It’s official... Des can coach....

[Eagles4Life]

Hmmm this sounds like a balanced opinion. Good for you. At the end of the day none of us really know whether you see & hear quaking ducks or pictures of themselves in memes. I assume that the dude in the meme photo is you? I personally think Des is probably the best coach by a long way that we can attract to our club at the moment. Is he perfect? Definitely not.

Yep definitely me in the meme.
Actually this guy is much better looking.
I am so pleased that you have judged my last post as a "balanced opinion". Your opinion on my opinions is so important to me......

 

[47MVEagle]

This was the first round squad, and their current status for the next round.

1Dylan Walker
2Jason Saab - new to the team
3Brad Parker
4Moses Suli
5Reuben Garrick
6Kieran Foran - new to the team
7Daly Cherry-Evans
8Josh Aloiai - new to the team
9Lachlan Croker
10Martin Taupau
11Jack Gosiewski
12Curtis Sironen
13Jake Trbojevic

14Tevita Funa
15Andrew Davey - new to the team
16Morgan Boyle
17Taniela Paseka

Schuster - played 65 minutes & suffered an ankle injury last year.
Harper - played 2 or 3 games last year & looked promising, dint know why Des didnt name him in round 1 to start.
Keppie - played a few games last year but his intensity from the end of 2019 seemed to drop off.
Sipley - played no games last year, coming back from broken leg, needed match fitness, which could be seen in his first few games this year.
Haumole - played no games last year, suffered dislocated elbow in first BWSE game of the season so was unavailable until recovered.
Cust - played a handful of games mainly off the bench last year, read here recently he's a party boy hence Des isnt too keen on starting him.
Saddler - named as development player for this season so could hardly be expected to be named in round 1

I've added comments to your list above.

Des started the season fielding the team with the most experience with 4 new players.

New combinations take time to develop.

Match fitness takes time to develop.

How players perform at training is a factor.

Turbo missing was a factor.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Oh please. If it weren't for injuries Des would still be picking Suli at centre, Jorge on the wing, Sirro and Jetski as the 2nd rowers.
Des seems to be the only person that thinks Croker is better than Cust at hooker.

Only due to injuries does Manly have a better team, not through great team selections by Des..

Yes always those damn injuries helping Des... He just has no idea. We all just have to keep hoping there are more injuries so that it keeps helping Des. It is a bit unfair though how these injuries are just propping Des up. If only the Physio and Donny would get their act together and get this team injury free and then we will see Des for the terrible coach he is. However if we want to make the 8 we need more injuries so no idea Des only has say 17 players to pick from each week. Quite the conundrum for many on here - if we get more injuries we will make the 8 but if we dont - we miss the 8 but show Des up as the hopeless coach he is.....

 

[ManlyTragic]

I've added comments to your list above.

Des started the season fielding the team with the most experience with 4 new players.

New combinations take time to develop.

Match fitness takes time to develop.

How players perform at training is a factor.

Turbo missing was a factor.

Is that you Des?

 

[Red Pill]

Yep definitely me in the meme.
Actually this guy is much better looking.
I am so pleased that you have judged my last past as a "balanced opinion". Your opinion on my opinions is so important to me......

Hey Simon says. I am thinking of a bitchy cat scratching meme when I read your post.
Dude you must care what I think because you keep responding ha ha .
Btw; I did not think your initial post with the injury correlation made sense so I called it out and challenged it. That does not mean I believe my opinion is any better than anyone else’s even yours!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

My opinion on the theory that Des refused to select the best players and our improvement is due to luck in that injuries forced his hand?
It is absurd! Ridiculous, and without any factual basis!
But it is the fans' prerogative to have opinions, so for those who staunchly believe Des has dementia, hasn't realised the game has changed, and/or does not understand the ability of the players in his squad, etc, go for it, you are entitled to your view. However I'm yet to see any persuasive argument for that theory (and I've read far too many posts on this forum!)

 

[Kevinward777]

And happy to cop it. But that’s still a big IF.

That's the way - bring on the Sunday reveal. Go Manly!

 

[The Who]

My opinion on the theory that Des refused to select the best players and our improvement is due to luck in that injuries forced his hand?
It is absurd! Ridiculous, and without any factual basis!

While it does seem counter-intuitive to suggest our good form is due to bad luck turning into good luck there are many examples where it has happened.
For example, the Viagra you possibly use was an accidental upside to its intended purpose.
Likewise, the Botox you possibly use.
The Microwave, Penicillin and Anesthesia are further examples of breakthrough discoveries when they failed to work for their initial intention.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

My opinion on the theory that Des refused to select the best players and our improvement is due to luck in that injuries forced his hand?
It is absurd! Ridiculous, and without any factual basis!
But it is the fans' prerogative to have opinions, so for those who staunchly believe Des has dementia, hasn't realised the game has changed, and/or does not understand the ability of the players in his squad, etc, go for it, you are entitled to your view. However I'm yet to see any persuasive argument for that theory (and I've read far too many posts on this forum!)

bahahahaha

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Is that you Des?

add in a brand new defense system, loyalty going a long way in any club - just a few other pertinent points

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

For example, the Viagra you possibly use was an accidental upside to its intended purpose.

You may be getting me mixed up with bozo? lol
But I do have a microwave 🙂

 

[Kevinward777]

add in a brand new defense system, loyalty going a long way in any club - just a few other pertinent points

Loyalty is huge. The new defensive structure seems to be working a treat as well - happy days.

 

[Woodsie]

My opinion on the theory that Des refused to select the best players and our improvement is due to luck in that injuries forced his hand?
It is absurd! Ridiculous, and without any factual basis!
But it is the fans' prerogative to have opinions, so for those who staunchly believe Des has dementia, hasn't realised the game has changed, and/or does not understand the ability of the players in his squad, etc, go for it, you are entitled to your view. However I'm yet to see any persuasive argument for that theory (and I've read far too many posts on this forum!)

I am on the record over many years for saying that a great many factors have to be aligned for a team to be successful ... and a coach is but one important cog ... from the front office to the ball boy and the 100 others in between ... and it only takes one or two to be out of synch to cause mayhem and despair ....

But I am genuinely interested in what you believe to be the main cause(s) of our going from 1 in 14 .. to 5 from 5 ... ruling out an act of God ... and with you discounting team selection as a major reason .. why the sudden and wonderful return to form of the entire team ... players who some were saying should never be allowed near 1st grade are being feted as heros ...

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

But I am genuinely interested in what you believe to be the main cause(s) of our going from 1 in 14 .. to 5 from 5 ... ruling out an act of God ... and with you discounting team selection as a major reason .. why the sudden and wonderful return to form of the entire team ... players who some were saying should never be allowed near 1st grade are being feted as heros ...

Did I discount team selection as a major reason? are you sure?!!
OK in a nutshell, it started turning around through sheer hard work and perseverance, and 'sticking together', and the first win against the Warrriors was a vital turning point. The selection of Turbo for the next match combined with the tension release from winning, gave the team a massive boost in confidence which took them to a storming win over Titans - as underdogs. Since then, the momentum, confidence and good vibes have continued to grow.

None of this is to suggest that Schuster, Harper, Sipley and Haumole haven't all played really well, they have. As have some of the hitherto maligned players such as Parker Garrick and Croker who have remained throughout.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

ps also that lanky winger has been going ok lately 😉

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Did I discount team selection as a major reason? are you sure?!!
OK in a nutshell, it started turning around through sheer hard work and perseverance, and 'sticking together', and the first win against the Warrriors was a vital turning point. The selection of Turbo for the next match combined with the tension release from winning, gave the team a massive boost in confidence which took them to a storming win over Titans - as underdogs. Since then, the momentum, confidence and good vibes have continued to grow.

None of this is to suggest that Schuster, Harper, Sipley and Haumole haven't all played really well, they have. As have some of the hitherto maligned players such as Parker Garrick and Croker who have remained throughout.

That is you Des. Don't take it personally we are just trying to help.

 

[47MVEagle]

We had a green Saab outside an underperforming Suli for the first 3 games.

We had DCE & Foran reforging their partnership after 5/6 years break.

We had Croker starting as hooker after a full pre-season training to be one.

We didn't have Tom.

 

[The Who]

We had a green Saab outside an underperforming Suli for the first 3 games.

We had DCE & Foran reforging their partnership after 5/6 years break.

We had Croker starting as hooker after a full pre-season training to be one.

We didn't have Tom.

... and we had The Shoe, Harpo, Guaca and Sippers picked in reserve grade.

 

[Woodsie]

add in a brand new defense system, loyalty going a long way in any club - just a few other pertinent points

Are you suggesting that for the previous 15 games before we starting winning .. he was coaching a bad defensive system and that during that time he also had no loyalty ?

PSS ... I agree our defensive structures have improved greatly ..

 

[Disco]

I've added comments to your list above.

Des started the season fielding the team with the most experience with 4 new players.

New combinations take time to develop.

Match fitness takes time to develop.

How players perform at training is a factor.

Turbo missing was a factor.

Olakau'atu play 5 games last year FYI............from your comments

Haumole - played no games last year, suffered dislocated elbow in first BWSE game of the season so was unavailable until recovered.