Run Koula Run

[eadie fan]

Like I have been saying for weeks now....

Other than his pace, what exactly does Tolu Koula offer as a footballer??

You could say exactly the same thing about Saab!! At least Koula runs harder than the much bigger Saab coming off our line.

 

[HoldenV8]

I hope that Talau’s pec injury is low grade as mentioned. He goes straight in for Koula. There were three instances last night that should’ve never happened, regardless if he was under down with injury.
1. Retreating passively in our 10, while letting the inexperienced lightweight Mason to get around him, and he wasn’t strong enough to stop Mason from sliding in.
2. Getting the ball 12 metres from the sideline, and gets rag dolled over the sideline.
3. Letting a shank kick from Galvus bounce in front of him, then reaching for the ball, but too short to get it, and falls for the Tigers.

You put Talau in any of those situations and it doesn’t happen.
I think Talau is the most improved player in the club.

And TBH Talau's lack of a defensive game worries me. No speed, but he can attack. But he just can't defend.

 

[Hertera]

Why we pay this guy so much foes my head in. Release him save some money as shown this season with talau if you look hard enough there are cheaper and better options young Lehi in his first 10 or so games has shown more than this guy.

Seems like a nice guy and a great runner but for the hype he carried as a junior I have been left severely underwhelmed with him.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Looking at Koula’s attacking stats they are down from last season,

2023 - 14 linebreaks & 75 tackle busts.

2024 - 4 linebreaks & 37 tackle busts and on a seven game try drought.

Definitely has the skills to be a good player for manly, though the move from the right side to the left side of the field hasn’t done anything for his game.

A new playmaker on the left in Brooks and an inconsistent left edge forward haven’t helped, I don’t think you can carry a back on the bench come finals, you want as much versatility that you can get.

 

[Disco]

People are so quick to go the nuclear option. Its always cut him, dump him yada yada.

Koula is a little down on form this year but hardly bad. We've seen what he can do, he'll be fine.

 

[Heckenberg]

Looking at Koula’s attacking stats they are down from last season,

2023 - 14 linebreaks & 75 tackle busts.

2024 - 4 linebreaks & 37 tackle busts and on a seven game try drought.

Definitely has the skills to be a good player for manly, though the move from the right side to the left side of the field hasn’t done anything for his game.

A new playmaker on the left in Brooks and an inconsistent left edge forward haven’t helped, I don’t think you can carry a back on the bench come finals, you want as much versatility that you can get.

I think being outside of burbo/ Waddell has probably meant he gets a lot more attention from the defence as they aren’t worried about our second rowers doing much. Different story when you’re running outside haumole off dce. He just seems to never have any space to move.

 

[Dion Johnson]

I think being outside of burbo/ Waddell has probably meant he gets a lot more attention from the defence as they aren’t worried about our second rowers doing much. Different story when you’re running outside haumole off dce. He just seems to never have any space to move.

Yeh it was a bit of an ask in moving him to the left, he was playing well on the right.

He has looked cramped for room every game he has played left centre, I wonder why they swapped him to the left side, his defence and attack on the right were good.

 

[madmax]

People are so quick to go the nuclear option. Its always cut him, dump him yada yada.

Koula is a little down on form this year but hardly bad. We've seen what he can do, he'll be fine.

Mate totally agree….it’s the same couple of tryhards in here that have a dislike for Koula & will continue to bag him. The same ones who have zero rugby league nous. Oh yeah & think their opinion counts lolol.

 

[frank stokes]

Why we pay this guy so much foes my head in. Release him save some money as shown this season with talau if you look hard enough there are cheaper and better options young Lehi in his first 10 or so games has shown more than this guy.

Seems like a nice guy and a great runner but for the hype he carried as a junior I have been left severely underwhelmed with him.

I really do not want to agree with you... but....

 

[frank stokes]

I think being outside of burbo/ Waddell has probably meant he gets a lot more attention from the defence as they aren’t worried about our second rowers doing much. Different story when you’re running outside haumole off dce. He just seems to never have any space to move.

I just think opposition coaches have worked him out... he is having his time/space cut down and his impact is suffering...

Many, many players have suffered similar drop-offs over the years (Paul Hauff being the poster boy for this syndrome) and Koula and our coaches have failed to manage it well enough... sux cause he looked a star...

 

[manly al]

Injuries have definitely hampered his season but just too much all round ability not to play a serious role going forward and in his most suited and natural centre position and guess after Lehi "s rapid improvement this season, probably Manly 's 3 rd choice full back option now
Talau would have to be one of the most improved backs in the comp this year and not unexpected that he was slotted back in the current circumstances
Hard to move Lehi from wing on form so either Talau or Koula for that utility bench spot .
Maybe in the short term could give Koula a roving role in the middle but unlike Walker , no real link background experience so will just have to mainly try and utilize his raw speed and power .
Generally an effective defender and will just have to see how things pan out i guess at least in the short term
Unlikely , but Talau and Koula could swap roles at any time for that matter during the game l .

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I just think opposition coaches have worked him out... he is having his time/space cut down and his impact is suffering...

Yep, he needs space to put his speed to work.

Sadly, I think Tolu's best position is fullback. But we have Tommy and now Lehi, who are both better options at the back. That leaves him as a centre, where he's been underwhelming, or a winger, where again we have better options.

 

[frank stokes]

Yep, he needs space to put his speed to work.

Sadly, I think Tolu's best position is fullback. But we have Tommy and now Lehi, who are both better options at the back. That leaves him as a centre, where he's been underwhelming, or a winger, where again we have better options.

Pretty good summation imo

 

[Will on the hill]

Looking at Koula’s attacking stats they are down from last season,

2023 - 14 linebreaks & 75 tackle busts.

2024 - 4 linebreaks & 37 tackle busts and on a seven game try drought.

Definitely has the skills to be a good player for manly, though the move from the right side to the left side of the field hasn’t done anything for his game.

A new playmaker on the left in Brooks and an inconsistent left edge forward haven’t helped, I don’t think you can carry a back on the bench come finals, you want as much versatility that you can get.

He is definitely down a bit due to the move to the left and also time out injured but those stats are slightly skewed by his last 2 games at FB where he got 6 LBs and 23 TBs.

 

[frank stokes]

Maybe in the short term could give Koula a roving role in the middle but unlike Walker , no real link background experience so will just have to mainly try and utilize his raw

I am anything but a Dylan Walker fanboi but Koula and DW are totally different types of players...

DW (imo) is a lot stronger and that allows him to play that hooker-type role, get fast PTBs and pop an offload occasionally...

Not saying I want DW back at the club, just pointing out that (imo) I doubt a DW type of role would work for TK... TK needs space to showcase his assets and he needs to build his confidence with his passing and offloads...

 

[frank stokes]

He is definitely down a bit due to the move to the left and also time out injured but those stats are slightly skewed by his last 2 games at FB where he got 6 LBs and 23 TBs.

FB definitely serves him best as he can wind up and hit the line at speed... the kid has got a lot of intestinal fortitude and does not avoid the impacts...

 

[The Indian]

Koula was excellent in that game against the Cowboys at Fullback and 90% of it was done with torn ligaments in his knee. Last week wasn't his best game but he's a weapon and is still working his way back to peak after that injury and he should be a major part of our plans going forward and is in my side every day of the week no questions asked. I love the intensity Tommy Talau has brought and I understand why the coach has rewarded his earlier season form with retaining a spot in first grade but sooner or later Koula's class will see him back and he'll end the arguments.

 

[Michael Clare]

Agree with those who prefer Talau. This bloke has come in in leaps and bounds with the Eagles in 2024. Becoming one of my favourite players. Has a great footy brain and makes sound decisions under pressure.

 

[lsz]

Why we pay this guy so much foes my head in. Release him save some money as shown this season with talau if you look hard enough there are cheaper and better options young Lehi in his first 10 or so games has shown more than this guy.

Seems like a nice guy and a great runner but for the hype he carried as a junior I have been left severely underwhelmed with him.

Release him?

It does not work that way...you would still have to pay him a significant amount of his contract so there is no savings.

As for the comparison to Talau interestingly Talau was in his third year of first grade when the tigers cut him...much like Tolo this year who has been struggling with injuries, playmakers and maybe the pace of first grade.

 

[BOZO]

A lethal weapon is only as lethal as it is used
We haven't used Killer Koula as well as we could
We give him the ball with no space to use his Killer pace

SPEED KILLS
Koula leaves the opposition defender for dead