Manly Centres an issue

[Tragic Eagle]

Speaking of centres
Jorge Tafua finally back from injury and is selected at centre for Blacktown this weekend
A great servant of the club and absolute warrior, but has to be a few down the pecking order in the twilight of his long, successful career.

So pleased they are giving him a run in th centres. It will help him to see where he is at.

 

[Bearfax]

We were blessed with one of he best centre partnerships in Manly's history with Lyon and Matai. And we are used to having a strong centre partnership. Unfortunately at present the Parker-Suli combination, despite both Barrett and Hasler sticking with them, is one of Manly's weak links. Neither at that stage convince me that they are the answer. Walker should have remained centre, but again Des seems to want to move specialists out of their best positions. Why? Cant fathom it because it weakens the team. Harper has potential...early days but I like what he offers. Funa may be worth a longer try. I can see a place for Burbo in that backline. He reminds me of a young John McDonald, who was an international centre Manly had in 1969-71 who was tall and fast. Many would not have seen him but he was a damned good player. Koula on the wing for his sheer pace..

 

[ManlyTragic]

Bring back Gartner and Mooney!

 

[KaZa]

We were blessed with one of he best centre partnerships in Manly's history with Lyon and Matai. And we are used to having a strong centre partnership. Unfortunately at present the Parker-Suli combination, despite both Barrett and Hasler sticking with them, is one of Manly's weak links. Neither at that stage convince me that they are the answer. Walker should have remained centre, but again Des seems to want to move specialists out of their best positions. Why? Cant fathom it because it weakens the team. Harper has potential...early days but I like what he offers. Funa may be worth a longer try. I can see a place for Burbo in that backline. He reminds me of a young John McDonald, who was an international centre Manly had in 1969-71 who was tall and fast. Many would not have seen him but he was a damned good player. Koula on the wing for his sheer pace..

Hill and Innes were another great partnership. Geez we have been blessed with some good footy sides.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

There really isn't any good centres in the nrl. Good consistent centres. If Staggs is one of the best going around then that says it all

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Brandon Best, Lomax and Staggs are the first three to come to mind.

 

[manlyfan76]

There really isn't any good centres in the nrl. Good consistent centres. If Staggs is one of the best going around then that says it all

I think because the way the game has changed. Now they good ones are fast and good one on one defender.

 

[Uk eagle]

Brandon Best, Lomax and Staggs are the first three to come to mind.

Add Crichton and manu and I reckon you would happily have any 1 of the 5 in any team you were picking

 

[KaZa]

Olam is good too

 

[Sheikheagle]

Olam is good too

Love Olam he is a tough hombre

 

[Mataiforever]

We need one more good centre unless Suli really starts playing well. Keep Walker... at this stage on a reduced contract which is all he will get with this injury. Koula is likely a 2023 player I am guessing. Keep Harper and Parker as a back up plus Harper can play wing and maybe fullback. If Suli doesn't aim up try and offload him depending on what we will have to pay to get him off the books.

again i think our centres a semi a short term issue than a long term one.

Suli and Walker have potential to be up there with the more damaging centres in the comp. Just need opportunity.

Parker will never be the answer, his only answer is bench 2row/centre cover. Make him a 2row please Des.

I'm already off harper in the fact that he's so small - he can't play wing and can only play centre or fullback... who we probably have covered. He runs good lines but is piss poor in defense.

Like our hookers, we have 4 on the books: Croker Cust Lawton and Fainu

The problem is that Des is picking the wrong hooker: Croker, like he's picking the wrong centre: Parker.

Just got to hope Suli comes back strong

Koula will probably be ready to play first grade next year. KNowing des and if we dont lose him than 2023.

I would be going for Phillip Sami from the Titans to shore up that other wing spot - I'd have Saab and Sami, and then if a centre goes down (Walker or Suli) shift Sami into 3 and Garrick comes in. Garrick has been a bit better but shown over the last year at a top club he'd only be a backup.

The best value for money trade on the market would 100% be Kurt Capewell - especially for us. He is apparantly been approached by Broncos for 450k - that is huge unders. I'd honestly pay 600k for him or more (with the prices these days), but if 450k is the reference point than surely 550k would get him here. Don't sign sironen and get Capewell @des

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

again i think our centres a semi a short term issue than a long term one.

Suli and Walker have potential to be up there with the more damaging centres in the comp. Just need opportunity.

Parker will never be the answer, his only answer is bench 2row/centre cover. Make him a 2row please Des.

I'm already off harper in the fact that he's so small - he can't play wing and can only play centre or fullback... who we probably have covered. He runs good lines but is piss poor in defense.

Like our hookers, we have 4 on the books: Croker Cust Lawton and Fainu

The problem is that Des is picking the wrong hooker: Croker, like he's picking the wrong centre: Parker.

Just got to hope Suli comes back strong

Koula will probably be ready to play first grade next year. KNowing des and if we dont lose him than 2023.

I would be going for Phillip Sami from the Titans to shore up that other wing spot - I'd have Saab and Sami, and then if a centre goes down (Walker or Suli) shift Sami into 3 and Garrick comes in. Garrick has been a bit better but shown over the last year at a top club he'd only be a backup.

The best value for money trade on the market would 100% be Kurt Capewell - especially for us. He is apparantly been approached by Broncos for 450k - that is huge unders. I'd honestly pay 600k for him or more (with the prices these days), but if 450k is the reference point than surely 550k would get him here. Don't sign sironen and get Capewell @des

Nice analysis and thoughts in this post. Agreed that Walker and Suli have great potential.... Suli just always has the potential but not the delivery. Not sure about Parker in the 2nd row. Not sure he is big or strong enough for the carries and also worried about his head knocks. Agree on Capewell - he is playing well I just think that Garner is a great hole runner which is just what we need. But seeing he is signed for next year he wont be coming. I thought he would be but didn't realise he has another year on his contract. Sami is uber quick not sure on his defensive abilities - haven't watched him enough. I think Koula wont be ready till late 2022/23. I also think now that Schuster and Haumole have extended - that most of the other young guns will be resigned as well. They will all want to stay together.

 

[Freagle]

So pleased they are giving him a run in th centres. It will help him to see where he is at.

I’ve said for years (mainly to myself) that Jorge would be better off as a centre. Big, hard, blockbusting running and defence, plus it would negate his very slow turn and below average catching of kicks. Will be interesting to see how he goes there!

 

[Sheikheagle]

I’ve said for years (mainly to myself) that Jorge would be better off as a centre. Big, hard, blockbusting running and defence, plus it would negate his very slow turn and below average catching of kicks. Will be interesting to see how he goes there!

From memory when he came over from the Eels he was classified as a winger/centre.

 

[manly al]

Nice analysis and thoughts in this post. Agreed that Walker and Suli have great potential.... Suli just always has the potential but not the delivery. Not sure about Parker in the 2nd row. Not sure he is big or strong enough for the carries and also worried about his head knocks. Agree on Capewell - he is playing well I just think that Garner is a great hole runner which is just what we need. But seeing he is signed for next year he wont be coming. I thought he would be but didn't realise he has another year on his contract. Sami is uber quick not sure on his defensive abilities - haven't watched him enough. I think Koula wont be ready till late 2022/23. I also think now that Schuster and Haumole have extended - that most of the other young guns will be resigned as well. They will all want to stay together.

Think that Koula could be ready for ist grade even this season , the lower grade comps will finish soon and realize he could then play 20 "s but would most likely expect him to play at Black Town . Then i st grade would surely beckon for him if some opportunity presented itself and he was showing some reasonable form . Already played in that Tiger's i st grade trial so at least has already had a taste . Thought that Tippytoes would be thereabouts for i st grade by now , must still have some rating but maybe has to still step up a bit with his form level .

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Think that Koula could be ready for ist grade even this season , the lower grade comps will finish soon and realize he could then play 20 "s but would most likely expect him to play at Black Town . Then i st grade would surely beckon for him if some opportunity presented itself and he was showing some reasonable form . Already played in that Tiger's i st grade trial so at least has already had a taste . Thought that Tippytoes would be thereabouts for i st grade by now , must still have some rating but maybe has to still step up a bit with his form level .

Great points - I didn't think of them coming back to Blacktown

 

[QueefRichards]

It really ****s me how we have five players whos best position is centre yet none of them have been making an impact there

 

[XV-1]

It really ****s me how we have five players whos best position is centre yet none of them have been making an impact there

Walker has not played centre since, what 2019 or 2018?

Suli and Parker are not the answer.

 

[40 years an eagle]

It really ****s me how we have five players whos best position is centre yet none of them have been making an impact there

Well 2 of them haven't even played there, Funa and Walker. Suli and Parker are definitely not up to FG standard and the other kid may come3 good in time. May.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Suli very powerful....however very, very slow. Walker aside from 17’ I think was his best year & that second stint @ 5/8 where I thought he was brilliant...has done **** all at Manly. However, as somebody mentioned...the pairing of Suli/Walker hasn’t even played together. Man, we’ve been doing it tough. Parker however & as much as I like him, is merely a back up.