Pre-Game Panthers v Manly [Round 6, 2023]

[manly al]

Certainly can acknowledge that a fairly important game awaits against the Panthers for a host of reasons but just think the time has come to make better use of Weekes talents , especially now that Lawton is on the bench for a i st up Croker sub in all likelihood . Just can not see why not as a centre partner with Parker .and how he could not quite easily adapt there even in a fairly high stakes game . Maybe would be up against Crichton , so what , easily have him for speed of the mark and general elusiveness and surely would be no less equipped then Harper in defence . Experience , positional play , he has been in the Manly system and playing junior rep footy at a high level so again shouldn "t be asking that much really . Just or really should come down to having a side's best players on the field if manageable , sure that Weekes does have more to offer then Harper presently . If he is parked on the i st grade bench for too much longer or put back in the lower grades , probably zilch chance of retaining him also . Only way to beat a still top line side like the Panthers is to have the type of players to trouble them in as many areas as possible , really can not expect it from Harper despite the fact he will no doubt still have a go . Weekes in addition to Turbo , Schuster can all provide that X factor just wide of the ruck and
to really kick Manly on .

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Certainly can acknowledge that a fairly important game awaits against the Panthers for a host of reasons but just think the time has come to make better use of Weekes talents , especially now that Lawton is on the bench for a i st up Croker sub in all likelihood . Just can not see why not as a centre partner with Parker .and how he could not quite easily adapt there even in a fairly high stakes game . Maybe would be up against Crichton , so what , easily have him for speed of the mark and general elusiveness and surely would be no less equipped then Harper in defence . Experience , positional play , he has been in the Manly system and playing junior rep footy at a high level so again shouldn "t be asking that much really . Just or really should come down to having a side's best players on the field if manageable , sure that Weekes does have more to offer then Harper presently . If he is parked on the i st grade bench for too much longer or put back in the lower grades , probably zilch chance of retaining him also . Only way to beat a still top line side like the Panthers is to have the type of players to trouble them in as many areas as possible , really can not expect it from Harper despite the fact he will no doubt still have a go . Weekes in addition to Turbo , Schuster can all provide that X factor just wide of the ruck and
to really kick Manly on .

I would hesitate a guess that the coaching staff would be discussing all of this with the kid and just perhaps , he’s actually happy to progress like this.

Less pressure , comes on when players are tiring.

This early in his career he might actually be welcoming this approach.

 

[Wombat64]

We’ll win a close one MFB. They look far less threatening on paper than other years. I’ve watched fairly well all their games so far and they are also less threatening on the field. Noting they smashed Canberra last week, but so did Newcastle the week before.
Manly 22
Penrith 14

Last week we could only manage a 32 all golden point draw with Newcastle? Our defence was ****ed. Just as bad as last year. Love some of that optimism ...... but I don't see. They'll put 40 to 50 on us ........

 

[manly al]

I would hesitate a guess that the coaching staff would be discussing all of this with the kid and just perhaps , he’s actually happy to progress like this.

Less pressure , comes on when players are tiring.

This early in his career he might actually be welcoming this approach.

Always interesting to have a different take but he is not a rookie now and sure that he would like as much time on the field now as possible and just not in short intervals . Sure also that he would like to be playing in his most preferred positions of full back or 6 and not really just a stop gap but very capable still sub in the middle and just mainly shoveling off the pill For the team 's sake will probably go along with it for a while but too much more of it or even more extended limited time there [ on the bench ] would have to induce any player of his caliber to move on to better opportunities . Does need room to move and would certainly get that even as a centre . Again just think that he has more to offer then Lionel , has it for pace all over Parker , not saying that he would be an instant fit as a centre but in the present circumstances , really can not see again why he should not be given a crack there

 

[Disco]

Must admit, I'm feeling a bit of a swing our way, Schuster and Saab in for us Fisher Harris, Martin and Garner out for them...mmm..

Garner doesnt make their top 13, very average player IMO

 

[Eagle 1]

Garner doesnt make their top 13, very average player IMO

True, they usually use him the same way Saints use Mosses Suli, on smash and barge plays over the try line.

 

[Waz13]

Last week we could only manage a 32 all golden point draw with Newcastle? Our defence was ****ed. Just as bad as last year. Love some of that optimism ...... but I don't see. They'll put 40 to 50 on us ........

Yep poor showing after the Souths match. I also think the start to the knights game didn’t help us. First tries came way too easy and we never rolled the sleaves up. Seriously though match our pack to theirs on paper and tell me we can’t get over them in the middle if we work hard? Just match them in the backs which I think we can, and who knows. I’ll be very dissapointed if we don’t go out and give a good account of ourselves on Sat.

 

[The Wheel]

Blacktown Workers out to make it two straight wins

Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles will be looking to build on their first victory of the season in the ‘local derby’ against the Panthers in Penrith on Saturday.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[jbb/james]

Certainly can acknowledge that a fairly important game awaits against the Panthers for a host of reasons but just think the time has come to make better use of Weekes talents , especially now that Lawton is on the bench for a i st up Croker sub in all likelihood . Just can not see why not as a centre partner with Parker .and how he could not quite easily adapt there even in a fairly high stakes game . Maybe would be up against Crichton , so what , easily have him for speed of the mark and general elusiveness and surely would be no less equipped then Harper in defence . Experience , positional play , he has been in the Manly system and playing junior rep footy at a high level so again shouldn "t be asking that much really . Just or really should come down to having a side's best players on the field if manageable , sure that Weekes does have more to offer then Harper presently . If he is parked on the i st grade bench for too much longer or put back in the lower grades , probably zilch chance of retaining him also . Only way to beat a still top line side like the Panthers is to have the type of players to trouble them in as many areas as possible , really can not expect it from Harper despite the fact he will no doubt still have a go . Weekes in addition to Turbo , Schuster can all provide that X factor just wide of the ruck and
to really kick Manly on .

weeks for a stint at 7 with schuster and cherry has 15 minutes in at dummy half fixes it all really. thats where he looks best in the halves. give him 15 each week to see where he goes

 

[StuBoot]

Always interesting to have a different take but he is not a rookie now and sure that he would like as much time on the field now as possible and just not in short intervals . Sure also that he would like to be playing in his most preferred positions of full back or 6 and not really just a stop gap but very capable still sub in the middle and just mainly shoveling off the pill For the team 's sake will probably go along with it for a while but too much more of it or even more extended limited time there [ on the bench ] would have to induce any player of his caliber to move on to better opportunities . Does need room to move and would certainly get that even as a centre . Again just think that he has more to offer then Lionel , has it for pace all over Parker , not saying that he would be an instant fit as a centre but in the present circumstances , really can not see again why he should not be given a crack there

I understand where you're coming from @ manly al but a versatile #14 shouldn't be underestimated or thought less of a starting role these days.

Mitch Aubusson had a pretty handy career out it - you wouldn't say he was the best centre, 5/8, lock or 2nd rower going around but he was always in the 17 for a pretty competitive football team.

Walker left us to go to the Warriors as a specialist 14.

Regardless of what people personally think of him, Mbye has also had a pretty handy career as a 14 and a Mr Fixit.
Kurt Mann is making a pretty good fist of the 14
Tyrone Peachey is holding down that spot at the Premiers.
These players above ( apart from Aubusson) left their original clubs for most likely more $$ and the opportunity to play their favoured position/s; with that came expectation to deliver and have since moved on again only to carve out pretty solid careers as....#14's.

How Seibs and Co evolve a role for Weekes will be interesting to see, there might be times where Schu might cover a forward sub and Weekes slots into 6, there's lots of possibilities to keep him interested I feel.

 

[Briza]

The way we're playing atm it could be anything, if our defense is like last week then it'll be a game where we play the Panthers back into form and we get spanked.
I'm hopefull of a close dour tussle but i have a feeling of dread about this one.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

weeks for a stint at 7 with schuster and cherry has 15 minutes in at dummy half fixes it all really. thats where he looks best in the halves. give him 15 each week to see where he goes

I see what you're up to! Give him 15 one week, next week 20, then 25 ... next minute !!!!

 

[Bearfax]

It's fortuitous that all time top try scorer Ken Irvine (212 tries in 236 games) played in a different era, as he would have been written off as too small (78 kg, 173 cm) by many in this forum 🙂

Kaeo Weekes at 90 kg, 182 cm has a similar build to these outstanding speedsters:

Josh Addo-Carr 88 kg, 183 cm
Dane Gagai 92 kg, 182 cm
Val Holmes 90 kg, 185 cm

And Koula is actually slightly smaller than Weekes at 5'11' and 88 kgs. Harper is an inch taller and few kgs heavier

 

[The Wheel]

Player Media: Morgan Harper

Centre Morgan Harper talks about the return of a built up Jason Saab ahead of his return against Penrith this Saturday.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Always interesting to have a different take but he is not a rookie now and sure that he would like as much time on the field now as possible and just not in short intervals . Sure also that he would like to be playing in his most preferred positions of full back or 6 and not really just a stop gap but very capable still sub in the middle and just mainly shoveling off the pill For the team 's sake will probably go along with it for a while but too much more of it or even more extended limited time there [ on the bench ] would have to induce any player of his caliber to move on to better opportunities . Does need room to move and would certainly get that even as a centre . Again just think that he has more to offer then Lionel , has it for pace all over Parker , not saying that he would be an instant fit as a centre but in the present circumstances , really can not see again why he should not be given a crack there

I often think about “ the different take” on things , we all pile on to an issue on here ( not really knowing the true story ) but who’s to say that’s right.

Also not saying the alternative view is right either , it’s just another scenario that could be taking place.

It’s a bit like the Aaron Woods deal , “
Why oh why would we sign a hasbeen”, when my alternative view is “ he was offered instead of a transfer fee “ ( meaning he cost us zilch ).

None of us really know , but I like to think about other versions of the story that could be equally as true as the one most fans jump on.

 

[mickqld]

Whilst I agree with you , who rose do you play there given our extreme lack of depth in backs.

Anyone else. Ray Vaega to wing , Garrick to center , Myers to center, Weekes to center. Godsake we can't keep putting Harper there.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Anyone else. Ray Vaega to wing , Garrick to center , Myers to center, Weekes to center. Godsake we can't keep putting Harper there.

Can’t play Myers

We could use Veaga and then play Garrick, I’ll give you that one.

 

[Highflier]

And Koula is actually slightly smaller than Weekes at 5'11' and 88 kgs. Harper is an inch taller and few kgs heavier

and a few furlongs slower

 

[Seagles68]

Player Media: Morgan Harper

Centre Morgan Harper talks about the return of a built up Jason Saab ahead of his return against Penrith this Saturday.

www.seaeagles.com.au

Were they interviewing Harper or Saab??

 

[wombatgc]

I'm concerned seeing SAABs name in this one. It happens too often at our club. I've lost confidence in our medical men. Not due back till mid season. An injury or two in said position. Injured player makes a miraculous recovery.

SAAB would still be carrying last year's scars. Rd 1 Cleary started the rot, his pin point bombs and a game plan to tackle our skinny as soon as he caught it to take his speedy threat out of the game. Others copied it, our boy never did muscle up. It destroyed SAAB until he went down with injury.

Even if he was fully fit. I wouldn't be bring SAAB back in for this one. He needs a hit out and his confidence back before he plays the riff. Play Vaega or get approval for someone else. Don't make a lack of depth even worse.

I agree. I read @Jethro s informative weekly roundups each week. And he makes it known where he gets his injury info. And Saab has been listed as a mid season by our medicos and the NRL medical team. Then up he pops in the run-on side for round 6. Somethings not right imo. Either Siebs is playing Dessie mind games, and Ray- Ray will grab the spot at the last minute OR he is bringing him back early against the defending Premiers. It could (hopefully) turn out to be a master stroke by Seibs and the coaching and medical staff/ or it could back fire in an inglorious shiit show? GMF.