Pre-Game Manly v Raiders [Round 17, 2021]

[madmax]

I assume Walker at half is a Des scam. I hope so . Hopefully Cust will play half or five eight.

Walker at half will be disaster Like he was at five eight and fullback. And the worst player on the field against the Bulldogs.
Pleeeese Des don't do it.

And the Walker bagging continues…Yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[manlyfan76]

I assume Walker at half is a Des scam. I hope so . Hopefully Cust will play half or five eight.

And the Walker bagging continues…Yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Did you think he was great at fullback?

 

[Snoz1976]

Canberra’s threats are their 2 dummy half’s. I can’t see where else they can trouble us.

Unfortunately we are missing our best two strike weapons in DCE and Turbo. Hopefully Foran, Cust and walker can create enough points to get the job done.

 

[madmax]

I assume Walker at half is a Des scam. I hope so . Hopefully Cust will play half or five eight.

And the Walker bagging continues…Yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Did you think he was great at fullback?
The whole team played poorly prior to Tom playing NOT just Walker. It just gets tiresome reading anti-Walker posts when there have been worse!!!!

 

[Stewbojevic]

Did you think he was great at fullback?
The whole team played poorly prior to Tom playing NOT just Walker. It just gets tiresome reading anti-Walker posts when there have been worse!!!!

I don’t get the hate for Walker either! People have short memories, he played 5/8 in 2019 when we came 6th. It was hardly a failure.

In saying that, I’d prefer Des let him play the same role for a while rather than chopping and changing. He’s looked good coming on as a middle ball playing forward from the bench. Why not leave him there and play Cust in the halves?

 

[manly al]

Can't underestimate the Raiders or some of the Raiders players turning their poor form around , still some pretty handy players there , just look at their bench . Team morale seems down also but that could change anytime soon . Just no room for complacency for Manly and if the pack can get the same ascendancy as in recent times , some good direction from Foz and Walker and some good completion rates again , should be looking good for another helpful win .

 

[Mataiforever]

Every other time I’d want to see Cust at 7 over Walker, but I can see why Des has done this - Cust hasn’t played any footy in a few weeks now after being injured, flying up to the GC with the team, and now that reserve grade has been called off for two weeks due to COVID (prior to lockdown he was named to play but it got cancelled as the game was going to be played in a hotspot)

If Walker is lacking at 7 (his defence scares me…DCE saves us so much..), could always bring Cust on and move Walker to 13

I assume we’ll see Parker and Suli keep swapping positions for each play like they did against the Cowboys

Des has a history of naming the player who WON’T play on Tuesday and “switching” an hour before kick-off in the official team list despite it being the plan the whole time anyways.

I.e Dylan to 1 and Garrick on the wing. Was never happening that game v Cows.

Will only know an hour out

 

[Disco]

I worry about this game.

No Turbo, DCE, Schuster and Jake.....you'd argue that is our 4 best players.

I know the Raiders have outs too and are in ordinary form but we need to go into this with our head screwed on.

 

[manlyfan76]

Did you think he was great at fullback?
The whole team played poorly prior to Tom playing NOT just Walker. It just gets tiresome reading anti-Walker posts when there have been worse!!!!

So if someone plays bad, and a poster points that out they are in the wrong now?

 

[Tragic Eagle]

This is a really important game for us from a number of perspectives. Firstly it is a real test of depth and the ability of the depth players without our most influential players playing. Secondly whether we can demonstrate a continuation of being able to keep their mind on the job notwithstanding how easy that the press and some supporters think its going to be for us. Thirdly, giving the wider squad good game time and finally to grab the two competition points we need taking into account all of the above. Fingers crossed. The next two rounds could be the difference between a good year and a really great year for us.

 

[seaeagles4life]

Looks like Foz has been given the captaincy this week

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Foz is a good leader.

 

[40 nil]

In this interview, Des 'sort of' says Walker will have a running role at 6 and also that Jake should return next week

Coach Media: Des Hasler

Coach Des Hasler talks about taking on the Canberra Raiders at 4 Pines Park tomorrow night.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[NYEagle]

View attachment 18598

Looks like Foz has been given the captaincy this week

Looks like good team picks here to get the job done. So glad Walker is not at fullback.

I think Walker will go well with his passing game. Foz will need to step up a little.

In the end Canberra have two massive out in Wighton and Papali'i. They very much counter the loss of Turbo and DCE.

NYEagle

 

[40 years an eagle]

I don’t get the hate for Walker either!

In saying that, I’d prefer Des let him play the same role for a while rather than chopping and changing. He’s looked good coming on as a middle ball playing forward from the bench.

Short memories?
He was the worst on park last week.

 

[Stewbojevic]

Short memories?
He was the worst on park last week.

How so? What did he do that was so bad? We won 66-0 and he set up a try.

 

[Pete W]

Strong side considering the players unavailable... just stoked Gosiewski didn't get picked ahead of Burbo

 

[Simonmyers11]

Walker is a decent 5/8, a lot of his recent games there he has looked good and has an improved passing game these days. Also better defender in the middle than out wide. Think he will go fine

 

[eaglebuzz]

The Raiders have a highlights video of their debutant fullback, Xavier Savage. The kid has some good speed and footwork. He will be a threat in attack, but I doubt it will matter.

 

[40 years an eagle]

How so? What did he do that was so bad? We won 66-0 and he set up a try.

Bad passes, poor option, ran sideways, made zero impact, attempted arm-grabbing defence...the list goes on.

Many Walker fans have very selective optics.