Manly - Plenty of Star players

[maxta]

Always 1 of the 1st to have a jab at Roosters and others with what seems an unlimited salary cap.
Thing is we have some absolute stars....in fact there are a few arguably in the Top 3 in their respective positions-

*DCE
*Turbo
*Jake
*AFB
*Kapow
*Walker - (Some will disagree, but after Latrell its daylight second for quality centre's and he is in that next bunch.

The thing is, Manly also have many players like Waddell, Elliott, Elgey, Parker, Suli, Goseiwski - ect on the smaller money to keep the balance....and these blokes would likely not get a run at a Roosters, Souths side (Waddell imo would).

Are these listed up with the best in their respective positions, or is it Maroon and White glasses leading me to this conclusion.

Maybe we are closer to a heavyweight team than some think, when fully fit and best 17 are available....

 

[ricardo]

Good post. Our best 17 can match it with anyone!!

 

[Woodsie]

2 strategic players away from being genuine contenders ...

 

[Harmless27]

I tend to agree with you. Which makes me wonder - why do so many 'experts' (like Kimmorley) constantly tip us for the spoon, or to miss the 8 etc?

Between these 'experts' and some of our own supporters, you would think we are full of rubbish sometimes!

I believe that anything less than top 8 now is a failure of a season.

 

[IQofalimabean]

dce, turbo, jake, and kapow are automatic selections in origin and international sides. So they are pretty damn good. I think were pretty damn lucky to have a very good coach this year and not trent barrett.

 

[Disco]

I tend to agree with you. Which makes me wonder - why do so many 'experts' (like Kimmorley) constantly tip us for the spoon, or to miss the 8 etc?

Between these 'experts' and some of our own supporters, you would think we are full of rubbish sometimes!

I believe that anything less than top 8 now is a failure of a season.

Easy to say with hindsight and I think most of our fans had us missing the 8. Personally I had us anywhere from 6th to 12............still think that is the case

We always had the stars but coming into the season in was hard to predict players like Parker, Waddell, Toff, Gosie, Suli, Garrick etc stepping up

They have and hopefully we now push on.

A shrewd signing or two and some young talent sprinkling through and our premiership window opens

 

[bob dylan]

Its all about the improvement of those who arent the stars.

i thought our roster was no good other than the stars,but everyone, even Tom and DCE have improved under the new coaching team.

Add a quality 5/8th and another 3/4 and we are top 4 bound.

 

[The better Robbo]

2 strategic players away from being genuine contenders ...

I reckon 1 strike outside back short of premiership contenders. Id be using thommos money from next yr to buy a gun back. Then upgrade and retention for the rest of the squad. With guys like perrett hodko taufua thommo moving on and no salary cap penalty i reckon we can afford a top quality back and retain the rest. Upgrade keppie olokotau and Schuster

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

The possibly silver lining with these injuries is that players who may not have had a chance to show their wares IR shine are getting a chance to do both.

Sadly what will happen is we will lose some to better offers at years end ( such as we did at the end of 2018 when Penny Lane to a bigger offer at the squeals).

 

[chuckee]

I’ve always said our current team is up there amongst the best in the comp and is definite top 4 quality if everyone is fit.
Now they are being coached to their strengths, mainly in defence as the attack was already quality from this group.
I believe we can give the comp a real shame. Only team to beat Souths and also beat Canberra who are up there as well.

 

[MissKate]

I tend to agree with you. Which makes me wonder - why do so many 'experts' (like Kimmorley) constantly tip us for the spoon, or to miss the 8 etc?.

Calling kimmorley an expert is as crazy as his tipping. I think ‘a bitter and twisted Manly hating tool’ is a better description for him

 

[Woodsie]

I reckon 1 strike outside back short of premiership contenders. Id be using thommos money from next yr to buy a gun back. Then upgrade and retention for the rest of the squad. With guys like perrett hodko taufua thommo moving on and no salary cap penalty i reckon we can afford a top quality back and retain the rest. Upgrade keppie olokotau and Schuster

Agree with another strike outside back ..... but I'm also throwing in a champion (mongrel) 5/8 ..... Croker and others may or may not be good enough .... but I wouldn't be sitting around for a few years to find out ..... If shuster is the next big thing then he can win us the premiership after the next one ....

 

[Bearfax]

Last few years we had to almost plead for players to come to Manly. But with Des at the helm I suspect players like Walker will want to stay, Schuster will want to play under Dessie's wing, and Gutherson may just be the cream on top. Imagine a side like

Tom T
Garrick
Walker
Gutherson
Taufua or Albert Hopoate (if we keep him and he recovers well)
Schuster
DCE

With the forward power we have that's a premiership looking backline.

 

[madmax]

I tend to agree with you. Which makes me wonder - why do so many 'experts' (like Kimmorley) constantly tip us for the spoon, or to miss the 8 etc?

Between these 'experts' and some of our own supporters, you would think we are full of rubbish sometimes!

I believe that anything less than top 8 now is a failure of a season.

Harmless.....Kimmorley is just an ignorant fool. His dislike of Manly oozes out of him
like the fat from a pig on a spit! I tend not to listen to the dribble he comes out with

 

[Dankseagles]

Always 1 of the 1st to have a jab at Roosters and others with what seems an unlimited salary cap.
Thing is we have some absolute stars....in fact there are a few arguably in the Top 3 in their respective positions-

*DCE
*Turbo
*Jake
*AFB
*Kapow
*Walker - (Some will disagree, but after Latrell its daylight second for quality centre's and he is in that next bunch.

The thing is, Manly also have many players like Waddell, Elliott, Elgey, Parker, Suli, Goseiwski - ect on the smaller money to keep the balance....and these blokes would likely not get a run at a Roosters, Souths side (Waddell imo would).

Are these listed up with the best in their respective positions, or is it Maroon and White glasses leading me to this conclusion.

Maybe we are closer to a heavyweight team than some think, when fully fit and best 17 are available....

Could not agree more. To add to this we have serious depth. Just look at the line up against the Sharks! Plenty to be positive about.

 

[Simonmyers11]

I think you need a really good 30 man squad to win a premiership.

Every side gets injuries and you need players to come in and get the job done.

Lesser known players like Waddell, Sipley, Elliot, Garrett etc have been doing just that.

Our full strength 17 is dam good. We have the 2 best props in the game. When they have been on the park together this year the aggregate is 42-6!!

Plus DCE, Tom, Jake and great hookers in Api and Manase, solid back row and if Walker can get back to his best and the Suli can reach his potential its a good side. 5/8 probably still the weakness and depth for bench position's. Need the bench to have impact when they come on.

 

[Bearfax]

I think you need a really good 30 man squad to win a premiership.

Every side gets injuries and you need players to come in and get the job done.

Lesser known players like Waddell, Sipley, Elliot, Garrett etc have been doing just that.

Our full strength 17 is dam good. We have the 2 best props in the game. When they have been on the park together this year the aggregate is 42-6!!

Plus DCE, Tom, Jake and great hookers in Api and Manase, solid back row and if Walker can get back to his best and the Suli can reach his potential its a good side. 5/8 probably still the weakness and depth for bench position's. Need the bench to have impact when they come on.

Agreed. But you also need a decent injury free period. I suspect also that Schuster, Fast Albert and Ben T., if we keep them, could be the extra pieces we'll need for that premiership. The forwards are just about set. The backline needs a little tweaking yet. I don't think Elgey is our answer at 5/8, and I'm still uncertain about Croker, despite having a few good games recently. We really need a 5/8 that takes control and sets up the backs effectively and gives DCE a freer opportunity to do his stuff. I'm hoping Schuster will be the man for the job.

 

[R3]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/01/23/2019-nrl-signings-player-transfers-and-contracts/

Whose on your Wishlist?

Scott Drinkwater is unsigned for next year. Dubbed the next Billy Slater by the storm.
He should attract some interest..

Jai Field is still unsigned. After the last Dragons match he showcased his blinding speed and promise as a half that can also play centre and fullback.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has made a big impact upon debut for the storm this year. He reminds me of a young Chris Lawrence when he burst onto the NRL scene for the tigers.
Now that Papenhuyzen and Jarome Hughes have played a bit of fullback, Drinkwater may have slipped down the pecking order but he will receive plenty of interest if he’s shopped around.
He’s the younger brother of Josh Drinkwater the former Manly under 20’s halfback.
These 3 diminutive speedsters have really caught my attention and I’m intrigued as to which of them kicks on to become a regular game breaker first.
Field and Drinkwater are fleet footed 6’s, anyone else rate them this early in their career??