[Resurrected] Lachlan Croker

[Dunder Mifflin]

I think its pretty obvious with this guy as hard as he tries is just not upto it when it comes to the top teams.
Panthers Api
Storm Smith/Grant
Souths Cook
Roosters Verillis/Watson
Manly Croker....
This is why walker is so important for us he is another point of attack and was brilliant for us last season. He was sorely missed tonight when does he return?
With walker back Croker can focus on his game which Des has kept simple and tailored to suit him. Croker has 0 attacking prowess! He has no bag of tricks other than an attempted 40/20 (has he ever cracked 1?) This is a massive problem we NEED a real hooker. Shame lawton got concussed he is much better than croker for mine simply because of his speed and enthusiasm.

What are the solutions people? Jake to hooker after he loses 10kgs? 🤷‍♂️ whats the go with Fainu? Surely we have a young up and coming hooker?

 

[Ryan]

Before people post and rip in, in this thread, remember Hooker isn't his position. Our recruitment team have consolidated our Hooker position for three straight years, and brought no-one in. Croker tries his guts out, but it's a very specialist position. You could carry a half at 9 back when Monnas did it, but the game has changed.

I hope people show Croker that respect, and be fair.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

There are none in our squad at the moment. Jake cannot play hooker. We all saw what Api did - he darts and probes and delivers great service. Croker offers no darting and terrible service and no way Jake can dart anywhere.

 

[frank stokes]

I think lawnton is the obvious... IF he can stay on the field... Bullemore fills Lawnton's backrow spot anyway (when Josh is back)

 

[frank stokes]

Before people post and rip in, in this thread, remember Hooker isn't his position. Our recruitment team have consolidated our Hooker position for three straight years, and brought no-one in. Croker tries his guts out, but it's a very specialist position. You could carry a half at 9 back when Monnas did it, but the game has changed.

I hope people show Croker that respect, and be fair.

I have no issue with Crokers effort... he is just not a hooker...

He plays the odd good game there but that is more on bad decisions by the defensive team I reckon...

Nobody can (or at least should) question his effort...

 

[Ryan]

I have no issue with Crokers effort... he is just not a hooker...

He plays the odd good game there but that is more on bad decisions by the defensive team I reckon...

Nobody can (or at least should) question his effort...

Agree.

This is 100% our entire recruitment team's issue. Not Crokers.

 

[The Royal Soup]

Yep, Croker has to go

 

[Waz13]

We got completely f$&@en smashed tonight. Seriously has anybody on here ever played 9 in a game like tonight. I have (although not first grade of course) and It’s a f$&@en nightmare for 9s. Croker is serviceable at best I agree but he’s our 9 for now. He also had no break and tackled all day in the middle against the Panthers pack - who last I looked have lost like what 6 games in two years. He played poorly tonight agree, but he wasn’t a problem last year. We do need a second point of difference (Lawton tonight who was KOd in less than a minute) for sure. I do t think that is Walker tbh as per OP. Lawton may get more time in 9 in coming weeks. Who won’t be able to play long minutes tho I doubt.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

There are none in our squad at the moment. Jake cannot play hooker. We all saw what Api did - he darts and probes and delivers great service. Croker offers no darting and terrible service and no way Jake can dart anywhere.

AK also likes to dart and probe when he is away from home.

 

[frank stokes]

We got completely f$&@en smashed tonight. Seriously has anybody on here ever played 9 in a game like tonight. I have (although not first grade of course) and It’s a f$&@en nightmare for 9s. Croker is serviceable at best I agree but he’s our 9 for now. He also had no break and tackled all day in the middle against the Panthers pack - who last I looked have lost like what 6 games in two years. He played poorly tonight agree, but he wasn’t a problem last year. We do need a second point of difference (Lawton tonight who was KOd in less than a minute) for sure. I do t think that is Walker tbh as per OP. Lawton may get more time in 9 in coming weeks. Who won’t be able to play long minutes tho I doubt.

Yep it was ugly and certainly not on Croker...

 

[Coops manly]

agreed plays his heart out but offers nothing in attack it has been a huge problem for a couple of years ever since api left and manase went down . I am surprised we haven't addressed it and what worries me des keeps saying he was one of our better players .
Obviously thats judged on his hooker play which is a real worry .
Like the previous comments I can't knock his effort but we need more out of hooker .

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

AK also likes to dart and probe when he is away from home.

um yes yes he did lol lol

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Des also made a terrible error in selecting Koula and not Davey. We had a passenger on the bench for 70 minutes when we needed another forward in the rotation. Croker was terrible but he had a few pasengers in that pack. Anyone still saying we need to ditch Marty needs some help... he was the only forward who had a dig all game besides Jake.

 

[Scorpio]

Penrith were going to win that match with or without Api... He also missed most of the first 2 months of last season and yet Penrith still didn't lose a match.

Likewise we were not going to win that match even if we swapped Croker for any other hooker.

As an entire team we still seem off the pace of the competition heavyweights.

 

[winnyason]

Des also made a terrible error in selecting Koula and not Davey. We had a passenger on the bench for 70 minutes when we needed another forward in the rotation. Croker was terrible but he had a few pasengers in that pack. Anyone still saying we need to ditch Marty needs some help... he was the only forward who had a dig all game besides Jake.

Koula should start over parker

 

[mave]

I still reckon DCE could be/should have been the best 9 in the comp.

It will never happen, of course, but one can dream.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Koula should start over parker

Not sold on Koula yet... think he could be something special but gee an extra forward like Davey would have lightened the load a bit on the forwards and we all know Davey gives 100%. He is no Paseka or Sipley who loves to have a rest he is all heart and effort.. we could have done with some of that tonight.

 

[winnyason]

Sergyaro

 

[winnyason]

Not sold on Koula yet... think he could be something special but gee an extra forward like Davey would have lightened the load a bit on the forwards and we all know Davey gives 100%. He is no Paseka or Sipley who loves to have a rest he is all heart and effort.. we could have done with some of that tonight.

Parker dog average he never be class, agree not having kid on bench.

 

[sheridanstand78]

Croker is limited in his ability as a 9 and is coached to do certain things. We have NO thrust from dummy half, look at the tryp Api scored we need that. Api running from dummy half showed us yet again what we lack.

I do not understand that folly of going into another season without an accomplished 9. It continues to make it so hard for us to beat the top teams without one and it needs to be addressed ASAP!