Lehi Hopoate

[Dion Johnson]

Like I said in the Game Day thread, the biggest problem I can foresee with Lehi Hopoate ... is dad, John.

Lehi is first grade quality, he's proven that since his debut. The problem is, where does he play when everyone is on deck?? As the most inexperienced he is arguably the odd man out there and I can't see his old man wanting him to languish in NSW Cup or sitting on Manly's bench hoping someone gets injured when he could be earning good money and be a first choice start elsewhere. There are NRL clubs out there who would pay good money for this kid.

Its going to be tough to keep the kid because 6 doesn't go into 5 and John won't be shy about shopping his boy around should he think there isn't much of a chance to play regular first grade at Manly.

Hoppa is a first grader every day of the week, he maybe inexperienced but he has class and skill that outweigh a few of the others in the backline.

I would have him over Garrick and Talau.

He has more speed than Talau for the wing position and returns the ball well, Talau is a strong carrier of the ball and is better suited to centre, for me it’s who misses selection when all is fit is between Garrick and Talau.

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

He may also be the most composed player on our team.

Think you’re right there Ron. Composure inverse to age and experience.

 

[HoldenV8]

Hoppa is a first grader every day of the week, he maybe inexperienced but he has class and skill that outweigh a few of the others in the backline.

I would have him over Garrick and Talau.

He has more speed than Talau for the wing position and returns the ball well, Talau is a strong carrier of the ball and is better suited to centre, for me it’s who misses selection when all is fit is between Garrick and Talau.

Talau may be our leading try scorer so far this year, and he has been very good for us in that respect, no doubt. But, if I was to choose one of our back 5 to miss out for young Hoppa Mk.VI ... it would be Tommy Talau.

For an outside back he lacks quality pace and TBH for all those who bag Garrick's defence, Reubs is a better defender. I think he's also probably the 3rd fastest at the club behind Saab and Koula plus he's our first choice goal kicker. Tommy Talau has been one of the buys of the year but he would be the one I'd drop to keep Hopoate in first grade.

And as much as I don't think Koula offers a hell of a lot beyond his pace ... he still has that pace and when he's fit hardly anyone in the NRL can stay with him, let alone catch him. So I'd keep him too because he's also an OK defender not afraid to put his body on the line.

That leaves Turbo and Saab and I don't think I need to put their cases forward. Of our backline they are the first two picked every time. Tom is Tom, but IMO Saab has improved both handling and his kick returns. He's also a lot more willing in defence.

 

[The Who]

Talau may be our leading try scorer so far this year, and he has been very good for us in that respect, no doubt. But, if I was to choose one of our back 5 to miss out for young Hoppa Mk.VI ... it would be Tommy Talau.

For an outside back he lacks quality pace and TBH for all those who bag Garrick's defence, Reubs is a better defender. I think he's also probably the 3rd fastest at the club behind Saab and Koula plus he's our first choice goal kicker. Tommy Talau has been one of the buys of the year but he would be the one I'd drop to keep Hopoate in first grade.

And as much as I don't think Koula offers a hell of a lot beyond his pace ... he still has that pace and when he's fit hardly anyone in the NRL can stay with him, let alone catch him. So I'd keep him too because he's also an OK defender not afraid to put his body on the line.

That leaves Turbo and Saab and I don't think I need to put their cases forward. Of our backline they are the first two picked every time. Tom is Tom, but IMO Saab has improved both handling and his kick returns. He's also a lot more willing in defence.

I don't see how Koala can replace any of our backline, on form. I'd give him as much recouperating time as he needs. Not much point playing him in the Slacktown Shirkers as the only practice he'll get there is standing behind their try line.
Injuries will come and he is the perfect replacement.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I can’t believe there are people that would prefer Talau over Koula. If they were both on the open market tomorrow, there’d be 16 clubs chasing Koula and prepared to pay big coin. Talau might get a look in at 2-3 clubs on a modest deal.

One has star quality and raw talent and the other is solid. Full credit to Tommy for putting in each week and exceeding expectations but he’s no star. He’s just a good solid first grader.

 

[rifraff]

Sometimes putting in each week is more than enough. Just ask the NSW captain

 

[manlyfan76]

Like I said in the Game Day thread, the biggest problem I can foresee with Lehi Hopoate ... is dad, John.

Or if he goes on a two year mission
Or if he goes to prison

 

[Waz13]

I can’t believe there are people that would prefer Talau over Koula. If they were both on the open market tomorrow, there’d be 16 clubs chasing Koula and prepared to pay big coin. Talau might get a look in at 2-3 clubs on a modest deal.

One has star quality and raw talent and the other is solid. Full credit to Tommy for putting in each week and exceeding expectations but he’s no star. He’s just a good solid first grader.

I agree.

Listing the outside backs in order of best to worse I’d go:
Tommy
Koula
Lehi
Talau
Saab
Garrick

That said there’s not a lot between the last 3.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I don't see how Koala can replace any of our backline, on form. I'd give him as much recouperating time as he needs. Not much point playing him in the Slacktown Shirkers as the only practice he'll get there is standing behind their try line.
Injuries will come and he is the perfect replacement.

Slacktown Shirkers…..that’s gold….I doff my hat Sir!

 

[joeboy]

Kids a gun, footy smart, composed, skilful

I honestly don’t know what we do next year, the one idea I thought had merit was Talau to second row

 

[manlyfan76]

I can’t believe there are people that would prefer Talau over Koula. If they were both on the open market tomorrow, there’d be 16 clubs chasing Koula and prepared to pay big coin. Talau might get a look in at 2-3 clubs on a modest deal.

One has star quality and raw talent and the other is solid. Full credit to Tommy for putting in each week and exceeding expectations but he’s no star. He’s just a good solid first grader.

People wanted parker at centre to start the year.

 

[Eagle 1]

This guy is the real deal let's hope John doesn't do his usual bull**** and encourage him to leave.

Haven't we signed him up on 3yr deal. That puts Hoppa senior out of the equation for a while.

 

[mickqld]

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hoppa Jr
6. Brooks
7. DCE

All at their very best is that not the quickest , most experienced, skilled backline in the league. That can match the riff, drizzle and rorters. It'll be up to our forwards now to give us the momentum for that backline to do it's thing. A lot rests on Paseka , Aloia and Brown now.
I know I shouldn't but for the first time in years I'm excited to watch us go around.

 

[WiseyEagle]

Burbo back to Blacktown, when Koula is back. The team needs 100% commitment and to be honest the team isn't currently getting that from Burbs. Especially when this year is their best opportunity to thrust deep into the finals and go beyond.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Burbo back to Blacktown, when Koula is back. The team needs 100% commitment and to be honest the team isn't currently getting that from Burbs. Especially when this year is their best opportunity to thrust deep into the finals and go beyond.

If Schuster had been able to step up as hoped, then Burbo would have spent this year alternating between bench and Workers. As opposed to regular starting second row (or centre), as circumstances have forced.
I still think he is going to be a very good NRL player when he's a bit stronger and more consistent, but he's not quite there yet.
Lawton, at 28 and with 100 games, is now a mature NRL forward. His next few years could be his best (so well done to Cows).

 

[LeonardCohen]

If Schuster had been able to step up as hoped, then Burbo would have spent this year alternating between bench and Workers. As opposed to regular starting second row (or centre), as circumstances have forced.
I still think he is going to be a very good NRL player when he's a bit stronger and more consistent, but he's not quite there yet.
Lawton, at 28 and with 100 games, is now a mature NRL forward. His next few years could be his best (so well done to Cows).

The sad thing for Lawton is he is not going to get a starting edge role at the Cows with Nanai and Luki there. I think he was purchased as Jake Granville's replacement as back up to Robson. Suddenly he is playing like a genuine starting edge forward at a club with an opening in that position. He's going to need injuries to get a starting opportunity next year.

It's a real shame.

I've been thinking about Talau because unlike others on here, I think he's the fall guy in the backline if everyone is fit (not that I think Seibs will necessarily see it that way, it's just my opinion). I wonder if Talau could play a Kurt Mann type role in the middle of the field as a mobile middle forward? He grew up playing 6 or 13 so he has some ball playing skills and a very robust defender. He probably needs a pre-season there but food for thought.

 

[The Indian]

The sad thing for Lawton is he is not going to get a starting edge role at the Cows with Nanai and Luki there. I think he was purchased as Jake Granville's replacement as back up to Robson. Suddenly he is playing like a genuine starting edge forward at a club with an opening in that position. He's going to need injuries to get a starting opportunity next year.

It's a real shame.

I've been thinking about Talau because unlike others on here, I think he's the fall guy in the backline if everyone is fit (not that I think Seibs will necessarily see it that way, it's just my opinion). I wonder if Talau could play a Kurt Mann type role in the middle of the field as a mobile middle forward? He grew up playing 6 or 13 so he has some ball playing skills and a very robust defender. He probably needs a pre-season there but food for thought.

I agree - a utility back on the bench or a 2nd hooker is always the argument and I usually fall on the side of having a utility back ( who is big bodied and can play through the middle in attack late in the game etc at a pinch ) is the better go. Plus we also have Lawton who can be an emergency dummy half and we dont use Gordy for huge minutes.

It's a great problem to have to finally have some depth in the backs for once, and to me Tommy Talau form has been too good to cast off. Think Dylan Walker type bench role, or Kurt Mann as mentioned.

 

[master blaster]

Haven't we signed him up on 3yr deal. That puts Hoppa senior out of the equation for a while.

Lets not forget, the rorters will be sniffing around waiting for any cracks to appear, like with Ponga and the other Knights fullback Atkinson. We are not safe with this lot around and they will be hoping that the old man gets agitated with the club because he feels that Lehi isnt getting the opportunities that he should be getting, isnt that what he did with Albert ?

 

[BOZO]

As I said before
Manly should bottle John Hoppas Sperm
He just keeps producing

The Hopoate Premiership winning Pedigree

 

[Eagle 1]

Lets not forget, the rorters will be sniffing around waiting for any cracks to appear, like with Ponga and the other Knights fullback Atkinson. We are not safe with this lot around and they will be hoping that the old man gets agitated with the club because he feels that Lehi isnt getting the opportunities that he should be getting, isnt that what he did with Albert ?

Lehi would of taken note on what happened to Albert after leaving Manly. Lehi loves it here at Manly, would take a lot of coaxing and then some to get him to leave Manly.