Hoppa "MUST" be in the 17

[Eagle eye]

Play Hoppa at his preferred position whatever that is.

 

[manly al]

Seems the case [ well generally accepted ] , Hoppa can offer more value at full back then wing .
Talau a bit more to offer at centre then wing but both on present indications vying for a wing spot .
Nothing probably determined at this stage and no doubt pre season preparation and trial form coming into the equation .
In approaching weeks also no doubt , should be some indication if Talau is even being considered for a roving type back row role but just get the impression that it may be a fairly low priority to date also based on general indications .
But then, the coaching staff unexpectedly gave him a run closer to the ruck in a 6 role against the Bunnies [ 2 nd game last season ] , so guess that nothing can be entirely ruled out .
And could be a similar line of thinking if Hoppa does re establish himself as a run on winger for the season proper and Talau is still making a good case of being in a game day 17 line up at least or a backrow inclusion consideration role

 

[BOZO]

Play Hoppa at his preferred position whatever that is.

It is ....
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Where Great Sea eagles fly

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

His preferred position is fullback.

And there’s no doubt he’ll get plenty of run on opportunities based on , well I’m not going to say it and Jinx anyone but I’m sure you’ll all get my drift.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

@Ryan

I very much doubt Tommy Talau has been training as an edge forward.

We will get injuries , he will be needed!

In the backs.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I don't think there's any chance that it happens but I agree with the Talau to edge forward idea. We've got a shortage of edge forwards as it is and Talau's strengths are a good bump and line running...we've got better and quicker outside backs that demand a position each week. If he can make the transition, it solves two problems. The issue is Talau was instructed to lose 10kg when he arrived from the Tigers, for the purpose of making a decent fist of the outside backs. He had his best year of FG in 2024 and I doubt he'd be eager to tinker with the formula.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Lot of people seem to have assumed (as had I until now) that Tolu Tommy and Lehi were jostling each other for a spot to start the year. I'm starting to wonder if Saab may be the one who has to fight his way back into the side, because the others actually finished last season in 1st grade.
Also (tin hats ready?) I didn't spot him in the Manly way vid! 😱

 

[wombatgc]

His preferred position is fullback.

And there’s no doubt he’ll get plenty of run on opportunities based on , well I’m not going to say it and Jinx anyone but I’m sure you’ll all get my drift.

Yep, it’s inevitable. Already a cpl players ruled out for 2025 from the Cows, in training ( Luki, Chester). I don’t wish that horrible three letter knee acronym on anyone ( yes, even Storm players 😉 ).

 

[Disco]

I'm not advocating for a fulltime switch to the backrow (though that could happen later in his career).

I would however, like to see him do a bit of training there .

Personally Id have Talau on the bench, we've see how often backs go down, be it injured or HIAs and I think in the modern game a back on the bench is the way to go.

With that in mind having Talau be able to cover secondrow at a pinch or dip in for 10 minutes there if needed is a big plus for mine.

 

[manly al]

Really do not think that Talau would be groomed to be an edge for a range of reasons , trimming down a bit certainly being one of them
Just have the notion that if Dylan Walker can make a decent transition as a 13 , Talau would have the attributes as well .
And a bit of an X factor to give a bit more of a boost there .
Can only think of Navale as the only other prospect to offer a bit more there [ 13 ] but that could be some time off .
Think that Saab is pretty much assured of a wing position if he has returned to full fitness .
Don't necessarily go along with some regular or inevitable injury outcomes or expectation to give Talau plenty of opportunity for some regular i st grade outside back footy .
If he is on the lower priority rating and not regularly playing i st grade with hopeful quite limited backline injuries , just can not see him being too pleased with that situation

 

[manly al]

Maybe one of the reasons why Talau has not re signed beyond 25 as well and quite understandable with no certainty that he would or could be a regular outside back going forward .
Has shown a quite aggressive defensive approach at times also and not just the ability to be quite agile and reliable in attack or in general .
Worked out well in so many ways with his contribution last season naturally and a plus for the recruiting grouping .
No idea how good Willet is or may be and think that he is primarily a winger , maybe full back .
Just like Faulalo but could only expect Talau to have the jump on these 2 and sure that his i st preference would be to continue as an outside back .
But the opportunity to play regular i st grade for this season and even if it requires a transition to a roving forward role , just may have some appeal and incentive for him

 

[JakeyB789]

Number 1 priority IMO for the backline this year is Garrick not to play centre again. So unless Lehi can play centre (which I think he could in time after putting on some size, similar to Will) then Koula and Talau should be the centres, and no backrow move for Talau. Which I do understand the logic for with how ordinary Burbo is.

That leaves Lehi, Saab and Garrick fighting it out for the 2 wing spots. Personally think Lehi is already a better footballer than both but I imagine Saab and Garrick would get the nod due to experience, leaving Lehi out of the 13 which feels CRAZY for how talented he is. Delicate situation considering his dad’s history but I’d be trying to open up a spot for him ASAP. Imagine this will be Talau since he is off contract at the end of this year, but the unpopular yet logical solution is to shop Garrick around given the size of his contract and positional preferences