Faith in Walker

[Fonzarelli]

When was the last time he dominated centre though ,he is a turnstile.

End of the day walker is an x factor player we just using him wrong. Needs to play center to see him at his best. Turbo has made Parker look good all year. Without him he is very average, good defender but very slow in attack. Should of scored that try also! Des putting him on the wing was a stupid move like player walks at 7 when we have cust smh. Taupau was also left out far too long while tapine killed us

 

[manlyfan76]

People don't get this. World class centre, who dominates the position, asked to play 5/8 first, then fullback, then utility bench, then starting half back.

But apparently it's his fault he doesn't just come in and dominate every position.

Mate I was taking the piss.
He is not a centre anymore, the fact Des left Suli at centre and Cust on the bench says it all.

 

[Nordburg]

Hearing he has signed a further 2 year contract,,,maybe Des see's value in Walker as a mobile utility style player fit for the modern game....actually I may have gone off early

But is the “modern game” going to stay that way?

People don't get this. World class centre, who dominates the position, asked to play 5/8 first, then fullback, then utility bench, then starting half back.

But apparently it's his fault he doesn't just come in and dominate every position.

but is he a world class centre?Nothing in his time at Manly has suggested that.He’s either injured,suspended or crabbing sideways to give the impression he’ll pass it,but never does.

 

[Dan]

He's too good not to be in the top 17 but not better than anyone else at their positions in the too 17 so in my opinion dead money. Decent as an impact player in the 14 or centre, useless anywhere else

 

[Waz13]

Anyone rather take a punt on Milford for the same dollars that it would take to resign Walker? Dylan is playing better than Milford, but Milford's ceiling is greater.

If Milford is genuinely seen and used as a back up fullback then yes. We need a genuine fullback backup and Walker that is not.

 

[HoldenV8]

When was the last time he dominated centre though ,he is a turnstile.

When was the last time he actually played centre?

 

[Waz13]

End of the day walker is an x factor player we just using him wrong. Needs to play center to see him at his best. Turbo has made Parker look good all year. Without him he is very average, good defender but very slow in attack. Should of scored that try also! Des putting him on the wing was a stupid move like player walks at 7 when we have cust smh. Taupau was also left out far too long while tapine killed us

Don’t agree about Parker on our left edge. He’s huge defensively and always runs selfless perfect decoy runs that suck in defenders and create space outside him - which on more than one occasion creates catch and pass try assists for Tom. He’s also a crash test dummy who takes the tough hit ups. I agree re the wing comment he should never have left Centre - but that’s on Des. On the other side Harper is closing down most every raid that goes his way. He’s also learnt that his best option is to feed Saab ASAP. Also selfless plays. I’m not the biggest Walker fan but still think he has value at the right price. He may also yet get his chance at Centre to show his supporters here he’s the player he once was there. And if he gets that chance I hope he does well and if that’s what’s best for the team, keep him there at the expense of either one of the others. At the moment I just don’t think he’s a better option than Parker at all. I would keep him on the bench even with Lawton at 14 and use him in the middle for bursts.

 

[Nordburg]

If Milford is genuinely seen and used as a back up fullback then yes. We need a genuine fullback backup and Walker that is not.

You don’t buy anyone,let alone Milford,as a backup fullback.At some stage TomT’s body is going to hold up or you work on the players you have to become more versatile to cover a few positions.Three weeks ago Garrick had a blinder at FB,now after a game I thought he wasn’t as bad as a few are making out,people are looking for replacements.Given the slippery conditions last night,not convinced TomT would of shined,let alone an inexperienced player in that position.Where does Milford play if he’s not playing fullback?

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Walker played quite strongly. Not sure why anyone would have been expecting a lot of finesse from him although selected as '7'. The strategy probably have worked better if we hadn't lost our way giving up penalties, 6 agains and some dropped balls.

 

[Nordburg]

Don’t agree about Parker on our left edge. He’s huge defensively and always runs selfless perfect decoy runs that suck in defenders and create space outside him - which on more than one occasion creates catch and pass try assists for Tom. He’s also a crash test dummy who takes the tough hit ups. I agree re the wing comment he should never have left Centre - but that’s on Des. On the other side Harper is closing down most every raid that goes his way. He’s also learnt that his best option is to feed Saab ASAP. Also selfless plays. I’m not the biggest Walker fan but still think he has value at the right price. He may also yet get his chance at Centre to show his supporters here he’s the player he once was there. And if he gets that chance I hope he does well and if that’s what’s best for the team, keep him there at the expense of either one of the others. At the moment I just don’t think he’s a better option than Parker at all. I would keep him on the bench even with Lawton at 14 and use him in the middle for bursts.

The way the game is played these days and the way Manly are set up,not sure the explosive/dynamic centre is required.Parker is one of if not the best defensive centre in the comp and with the players around him,all he needs to do is run a good line,throw a pass if needed and defend well and he does all of that

 

[yokahontas]

You don’t buy anyone,let alone Milford,as a backup fullback.At some stage TomT’s body is going to hold up or you work on the players you have to become more versatile to cover a few positions.Three weeks ago Garrick had a blinder at FB,now after a game I thought he wasn’t as bad as a few are making out,people are looking for replacements.Given the slippery conditions last night,not convinced TomT would of shined,let alone an inexperienced player in that position.Where does Milford play if he’s not playing fullback?

Fair point about Garrick, I don’t think he had a shocker at all last night. If DCE plays, we likely win that one even without Turbo. We have a stand in fullback who is solid without being spectacular, but that’s all you need. We didn’t have the same at halfback last night, and it hurt us badly.

 

[Waz13]

You don’t buy anyone,let alone Milford,as a backup fullback.At some stage TomT’s body is going to hold up or you work on the players you have to become more versatile to cover a few positions.Three weeks ago Garrick had a blinder at FB,now after a game I thought he wasn’t as bad as a few are making out,people are looking for replacements.Given the slippery conditions last night,not convinced TomT would of shined,let alone an inexperienced player in that position.Where does Milford play if he’s not playing fullback?

Yeah I agree I prob didn’t finish that post well. It was more around the backup fullback sentiment rather than Milf - who you’re right about where would he play if not fullback. And he won’t be here anyway.

 

[manly al]

Think it would be preferable for Walker to be retained [ and no doubt that it would be on a reduced contract if it occurs ] Value is mainly of a utility nature of course and very useful bench option when everything is taken into account , Good news that Foz is staying for whatever time but good cover for him also with Walker still on the books .Seriously could not rate Cust ahead of Walker as a 6 , Schuster always an option but with the team balance at present , 2 nd row seems his best fit . For a range of reasons fair to say that Parker and Harper were on the ordinary side last night as were many of the side so Walker should hardly be singled out . Had a strong 2019 as a 6 and started out last season well there , very average full back but has done enough to show some good input in that roving utility role away from full back . Sure that he could slot into a centre role now if required and more then hold his own , Des wants him to stay and think that there are enough good reasons for it .

 

[Ranga]

Yeah I agree I prob didn’t finish that post well. It was more around the backup fullback sentiment rather than Milf - who you’re right about where would he play if not fullback. And he won’t be here anyway.

I led you down the Milf path with my question about who people would prefer on the same dollars. Both are speculative in the sense that their form is a shadow of what they once were, for different reasons admittedly. And if you signed either of them it would be in the hope that they would perform considerably above their contract values. It's a risky strategy.

Some people here remember his form in 2017, which was awesome, but as I said in another thread, James Roberts and BJ Leilua are also former Centres of the Year and you wouldn't touch them now (on form alone).

I am all for allocating part of the salary cap to a speculative signing in the hope it pays off. I just don't think Walker is the right one to take the punt on.

 

[manlyfan76]

For a test and origin gun centre who is off contract the noise from other clubs to sign him has been non-existent.
Says a lot really.
Even desperate clubs haven't even been mentioned.....

 

[The Who]

Walker played quite strongly. Not sure why anyone would have been expecting a lot of finesse from him although selected as '7'. The strategy probably have worked better if we hadn't lost our way giving up penalties, 6 agains and some dropped balls.

Walker did some good things, but in hindsight he should have been kept on the bench and Con or The Law-man given the halfback role. Our backs looked clunky last night, just like they did in the first four rounds of the comp.
Parker is not fast enough to be a winger, and the way the game is played these days two speedy wingers are a must. I reckon, in hindsight, it would have been better if Walker had played on the wing with Suli out of the top 17.
I don't think Walker did his prospects of gaining a new contract any harm last night, but he seems to be more value as a utility benchie than in our top 13.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Very true
Cust should have started at 7
Des IS a Master coach and there's always a method to his madness, but I reckon he got Walker to halfback wrong along with JetSki being in the team

I said that pre game! But no ! No one listens to me! Just push the ignore button! What would I know!

just sayin’

 

[Dan]

Walker played quite strongly. Not sure why anyone would have been expecting a lot of finesse from him although selected as '7'. The strategy probably have worked better if we hadn't lost our way giving up penalties, 6 agains and some dropped balls.

Walker was woeful as a 7. You primary purpose as a 7 is to create and distribute the ball. In the few carries he had he either just ran the ball or did stupid kicks with the one or two lazy passes one out.

Not his fault, but he just isnt a 7. It is a huge part of the reason why we were so bad with him in the halves over the last few years.

We should have gone with either Cust or Croker in the halves and the dummy half role split between the two of them with lawton helping out if needed. Keep walker as the 14 impact player.

Failing that give Walker a wing or centre spot. You just cant put Suli out there in the centres he has no idea how to defend with the team in centre.

All in all it was a really stupid experiment from Des that had us shifting players all over the park and completely breaking down our combinations, all because two players were out and one shifted into fullback. Would have been better bringing up one of the other specialist wingers and keeping suli on the bench for the back row.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Maybe. I didn't think Walker was put at 7 to play a standard halfback role, but just to give him a full game really! Cust may have turned out better, not sure how long he's been out for though, and I haven't noticed him doing much this year in the times he has played.
A few here criticising Suli's defence but I didn't notice the Raiders doing much damage down that side all night. They just ran us ragged by dominating possession then trotted through the exhausted middle to score.
Although his falcon was funny (not that I laughed at the time)

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

But I can see the arguments against Walker and the others. I actually like Jetski. Don't think he's a particularly good player (!) but I quite like his attitude, I can understand Des wanting to fast track some match fitness into him as he may be needed at some stage.
The shut down of NSW Cup is a big issue, it may be that some of the selections were in part trying to work around that. And who knows when or if that comp will even restart.