[Resurrected] Gordon Chan Kum Tong

[Uber Eagle 72]

I don’t agree with some of the selection decisions and cannot understand in some cases at all. e.g. wood’s selection over Keppie, bully , gee i think Morgan Boyle would give Woods a run for his money. In saying this , I am a sausage roll eating couch potato SME in a vast variety of areas.
If the coaching staff pick Gordie to play FG it is because they know that he can handle it despite his size. The coaching staff even though I think they offer little if any improvement over the previous team are far better positioned to make these calls. GO GORDIE

 

[The '47ers]

Giving Gordon 15 mins and having him fail could drive him to get better and know what he has to improve, so a negative can be a positive. ( Not a popular opinion on ST)

And in a "no (lower) pressure" situation like now while we are down and out would be better than going into a full boar game

 

[manlyfan76]

And in a "no (lower) pressure" situation like now while we are down and out would be better than going into a full boar game

It's a shame we are not well structured and winning games, where he could come in, do a role, and go back to Reggie's to work on getting better.
You know like successful teams do.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Giving Gordon 15 mins and having him fail could drive him to get better and know what he has to improve, so a negative can be a positive. ( Not a popular opinion on ST)

Croker fan boys have grave insecurities about any incoming hooker who could take over his position...especially when it comes to tackling. As long as Croker can tackle he keeps his spot and end of discussion.lol

 

[LeonardCohen]

Croker fan boys have grave insecurities about any incoming hooker who could take over his position...especially when it comes to tackling. As long as Croker can tackle he keeps his spot and end of discussion.lol

I haven’t seen too many Croker fan boys on the site. I think most of us agree that 9 is the biggest issue at the club right now. That doesn’t mean the alternative is necessarily going to be better and that’s probably why it’s taken this long for Gordon to get a look in. I’m of the belief we might as well give him an opportunity and would love to see him get a stint. Personally, I’m just measured in my thoughts about his potential; this is not a star junior being held back by a clueless coach…more a promising junior working hard on his game and waiting for an opportunity.

 

[Adz]

I don't think he is ready to take over from Croker yet,however it is time to give him some gametime,yes,he is still working on becoming an 80 minute player.
I think the club actually holds him in quite high regard and are developing him well.
This is his first year playing in Reggie's and EVERY side whether flegg or KOE cup that he is named in as starter,he is the skipper and leader.(apologies for capitals for those who have issues with capitals).
I think his future is very bright and for those worried about his defense,he does average 92 percent in made tackles which is pretty bloody good for a guy in his first year playing against men.
Hope he gets a shot even if it is only for an HIA.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I don't think he is ready to take over from Croker yet,however it is time to give him some gametime,yes,he is still working on becoming an 80 minute player.
I think the club actually holds him in quite high regard and are developing him well.
This is his first year playing in Reggie's and EVERY side whether flegg or KOE cup that he is named in as starter,he is the skipper and leader.(apologies for capitals for those who have issues with capitals).
I think his future is very bright and for those worried about his defense,he does average 92 percent in made tackles which is pretty bloody good for a guy in his first year playing against men.
Hope he gets a shot even if it is only for an HIA.

He has an excellent attitude and is a really good competitive leader.

 

[JakeyB789]

I really hope Seibold hasn’t pulled GCKT from the NSW cup side he was captaining, just to be 18th man today. You can say it’s better to bring him in slowly but playing some kind of footy is more beneficial than none at all, Des did this with Burbo and Schuster at various times last year and it didn’t help anyone

Hope I’m wrong and he comes in for Sharon but like most things with Manly these days, I’m ready to be disappointed

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

I haven’t seen too many Croker fan boys on the site. I think most of us agree that 9 is the biggest issue at the club right now. That doesn’t mean the alternative is necessarily going to be better and that’s probably why it’s taken this long for Gordon to get a look in. I’m of the belief we might as well give him an opportunity and would love to see him get a stint. Personally, I’m just measured in my thoughts about his potential; this is not a star junior being held back by a clueless coach…more a promising junior working hard on his game and waiting for an opportunity.

I don’t disagree that we need more zip at dummy half but I think our problem has been consistently being dominated in the ruck.We lack a lot of punch up the middle. We need 3 forwards of the 17 that can punch though the middle like Paseka did last week.

 

[Nordburg]

I really hope Seibold hasn’t pulled GCKT from the NSW cup side he was captaining, just to be 18th man today. You can say it’s better to bring him in slowly but playing some kind of footy is more beneficial than none at all, Des did this with Burbo and Schuster at various times last year and it didn’t help anyone

Hope I’m wrong and he comes in for Sharon but like most things with Manly these days, I’m ready to be disappointed

Unless they’ve managed to keep it a secret,I’d be surprised if he actually plays today given the club like to release the footage of players receiving their debut jersey in front of the other players.Hopefully Im wrong and they show the presentation after the game

 

[Woodsie]

Croker fan boys have grave insecurities about any incoming hooker who could take over his position...especially when it comes to tackling. As long as Croker can tackle he keeps his spot and end of discussion.lol

Froggy keeps his spot until someone better comes long ....

 

[Ryan]

As much as I love Croker (character wise) he's not a specialist Hooker. Croker is one of the cheapest 9's in the game, and he plays that way.

Croker would be a great utility player. Particularly on that coin.

But as long as this club runs out with a fantastic half playing hooker, we'll always be almost rans..

 

[LeonardCohen]

I don’t disagree that we need more zip at dummy half but I think our problem has been consistently being dominated in the ruck.We lack a lot of punch up the middle. We need 3 forwards of the 17 that can punch though the middle like Paseka did last week.

100%. It’s an interesting conundrum - does Croker struggle because our forwards create no momentum or do our forwards struggle to create momentum because Croker doesn’t create for them?

It’s probably both.

Mahoney’s struggles at the Dogs point to the pack having a large part to do with it. A top shelf 9 that is having difficulties behind an average pack. Then you’ve got Koroisau who is doing everything in his power at the Tigers and still looks effective but they can’t get it together.

I tend to think just one more effective middle could make a huge difference because the rest of the pack play off the momentum generated by one quality run and play-the-ball. The Warriors are currently doing great things but AFB is playing the most significant role. His late footwork gets him between defenders and he has a really quick play-the-ball. It’s opening up opportunities around the ruck (they’ve scored the most points in the middle third of any side in the comp) and there’s space on the edges for the likes of Jackson Ford, who was career reserve grader before this season.

I can’t see Lodge being dynamic enough to solve this problem for us. His work rate will help but we need a player in the mould of Spencer Leniu to help Paseka generate some ruck speed for everyone else to play from.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

The Warriors are currently doing great things but AFB is playing the most significant role. His late footwork gets him between defenders and he has a really quick play-the-ball. It’s opening up opportunities around the ruck (they’ve scored the most points in the middle third of any side in the comp) and there’s space on the edges for the likes of Jackson Ford, who was career reserve grader before this season.

In terms of NRL props, there's Payne Haas and everyone else. But AFB, particularly this season, is the only one getting close. He's been an outstanding buy for the Warriors. I know we didn't have any other option, but it sucks to be the hapless club that let him go.

 

[Adz]

100%. It’s an interesting conundrum - does Croker struggle because our forwards create no momentum or do our forwards struggle to create momentum because Croker doesn’t create for them?

It’s probably both.

Mahoney’s struggles at the Dogs point to the pack having a large part to do with it. A top shelf 9 that is having difficulties behind an average pack. Then you’ve got Koroisau who is doing everything in his power at the Tigers and still looks effective but they can’t get it together.

I tend to think just one more effective middle could make a huge difference because the rest of the pack play off the momentum generated by one quality run and play-the-ball. The Warriors are currently doing great things but AFB is playing the most significant role. His late footwork gets him between defenders and he has a really quick play-the-ball. It’s opening up opportunities around the ruck (they’ve scored the most points in the middle third of any side in the comp) and there’s space on the edges for the likes of Jackson Ford, who was career reserve grader before this season.

I can’t see Lodge being dynamic enough to solve this problem for us. His work rate will help but we need a player in the mould of Spencer Leniu to help Paseka generate some ruck speed for everyone else to play from.

Lodge may not be the solution(fingers crossed he is),but if he can be what the club is hoping he will be,then Paseka,Lodge and Jake are an effective middle and with Ola on one edge the pack is looking better.

 

[Woodsie]

In terms of NRL props, there's Payne Haas and everyone else. But AFB, particularly this season, is the only one getting close. He's been an outstanding buy for the Warriors. I know we didn't have any other option, but it sucks to be the hapless club that let him go.

Don't be silly .. Bozo would say AFB is too slow

 

[Pete W]

I don't think he is ready to take over from Croker yet,however it is time to give him some gametime,yes,he is still working on becoming an 80 minute player.
I think the club actually holds him in quite high regard and are developing him well.
This is his first year playing in Reggie's and EVERY side whether flegg or KOE cup that he is named in as starter,he is the skipper and leader.(apologies for capitals for those who have issues with capitals).
I think his future is very bright and for those worried about his defense,he does average 92 percent in made tackles which is pretty bloody good for a guy in his first year playing against men.
Hope he gets a shot even if it is only for an HIA.

I think Gordie's defensive weakness is not about missing tackles, but in conceding metres post contact, allowing oppositions to gain momentum by bending the line too frequently. Danny Levi had this problem and was a major weakness of ours in 2020.

Gordie is very strong for his size, with a fantastic attitude. Just needs to get his tackling timing and technique a little fine tuned. He has all the attributes of a great hooker and leader otherwise. And as quick as he is on his feet, he's even quicker between the ears. Have loved watching him play throughout the juniors and can't wait for him to step up.

I just hope he gets some invaluable reps in with the big boys before this season is over as this could really benefit him leading into another preseason, ready for his big year next season.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Froggy keeps his spot until someone better comes long ....

He can share his minutes...it only makes sense.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Lodge may not be the solution(fingers crossed he is),but if he can be what the club is hoping he will be,then Paseka,Lodge and Jake are an effective middle and with Ola on one edge the pack is looking better.

His offloads will help.

 

[Damien2812]

His offloads will help.

True. We just need to get one of our quicker guys like Koula or Saab when he decides to offload.