Josh Aloiai

[Mark from Brisbane]

Gotta say I’m looking forward to seeing how this big fella goes with us.

Hard to replace AFB, but his leaving has freed up some cap space to also fill in some other holes.

An interesting year ahead

 

[Woodsie]

The bloke I’m hoping/will have a watershed year is Guacamole. Again Des’ usage of him last year was mind boggling. If Des takes the reins off, I can see Guaca going gangbusters.

My fear is that Dessie sees Guacamole as a middle forward and not an edge forward ... I hope I am wrong because we need a destructive runner outside than can set up a centre or winger ...

 

[Woodsie]

I am also not thrilled with calls to play Schuster as a middle forward at lock .... making a creative and running player like the Shoe make 40 heavy tackles a game ... and what, play 80 mins there ... and then expect him to live up to his reputation is very ambitious ... no, I'll change that ... it's madness.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I am also not thrilled with calls to play Schuster as a middle forward at lock .... making a creative and running player like the Shoe make 40 heavy tackles a game ... and what, play 80 mins there ... and then expect him to live up to his reputation is very ambitious ... no, I'll change that ... it's madness.

5/8 for sure , Foran I think will start and they’ll share that role with the Shoe eventually taking over long term.

And who knows how long Foran will last , we all hope it’s 26 plus games but in reality we might be lucky to get 10-12

 

[pjayz]

I am also not thrilled with calls to play Schuster as a middle forward at lock .... making a creative and running player like the Shoe make 40 heavy tackles a game ... and what, play 80 mins there ... and then expect him to live up to his reputation is very ambitious ... no, I'll change that ... it's madness.

You could play him as an edge backrower and feed him plenty of early ball if Foran is 5/8. Keep him out of the 13.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I haven't seen enough of Aloiai to know where he might fit in our pack, but if anyone's going to replace AFB, my money would be on Paseka. He really started to show something last season and I hope he can continue the improvement.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Latest training pics - nice to finally see him without a few metres of sticky tape holding his knee in place.

 

[Kevinward777]

With the additions of Haumole, Davey and Aloiai, a fit Gossi, and the continued development of Keppie and Paseka, the pack looks even better than last year.

 

[manly al]

Think that Burbo would be keen to have a red hot go also and for the back row , just so difficult for guys like him , Sipley and Saddler last season having virtually no game time . Did not work out so well for Albert Hoppa as a junior S O O and then struggling in i st grade for Manly but bit more confident with Burbo with a similar background and development .

 

[Kevinward777]

Think that Burbo would be keen to have a red hot go also and for the back row , just so difficult for guys like him , Sipley and Saddler last season having virtually no game time . Did not work out so well for Albert Hoppa as a junior S O O and then struggling in i st grade for Manly but bit more confident with Burbo with a similar background and development .

One noticeable advantage Burbo has over Albert is size. Hoppa didn't appear to grow much at all from Harold Matthews. Burbo has filled out his lanky frame, the lad is huge.

 

[manly al]

One noticeable advantage Burbo has over Albert is size. Hoppa didn't appear to grow much at all from Harold Matthews. Burbo has filled out his lanky frame, the lad is huge.

And can motor a bit too. if he can get his defence in order , definitely could be one to watch . .

 

[The Wheel]

One noticeable advantage Burbo has over Albert is size. Hoppa didn't appear to grow much at all from Harold Matthews. Burbo has filled out his lanky frame, the lad is huge.

Plus Burbo isn’t coming off two ACLs and no footy for two years.

 

[Kevinward777]

And can motor a bit too. if he can get his defence in order , definitely could be one to watch . .

Yeah, he's definitely one to be excited about.

 

[Kevinward777]

Plus Burbo isn’t coming off two ACLs and no footy for two years.

Yep, that would have hugely impacted upon Albert's development.

 

[The Wheel]

Yep, that would have hugely impacted upon Albert's development.

And some wondered why Des didn’t want to play him

 

[Kevinward777]

And some wondered why Des didn’t want to play him

They lambasted Dessie for not playing him.

 

[The better Robbo]

With the additions of Haumole, Davey and Aloiai, a fit Gossi, and the continued development of Keppie and Paseka, the pack looks even better than last year.

Yeah our depth players look fit as ****! Gosiewski looks a machine, Paseka is looking hard, even Boyle looks fit and strong. Add guys like Davey and Olakau-atu and we have probably more quality depth than any other forward pack in the comp. I'm expecting Gosiewski and Paseka to really shine and Olakau-atu to be a fan favourite very soon. Its gonna be hard to pick our best 17 but that's a great problem to have

 

[jbb/james]

My fear is that Dessie sees Guacamole as a middle forward and not an edge forward ... I hope I am wrong because we need a destructive runner outside than can set up a centre or winger ...

Do you think des will put him in the middle first where his role is tough but more straight forward and once he has some games under his belt move him wider so he can use the ball a bit once he feels more ready for first grade

Paseka came along slowly making very few errors and then once he was set stepped up in other areas mainly aggression

 

[Woodsie]

Do you think des will put him in the middle first where his role is tough but more straight forward and once he has some games under his belt move him wider so he can use the ball a bit once he feels more ready for first grade

Paseka came along slowly making very few errors and then once he was set stepped up in other areas mainly aggression

No idea ... but whatever the path .. I hope it leads to the edge ..

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

No idea ... but whatever the path .. I hope it leads to the edge ..

I agree!