Lehi Hopoate

[AndWeDon'tCare]

In reference to Tom, as a football club there comes a time when a player's purview in relation to their preference of where they'd like to play, needs to be addressed in concert with the overall squad.

We are at the precipice of such a conversation, the effect of which would impact multiple positions and younger players within the Club.

It will require a strong leader in the Club to approach this subject and deal with the "fall out" and the inevitable "agendas" that will play through the media.

 

[joeboy]

No way. We have to give this kid what he wants so he stays. If Lehi wants to play FB then move over Tom you had your chances already this year

You can’t have a million dollar centre and pay overs for a 19 year old fullback who has shown immense promise but that’s it.

At his best, Tom wins games and unlocks many more of our players just by his presence.
At his best lehi will improve and show further promise, but he won’t elevate the team like Tom has and can do.

The best thing lehi can do this year is ignite something in Tom and be there for cover and depth as required while gaining invaluable experience

If having a young buck nipping at his position doesn’t have an effect on Tom and with Lehis expected improvement, physical development and experience it may be a different conversation next year

The ball is in Tom’s court for now.

 

[DanielTurbo888]

Just throw Tom out there somewhere in the middle with the freedom to roam. Like a shark. Lehi is our new Long Term FB

 

[castle eagle]

the only thing this kid needs is time for his body to grow/develop, his overall game has been brilliant so far he just needs a bit more size/power to help break tackles & aid his goal line defence

 

[Sir Pigman]

the only thing this kid needs is time for his body to grow/develop, his overall game has been brilliant so far he just needs a bit more size/power to help break tackles & aid his goal line defence

Unfortunately our history with the Hopa’s is not too good. They always chase money.

I hope I’m wrong because I think he will be good. History with this family says otherwise.

Oops in saying that he has signed for a few years but we know how solid contacts are now.

 

[HK_Eagle]

You can’t have a milk ion dollar centre and pay overs for a 19 year old who has shown immense promise but that’s it.

At his best, Tom wins games and unlocks many more of our players just by his presence.
At his best lehi will improve and show further promise, but he won’t elevate the team like Tom has and can do.

The best thing lehi can do this year is ignite something in Tom and be there for cover and depth as required while gaining invaluable experience

If having a young buck nipping at his position doesn’t have an effect on Tom and with Lehis expected improvement, physical development and experience it may be a different conversation next year

The ball is in Tom’s court for now.

Well, that’s all great in the three games he plays each season… but ain’t getting us anywhere significant…

 

[Dion Johnson]

I haven't seen him make one error yet in 160 minutes of football. Tom would have made 5 or 6 unforced errors in comparison. We would have lost by more today if Tom was fullback instead of Hopoate.

That’s the big improvement Hoppa has made, he made 2 to 3 errors a game in NSW cup.

He has been very focused on his game with the step up.

 

[Dion Johnson]

He started in the centres for Blacktown before being moved to fullback. From memory, all his junior footy has been at fullback, with maybe a couple of games on the wing.

Just played centre in NSW cup along with fullback, he went well at centre for a small body.

 

[Uk eagle]

There are some short memories on here. And people are prepared to jettison Tom for a 2 game rookie who may or may not turn out to be the goods. Sometimes I just shake my head in disbelief

 

[Dion Johnson]

You can’t have a million dollar centre and pay overs for a 19 year old fullback who has shown immense promise but that’s it.

At his best, Tom wins games and unlocks many more of our players just by his presence.
At his best lehi will improve and show further promise, but he won’t elevate the team like Tom has and can do.

The best thing lehi can do this year is ignite something in Tom and be there for cover and depth as required while gaining invaluable experience

If having a young buck nipping at his position doesn’t have an effect on Tom and with Lehis expected improvement, physical development and experience it may be a different conversation next year

The ball is in Tom’s court for now.

I am under the opinion Tom is the best player at the club when fit and switched on, however his form and effort plays have not been there this season, his defence was down along with his positioning at the back.

I can’t recall the last time I seen Turbo make a try saving tackle along with putting his body on the line, from what I seen this season of Tommy he has been playing within himself, most likely from his injuries.

 

[DanielTurbo888]

He will go elsewhere mate. Remember that Tom may or may not turn out to play another 20 games in his career. Not looking promising after his last few frequent long term injuries

 

[Dion Johnson]

Unfortunately our history with the Hopa’s is not too good. They always chase money.

I hope I’m wrong because I think he will be good. History with this family says otherwise.

Oops in saying that he has signed for a few years but we know how solid contacts are now.

If you pay the player their worth you don’t see them leaving..

 

[mickqld]

In reference to Tom, as a football club there comes a time when a player's purview in relation to their preference of where they'd like to play, needs to be addressed in concert with the overall squad.

We are at the precipice of such a conversation, the effect of which would impact multiple positions and younger players within the Club.

It will require a strong leader in the Club to approach this subject and deal with the "fall out" and the inevitable "agendas" that will play through the media.

Strong leader in this club...

 

[AndWeDon'tCare]

There are some short memories on here. And people are prepared to jettison Tom for a 2 game rookie who may or may not turn out to be the goods. Sometimes I just shake my head in disbelief

I'm not suggesting that at all and I have never intimated as much.

I'm suggesting that at some point, the Club will face their "Eastman Kodak" moment with Tom and it is at THAT time we will see the planning and priorities of the Club.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Hmm, my thoughts have certainly shifted around a bit this season. At this moment, I’m thinking…

• Lehi kept at #1 and we invest in his development with an eye long term.
• While I was supportive with putting Koula at #1 when he first went back there, I just think he has much more work to develop in that position compared to Lehi. I’m starting to agree with the fellow poster who sees him as purely a winger with speed (would be challenged with bombs and would need to work hard on that).
• Talau to centre
• Garrick to wing and fights it out with Koula for a wing position
• Saab on the other wing.
• Sell Turbo, and invest that money back in the forwards (specialist hooker, back-rower and lock)
• Actually, I would probably sell all 3 Turbos (as much as I love them). I think their currency is just going to sink from here on in (Burbo the only one with further potential).
• Find the right young 7 to invest in and start seriously working towards a succession plan to take over DCE in a couple of years. Is that Humphreys??? I don’t know.

Now this leaves us short a good centre, IMO… and that’s assuming Talau can make it there. I’m not convinced Koula nor Garrick are the answer there. Yes, we could put Turbo there (possibly even short term), but he’s still an over-paid injury concern in that position. I would love to see Koula make it work, but I’m really concerned he hasn’t developed as much as many of us hoped. In summary, it’s a mess and will require some balls to make these changes.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

There are some short memories on here. And people are prepared to jettison Tom for a 2 game rookie who may or may not turn out to be the goods. Sometimes I just shake my head in disbelief

I'm not saying that at all. Just enjoying watching a new talent take his opportunity. Tom will be back and he will be our fullback.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Of course, Tom is a better fullback than Lehi right now but the concern is Tom keeps breaking down, and Lehi ends up at Canberra in between one of Tom’s episodes. He eventually medically retires at 30 and we watch our gun junior tear it up somewhere else…that’s why people want him to stay at 1.

 

[jbb/james]

Contracts define recruitment

Over the last couple of seasons while recruitment has improved, it shows a lack of a long term plan and vision

Youth was recruited all over town, and discarded before realising talent . Some salaries included in top 30

The fulton era had one direction while the first grade coaches went in another

Foran and dylan walker were lost way too soon for schuster

Seibold now walks his own. The club has to get ballsy, invest in a coach and back em to the hilt

Manly have gone in on Turbo, Jurbo, DCE and now oku which kind of means we only deal in low to mid tier players hoping they bring culture or youth bring spark

Little hoppa looks to be an exception so far and has himself in the shop window but we can only invest in lower tier players as koula, lodge, paseka, ailoi garrick , take up a lot of the mid tier

To invest in class we have to sell. Not sure if hoppa is worth it yet but if he proves to be we have already decided what class he is in based on other purchases. Its the Manly way

 

[Eagle 1]

I

Was at the game.. he's a star.. so cool. And his defence for a young kid with a slight build amazing.. saved at least 3 tries

The tackle on Caruva was text book stuff. He's coming along nicely with every game played.

 

[master blaster]

Of course, Tom is a better fullback than Lehi right now but the concern is Tom keeps breaking down, and Lehi ends up at Canberra in between one of Tom’s episodes. He eventually medically retires at 30 and we watch our gun junior tear it up somewhere else…that’s why people want him to stay at 1.

Lets not forget the rorters are looking for a fullback. Look how they tried to get Ponga out of his contract and how they were chasing that young Atkinson, I wouldnt put anything past them, after all, we cant have the NRL and P Vlandys flagship struggling now can we