Pre-Game Manly v Sharks [Round 23, 2022]

[40 nil]

Koula to fullback, Weekes to wing maybe?

Weekes is the only back listed in the reserves, so he should be promoted. Koula went well on the wing last week, so I expect Weekes will be selected at fullback (his main position in the lower grades). But you never know with Des 🙂

 

[Bearfax]

I'm thinking it will be a close one. The Sharks will probably win, but as long as someone plugs up the centre like Jake does, we've a chance. The backline looks reasonable and well balanced ( I actually am looking forward to Koula on the wing with his swerve and speed and reliability backing Garrick at the back). Just a matter of the forwards giving Manly room to move. Big ask without Jake but hopefully Walker grabs the opportunity with gusto. And if the injured Garrick is not there I agree 40. Get Koula back to full back and bring on Weekes on the wing (or vice versa)

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Garrick now out, jeez hasn’t this been a fun week

 

[47MVEagle]

Garrick now out, jeez hasn’t this been a fun week

I reckon he's been struggling for a while & probably decided not to put his body on the line until fully healed in light of the events of the past few weeks & the lack of passion & effort from some of his teammates...

 

[tookey]

Koula to fullback and Smalley on the wing

 

[ManEagle]

Garrick out for season
Lucky season is over
Now can we see weekes get a run please

 

[SeaEagle21]

Garrick now out, jeez hasn’t this been a fun week

More like Month mate lol

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Garrick now out for the rest of the year too

https://twitter.com/x/status/1560054514383994881

He definitely needed a break but shame for Reuben who was probably our best player this year up until his hip injury. If Des doesn’t play Weekes now the Sharks game should be his final one in charge

Personally I think Des should have been eased out after he selected Albert Hopoate for only one game.

 

[40 nil]

Personally I think Des should have been eased out after he selected Albert Hopoate for only one game.

Except that Albert played five games, not one.

2020 & 2022 both very poor end of seasons.

 

[MW66]

Garrick out for season
Lucky season is over
Now can we see weekes get a run please

Garrick has been playing injured for at least 4/5 weeks and should have been rested weeks ago. While I don't wish an injury on anyone it hopefully opens the door for Weekes for a full debut.

 

[ManEagle]

Garrick has been playing injured for at least 4/5 weeks and should have been rested weeks ago. While I don't wish an injury on anyone it hopefully opens the door for Weekes for a full debut.

I didnt understand the thinking that Garrick at 50 to 60% was a better option than Weekes at 100% these past few weeks.
So obvious Garrick was stuffed, and resulted in some tries against us and squandered for us as a direct result.

 

[mave]

If there was ever an example of our coaches blind stubbornness, this was it.

 

[Peter C]

Garrick now out, jeez hasn’t this been a fun week

A fun year, Mark

 

[Bearfax]

If there was ever an example of our coaches blind stubbornness, this was it.

Exactly. Despite my respect for Hasler, he has this blind spot about selections of sticking with what obviously isn't working, I suppose expecting it will work its way out. Time and again its been shown it usually doesn't. A young enthusiastic player with talent can add that spark a team often needs to kick start the engine. If Manly win this one, or gets close, with the changes enforced on him to make, it goes someway to supporting that position

 

[Disco]

I've also made sizable bets FOR Manly too (as Woodsie could confirm), which kinda makes this comment of yours agenda driven and ridiculous.

I bet on Manly.more than other teams , because I tend to know a little more intimately what is happening before the game starts.

You suggesting the "bulk" of Manly fans wouldn't bet against the team knowing we have XYZ out and/or there are other reasons we'd likely lose seems moronic. Haha.

I've made heaps of money on both wins and losses from our team. I would hope all your bulk of fans would also think with their brains, rather than their hearts when placing real money down on the table.

Have the courage of your convictions then. Put a few hundred on Manly head to head this weekend? Exactly - I don't think so. At least last time someone on here ( no names) said something along your same lines to me, they had the courage to directly bet with me on it, which mind you when I won, I didn't call it in ..

Ridiculous take.

I never bet Manly as I find it hard to be objective

 

[aidan]

Just noticed Smalley has been named on the wing and Koula at fullback. We must’ve got an exemption for Smalley to play because he wasn’t named in the initial squad on Tuesday and is number 23. Pretty heavy for weekes, considering this is probably his best shot to get a proper crack at first grade with 3 of our usual backs out, including both our regular fullback and back up fullback. They obviously don’t rate him as much of a fullback.

 

[Darknstormy]

I am being honest here

Can one of you guys please enlighten me what Burbo adds to our team in the forwards or the backs ?

Nothing at all so far unfortunately

 

[Darknstormy]

I love watching Croker play but I really hope we can unearth a young attacking Hooker for the bench next year. With Walker gone, it's the perfect time to find someone dynamic to get us on the front foot and get our forwards rolling up the field. I think Croker could even cover lock (ala Victor Radley) in a pinch if we needed Jake up front. I know he's not the biggest bloke but he's a tough little bugger.

If there is a better option for us at 9 then I’d definitely give Croker a crack at 13

 

[JenEagle]

Smalley was very impressive against the chooks.
Deserves his place

 

[Pepi]

Just noticed Smalley has been named on the wing and Koula at fullback. We must’ve got an exemption for Smalley to play because he wasn’t named in the initial squad on Tuesday and is number 23. Pretty heavy for weekes, considering this is probably his best shot to get a proper crack at first grade with 3 of our usual backs out, including both our regular fullback and back up fullback. They obviously don’t rate him as much of a fullback.

Strange. Teams are only usually updated 24 hours and then 1 hour before kickoff