Ryan
Journey Man
With the season proper coming at us like a freight train, I thought I might take some times to highlight some positives for the season ahead, with views to where I think we will be headed come September.
To start with I want to talk about depth. There has been much debate about who should be filling the wing, centre, 5/8, Hooker and Prop positions going forward. Being able to debate these positions in the first place is a direct relation to the fact that Manly have substantially added to their depth, and that these depth issues that have been highlighted in the past, should not hit home in 2006 (touch wood).
This is the first time since Brett Kimmorley, we have had a superstar half back leading our team around the park. Like Paul Kent suggested in an article around October last year, much like Johns, Gower, Kimmorley & co. - Orford is now the player on the big enough type of dollars that should be able to drive our team into winning positions solely. UNLIKE when Brett Kimmorley played for our Northern Eagles, we now have a sprinkle of "real" talent throughout the team (even internationals), with a lot of diversity & skill. Imagine Monaghan, Orford, and potentially ANOTHER ball player on the park all at once. The last time we had this luxury from memory, was when we had Des Hasler, Cliff Lyons & Geoff Toovey all on the park - all not the biggest of men. We only conceded 1.5 tries a game in those years !!!
The club has shown solidarity and consistency since the end of the year. Michael Monaghan has been assured of his role at the club (his retention), and will continue to be a leader type regardless of captaincy in my opinion. I believe this solidarity & commitment by the club will show in Monaghan’s form ON the park. There were times last year (against The Sharks at Brookvale for example) when Monaghan had an absolute cracker of a game. I also thought he got the wood over Orford at Brookvale.
I believe we will have fantastic props this year. I mean props that can be damaging. Kite has a year with the lads under his belt, and I suggest he will be getting quality ball from Monaghan and Orford. Orford has an excellent small passing game (actually the best in the world in my opinion), and Kite is a player that likes to run in tight. This combination will be awesome. Bryant and Leuleuai had very consistent performances in 2005. Leuleuai’s tackling style has been addressed, and I believe with his inclusion in the NZ reserve side, we will see a much more aggressive (if that is at all possible) player in 2006. Here is my big call though. Much like Matabele, I believe Jason King will have a stellar year. We have all discussed this topic before, so won’t go on about it, except to say – just watch him.
Off the park we are looking extremely strong. There doesn’t seem to be any political in fighting at the club. We have state of the art training and medical facilities. Management appear to be getting the “business and administration†side of things right.
That brings me to where I think we will be come September. I have previously stated 9th or 10th, but that was when Monaghan wasn’t shown any stability, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. I also have had several bit / snippets of information about the team from the media etc, and all the players appear extremely committed. Therefore, I have re-evaluated my stance on 9th / 10th, and think we will come 3rd or 4th.
I also think our defence will be a lot fiercer, as I think we have let go players that have been shown to be a little lazy around the ruck, and weaknesses on the wings. Steppa has been a real find (especially defensively – yes I said it) on the wing.
Anyway – I can’t bloody wait for the season to start. I will be recording every game on DVD, so if anyone needs / wants them throughout the season, please PM me, and we can organise something.
My biggest hope for 2006 is for us to beat Parramatta. The team is dislike the most. It will happen too. Tim Smith isn’t playing against a Hooker playing ½ back THIS time. He’s playing Matt Orford – who will show the kid how a REAL player manages his team.
Cheers guys -
🙂
To start with I want to talk about depth. There has been much debate about who should be filling the wing, centre, 5/8, Hooker and Prop positions going forward. Being able to debate these positions in the first place is a direct relation to the fact that Manly have substantially added to their depth, and that these depth issues that have been highlighted in the past, should not hit home in 2006 (touch wood).
This is the first time since Brett Kimmorley, we have had a superstar half back leading our team around the park. Like Paul Kent suggested in an article around October last year, much like Johns, Gower, Kimmorley & co. - Orford is now the player on the big enough type of dollars that should be able to drive our team into winning positions solely. UNLIKE when Brett Kimmorley played for our Northern Eagles, we now have a sprinkle of "real" talent throughout the team (even internationals), with a lot of diversity & skill. Imagine Monaghan, Orford, and potentially ANOTHER ball player on the park all at once. The last time we had this luxury from memory, was when we had Des Hasler, Cliff Lyons & Geoff Toovey all on the park - all not the biggest of men. We only conceded 1.5 tries a game in those years !!!
The club has shown solidarity and consistency since the end of the year. Michael Monaghan has been assured of his role at the club (his retention), and will continue to be a leader type regardless of captaincy in my opinion. I believe this solidarity & commitment by the club will show in Monaghan’s form ON the park. There were times last year (against The Sharks at Brookvale for example) when Monaghan had an absolute cracker of a game. I also thought he got the wood over Orford at Brookvale.
I believe we will have fantastic props this year. I mean props that can be damaging. Kite has a year with the lads under his belt, and I suggest he will be getting quality ball from Monaghan and Orford. Orford has an excellent small passing game (actually the best in the world in my opinion), and Kite is a player that likes to run in tight. This combination will be awesome. Bryant and Leuleuai had very consistent performances in 2005. Leuleuai’s tackling style has been addressed, and I believe with his inclusion in the NZ reserve side, we will see a much more aggressive (if that is at all possible) player in 2006. Here is my big call though. Much like Matabele, I believe Jason King will have a stellar year. We have all discussed this topic before, so won’t go on about it, except to say – just watch him.
Off the park we are looking extremely strong. There doesn’t seem to be any political in fighting at the club. We have state of the art training and medical facilities. Management appear to be getting the “business and administration†side of things right.
That brings me to where I think we will be come September. I have previously stated 9th or 10th, but that was when Monaghan wasn’t shown any stability, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. I also have had several bit / snippets of information about the team from the media etc, and all the players appear extremely committed. Therefore, I have re-evaluated my stance on 9th / 10th, and think we will come 3rd or 4th.
I also think our defence will be a lot fiercer, as I think we have let go players that have been shown to be a little lazy around the ruck, and weaknesses on the wings. Steppa has been a real find (especially defensively – yes I said it) on the wing.
Anyway – I can’t bloody wait for the season to start. I will be recording every game on DVD, so if anyone needs / wants them throughout the season, please PM me, and we can organise something.
My biggest hope for 2006 is for us to beat Parramatta. The team is dislike the most. It will happen too. Tim Smith isn’t playing against a Hooker playing ½ back THIS time. He’s playing Matt Orford – who will show the kid how a REAL player manages his team.
Cheers guys -
🙂
