Last chance or Rookie call

[Woodsie]

Keep telling all you numbnuts .... nothing will happen until our forwards start playing like a rapid pack .... every time I hear our forwards discussed it is as individuals ... we are averaging one hit up from a big bopper each set ... and fukk me sideways if ever we have two big boppers hit it up in a row .... we cuddle their forwards to the ground and brush the grass and dirt off them ....

More than ever the new rules have created a game where size, speed and power through the middle create the opportunities for the backs .... we just don't get it ... or do it ...

Packs like Parra, Easts, Panthers are full of fast power players that work in unison ....

And don't tell me about how many metres Marty and AFB run for .... it is irrelevant if they are taking turns .. one run per set .....

 

[Tomay]

Care to alter your opinion now?

nope. Knee jerk reactions are the habit of clueless coaches. I think cust showed potential last night and would benefit greatly from some experience (and perhaps a more powerful runner outside him).

The truth is we don’t know what the other young guys you are proposing to throw in there will offer - but they’re obviously not forcing their way in at training and without reserve grade running it’s a lot to expect them to come in and perform.

unless one of these guys can come in to provide excellent service and spark from hooker with the ability to make 30+ tackles a game against NRL level middles I don’t see it fixing our problems.

 

[manly al]

Not sure if young Hoppa is ready but would seriously consider bringing Schuster and Hamole on to the bench to replace Croker and Jet Ski .[ assuming Waddell is still unavailable ] Levi will probably start again and if he needs a break , maybe move Cust to 9 and Schuster at 6 [ and could manage back row too ] . Would be good to be able to utilize Metcalfe "s speed but not sure where he could be accommodated . Elliot will most likely be retained at 1 so only then a wing position for Hoppa though not sure if Jorge has been that bad . Would certainly be inclined to partner Funa with Suli in the centres for some extra spark , no reason why his defence should not measure up there .

 

[Tragic Eagle]

If you don't fix it then nothing changes. You never know unless you give it a go. I expect Parramatta to put 50 on us this week. Scoring points during a game builds confident. We scored early against St George and looked okay until our attack became benign. We should have scored 3 tries in the first half but were not clinical enough. Then our confidence drained and and we started making too many errors and playing without the footy. We should have won against the knights but we couldn't score points. We need X factor which equals points!

 

[maxta]

I think the Penrith fans are happy young Stains got a run on the wing and up Newcastle way, Bradman Best is doing ok (same age as young Hoppa) and basically rated pretty level...yes Hoppa has had injury concerns, but is back into full training and the lack of pace atm is obvious.
Others to get a shot are doing more than ok out Penrith way like Liam Martin and Creighton...Rookie Tesi Niu at Broncos looks promising also.

 

[HoldenV8]

As much as I like Parker and Tafua. Both of them are too slow to be on one side. One or both of them need to go and we need some speed.

At this stage I'd be more inclined to keep Parker in the side and drop Jorge for Funa or even Hopoate. Other than the occasional big hit in defence, what exactly does Jorge offer any more ... his hit ups in early tackles? Funa and Hoppa can do that too. His speed? Yeah, maybe if he was able to play while riding a Yamaha R1 he might have speed, otherwise he's arguably THE slowest winger in the NRL.

I've always been a fan of Jorge and have thought that he cops a lot of unfair criticism. However, there does come a time when everyone basically outlives their usefulness and Jorge is rapidly approaching the time when he's outlived his. He's been good for us at times over the years, but more and more the bad is outweighing the good. Yes he's undoubtedly more robust than Garrick is on the other wing, but at least Reubs has pace. Jorge would be flat out beating AFB in a foot race.

It probably won't happen anytime soon, but I would like to see Des take a punt on either having Funa or Hopoate out on the left wing. Unfortunately Jorge just doesn't offer enough anymore as an NRL winger.

As for Parker ... while he also has little in the way of genuine pace (as proven last night when he was one of the one's Dufty burned to a crisp), his defence for the most part is very good and he's arguably one of the better defensive centres in the NRL. But the reality is we need a winger with speed on the left, a winger that Parker could potentially put into space who isn't going to get caught 10 metres downfield by a plodding front rower.

 

[XV-1]

At this stage I'd be more inclined to keep Parker in the side and drop Jorge for Funa or even Hopoate. Other than the occasional big hit in defence, what exactly does Jorge offer any more ... his hit ups in early tackles? Funa and Hoppa can do that too. His speed? Yeah, maybe if he was able to play while riding a Yamaha R1 he might have speed, otherwise he's arguably THE slowest winger in the NRL.

I've always been a fan of Jorge and have thought that he cops a lot of unfair criticism. However, there does come a time when everyone basically outlives their usefulness and Jorge is rapidly approaching the time when he's outlived his. He's been good for us at times over the years, but more and more the bad is outweighing the good. Yes he's undoubtedly more robust than Garrick is on the other wing, but at least Reubs has pace. Jorge would be flat out beating AFB in a foot race.

It probably won't happen anytime soon, but I would like to see Des take a punt on either having Funa or Hopoate out on the left wing. Unfortunately Jorge just doesn't offer enough anymore as an NRL winger.

Agree, just like the Wolfman who was very good for quite a long time - but his small body and height was almost overnight obsolete on the wing. His MOM performance for the Roosters in the 2013 gf was the beginning and the end of his footy career.
We need either a large winger that is fast, can bust tackles and tackle when needed or even more speed and can jump and catch in the air.
Jorge unfortunately can't do any of these things.

 

[BOZO]

Love nothing more than Des at the helm of Manly - he lives and breathes Manly....but if there is not a solid performance tomorrow vs Illawarra, it's time to straight up give Schuster and Hoppa a crack, plus like to see Guocomole have a run as he adds more attacking options through the ruck than anyone we have atm.
Hope to see a big effort tomorrow, but feel it's time these youngsters need a crack sooner rather than later and just maybe, could change the momentum of our season....

If your good enough , strong enough and fast enough then your old enough
I say give this team a blood transfusion that it needs by adding a talented young passionate and eager player

 

[HoldenV8]

If I was choosing next weeks team (a scary thought given my call for yesterdays team which turned out to be mostly the 13 we started with, and look how that turned out.....), this is probably what I would come up with.

FB - Brendan Elliot
WG - Tevita Funa
CE - Brad Parker
CE - Moses Suli
WG - Reuben Garrick
FE - Daly Cherry-Evans
HB - Cade Cust
PR - Sean Keppie
HK - Danny Levi
PR - Martin Taupau
SR - Joel Thompson
SR - Curtis Sironen
LK - Jake Trbojevic

Bench - Josh Schuster/Albert Hopoate, Morgan Boyle, Toafofoa Sipley, Taniela Paseka/Corey Waddell.

I'd drop Jorge and put Funa (or Hopoate) on the left wing.

I'd swap Cust and DCE around and let Cust have a go at running things leaving Cherry to play his running game which is always when he's at his best (he still couldn't organize a root in a brothel).

I'd have Keppie starting in the front row.

On the bench I would drop Croker right now and and blood either Schuster or Hopoate. I'd also bring Sips into the side and drop Jetski while if he's fit I'd bring Waddell back in for Paseka.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Hopoate for taufua, walker for Parker, cust for walker, Harawira for Thompson, Schuster for gosiewski, Olakauatu for paseka and some no frills forwards and replacements on the cheaper side of Spencer Leniu, Tom Wright, Sean Osullivan, Taane Milne, Peni Terepo, Matt Burton, Renouf Toomaga, Hudson Young, Tom Amone, tevita tatola, Tyrone May, Moses Leota, Billy Smith are some names for instance ans hopefully push out players like Croker, Boyle, Paseka,Sipley, Waddell, Gosiewski, trex, Elliott, Taufua, Parker, levi Anderson, whilst doing it. And still having cash for 2022 to strengthen where we need

 

[HoldenV8]

We need either a large winger that is fast, can bust tackles and tackle when needed or even more speed and can jump and catch in the air.
Jorge unfortunately can't do any of these things.

The way that sounds we actually have someone perfect for the job. Only, he's our fullback and not currently playing.....

 

[susan]

Next year this side would trouble the top sides with potential to improve plenty with one or maybe two reasonable value imports in the top 17. Those let go to be replaced by depth guys suited to the new rules.
Genuine specialist back up hooker and quality utility like AJ in the thirty ( hard to get his quality but we need to find someone desperately to reduce reliance on TT).

Tom
Albert
Suli
Walker
Funa
DCE
Cust / Recruit like Burton
Jake
Sirro
Okalatu
Marty
Fainu
AFB

Keppie
Sipley
Hariwera -Naira or similar recruit with line break potential on the edge
Shuster

Shuster to 6 DCE to 7 if Fainu needs rest with Cust / recruit to 9

Saddler
Waddell
Fainu

next in line

Gone
Jetski
Croker
Elliott
Garrick
Paseka
Boyle

 

[Simonmyers11]

Keep telling all you numbnuts .... nothing will happen until our forwards start playing like a rapid pack .... every time I hear our forwards discussed it is as individuals ... we are averaging one hit up from a big bopper each set ... and fukk me sideways if ever we have two big boppers hit it up in a row .... we cuddle their forwards to the ground and brush the grass and dirt off them ....

More than ever the new rules have created a game where size, speed and power through the middle create the opportunities for the backs .... we just don't get it ... or do it ...

Packs like Parra, Easts, Panthers are full of fast power players that work in unison ....

And don't tell me about how many metres Marty and AFB run for .... it is irrelevant if they are taking turns .. one run per set .....

you nailed it. Yep DCE is down on form and Levi/crocker are useless but bigger concern for me is our pack and outside backs.

I know DCE is a great player and will come good, and faniu hopefully back will make a big difference but our pack are not winning the ruck enough and punching through the line. Those sides you mention their forwards are running onto the ball and winning the wrestle back to their feet, then you have big outside backs making inroads as well. We missed that watmough type of player, tuck the ball under his arm get over the advantage line and get a quick play the ball. Parra do it the best - Matterson, Brown, especially. Roosters have been doing it for years, Melbourne as well and now Panthers are following suit. A good hooker helps big time, Api has transformed the panthers but we lack physically strong mobile forwards. I like Siro, he's trying and marty and AFB are always solid but jake e ineffective of late and then their are the rest - just getting smashed. Our outside backs are slow and cannot punch through the line either. Look at Parra's outside backs - like forwards and fast! Even last night St Georges backs were all over us

 

[Simonmyers11]

Next year this side would trouble the top sides with potential to improve plenty

Tom
Albert
Suli
Walker
DCE
Cust / Recruit like Burton
Jake
Sirro
Okalatu
Marty
Fainu
AFB

Keppie
Saddler
Hariwera -Naira or similar recruit
Shuster

Yep, i like it. My only concern would be haven't seen Okalatu defend in a key position. If we recruited Naira I would swop them - but I like that side. Cust would be fine with those players around him.

Who is your second winger. I would persist with Funa, a little timid but when i see him run he can move and beat a player and good finisher. He just needs confidence - its a key position the wing. There are some dam good wingers out there now. Need to be big like a forward, catch, be fast and good finisher.

 

[susan]

Yep, i like it. My only concern would be haven't seen Okalatu defend in a key position. If we recruited Naira I would swop them - but I like that side. Cust would be fine with those players around him.

Who is your second winger. I would persist with Funa, a little timid but when i see him run he can move and beat a player and good finisher. He just needs confidence - its a key position the wing. There are some dam good wingers out there now. Need to be big like a forward, catch, be fast and good finisher.

Sorry missed winger. Funa is in

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Next year this side would trouble the top sides with potential to improve plenty with one or maybe two reasonable value imports in the top 17. Those let go to be replaced by depth guys suited to the new rules.
Genuine back up hooker and quality utility like AJ in the thirty ( hard to get his quality but we need to find someone desperately to reduce reliance on TT).

Tom
Albert
Suli
Walker
Funa
DCE
Cust / Recruit like Burton
Jake
Sirro
Okalatu
Marty
Fainu
AFB

Keppie
Sipley
Hariwera -Naira or similar recruit with line break potential on the edge
Shuster

Shuster to 6 DCE to 7 if Fainu needs rest with Cust / recruit to 9

Saddler
Waddell
Fainu

next in line

Gone
Jetski
Croker
Elliott
Garrick
Paseka
Boyle

So we rely on DCE again to kick goals?
Garrick started well last year but his kicking has not improved, maybe we are one of the only clubs that can't afford a goal-kicking coach

 

[susan]

Garrick kicks at 62 percent so losing him hardly hurts
Santa Claus would throw some over that he misses.

Alex Johnstone should be a massive priority . 90 tries in 130 games and covers entire three quarter line. Takes Funas spot in the above side.
He would change the dynamic of our team entirely. TT out and we still compete on the scoreboard.

With TT Walker AJ Suli and Hoppa - I’d hate to be defending that lot. That’s a premiership three quarter line.

 

[The Who]

nope. Knee jerk reactions are the habit of clueless coaches.

I'm sure the Captain of the Titanic wished he'd reacted sooner rather than sinking with his ship.

 

[Little Grubber Kick]

If I was choosing next weeks team (a scary thought given my call for yesterdays team which turned out to be mostly the 13 we started with, and look how that turned out.....), this is probably what I would come up with.

FB - Brendan Elliot
WG - Tevita Funa
CE - Brad Parker
CE - Moses Suli
WG - Reuben Garrick
FE - Daly Cherry-Evans
HB - Cade Cust
PR - Sean Keppie
HK - Danny Levi
PR - Martin Taupau
SR - Joel Thompson
SR - Curtis Sironen
LK - Jake Trbojevic

Bench - Josh Schuster/Albert Hopoate, Morgan Boyle, Toafofoa Sipley, Taniela Paseka/Corey Waddell.

I'd drop Jorge and put Funa (or Hopoate) on the left wing.

I'd swap Cust and DCE around and let Cust have a go at running things leaving Cherry to play his running game which is always when he's at his best (he still couldn't organize a root in a brothel).

I'd have Keppie starting in the front row.

On the bench I would drop Croker right now and and blood either Schuster or Hopoate. I'd also bring Sips into the side and drop Jetski while if he's fit I'd bring Waddell back in for Paseka.

I'd be prepared to give the Cust / DCE pairing a shot if only to prove that DCE isn't a 5/8 (seems there are those that think he is more of a 5/8 than 1/2 but I'm unaware of the evidence which allowed them to formulate that view).......

once 5/8 is ruled out he might follow in his coaches footsteps.....