Lehi Hopoate

[manlyfan76]

I am aligned with this one, I thought in 2021 he could have nailed the captaincy for 2022, definitely one of the smartest players around, though the demands of fullback and captaincy would be a challenge for him..

He'd have to give up slippy showers

 

[Heckenberg]

The problem is that we have six quality back line players all signed for several years, but only 5 spots to put them in.

Saab has signed until end of 2029
Koula until end of 2027
Garrick until end of 2026
Turbo until end of 2026
Hopoate until end of 2026
Talau until end of 2025

Something has to give, because they're all good enough to get a starting spot at another NRL club if they can't get one here.

Talau to backrow for mine. I reckon he’s got the mobility and defensive starch for it.

 

[manlyfan76]

Lehi in team of the week.

Sea Eagles superstar’s triumphant fullback return as young gun shines: Team of the Week

Sea Eagles superstar’s triumphant fullback return as young gun shines: Team of the Week

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

We could be the first club to turn down the nsw and qld captains and pick someone else as captain.

Speaking of which, how many other sets of brothers have captained at the same club in first grade? Not many.

Maybe a couple of Mortimers and/or Hughes’ brothers at C-B. Which is now a long time ago.

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Speaking of which, how many other sets of brothers have captained at the same club in first grade? Not many.

Maybe a couple of Mortimers and/or Hughes’ brothers at C-B. Which is now a long time ago.

Probably more than you'd think Tezza, Here's one relatively recent example:

 

[silvereagle]

Talau to backrow for mine. I reckon he’s got the mobility and defensive starch for it.

Now that's a real interesting thought. Particularly given we are short of backrowers. Certainly can tackle and has got the tough carries and mobility. Can also pop a nice pass. Might be an opportunity to canvass when Tolu is back?? Two Manly greats of the past were centres who ended up in the backrow (the great Ronny Gibbs and Igor Randall).

 

[ManlyTragic]

The problem is that we have six quality back line players all signed for several years, but only 5 spots to put them in.

Saab has signed until end of 2029
Koula until end of 2027
Garrick until end of 2026
Turbo until end of 2026
Hopoate until end of 2026
Talau until end of 2025

Something has to give, because they're all good enough to get a starting spot at another NRL club if they can't get one here.

… there are always injuries!

 

[Eagles4Life]

Reminds me of Will early days... not the same type of player but equally exciting...

they are both tough, surprisingly strong and look like the game is intuitive to them...

Exciting times, will be interesting to see how they get Lehi into the team because he HAS to be in there imo...

Talau to the bench is the only way I can see this happening when we are at full strength. That being the case, Talau deserves to be given a meaningful bench role, with significant minutes each game. How we do that is one of the conundrums we are facing, based on Seibold's development of real depth in our outside backs.

 

[Ohgeez]

Talau to the bench is the only way I can see this happening when we are at full strength. That being the case, Talau deserves to be given a meaningful bench role, with significant minutes each game. How we do that is one of the conundrums we are facing, based on Seibold's development of real depth in our outside backs.

Talau has been our best outside back this season, It would be harsh for him to be put on the bench when you have a guy like Garrick who has been so inconsistent staying in the side. The only option I see is Hoppa on the bench as he can cover 1-5, could even put him in the middle in the last 20 mins of games like Storm do with Faalago which has worked great so far

 

[frank stokes]

Talau to the bench is the only way I can see this happening when we are at full strength. That being the case, Talau deserves to be given a meaningful bench role, with significant minutes each game. How we do that is one of the conundrums we are facing, based on Seibold's development of real depth in our outside backs.

Agree that they both deserve to be in the side... for mine, and I acknowledge this is probs a controversial POV, Koula has failed to develop his game this year and I would have him behind both of these guys atm (with Garrick just in front of Koula due to goal kicking - plus he seems to be growing into the centre role and his defence is a lot better lately).. so Saab, Talau, Garrick, Hoppa for me with Turbo at the back...
having said that, i think that, with a full squad available, Seibs currently goes with experience in big games and Hopoate battles with Simpkins for the 14 role (as Froggy comes back in when fit)...

 

[Seagles68]

He'd have to give up slippy showers

I'm told they installed him a Velcro floor in the change room showers.

 

[Seagles68]

Now that's a real interesting thought. Particularly given we are short of backrowers. Certainly can tackle and has got the tough carries and mobility. Can also pop a nice pass. Might be an opportunity to canvass when Tolu is back?? Two Manly greats of the past were centres who ended up in the backrow (the great Ronny Gibbs and Igor Randall).

I don't t mind the idea but isn't that something that needs a bit of time? I'm thinking what they've done with Parks. Giving him time to learn the back row game in Reggies. I know someone like Aitken seems to have made a good fist of it and Talau (assuming he'd want to do it) does seem to have the build and toughness to take it on. Just think he'd need an off season to work on it. Ben and Tommy as sidekicks to Guac certainly has a good feel to it.

 

[silvereagle]

I don't t mind the idea but isn't that something that needs a bit of time? I'm thinking what they've done with Parks. Giving him time to learn the back row game in Reggies. I know someone like Aitken seems to have made a good fist of it and Talau (assuming he'd want to do it) does seem to have the build and toughness to take it on. Just think he'd need an off season to work on it. Ben and Tommy as sidekicks to Guac certainly has a good feel to it.

Definitely needs some transition time as we have seen with Parker. But given the depth in backs and skinniness in the forwards might be an interesting option to test.

 

[Seagles68]

Definitely needs some transition time as we have seen with Parker. But given the depth in backs and skinniness in the forwards might be an interesting option to test.

Yep, as long as he is open to the idea. If he grabs it with both hands, it could be a great move.

 

[WiseyEagle]

Just got a feeling that Burbo and Wadell (albeit injuries) will find it hard to get back into the lineup after that effort last weekend.

 

[madmax]

Talau has been our best player this season along with Brown. Both are a must for our 17.! In my opinion our current best 17 is…..
Trbo
Saab
Garrick
Koula
Talau
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Aloiai
Olakau’atu
Lawton
Jrbo
Res: Hoppa, Brown, Sipley, Bully
18th man Brbo.
Backups: Waddell, Navale, Croker, GKCT, James, Faulalo

 

[seaeagles4life]

A really interesting idea on Talau playing one further in as a mobile backrower. A bit like Briton Nikura from the sharks. It would make one edge very fast and lethal and he has shown to be able to take the right options in defence.

Tom T
Saab
Garrick
Koula
Hoppa
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Jake T
Olakau’atu
Talau
 Brown
Bench: Lawton,Aloiai, Sipley, Bullymore
18th Ben T

 

[WiseyEagle]

Just got a feeling that Burbo and Wadell (albeit injuries) will find it hard to get back into the lineup after that effort last weekend.

This comment didn't age well. 1 minute later checked out this week's team list and Burbo is in the team. 🤣

 

[Scorpio]

Re 6 players into 5...it is not like we are not a group that seems to get a number of injuries

… there are always injuries!

I'm sure the club would like to keep all of them, that's not the issue.

Beyond this year I don't think Player #6 (whoever that is) would want to stick around to play out of position, on the bench, or only be playing if/when one of the other 5 get injured... especially when on current form they'd very likely get an offer for a starting backline spot at another club.

 

[eaglebuzz]

The thing that really surprises me about LH is that he just has so much drive in his legs but it looks like there's almost nothing to him. Good genes I guess.