Hoppa "MUST" be in the 17
- Thread starter maxta
- Start date
manly al
First Grader
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
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
It is ....
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Where Great Sea eagles fly
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.
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.
LeonardCohen
Bencher
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.
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! 😱
Also (tin hats ready?) I didn't spot him in the Manly way vid! 😱
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 😉 ).
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.
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
First Grader
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
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
First Grader
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
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
Reserve Grader
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
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
Although we all don’t like to admit it. Old man John was still the best Hoppa we've had.
He was huge for us in 95,96,97 and terrorized the other wingers at the time.
He certainly was. Watching the recent Matthew Ridge videos reminded me how good he was and he popped up in the centres a few times too. He was consistant over that period. One of my favourite NRL images was him and The Chief going at each other.
I think Lehi will be back up and slot in wherever the first, second and third backline injuries occur. Of all the other backs I would be worried is I was Saab. His best attribute is speed and if he is injured or starts losing it heis super vulnerable to a kid with Lehi's talent lurking.
The presence of Lehi on the pine should have Saab, Garrick, Koula and Talau performing at their best. I don't believe he will be replacing Trbo on form any time soon.
I love our backline except for the Garrick centre postioning.
I think most would admit John is No1 though I don't think it will take long for Lehi to overtake him.
Alby
Reserve Grader
Why is everyone so quiet about Koula?? Apart from that spectacular try agains the Dogs in the Semi's, I don't think he had much of an impact last season. I would trade him for Lehi anyday.
I think You’ve pretty much said the reason why everyone is quite about Koula mate, he is a game breaker & hopefully will add plenty more of those highlights this season. There really isn’t many other centres in the comp that could have scored that try, especially with the pressure to win a finals game. He had a poor year but is still only 22 & also playing through a few injuries that kept him out at different points in the season.
Personally I’d like to see Koula get another crack at the right centre spot now that olakau'atu has added a better passing/offloading game. Tough to leave out Hoppa but I wouldn’t have a problem if he was developing by playing 80 minutes of fullback in in Reggie’s Until we get an injury in the back 5. (Which is almost certain to happen in the first month or so)
Users who are viewing this thread
Latest posts
| Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
