If we are talking two hookers at once, is that like a standard bun in reverse? Or am I off topic again? 😛
Manase Fainu
- Thread starter Sir Pigman
- Start date
Damien2812
Bencher
We need Fainu back asap since he is part of our full strength team. We miss Fainu's dummy half running and offloading ability in tackles.
Stewbojevic
Reserve Grader
I personally believe a fully fit Fainu at 9 would make us a better side when Tommy’s out and minimise the gap between our best and worst performances.
Brisbane Tragic
Bencher
Exactly!
Brisbane Tragic
Bencher
That could well be true - good point
HoldenV8
Journey Man
You know, I've heard a strong case about Morgan Harper being Manly's most improved player in 2021, along with Haumole Olakau'atu. But there has to be a case for Lachlan Croker.
Froggy has gone from some actually lamenting the fact that we let Danny Levi go to now it would be hard for Fainu to get the #9 jumper back, for this year at least, such has been his improvement at dummy half. Not bad for someone who 18 months ago was a half forced into a backup dummy half role, and sometimes failing miserably at it, to this year virtually having the job to himself and all but making the position his own. He's even managed to keep Karl Lawton on the bench and we bought him mostly as a hooker not knowing how long Fainu would be out for.
Don't get me wrong, Froggy is still more Des and Monas than any of our premiership winning rakes (Jones, Krilich, Cochrane, Serdaris and Ballin). He's still a half playing at dummy half. But damn if he hasn't improved a hell of a lot more than any of us thought he would. And his defense has been outstanding, as good as if not better than any hooker in the competition ... including the better tackling ones like Api and Brandon Smith.
Froggy has gone from some actually lamenting the fact that we let Danny Levi go to now it would be hard for Fainu to get the #9 jumper back, for this year at least, such has been his improvement at dummy half. Not bad for someone who 18 months ago was a half forced into a backup dummy half role, and sometimes failing miserably at it, to this year virtually having the job to himself and all but making the position his own. He's even managed to keep Karl Lawton on the bench and we bought him mostly as a hooker not knowing how long Fainu would be out for.
Don't get me wrong, Froggy is still more Des and Monas than any of our premiership winning rakes (Jones, Krilich, Cochrane, Serdaris and Ballin). He's still a half playing at dummy half. But damn if he hasn't improved a hell of a lot more than any of us thought he would. And his defense has been outstanding, as good as if not better than any hooker in the competition ... including the better tackling ones like Api and Brandon Smith.
Spartan Eagle
Bencher
Fuk I didnt know you could delete your posts. I'm off to rewrite history..
It's a great function, especially when one has sobered up.
HoldenV8
Journey Man
Yeah Fainu was/is an exciting young player ... at least, he was when we last saw him play. But TBH I don't think anyone has cause to complain about how Froggy is going as our #9 this year. And when you have in form play makers like Turbo, DCE and Foz, running from dummy half becomes less of a priority than just giving good clean service.
seaeagledave
Reserve Grader
Wait goes on for Fainu and ManlyCan anyone read this article about Fainu pretty sure it will be saying his court case is delayed again
Nearly two years after he was first charged over the stabbing of a man outside a church dance, forgotten Manly hooker Manase Fainu was scheduled to go to trial next week.
Fainu has been stood down since the start of the 2020 season under the game’s no-fault stand-down policy but he still has a contract with the Sea Eagles for this season and next.
There was every chance had he been successful in court, he would have returned for Manly for the run in to the finals. What a boost that would have been. Fainu was fast becoming one of the game’s best hookers before falling foul of the law.
He has continued training with the Manly squad and been around the side on game day. However, he didn’t travel to Queensland when the competition relocated because he was preparing for his date in court.
Instead, his career is again in limbo after his case was deferred.
“This latest delay only adds even more stress and anxiety for Manase,” Manly chief executive Steve Humphreys said.
“His football career but more importantly his whole life has been on hold for the better part of two years now. Thankfully he continues to receive great support from his loving and close knit family as well as his teammates and the club.”
His unavailability comes as the Sea Eagles prepare to welcome back Curtis Sironen from long-term injury.
Sironen is off contract at season’s end and in his absence, Josh Schuster andHaumole Olakau’atu have become fixtures in the back row.
Sironen may struggle to force his way back into the picture
Kevinward777
First Grader
Haha - good stuff.
manly al
First Grader
Good to see these suggested developments hopefully at some stage working in his favour but until the charges are significantly down graded or prosecution case officially or largely discredited , really can not see any short term changes with his stand down . Even if he was somehow unexpectedly available before season"s end , no Black Town fixtures for the immediate future so hard to come directly into the top line up . Probably already mentioned in previous posts and unfortunately the odds of Manise playing again or being in the side for the remainder of this season , pretty remote .Other pertinent point also of course, would he be able to offer much more or be an improvement on Croker and Lawton in the short term either
Ned
Bencher
Probably some bail travel restrictions prevented it anyway I'd imagine.
Agree. I was one of the commenters bagging him early in the season, but he is now playing very well and seems to be getting better each game.
Love watching Manase in those 2019 games …. Very few players have his ability to create time and space around the ruck like he did …. At some points it was like he was in the Matrix, opposition defence in slow motion just watching him dance through …. So balanced, so quick, so strong …. Really hope he gets his life back soon
Nordburg
First Grader
Imagine the level this team could go to with him back at full strength and another point of attack TomT to can run off
Its probably the difference between a prem or not
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