Starting #9 next year

[Simonmyers11]

We won't win many games with Cust or Crocker at 9. Sure Levi was average, but still way better than Crocker. If Crocker is the starting hooker next, we are in a lot of trouble. We have looked like a rabble whenever he has been on the field. Hopefully he gets the tap soon as well

 

[AlxFromNthNarra]

Why all this talk of Cust at no.9?

No disrespect - I like him as a half, great attitude. And even though it doesn't always pay off, he has a crack and tries stuff - but the modern-day hooker is often a fit-as-fk tackling machine. Matty Ballin set the standard on that front imo. Cust is an able dummy-half, and gets involved in attack plenty.

That isn't his issue, and if we have Schuster & DCE along with Walker in centres and Jrbo/Trbo's playmaking all happening, Cust's main strength is diluted in a wealth of playmaking options.

Defence team-wide was a problem this year - can't deny it.

And Cust is/was targeted as a defensive liability by opposing packs. It just doesn't make sense. If the hooker is not making those tackles, the forwards are - that means they plod back on kick-returns, and poor guys like Garrick are trying to take those early-set hit-ups, and we are 3-4 tackles into a set on our 30 when we finally get a run that has post-contact metres and any offload chance that isn't a wild speculator (going to miss our offloads with AFB gone, will be left to Marty, who everyone knows has an offload or 6 in him).

As a 14 coming on with lethargic forwards, I guess it might work, but the opponent bench rotation would just run fresh boppers at him til he tires - I know I would.

Cust is young, maybe he will fill out and fit that role in time. I just wouldn't want to set him up to fail in that capacity so young.

 

[Simonmyers11]

We need a genuine hooker, not a back up half. Too important position in attack and defence. Will be almost the whole season until Faniu's court hearing is finished. Crocker should not even be in the 28 or 30 man squad!

 

[The better Robbo]

We need a genuine hooker, not a back up half. Too important position in attack and defence. Will be almost the whole season until Faniu's court hearing is finished. Crocker should not even be in the 28 or 30 man squad!

We need 2 genuine hookers. Can't possibly run with what we have

 

[Ranga]

I’m wondering whether the Raiders hooker - Havili - could be a target. Next year he will be behind Hodgson and Starling. He isn’t flash, but he’s a pretty solid player that gets through his work.

 

[Mataiforever]

JAZZ TAVAGA.

We have signed Fainu long term. He is our long term hooker, so therefore what do we need? - A quality hooker for 6 months, who can then play another role in the team when Fainu returns.

Brandon Smith commands the 9 for the rest of his career.

Cade Cust is the perfect no 14 next year, with Schuster taking the 6 (please don't sign Foz).

Tavaga is at the Warriors, who are desperate to sign him, and could be involved in a swap. They have JTB, BMM, AFB next year, Tavaga is too good to be a #14 especially at the Warriors.

When Fainu comes back, Tavaga could go to 13 and Jake to 8. The perfect solution, two birds one stone.

 

[Mataiforever]

I’m wondering whether the Raiders hooker - Havili - could be a target. Next year he will be behind Hodgson and Starling. He isn’t flash, but he’s a pretty solid player that gets through his work.

His service from dummy half is pure garbage

 

[Jigzkiller]

Crocker

Is Mick coming out of retirement? surely we are not that desperate.

 

[wombatgc]

We won't win many games with Cust or Crocker at 9. Sure Levi was average, but still way better than Crocker. If Crocker is the starting hooker next, we are in a lot of trouble. We have looked like a rabble whenever he has been on the field. Hopefully he gets the tap soon as well

I’m surprised/worried that he wasn’t the first one to get the tap. They say he’s great at training and one of the fittest in the squad, but that means jack-shiit if he can’t bring it to the big game.

 

[Brooke]

Why all this talk of Cust at no.9?

No disrespect - I like him as a half, great attitude. And even though it doesn't always pay off, he has a crack and tries stuff - but the modern-day hooker is often a fit-as-fk tackling machine. Matty Ballin set the standard on that front imo. Cust is an able dummy-half, and gets involved in attack plenty.

That isn't his issue, and if we have Schuster & DCE along with Walker in centres and Jrbo/Trbo's playmaking all happening, Cust's main strength is diluted in a wealth of playmaking options.

Defence team-wide was a problem this year - can't deny it.

And Cust is/was targeted as a defensive liability by opposing packs. It just doesn't make sense. If the hooker is not making those tackles, the forwards are - that means they plod back on kick-returns, and poor guys like Garrick are trying to take those early-set hit-ups, and we are 3-4 tackles into a set on our 30 when we finally get a run that has post-contact metres and any offload chance that isn't a wild speculator (going to miss our offloads with AFB gone, will be left to Marty, who everyone knows has an offload or 6 in him).

As a 14 coming on with lethargic forwards, I guess it might work, but the opponent bench rotation would just run fresh boppers at him til he tires - I know I would.

Cust is young, maybe he will fill out and fit that role in time. I just wouldn't want to set him up to fail in that capacity so young.

Paseka has been doing great with his offloads.

 

[Suchislife]

Turbo at fullback
DCE. at halfback
Cust. at five eighth
Foran. at hooker

 

[NZEaglesFan]

What about Issac Luke?

 

[KNUCKLES]

What about Issac Luke?

Bully use to be one of my faves and would of jumped at the chance to have him at manly.. unfortunately his time as well and truly passed.

 

[Highflier]

What about Issac Luke?

No slow over weight and threw that lazy and tired pass To nobody that extinguished Brisbane’s comeback last night

 

[R3]

No slow over weight and threw that lazy and tired pass To nobody that extinguished Brisbane’s comeback last night

And re-signed by Brisbane

 

[Briza]

Nasie will likely miss the for 2/3rds of the competition, if we don't have an established Hooker we will struggle to stay in the top 8.

 

[HoldenV8]

As long as levi never pulls on the manly jersey again (no offence intended to him personally of course)

Danny Levi has had his moments in 2020. He has shown glimpses of being a good dummy half, but they have been inconsistent and very much few and far between.

For someone who has reached the highest level of the sport having played 4 tests for New Zealand (all in 2017) and one for Samoa in 2019 ... Levi should be a fair bit better and more consistent than he is. The sad thing is that Lachlan Croker, a converted 5/8, has actually proved to be a smarter dummy half with a lot more awareness about things and where the ball needs to go, but he's also countered that because his execution has been very poor, especially at crucial times.

Levi and Croker have tried hard, not doubting that one bit. Its just been a bit of a disaster in its execution because neither are very good at it.

So as for 2021 with (I think) neither Levi or Croker remaining at Manly, and with Walks apparently staying and the emergence of Schuster, Cade Cust might well be our best bet as a #9 until Fainu is back on the park. Remember that he was a hooker in the juniors and only got moved to the halves when in the U/20s in 2017.

 

[double hoops]

My tip is Jake Granville

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

My tip is Jake Granville

Old and slow and past it BUT still probably better than Levi.

 

[globaleagle]

Old and slow and past it BUT still probably better than Levi.

Nah... as others have said... our old friend Matt Parcel!