Most important - "Tom T" or "Snake"

[QueefRichards]

Tommy is more important to this team right now than Snake was on the past Manly teams.

But that says more about how fragile this team is.

 

[chuckee]

Turbo isn’t even fit enough (nearly literally) to tie Snakes bootlaces.
Snake was the complete package. One of the greats of the game and we are all blessed to have witnessed his career.
But we were very reliant on snake back in his day, we still had superstars all over the park but still looked lost without him. It’s a hard one, but there isn’t near the quality in today’s team as there was during the golden era.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Snake had a better side around him so it kinda shows you how critical a cog he was . That side of the mid to late 2000's would destroy this current side, Tommy or no Tommy.

 

[40 nil]

The other theory that I have heard is his hips are out of alignment and this if not fixed will result in constant issues

Yes, Turbo has one leg longer than the other, indicating hip misalignment. As I mentioned in a post last year, I had a body therapist in the 90's (Steve Lockhart) who specialised in this area. He worked with many high profile footie players, including Ian Roberts, and was Jeff Fenech's personal masseur. These days, Steve lives in Queensland and (I think) has retired.

 

[DUFFMAN]

I don't expect Tom to be back long when he does return.
When he does return I don't see much improvement at all, it will still be a long season that can't finish quick enough unless wholesale changes are made.

 

[HK_Eagle]

At least we got a stretch of participation from Snake. I'm far from confident Tissue Tommy will ever give us a run of games.

 

[Hibyemama]

Just thinking about Tom T coming back and (hopefully) staying on the field...this would add instant confidence, points, attacking options, talk from the back (don't think dirty) ect, ect...
Takes me back to Snak Stewart in his prime, where he could be out injured (unfairly suspended) and the side fell apart, then first game back 3 tries and just a Massive lift...
It's almost like a different Manly when Tom T plays and I have no doubt will make an instant impact.
I realise it's a different era, but have Manly become as reliant on Tom T as we once did with Snake Stewart, or is it possibly even a worse case scenario of relying on 1 player ??

both are great players, i am just concern that tom will never shake off the hammy issue and may be heading for a early forced retirement.

 

[Disco]

Brett Stewart was so much better in every single way. Tom will be lucky to play 85 games in his career. Such a waste of salary cap, which hurts the entire team.

Tom has currently played 96 games in his career

I hate to get personal but geez you over react

 

[Waz13]

I don't expect Tom to be back long when he does return.
When he does return I don't see much improvement at all, it will still be a long season that can't finish quick enough unless wholesale changes are made.

Lol one game into the season that can’t finish quick enough unless wholesale changes are made???? Hilarious. Look forward to the return of footy all offseason, Tom hurts his hammy, we lose the first game and this season can’t finish soon enough without wholesale changes. Slight overreaction Duffman. Let’s give it a few weeks before we start looking to 22 lol

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Lol one game into the season that can’t finish quick enough unless wholesale changes are made???? Hilarious. Look forward to the return of footy all offseason, Tom hurts his hammy, we lose the first game and this season can’t finish soon enough without wholesale changes. Slight overreaction Duffman. Let’s give it a few weeks before we start looking to 22 lol

I think we need to get a month of games under our belt before slitting wrists.

Mind you that first month isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

In fact the first two months aren’t.

 

[Ryan]

Tom has currently played 96 games in his career

I hate to get personal but geez you over react

True, I know I should be happy with the state of play atm.

 

[Jerry1]

Yes, Turbo has one leg longer than the other, indicating hip misalignment. As I mentioned in a post last year, I had a body therapist in the 90's (Steve Lockhart) who specialised in this area. He worked with many high profile footie players, including Ian Roberts, and was Jeff Fenech's personal masseur. These days, Steve lives in Queensland and (I think) has retired.

Can be fixed by custom made boots / orthotics - shouldn't be a problem.

 

[40 nil]

Can be fixed by custom made boots / orthotics

Turbo started wearing those last year. This year it's his right hammy instead of his left.

 

[Waz13]

I think we need to get a month of games under our belt before slitting wrists.

Mind you that first month isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

In fact the first two months aren’t.

It is what it is Mark. But I for one will not give up hope of a finals birth until we are mathematically done. Plus it’s way too early to be concerned yet. I just like having the footy back and cheering the boys on on the weekend! The way I see it we just need to beat the 8 or so teams competing with us for spots 7 and 8 and we are capable of that. Wins against the better teams would be a bonus. 1/4 with a win over the queens is still ok given who we are playing. Jag another one and it would be a great start imo. I’m confident of an improved effort vs Souths.

 

[Technical Coach]

Tom lacks footy turn of speed, modern footwork and craft about his game, that turn of speed when changing his line or angle, always felt a player that would dominate more in his youth with more space and time on his hands through the grades.

I stated two years ago Tom has "no chance" of surpassing Brett in the "one of our greatest fullbacks list" stating injuries and lacking the above elements to his game as the reasons and i still feel the same way.

Goodish to great player but will never be an outright star for long periods of his career.

Sure Tom makes a difference to the attack as most fullbacks do, even more so if the attack in general is lacking, to me some stats are taken way too much at face value to justify his importance.

 

[Disco]

True, I know I should be happy with the state of play atm.

Nobody is happy but comments like he'll never play 85 games when he has already exceeded that at 24 just makes you lose credibility

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

Tom lacks footy turn of speed, modern footwork and craft about his game, that turn of speed when changing his line or angle, always felt a player that would dominate more in his youth with more space and time on his hands through the grades.

I stated two years ago Tom has "no chance" of surpassing Brett in the "one of our greatest fullbacks list" stating injuries and lacking the above elements to his game as the reasons and i still feel the same way.

Goodish to great player but will never be an outright star for long periods of his career.

Sure Tom makes a difference to the attack as most fullbacks do, even more so if the attack in general is lacking, to me some stats are taken way too much at face value to justify his importance.

Congratulations.....Just about everything you said there was rubbish.

 

[Waz13]

Tom lacks footy turn of speed, modern footwork and craft about his game, that turn of speed when changing his line or angle, always felt a player that would dominate more in his youth with more space and time on his hands through the grades.

I stated two years ago Tom has "no chance" of surpassing Brett in the "one of our greatest fullbacks list" stating injuries and lacking the above elements to his game as the reasons and i still feel the same way.

Goodish to great player but will never be an outright star for long periods of his career.

Sure Tom makes a difference to the attack as most fullbacks do, even more so if the attack in general is lacking, to me some stats are taken way too much at face value to justify his importance.

I think the broader rugby league community including rep selectors would completely disagree with this. When fit Tom is a superstar of this game. I’d say 99% of people involved in the game from players to coaches to administrators agree with this.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Yes, Turbo has one leg longer than the other, indicating hip misalignment. As I mentioned in a post last year, I had a body therapist in the 90's (Steve Lockhart) who specialised in this area. He worked with many high profile footie players, including Ian Roberts, and was Jeff Fenech's personal masseur. These days, Steve lives in Queensland and (I think) has retired.

I have a monthly deep tissue massage from a bloke called Paul Peachey up on the central coast who was trained by Lockhart. Peachey is an ex lower grade footballer who reckons he could definitely fix Tom. He reckons Toms problems stem from a back slam from Inglis in the origin a couple of seasons back. If anyone like snake wants to pass this onto the club it may be worth a try.

 

[Wombat64]

Snake had a better side around him so it kinda shows you how critical a cog he was . That side of the mid to late 2000's would destroy this current side, Tommy or no Tommy.

None of the current side would even make that Manly team...