Second rowers 2023 - 2025

[Cliffycomeback]

Zac Fulton & Condon are playing in the 2nd division in England. Schoupp, MCK & Waddell are all much better options than they would be in the back row easily

I agree except Schoupp, MCK and Waddell aren't replacing Fulton and Condon really are they? They are replacing Schuster, Fainu and Lawton. They aren't squad filler. They are next man up after Burbo and Olakau'atu. It will be so much easier to just admit the obvious recruitment failure rather than attempt to mount a defence for something that rationally is indefensible.

// Note to recruitment regarding any future signing of a number twelve.

/*
past recruitment makes no sense, but fortunately there are plenty of suckers around,
ohgeez just praised schoupp as a genuine backrow option, anyway im bored and tired,
so this will have to do...
*/
return 12; // 12 is your blessed number

 

[Ohgeez]

I agree except Schoupp, MCK and Waddell aren't replacing Fulton and Condon really are they? They are replacing Schuster, Fainu and Lawton. They aren't squad filler. They are next man up after Burbo and Olakau'atu. It will be so much easier to just admit the obvious recruitment failure rather than attempt to mount a defence for something that rationally is indefensible.

// Note to recruitment regarding any future signing of a number twelve.

/*
past recruitment makes no sense, but fortunately there are plenty of suckers around,
ohgeez just praised schoupp as a genuine backrow option, anyway im bored and tired,
so this will have to do...
*/
return 12; // 12 is your blessed number

Ben Trbojevic had replaced Schuster in the back row so you are already incorrect. Just a reminder since it seems you’ve forgotten - Shoe was playing 5/8 in his last season hence why he was replaced by a 5/8 in Luke Brooks not another back rower. MCK is 100% at least on the same level as Lawton currently is. Fainu is the only real 1 you’ve mentioned that would actually make a difference.

Everyone agrees it made no sense not adding another back rower for this year. I’ve said multiple times Hassett & Shibasaki would be top of my list going into 26 for this reason. All we can do is see what happens in the off season.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Ben Trbojevic had replaced Schuster in the back row so you are already incorrect. Just a reminder since it seems you’ve forgotten - Shoe was playing 5/8 in his last season hence why he was replaced by a 5/8 in Luke Brooks not another back rower. MCK is 100% at least on the same level as Lawton currently is. Fainu is the only real 1 you’ve mentioned that would actually make a difference.

Everyone agrees it made no sense not adding another back rower for this year. I’ve said multiple times Hassett & Shibasaki would be top of my list going into 26 for this reason. All we can do is see what happens in the off season.

I haven’t seen much of Hassett, he looks a bit smaller then the others l, but I could be wrong there.

Shibasaki, I have watched him play a few games and I was more impressed with him last season, has a good offload still though.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Our recruitment and retention in the forwards has been diabolical. There are no excuses just poor decision making.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Our recruitment and retention in the forwards has been diabolical.

By definition you're right! because Manly's squad isn't strong up front (or in the critical dummy half spot).

There are no excuses just poor decision making.

Not so sure about this one - are you suggesting there were better players available and keen to come to Manly, but Manly's recruiters said no?? I've seen nothing to suggest that's the case.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

By definition you're right! because Manly's squad isn't strong up front (or in the critical dummy half spot).

Not so sure about this one - are you suggesting there were better players available and keen to come to Manly, but Manly's recruiters said no?? I've seen nothing to suggest that's the case.

No. How on earth could I suggest that without inside knowledge. But I don’t understand cutting the Lawman loose or signing Woods, Brown, Lodge and Waddell. Who makes these decisions and where does the buck stop? Players and player managers gravitate towards good coaches.

 

[Andrew..]

I'd be happy if the club just announced that we are currently in the market to bolster our forward strength for next year. It wouldn't have to be specific, just some sort of reassurance that they recognise we have a problem. I don't think that's too much to expect given the recent upheavals.

 

[Eagle eye]

I'd be happy if the club just announced that we are currently in the market to bolster our forward strength for next year. It wouldn't have to be specific, just some sort of reassurance that they recognise we have a problem. I don't think that's too much to expect given the recent upheavals.

Manly has.....they signed Paul Byran from the Knights...🤣

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Manly has.....they signed Paul Byran from the Knights...🤣

Seems to be what we need, I wouldn't mind Manly signing a couple more young forwards like him.

 

[Eagle eye]

Seems to be what we need, I wouldn't mind Manly signing a couple more young forwards like him.

Paul Bryan is 22 with 1 first NRL match under his belt, whereas Davvy Mole who is also 22 has over 60 NRL games. Now I don't know if the MWSE recruitment guys has had a play at Mole or not but it seem common sense too me which one I would go after if age and experience are factors to build a team.

 

[Ohgeez]

Paul Bryan is 22 with 1 first NRL match under his belt, whereas Davvy Mole who is also 22 has over 60 NRL games. Now I don't know if the MWSE recruitment guys has had a play at Mole or not but it seem common sense too me which one I would go after if age and experience are factors to build a team.

He extended for 1 year at south’s a couple months ago

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Ben Trbojevic had replaced Schuster in the back row so you are already incorrect. Just a reminder since it seems you’ve forgotten - Shoe was playing 5/8 in his last season hence why he was replaced by a 5/8 in Luke Brooks not another back rower. MCK is 100% at least on the same level as Lawton currently is. Fainu is the only real 1 you’ve mentioned that would actually make a difference.

Everyone agrees it made no sense not adding another back rower for this year. I’ve said multiple times Hassett & Shibasaki would be top of my list going into 26 for this reason. All we can do is see what happens in the off season.

Ben Trbojevic didn't replace Schuster and was already in the top 30 when Seibs arrived. Like Schuster he was an edge forward option available to our coach. Everyone knows second row was Schuster's best position. He played his most consistent football under Des in the backrow, he also played most of his junior rep footy in the backrow.

When Seibs trumpeted his signing as a recruitment masterclass, it was under the premise he was going to be playing as an edge forward with Brooks on the way. The fact remains we had options in the edge forwards when Seibs arrived and have failed to replace them. Hence why you need to throw up Schouppy as an edge backrower.