Fullback

[king2213]

Best full backs of the modern era

Billy slater height 1.78

Brett Stewart 1.84 m

Minichello 1.82

James tedesco 1.8

Tommy 1.94 m


Defensive reads and ability to work close to the ground while changing directions quickly , is critical in this position

We will be exposed against the good coaches who have a good kicking game targeting Tom at full back

You can not afford weakness in defence

Tom can play full back. But would be a devastating centre.

His attacking stats might match the best fullbacksi
defence wins comps .... and he does not have the ideal body to play full back

And I personally do not think he can read the game like a full back MUST

considering the players we already had Peta Hiku, Clint gutherson , Jessie Ramien , Cheyse Blair

( Dylan walker was not needed ) if the back line was managed the right way , we may have had more cap space for the next 5 - 10 years ( look into the future )

Please consider Jahrome Hughes from Melbourne storm / other fullbacks and play Tom in the centres and Give us some more cap space potentially in the future..

I am happy to be proven wrong 🙂 made his debut on the wing 14 15 + 16 17 18 he plays centre and wing for his state and country. There is a reason for this . Why play him out of position and pay double the price

In the centres in attack he gives a extra attacking option using his height by kicking high kicks to the corner .

I also believe with Tom playing in the centres, long term, he could reduce the impact on his body and give him a longer career.

Im happy for Tom and Des to prove me wrong 🙂 I wish you health , longevity and premierships Tom 🙂

There is a salary cap and you need attention to detail . Players made salary sacrifices for manly in the past to deliver 2 premierships 4 grand finals

We don’t have this luxury In 2019 and beyond

We signed him on Australian / Origin full back money , but , he does not play there at that level

He was inexperienced, now, there is pressure and expectation on Tom to perform like Slater, Tedesco, Minichello etc etc etc

His manager has obviously done his job by getting him as much $$$$ as possible

But the club have let the manager push them around and payed Test / origin full back money for him
. When he has not even established and proved that he is is a complete fullback.

This puts unnecessary pressure , can impact his psychology , and then truth of the matter is , full back might not even be his best position

He is blessed to get to play with his local club and brother , it’s a dream come true .

But u need a balance ... u can not have it all .....

You’re weakening 2 positions ..

1) he is test centre

2) history shows his body is not suited to an ultimate fullback

3) your screwing up our salary cap and creating weakness in defence

 

[maxta]

Best full backs of the modern era

Billy slater height 1.78

Brett Stewart 1.78 m

Minichello 1.82

James tedesco 1.8

Tommy 1.94 m


Defensive reads and ability to work close to the ground is critical in this position


We will be exposed against the good coaches with Tom at full back

You can not afford weakness in defence

Tom can play full back. But is better suited to centre

His attacking stats might match the best fullbacks

defence wins comps .... and he does not have the ideal body to play full back

And I personally do not think he can read the game like a full back MUST

We are paying him way more than we should be ... the club has made a huge mistake on Tom

Please target Jahrome Hughes from Melbourne storm and play Tom in the centres and save some cap $$$$$ at the same time into the future

Brett Stewart is 184cm, but I get your point.
Personally think plenty of trouble TT has with his hands is caused by some poor positional play at the back....this is where I thought Snake Stewart would add so much to Toms game as part of the training staff and also take Toms gag off so he spoke up more to his defensive line from the back.

 

[king2213]

Brett Stewart is 184cm, but I get your point.
Personally think plenty of trouble TT has with his hands is caused by some poor positional play at the back....this is where I thought Snake Stewart would add so much to his game and also take his gag off and spoke up more to his defensive line from the back.

Corrected


Reading the play is a natural gift not coached

He either has vision or he does not


I don’t think he has the ideal vision for a full back

Full back is a critical position

 

[Harvies elbow]

If Elliot or young Hoppa aim up at fullback I think a move to the centres for Tom would be an advantage for the team.
Mal used him there I think and he went pretty well.
I can see merit in the move so let's see how the professor sees it.
Someone asked a year or two back who Tom reminds me of and I said a young Gene Miles and that hasn't changed.

 

[Class of 96]

So what you’re saying is Tom isn’t suited at fullback?

 

[The better Robbo]

I have stood next to Brett many times and no way he is 184cm.

 

[mjb136]

Snake will help him

 

[Chip and Chase]

What about all the good tall fullbacks. Paul Hauff and Phil Mann for instance

 

[Ranga]

The stats on height are interesting but Tom’s height won’t preclude him from being a great fullback. And if he doesn’t end up as good as Snake, well that will only go to show how great Snake was.

Honestly, I cannot understand any call to move Tom from fullback at this time. Young Hoppa might turn out to be a better fullback than Tom. If so, he should play fullback ahead of Tom. However, Unless and until someone in our squad shows themselves to be better than Tom at fullback, it’s a pretty clear situation. For me, he is our best fullback with daylight second.

 

[king2213]

I have stood next to Brett many times and no way he is 184cm.

So have I ... I am 187 he was an inch shorter at the minimum

 

[king2213]

So what you’re saying is Tom isn’t suited at fullback?

He has a weakness due to his size . Good coaches will expose Toms weakness with a clever kicking game. When you are 1.94 m it’s not easy getting to the ground and changing directions quickly

Plus he makes some very bad defensive choices and reads

His attacking Stats are good

But you can not afford weaknesses in a critical defensive position like fullback

In the centres he will not face this problem

 

[anthonyb1965]

He has a weakness due to his size . Good coaches will expose Toms weakness with a clever kicking game. When you are 1.94 m it’s not easy getting to the ground

Plus he makes some very bad defensive choices and reads

His attacking Stats are good

But you can not afford weaknesses in a critical defensive position like fullback

In the centres he will not face this problem

10cm taller makes him not able to reach down as well? FMD

 

[stoodamire]

GI wasn’t too shabby at FB.

I guess that throws your theory out the window.

 

[king2213]

GI wasn’t too shabby at FB.

I guess that throws your theory out the window.

Played in the centres for QLD Australia

And Did you see GI make all the defensive errors Tom makes ?

 

[HoldenV8]

Played in the centres for QLD Australia

And Did you see GI make all the defensive errors Tom makes ?

Has also played Origin and Test football at fullback. And yes he made plenty of defensive errors at fullback.....the 2015 ANZAC Test in Brisbane comes to mind.

 

[king2213]

Has also played Origin and Test football at fullback. And yes he made plenty of defensive errors at fullback.....the 2015 ANZAC Test in Brisbane comes to mind.

So GI could play full back but was a better centre like Tom

Stewart , minichelo , slater , Tedesco are better fullbacks than GI

GI is Specialist centre that can play full back just like Tom

 

[The better Robbo]

So have I ... I am 187 he was an inch shorter at the minimum

Id say hes 182. Everyone likes to think they are taller than they are

 

[Peter C]

What about all the good tall fullbacks. Paul Hauff and Phil Mann for instance

Hauff was ok, Mann, no way.

 

[Disco]

I remember Minnichello, Tedesco, Lockyer all making plenty of errors at fullback in their younger years.....compare Tom to them at the same age and he is ahead. Let him mature into the polished fullback that they all became (granted yes Lockyer moved), he has not hit his ceiling yet.

Half of Tom's issues are that Manly fans are so invested in him as our white night and saviour, that when he makes an error fans are angry and confused as in their own minds they had built him up as perfect

Yet then they watch the next game that they are not invested in and see Ponga make 2 errors and dazzle 4 times and only remember the dazzle.

Oh and lastly....I like Jarome Hughes....tidy player but looking likely to miss out on the fullback position at the Storm to Drinkwater and yet somehow he is a better fullback than Tom.

As ridiculous as those claiming we should sign Dufty last year

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Every so often a different type of player comes along and changes the perception of how certain positions are best played. Wombat Eadie for example, I doubt there were many heavily-built power running attacking fullbacks before he came along (at a guess... I wasn’t around then). Tom has the ability to re-write the fullback blueprint yet again. Slater did it and was far from perfect. Errors don’t mean you aren’t an exceptional player.