets injured or it’s just better to share the work load and mix up our attacking play Coming out of dummy half, Walker can’t. I don’t really know if Walkers our best option at 14 and if his not in 14, does that just make him depth? Seems odd either way, Lawton seems to valuable to leave out on what his produced with us so far. I guess you are close to the money 14 or cover, he may not see a lot of game time over his next 2 years, unless his form hits a purple patch. I guess it’s better to have depth and these kind of issues than not having options.

 

[Spartan Eagle]

Personally I think we played better without Walker in the side. He is soft in the middle defensively. He scored a good try but I feel he sometimes stalls our attack.

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Personally I think we played better without Walker in the side. He is soft in the middle defensively. He scored a good try but I feel he sometimes stalls our attack.

I still believe Walker is a centre and that’s it
At times I think Walker should be playing in Parker‘s spot that bit of extra speed would make a difference but in saying that Parker’s defence is a lot stronger than Walkers it’s about what you want more speed to make the break or better defence to stop the break

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Walker is good with the football in hand but his defence is a concern.

 

[manlyfan76]

Personally I think we played better without Walker in the side. He is soft in the middle defensively. He scored a good try but I feel he sometimes stalls our attack.

Looked like they scored a try straight through him.
Live his passes looked a lot better today.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Walker is good with the football in hand but his defence is a concern.

He clogs up our middle in attack and opens it up in defence.

 

[The Who]

IF we persist in using Walker in the 17 it should only be when we need points. We had more than enough attacking weapons in tonight's team; we needed strong defence in the forwards and he doesn't give us that.

 

[XV-1]

Can we win a premiership with Parker at centre or Walker?

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Can we win a premiership with Parker at centre or Walker?

If it’s a grind Parker
If it’s points Walker
melbourne = Parker
Penrith = Walker
??

 

[XV-1]

If it’s a grind Parker
If it’s points Walker
melbourne = Parker
Penrith = Walker
??

Tend to agree, unless we ensure Harper is opposite Olam. I think Olam would be too tuff for Walker.

Creighton & Burton both have speed, so Walker I think laterally may be better defensively.

I guess form and injuries will play an important part at the end of the season.

 

[Shoe1]

Walker was good tonight

 

[manlyfan76]

Walker was good tonight

In attack of defence?
Kidding his defence was b.a.d.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Walker was good tonight

 

[QueefRichards]

Hope Walker pulls up alright, that was bad

 

[Ryan]

Walker / Harper are our two best centres. Walker would also unlock Garrick

 

[Scorpio]

Going to guess he'll be missing next week after that concussion.

Had some good touches to set one or two attacking raids in motion along with his try. But he looked a bit at sea in defense even in the middle.