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

[StuBoot]

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.

I agree @maxta but retention and nurturing our youngsters is dependant on a few things
1. How much they want
2. How much we want to pay them
3. How long do they want to wait to play 1st grade
etc

We found Garrick who was not getting a look in at the Dragons, and look at the season he's had,does anyone know how much he's on?
Would any of us thought he'd be better than Funa and get the jump on him for this season?


Agree Schuster, Funa, Hoppa, Guoc are must keeps but how much do you tie up and pay on potential at the risk of not signing a very 100-150 good game NRL player?
And no matter how much we pay them and tell them to bide their time, there's always clubs that will offer them more.

Re-signing the Turbo's and Thommo are our main priorities in my opinion.

I'd hate to be the one that decides these things.

 

[maxta]

I agree @maxta but retention and nurturing our youngsters is dependant on a few things
1. How much they want
2. How much we want to pay them
3. How long do they want to wait to play 1st grade
etc

We found Garrick who was not getting a look in at the Dragons, and look at the season he's had,does anyone know how much he's on?
Would any of us thought he'd be better than Funa and get the jump on him for this season?


Agree Schuster, Funa, Hoppa, Guoc are must keeps but how much do you tie up and pay on potential at the risk of not signing a very 100-150 good game NRL player?
And no matter how much we pay them and tell them to bide their time, there's always clubs that will offer them more.

Re-signing the Turbo's and Thommo are our main priorities in my opinion.

I'd hate to be the one that decides these things.

I understand where you are at 100% and a good example is a team like Roosters without a salary cap can triple our offer to a youngster we can't compete with....like JWH.
Personally feel we have quality coming through like back in the day with Stewarts, Foz, DCE and co, so if lucky enough to them WANT to stay....at maybe even a pinch less, would be the perfect outcome.
I also feel they are ALL on the brink of being ready for a run at NRL level, so not really wasting a top spot.
But being realistic, the other teams may well offer substantial amounts we can't compete with and if they decide to go would be disappointed, but the world will keep turning and Manly will still be successful.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

David Fusitua doesn't seem to have progressed much over the past year or 2.
Not sure if he was injured but he may like a change of scenery? I'll offer him a quarter mil and see what he says

 

[Pittwater Legend]

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.

Great foundation there with those players you have mentioned. Feels like we are just a 5/8 away from having the best spine in the competition

 

[sheridanstand78]

I say nurture our talented youth. Fainu must be signed long term as must Schuster. thats half of our spine moving forward. You do need a blend of experience so guys like Thommo should be considered.

We have some exciting times ahead, Not seen a crop of youngsters like this since 2004 when we were on the cusp of a fantastic era! let Dessie shape them and prepare them for first grade.

Love the article on nrl.com from Manase Fainu and his family. Well done Parra, you stuffed again!! This boy is going to be a future captain I predict!

 

[Pittwater Legend]

I say give Schuster a shot at 5/8 next year and see if he can replicate DCE’s debut season in first grade. Try and find a reliable back up hooker who is also a little handy at playing in the halves, see if there is a big and fast winger available and try to find a workhorse for the forwards

 

[Oracle]

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.

Wrong wrong wrong

 

[Sheikheagle]

I say give Schuster a shot at 5/8 next year and see if he can replicate DCE’s debut season in first grade. Try and find a reliable back up hooker who is also a little handy at playing in the halves, see if there is a big and fast winger available and try to find a workhorse for the forwards

Don’t forget DCE had a season in Qld Cup after he finished in the 20’s this had him playing against men to toughen him up. I would say schuster will play some flegg and nsw Cup before he is considered for NRL.

 

[Pittwater Legend]

Don’t forget DCE had a season in Qld Cup after he finished in the 20’s this had him playing against men to toughen him up. I would say schuster will play some flegg and nsw Cup before he is considered for NRL.

That is true. I guess I’m banking on Josh handling it ok because of his size. Will Hopoate was phenomenal for us in first grade at 18/19 years of age. I’ll never forget Will monstering Newcastle early on in the 2011 season

 

[Not Paul Kent]

What people fail to realise about “nurturing young talent” is that paying underdeveloped players overs in the short term, does nothing to guarantee they will stay when they are next up for a contract. They will still take what they can get on the open market and all you’ve achieved is priming a player for the roosters et al.

Bottom line young players should only be prioritised at current value and if they can do a job in the squad for the contract they are on.

 

[Nordburg]

If you develop from within or pick up young players from elsewhere that haven’t been in another system,the more likely you are of hanging onto them long term(unless they’re Kalyn Ponga money hungry types)which makes life easier with the cap and it also creates a bit more of a buzz within the fan base,which improves crowd and membership figures

 

[Cioran]

I want to see junior development, just because it cements the culture and attitude that we think of as Manly. Butto become successful as soon as possible (and in an ideal world) I’d like a really hard-head, die rather than loose, English style prop. Someone like Lowe or Burgess. And a big, fast, strike centre.

 

[qldeagle]

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!

I'm putting my hand up to be the Fiji talent scout. Ok if I'm forced to stay at the shangri la I suppose I'll begrudgingly do it.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I'm putting my hand up to be the Fiji talent scout. Ok if I'm forced to stay at the shangri la I suppose I'll begrudgingly do it.

Great spot, stayed there many times

 

[madmax]

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.

Sorry to disagree, however all Walker needs is a fresh start to a season without drama / controversy or injury. Once he gets that he will show what he's capable of. For me I'd leave him at 5/8 & have him train there during the off season under the tutelage of Des & MM. The more he & DCE play together & train together will hold them in good stead. Tom T will excel further with another pre-season under Snake. Suli & Parker will also reap the benefits of the coaching staff we have this season & next. The addition of Hoppa Jr & Funa will give us plenty in the Center position! Wingers.....Garrick stays where he is. Jorge may have to play second fiddle next year & I'd give Funa or Hoppa Jr a shot to start. The forwards speak for themselves.....with the addition of Oka, Ben T we have plenty of strike.......

Tom T
Garrick
Parker
Suli
Hoppa
Walker
Dce,
Marty
Fainu
AFB
Siro
Thommo
Jake T

Forwards cover: Paseka, Sipley, Ola, Waddell, Keppie, Boyle, Jetski, Ben T, S Fainu, Schuster......Isaac Luke?
Backs cover: Croker, Cust, Elliott, Funa, Jorge, ZDC plus a couple of surprise additions....Jordan Rapana plus plus!!

 

[maxta]

I understand the fears of bringing in youngsters too early....in fact I agree in many cases.
However I feel Schuster is an exception, as is young Hoppa (depending on his recovery)....he was more mature as a player than Bradman Best who debuted in fine style for Newcastle late in the season and when rare players with this much ability and strength come along, they are old enough.
Maybe a few trials backed up with 3-5 NSW Cup games can help the process, but as an example I think Tom T stepped up basically from Holden Cup to NRL.
The players like Funa and Guocamole have served time at Blacktown and handled the boys to men so are ready if good enough, but the Schuster, Hoppa types, provided a solid off season, should be ready in 2020 imo.

 

[bob dylan]

Cant compete at highest level without bringing in outside talent.

We must buy a quality centre/five eighth - please dont try and sell me Walker.

We also need another quality prop/backrower.

We are probably 2 seasons off needing a halfback, they really should sign a couple of prospects in the next 12 months.