Starting 9 for 2021

[Shoe1]

The 2007 game that @Ryan put up in another thread is well worth watching for the tactics.

It is Des at his best, using 3 playmakers Orford, Monaghan and Lyon. Monas is mostly dummy half but often first or second receiver on the 4th and 5th tackle, and he does a fair bit of kicking.

They bring Brett in to the attack regularly, with willow as a link player in the middle.

This is a blue print for dce, foran and schuster as 3 playmakers, with Tom and Jake. It is total attacking football with options.

 

[Bearfax]

Good play makers are essential...to excuse the bleeding obvious. We had DCE last year and no one else. Easy to tie down one. If Schuster develops like I think he may, Manly will have one of the best playmakers in the game in a year or two.

 

[mickqld]

What happened to that PNG hooker. We were pretty excited about his potential 12 months ago.

Didn't work out @Clint . He wasn't injury material for our rehab group.

 

[mickqld]

I just can't understand why we would extend the contract of a player who will spend 2 years on the sideline because of serious charges.

 

[The better Robbo]

Good play makers are essential...to excuse the bleeding obvious. We had DCE last year and no one else. Easy to tie down one. If Schuster develops like I think he may, Manly will have one of the best playmakers in the game in a year or two.

I reckon he is ready to go and will be one of the best straight away next year. Good to have some options, finally

 

[Bearfax]

I reckon he is ready to go and will be one of the best straight away next year. Good to have some options, finally

Now if we could just get Fainu on the field.

 

[nightster]

I just can't understand why we would extend the contract of a player who will spend 2 years on the sideline because of serious charges.

Who are you referring to Croker?

 

[mickqld]

Who are you referring to Croker?

Yes. He's been charged with loitering.

 

[nightster]

Yes. He's been charged with loitering.

Sorry I didn’t read back far enough

 

[The better Robbo]

After watching Randall from knights we can put a line through his name. No better option than Croker. I'd still like ZDC bought up to our 30. I rate him and is as good or better than most of the other options talked about on this thread

 

[Jigzkiller]

I'd still like ZDC bought up to our 30

If he is anywhere near our top 30 it tells you all you need to know about our top 30 wouldn't get a game in a good pub team.

Why would we purge and replace the purged with at best equal players.

 

[The better Robbo]

If he is anywhere near our top 30 it tells you all you need to know about our top 30 wouldn't get a game in a good pub team.

Why would we purge and replace the purged with at best equal players.

Levi would want 250k a year. ZDC would be happy on minimum wage. It's called balance to your squad. If you think he is that bad you must not have watched many games, he is a decent back up 14 on the cheap. No worse than a lot of players who have debuted this year

 

[HoldenV8]

I still think we'd be better off with Cust, a former hooker, at dummy half, Foran at 5/8 and Schuster in the back row or at least off the bench.

Until (and if) Fainu returns. Then I would have Cust at #14, leave Foz at 5/8 and Schuster in the back row.

 

[Bearfax]

I still think we'd be better off with Cust, a former hooker, at dummy half, Foran at 5/8 and Schuster in the back row or at least off the bench.

Until (and if) Fainu returns. Then I would have Cust at #14, leave Foz at 5/8 and Schuster in the back row.

Have to disagree there. In my opinion Schuster will be a far better play maker than Foran based on what I've seen. He would be wasted in the forwards. Far too skilful. It would be like making Cliff Lyons a second rower. Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me no coincidence that Fainu is not expected back until July and Foran was signed on a one year contract

 

[HoldenV8]

Have to disagree there. In my opinion Schuster will be a far better play maker than Foran based on what I've seen. He would be wasted in the forwards. Far too skilful. It would be like making Cliff Lyons a second rower

It would also depend on how much Foran actually plays. The past 5 years don't exactly point to him playing the full season without being injured at some point.

 

[Bearfax]

It would also depend on how much Foran actually plays. The past 5 years don't exactly point to him playing the full season without being injured at some point.

I think playing only a percentage of the game as hooker would extend his playing life. Remember he's no longer the quicker, tough soldier we had a decade ago. He's still clever and as hooker he would do a Cam Smith role, and probably kept away from too much defence, which is likely to trouble his weakened injury areas.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

This is an article on Zach from back in March. If we don't sign a hooker with NRL experience then sounds like a no-brainer to elevate him to the top squad for this year, even if just as insurance for Foz, Con and Crokes.

Dockar-Clay Ripe for NRL debut in 2020

Blacktown Workers hooker Zach Dockar-Clay is confident he can still make an impact at NRL club Manly Warringah in 2020 despite the Sea Eagles signing Danny Levi in the off season.

www.nswrl.com.au

 

[HoldenV8]

I think playing only a percentage of the game as hooker would extend his playing life. Remember he's no longer the quicker, tough soldier we had a decade ago. He's still clever and as hooker he would do a Cam Smith role, and probably kept away from too much defence, which is likely to trouble his weakened injury areas.

Defence in the middle would be a concern with both Foran and Cust. Not doubting their toughness, but Foran is always an injury concern and I don't think Cust is all that good a defender. I can see Jake making a lot more tackles until (and if) Fainu returns.

And as talented as Shoe is, I would still have Foran at 5/8, at least to start with. In this case I'd go for experience over youth. Shoe is still young, he has time to develop.

 

[Mataiforever]

Don’t howl me down but as a fill in until the possible return of Fainu how about Nathan Peats ??

Yeah I know his best is way past him BUT is he better than Lachlan Croker ??

One year contract , transitional year , won’t win us a GF but at minimum $$$$??????

AND don’t just say no no no no come up with a viable alternative!!

would rather them:

• chuck the book at tavaga / smith as short term option at hooker, long term lock
• target chris randall from newcastle
• target havili from raiders
• target any of the young chooks hookers (lussick)
• maybe even go for jake granville

 

[The better Robbo]

Have to disagree there. In my opinion Schuster will be a far better play maker than Foran based on what I've seen. He would be wasted in the forwards. Far too skilful. It would be like making Cliff Lyons a second rower. Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me no coincidence that Fainu is not expected back until July and Foran was signed on a one year contract

Foran now? Or Foran before? That's a big call. I think people forget Foran's ability sometimes. If Schuster ends up better than Foran then we are certainly in for a treat. Schuster definitely has all the skills and size to be a once in a generation player, let's hope he reaches that potential