Hypothetical - Should we go looking for outside talent or nuture within?

[Supreme Leader]

Thought I would start a debate. We have released some players, some retired so there is a little bit of cash left over. Should we go out looking for another "marque" player who will do nothing other than break down or go on Xmas break and do something absolutely stupid and bring the club again into disrepute, OR do we bring on the younger players and maybe introduce them to people who can enhance their skills?

If you want to go shopping tell us who and why and at what price and who they will replace?

No right or wrong answers but I'm sure some of our regulars will share their disapproval of any suggestions.

Personally I'd rather nurture our young players, our strength has always been with our juniors.

 

[Briza]

We need Walker back at right centre, so we need a 5/8 hopefully Cust can be that guy next year.
I think our pack is good as is with the young guys nipping at their heels.

 

[40 years an eagle]

I agree we should (and most surely will be) nurturing our young talent but should also be looking for outside young talent, and this is what Crusher has been enlisted for.

 

[Harvies elbow]

We have a good crop coming through and I really want us to capitalise on this by signing them up.
I reckon Isaac Luke would be a good signing to help out Manaise
A couple of depth signings in the centres and back row but that'd do me...

 

[MuzztheEagle]

Development first, we can't afford to play the likes of the Scum and Rorters (or probably the majority of the comp) at their own game. But I wouldn't mind if the club did some scouting over in the Super League (including those looking to return home). It has paid off before and we could still do with a little more experience in the squad.

 

[manlyfan76]

1 Turbo
7DCE
9Fainu

8Kapow
10AFB
15Sipley
16 Pasaka

11Siro
12Tomo
13Jake

These players are locked in for me.
All other positions up for grabs, centre used to be much more important than it is now so unless you get a latrell type player you would not dump big money there.
Garrick can stay on one wing next year and Jorge has resigned same with Parker.

I'd focus on jnrs like burbo Schuster hoppa.

 

[robbiea]

Would like to see Walker back in the centres.We really need a gun 5/8 .
I mentioned this a few weeks ago ,but didnt pick up much traction from the crew here 😱
But I liked the look of the Warriors young half Channel Harris-Tavita.
Showed speed,skill,great defence and showed a little bit aggression.
Plenty to like ,and looks like he is behind Keighran,Nikorima and Green over there.
Probably come cheap ,but bet Des will bring a lot more out of him than Kearney ever could.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

CHT looks a real prospect.

 

[The better Robbo]

Either a strike centre or a quality 5/8
Id like to see walker back to centre and buy a gun 5/8 with Cust and Croker as bench/depth options.
If Des wants to persist with Walker at 5/8 then we need as strike centre.
Also probably need another hooker/utility to replace the loss of Api Hodko and Elgey.
Other than that I think we are well covered with guys like Keppie, Olakau-atu, Funa, hoppa, cust, Schuster all in the mix next year. Guys like Sipley, paseka, Gosiewski, waddell, parker establishing themselves.
So in short a 5/8 or centre depending on Des' use of walker. And another hooker/ utility.

 

[Shoe1]

Both

 

[Eagle thru 'n' thru]

I think we are aptly covered in most positions, with players like Olakau'ata, Keppie, Funa, getting more game time next year, with Simona a option for centre too.

Moving Walker back to centre is a must.

Ben Hampton is off contract, is a 5/8, who can play fullback, centre or hooker. Might be good value for $$.

The experience of Isaac Luke would be great but at 32 yrs of age.....nah. Matt McIllwick would be my choice of hooker. 28 yrs of age still has 5 or 6 years minimum in the game.

 

[40 nil]

I think focus on retaining & developing young players & maybe keep enough cap money to fill deficiencies mid season if necessary. DWZ & Waqa Blake were very successful mid season signings for the Dogs & Eels this year - either would have improved our current side.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

I think we need an organising 5/8, not someone who will break the bank but a bit more solid than what Green was, particularly in defence.

Put Walker back out in the centres and work on his defence, he has the speed, just not strong defence.

There are some good young guys who are coming through who i hope are ready to bust out next year to help stiffen up the depth of the team.

 

[maxta]

The priority must be retention first -

Turbo Bros - including Ben - Could finish as successful as the Stewarts with 1 extra !!
Schuster - Like a powerful, faster Cliffy - Must keep
young Hoppa - Fast, huge fend, strong, great footy instinct
Funa - Not seen enough, but in the few games- can beat a defender with fend and agility
Guolamoce - Absolute potential - can see him being a household name by 2020/21
Keppie - only 1 game in - energy, size and aggression

The odd bargain signing outside is fine, but get these boys done first for 3 good reasons -

1) They are the future and already have Manly blood - sets a standard our own are the priority.
2) Very fortunate to have a crop of rare quality stars coming through at the same time, we definitely have the greener grass in our own backyard here.
3) I see a quality these players share in a modern game of cookie cutter athletic players - if you watch most of these boys mentioned they play old school footy, using their best attributes to play what's in front of them....great to watch as a fan and impossible to coach against as not every play is pre planned, but on the run.

 

[nightster]

Either a strike centre or a quality 5/8
Id like to see walker back to centre and buy a gun 5/8 with Cust and Croker as bench/depth options.
If Des wants to persist with Walker at 5/8 then we need as strike centre.
Also probably need another hooker/utility to replace the loss of Api Hodko and Elgey.
Other than that I think we are well covered with guys like Keppie, Olakau-atu, Funa, hoppa, cust, Schuster all in the mix next year. Guys like Sipley, paseka, Gosiewski, waddell, parker establishing themselves.
So in short a 5/8 or centre depending on Des' use of walker. And another hooker/ utility.

I'd add Docker-Clay to the young upand comers

 

[ellakasmar]

If we put Walker back into centre, I think I would like to see Suli become a second rower. Although his defence has been a bit of a let down past couple of games

 

[John Nicholson]

After last week's experience we need a big unstoppable winger.

As much as we all love Jorge, he is not going to win games, week in, week out as does someone like Sivo.

Unfortunately the last one we had like that is now in 21 jersey this week!

 

[The Who]

So many posters say Walker should be moved back to centre. But the big question is should we even retain him for 2020?
I'm in the NO brigade.
He was recruited as our 'marquee' back but hasn't performed. I'm amazed how often fellow fans defend him. "He's our X-factor", "He won a premiership in 2014", "He just needs quality ball"...
No. IMO he's had three years to shine and, in all but a few instances, he's fizzled, both in attack and defence.
I've asked for someone to show footage of him actually making a break in 2019 - not simply backing up a break - and none have been forthcoming to my knowledge.
With the reported $600,000 a season we have been paying Walker we can do way better - either a quality centre or a winger.
Rueben has been outstanding and, imo, is the only one of our outside back that should be a certainty to be in the team in 2020.
We have Hopoate Jnr, Funa, Turbo the Third as potential First Graders but whether they will be ready in 2020 is for greater minds than mine.
I would think that a player such as Staggs would be a way better option than retaining Walker.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

So many posters say Walker should be moved back to centre. But the big question is should we even retain him for 2020?
I'm in the NO brigade.
He was recruited as our 'marquee' back but hasn't performed. I'm amazed how often fellow fans defend him. "He's our X-factor", "He won a premiership in 2014", "He just needs quality ball"...
No. IMO he's had three years to shine and, in all but a few instances, he's fizzled, both in attack and defence.
I've asked for someone to show footage of him actually making a break in 2019 - not simply backing up a break - and none have been forthcoming to my knowledge.
With the reported $600,000 a season we have been paying Walker we can do way better - either a quality centre or a winger.
Rueben has been outstanding and, imo, is the only one of our outside back that should be a certainty to be in the team in 2020.
We have Hopoate Jnr, Funa, Turbo the Third as potential First Graders but whether they will be ready in 2020 is for greater minds than mine.
I would think that a player such as Staggs would be a way better option than retaining Walker.

I’m with you on Walker.

But he’s had a lot to deal with and seems to be getting his **** in order , so maybe a lowball 1 year extension with an option might be an idea.

I’d love one of those dynamic Fijian wingers like Sivo, bugger me he can score with just a smell!!

Plenty of suggestions on social media that Luke might be coming, as a bench player that might work.

I don’t think we can match the Roosters with $$$$ so we might have to settle for bringing up the youngsters and having our fingers crossed.

 

[manlyfan76]

I’m with you on Walker.

But he’s had a lot to deal with and seems to be getting his **** in order , so maybe a lowball 1 year extension with an option might be an idea.

I’d love one of those dynamic Fijian wingers like Sivo, bugger me he can score with just a smell!!

Plenty of suggestions on social media that Luke might be coming, as a bench player that might work.

I don’t think we can match the Roosters with $$$$ so we might have to settle for bringing up the youngsters and having our fingers crossed.

100%
Can we target the Fiji 7's team for talent