Pre-Game Raiders V Manly [Round 23, 2025]

[SeaEagleRock8]

Schoupp is an interesting addition , no doubt to cover Chee Kam .
Doubt if he would instead start ahead of Chee Kam but maybe not too far into the game
Only rationale to start with Chee Kam , looks like still has kept his mobility but surely must have been some serious consideration for Navale on the bench to allow Jake at some stage to prop and Bully starting in the 2 nd row .

Schoupp is utility cover for backs and forwards. Fingers crossed he takes this chance and shows he can become one of those fashionable small energetic forwards.

Bull is not a 2nd rower, he's been tried there. Not sure his one-on-one defence would be up to it, besides which ... I can't recall him ever passing the ball? I'm sure he has but, well, maybe not!

 

[manlyfan76]

If Canberra can't beat us they won't win the grand final.

 

[Phobia]

I don't mind Schoupp on the bench. He runs hard, tackles hard so interested to see if he can transition to 2nd row. Has the basic attributes to make a go of it.

The problem begins, when Seibold plays him for 4 minutes total all game.

If you're going to have a utility, at least have a plan for them... Judging from this year's utilities, he might not even see the field on Friday night.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

We HAVE had some great wins in Canberra and the most recent one comes to mind, being at their stadium last year for the first time and to see us flog them was so good.
Yes, we can dream, and (some of us) will.

I'm sure will ALinda, last 2 games at GIO
2023 14 - 42
2024 24 - 46
2025 34 - 50 the way it's trending

 

[Disco]

Weirdly reckon we could win this.

 

[Carl]

Weirdly reckon we could win this.

I agree ... that is weird.

 

[madmax]

Schoupp is an interesting addition , no doubt to cover Chee Kam .
Doubt if he would instead start ahead of Chee Kam but maybe not too far into the game
Only rationale to start with Chee Kam , looks like still has kept his mobility but surely must have been some serious consideration for Navale on the bench to allow Jake at some stage to prop and Bully starting in the 2 nd row .
Maybe Schoupp can show that he does have something really worthwhile to offer on an edge in i st grade and guess that we will soon find out.
Also the option of moving Jazz to 13 and Jake to prop at some stage so again a bit of a punt on best suited forward combinations and Raiders pack does seem on the quality side right now
Really hope that Turbo can really make a mark again at the back , running a bit better lately and even though the Raiders defence looks to be in quite reasonable order , some average sides have been apparently pushing them lately so one never knows
If D C E and Brookie can play to a good level and the pack can get close to holding their own and use the more mobile guys like T K O , Bully , M C K and Scoupp to best effect , could make a game of it but are going to have to work their backsides off in the process to help with the opportunity to keep the season even partly alive .

I’d start Schoup ahead of Waddell!! I’m not bagging the guy but Waddell has offeres zero to be honest. Watching him frustrates the $hit out of me. MCK has never lived up to the hype back in the day but I feel he’s better than Waddell. Schoup has mongrel. Solid enough for backrow. Could be a diamond in the rough with a reasonable opportunity & could just surprise. Just looks suited to play in the forwards. Fu<k anything is worth a try!

 

[bob dylan]

I'm sure will ALinda, last 2 games at GIO
2023 14 - 42
2024 24 - 46
2025 34 - 50 the way it's trending

The previous game was in 2022 Round 24, which is burned into my brain with certain No 7 defending on the wing for most of the game so he could avoid injury to tour with Australian team.

Canberra 28-0 at half time
Canberra 48-6 Full Times

Our Team that day was

Koula
Vaega
Parker
Burbo
Tuipolotu
Foz
DCE
Taupau
Croker
De Luis
Haumole
Bully
Aloiai

Toff
Walker
Schuster
Weeks

 

[simon64]

Raiders 13+ into Simi Sasagi to score and Fogarty to score 8 points.

$8.50

Overs I reckon. We've got the wobbly boot on big time.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

The previous game was in 2022 Round 24, which is burned into my brain with certain No 7 defending on the wing for most of the game so he could avoid injury to tour with Australian team.

Canberra 28-0 at half time
Canberra 48-6 Full Times

Our Team that day was

Koula
Vaega
Parker
Burbo
Tuipolotu
Foz
DCE
Taupau
Croker
De Luis
Haumole
Bully
Aloiai

Toff
Walker
Schuster
Weeks

That same year round4 our home game but playing away in Mudgee, we got them 25-6. Our fav AKlein was ref, Garrick & TT score Garrick kick 4/5.

The game you're talking about Bob rds24, we were missing Garrick, TT, Saab, Peseka, Keppie, Taufua. That's a fair bit out of already a sh###ty team, especially after TT Daily M performance in 2021. I agree with u D$E also didn't help us that day, I was there to witness the whole thing.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Maybe Fog can help us out like $$dollar evan did and get us the win.

 

[HoldenV8]

With Lehi Hopoate not being a factor (AC joint), this weeks backline is how I'd have it if I was the coach, which thankfully for all concerned other than my bank account, I am not.

Tommy Talau at centre and leaving Reuben Garrick on the wing gives some hope, however fleeting it may be, that our coach has at least SOME good sense.

 

[Nike]

That is one of the teams of all time for sure, welcome back Michael Chee Kam - the original Gordon Chan Kum Tong.

Crazy Navale still can't get a run, someone's got to get him some goat photo type kompromat.

Manly -13

 

[Cliffycomeback]

With Lehi Hopoate not being a factor (AC joint), this weeks backline is how I'd have it if I was the coach, which thankfully for all concerned other than my bank account, I am not.

Tommy Talau at centre and leaving Reuben Garrick on the wing gives some hope, however fleeting it may be, that our coach has at least SOME good sense.

Good sense would have seen this move made at the beginning of last year.

 

[HoldenV8]

Good sense would have seen this move made at the beginning of last year.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Reuben Garrick as a centre. I think he's proven better there than most give him credit for, its just that I believe his best position is on the wing. Tommy Talau has only been playing wing for Manly because that's where he's been picked most of the time, but the reality is that he's really a centre so this backline makes better sense.

As for the forwards.....I'll get myself started.

Michael Chee-Kam I have no real issue with. At least he has a fair bit of experience. But considering the up front punch we're missing....Paseka, Aloiai, Brown and even Olakau'atu, my pack and bench would look vastly different to the one named.

I can't for the life of me figure out why with 3 props on the shelf, plus now both usual starting back rowers out, that we persist with wasting a middle forward at dummy half 🤷‍♂️ . No offence at all to Jazz because he tries his guts out every game, but like when Turbo is our fullback, we've all seen the difference in the team when Jazz plays lock, Jake just runs the ball for his quicker play the balls, and Simpkin (or Gordon) is the dummy half. About the only one who doesn't seem to see it is Anthony Seibold..... But my pack and bench for Friday night would be as such:

Front Row - Lodge, Simpkin, Trbojevic
Back Row - Waddell, Chee-Kam
Lock - Tevaga

Bench - Chan Kum Tong, Taukeiaho, Schopp, Bullemor

I can only speak for myself, but to me its obvious. You don't waste a middle forward at dummy half when almost all of your first choice starting pack is watching injured from the sidelines.

 

[manlyfan76]

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Reuben Garrick as a centre. I think he's proven better there than most give him credit for, its just that I believe his best position is on the wing. Tommy Talau has only been playing wing for Manly because that's where he's been picked most of the time, but the reality is that he's really a centre so this backline makes better sense.

As for the forwards.....I'll get myself started.

Michael Chee-Kam I have no real issue with. At least he has a fair bit of experience. But considering the up front punch we're missing....Paseka, Aloiai, Brown and even Olakau'atu, my pack and bench would look vastly different to the one named.

I can't for the life of me figure out why with 3 props on the shelf, plus now both usual starting back rowers out, that we persist with wasting a middle forward at dummy half 🤷‍♂️ . No offence at all to Jazz because he tries his guts out every game, but like when Turbo is our fullback, we've all seen the difference in the team when Jazz plays lock, Jake just runs the ball for his quicker play the balls, and Simpkin (or Gordon) is the dummy half. About the only one who doesn't seem to see it is Anthony Seibold..... But my pack and bench for Friday night would be as such:

Front Row - Lodge, Simpkin, Trbojevic
Back Row - Waddell, Chee-Kam
Lock - Tevaga

Bench - Chan Kum Tong, Taukeiaho, Schopp, Bullemor

I can only speak for myself, but to me its obvious. You don't waste a middle forward at dummy half when almost all of your first choice starting pack is watching injured from the sidelines.

If Simpkin had started all year his game could have, at least, reached its potential.
But we will never know.
Jazz suits 13 so well but either Seibs hands are tied and Jake runs selections or he's got NFI.

Go back to Broncos? game where Jazz was 13 and Simpkin played most of game at nine.
We looked so threatening.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Who is really making the selections?

 

[manly al]

Schoupp is utility cover for backs and forwards. Fingers crossed he takes this chance and shows he can become one of those fashionable small energetic forwards.

Bull is not a 2nd rower, he's been tried there. Not sure his one-on-one defence would be up to it, besides which ... I can't recall him ever passing the ball? I'm sure he has but, well, maybe not!

In an ideal selection situation , Bully would be only a i st choice consideration as a prop but these times are far from ideal and starting the season in any case a bit lacking in edge depth
Didn 't really think that Chee Kam would come into calculations and Bully I M O would be as good as any option to try there and add a bit of line breaking ability there and defence i am sure no worse then what M C K may offer there
Thought once that Bully could even make a decent fist as a 13 but apart from a trial run there , just did not happen .
Waddell is hardly noted for his passing game either
No question Schoupp is there for backs cover if needed but would be quite surprised if he does not play on the edge at some stage
Can only recall one N S W cup run there for him and not too bad from some indications

 

[manly al]

I’d start Schoup ahead of Waddell!! I’m not bagging the guy but Waddell has offeres zero to be honest. Watching him frustrates the $hit out of me. MCK has never lived up to the hype back in the day but I feel he’s better than Waddell. Schoup has mongrel. Solid enough for backrow. Could be a diamond in the rough with a reasonable opportunity & could just surprise. Just looks suited to play in the forwards. Fu<k anything is worth a try!

Looks like Schoupp "s defence is up to scratch , doesn 't seem to have that much pace attack wise but as you say , solid enough all round competitor and off contract so may just make some extra effort to try to impress

 

[mickqld]

I’d start Schoup ahead of Waddell!! I’m not bagging the guy but Waddell has offeres zero to be honest. Watching him frustrates the $hit out of me. MCK has never lived up to the hype back in the day but I feel he’s better than Waddell. Schoup has mongrel. Solid enough for backrow. Could be a diamond in the rough with a reasonable opportunity & could just surprise. Just looks suited to play in the forwards. Fu<k anything is worth a try!

Weren't we trying to get rid of Schoupp recently in a swap deal ?? I'm sure I read that a couple months ago. We really are scraping the bottom of the barrel now with Waddell our best 2nd rower then MCK.