Storm make BIG 4 work - we don't

[maxta]

I reckon Manly have tried to emulate the Storm constant success, by building a team around a few "High priced" Stars
Year after year Storm go deep into finals time...we usually from my memory over the past 20 years.

They always seem to have a gun spine -

Hookers clearly the Best - which is a Massive point of difference when looking at players who have an impact on the game.
At Manly the 1 time since the golden era I got excited and seem us looking a serious threat, we had Api and a young Fainu ready to be the complete game changer....this is a "Must fix" as we are lightyears from the good sides in this department and it's the ruck that wins and loses momentum ... and I dare say games in the end.....
There's been eough said of Croker and this is not a "lets bag a bloke "thread....he tries his pants off, but is a very incomplete 9 in the modern game and Simpkin looked not super, but sharper...especially with distribution.
Manly has some talent coming through at 9 but maybe a couple of years off, though the ex Dogs junior will have his shot in 2026.
Then Storm have grant who it would be unfair to compare to the Manly rakes as he is the boss dummy half over anyone in the NRL by streets and what a luxury after Cam Smith...this has been their most pivital part of success imo....along with Bellamy who commands effort "every game"

Halves Munster and Hughes are a serious combination of competitiveness, combined with constant attacking threats and direct plays all day
We have DCE who I feel is a great player at times, but just too many trickshots when the game is in the balance, rather than playing structured direct, field position to win the arm wrestle and Brooks is ok....but often missing and I would have to say has been a disappointing signing all up....their halves take a game bt the scruff of the neck, where ours wanna win pretty and "outscore" the opposition, which is an unreliable way to live in the NRL.

At fullback they always win also, with Slater a freak and now Pappenhuyzen, who is another with natural ability to sniff out a try and is usually safe at the back also.....we have been fortunate there also with Snake Stewart my all time favourite player who was the perfect combo of speed and smarts mixed with arguably the best skillset Ive seen from a fullback with amazing hands, plus defence, positioning and communication from the back was the best in the game...and Tommy T was another blessing at fullback, who no doubt peaked as the BEST player in the game at 1 point, before a run of injuries have ravaged his brilliant career and I don't wanna sound negative, but I have doubts he will be close to that level again which is sad but real - so step up Hoppa, a bloke who WILL be another GREAT in the 1 for Manly, I feel confident about that.

Thing is, Storm then simply build a team around these stars who know their role and get it done and due to these freaks in the spine who can make things happen, the rest can just play simple mistake free footy to get the results.
The Storm also attract better players, due to being so successful and the coach Bellamy brings out the best in players, be it a no name forward who suddenly looks the goods or a good player like backrower Katoa who then turns into a Superstar.

I think it's fair to say the Manly "unbalanced" roster has not worked, due to many things including injuries, poor recruitment and let's face it, you need that timing where a few seasoned players are joined by some up and comers, plus those shrewd signings for that right mix.....we just are a way off here, so changes being made are hopefully on the way even if it means a few seasons of struggle....

 

[The '47ers]

It's a tough business for sure, look at Hughes, one game for the Titans and one game for the Cowboys, yet those clubs looked beyond him.

 

[XV-1]

There is a HUGE difference between Melbourne and Manly

Bellamy can coach - structures, positional integrity, defence, attack and develop the players to be the best they can do.
All this with a non negotiable work ethics.
Fit in or fccuck off.

Manly hire coaches on short term carrot and stick mentality and develop next to nothing.

 

[The Bandit]

I just can't get past the lack of appreciation for front rowers, the muppets in the HR department at our club do my head in. Respectfully, we haven't had a bull in our pack since AFB left 5 years ago, when they did have $800 K for a contract Schuster's extension was a classic example of their ability. On the odd occasion when we win the middle we're great. Broncos first half 3 weeks ago, Knights first half 2 weeks ago are a good example. Friday was just piss poor, and I don't think we have and hope of turning it around with our wounded soldiers. I hope I'm wrong. In the meantime, send someone to Brisbane with a hot tourist information chick and the keys to a penthouse at Freshwater and get one Payne Haas here ASP. But, I guess if your not in the Moses stable there's no seat at the Manly table at the moment, a new broom sweeps clean.

 

[Rocky]

Most clubs have a "big" 3 or 4 - ours just happen to be a combination of old, slow and injured.

 

[JakeyB789]

Their recruitment is on another level to ours (and the rest of the competition). All the players they've signed in recent years to build around their spine have been young guys with potential who for one reason or another were on the outer at their previous club. Katoa (now one of the best backrowers in the comp), Utoikamanu (Origin prop), Coates (Origin winger), Josh King, Meaney, Blore and more recently Pahulu who would've been a good pick up for any side, particularly those with weaknesses up front like we do. Sure they have the allure of playing alongside one of the best teams and under the best coach in the comp, but it shows they at least look at the right players to fit around their big money players (who are also levels about ours). In the same timeframe we have signed the likes of:

Brown
Taukeiaho
Tevaga
Lodge
Woods
Waddell
Chee Kam

All players nearing or above 30 that likely wouldn't be in the NRL if we hadn't signed them. The only player we've signed that resembles Melbourne's recruitment (under 25 with their best footy in front of them) was Bullemor and he is one of very few players on our squad we actually rate. I don't blame Seibold for the $CE and Trbojevic contracts, but he's made quite a few changes to the rest of our roster in his 3 years here and quite frankly they have all been ****e. I don't see how anyone could defend him for that.

 

[Phobia]

There is a HUGE difference between Melbourne and Manly

Bellamy can coach - structures, positional integrity, defence, attack and develop the players to be the best they can do.
All this with a non negotiable work ethics.
Fit in or fccuck off.

Manly hire coaches on short term carrot and stick mentality and develop next to nothing.

For what it's worth, Bellamy rated Seibold on a similar level to Ryles... Promoted him from a really minor role there to full assistant coach within a quick period.

I agree on the short term approach, that's our downfall. Of all the coaches we've had over the past decade, only Des 2.0 had an opportunity to develop in his image, although he lost AFB and Manase quite ridiculously, so he didn't even get a fair crack. Seibold currently is stuck with an overpaid "big three" who he didn't sign.

I just hope they give him some patience to make Lehi part of a new Manly big four...

 

[maxta]

Most clubs have a "big" 3 or 4 - ours just happen to be a combination of old, slow and injured.

Every club has a few players on "big money" in various positions Storm it's the "spine"....Storm has the 1,6,7 and 9 and build around that with great success around that and for some reason (maybe trainers and systems in place), they have very few injuries apart from Pappenhuyzen more recently

 

[BOZO]

I reckon Manly have tried to emulate the Storm constant success, by building a team around a few "High priced" Stars
Year after year Storm go deep into finals time...we usually from my memory over the past 20 years.

They always seem to have a gun spine -

Hookers clearly the Best - which is a Massive point of difference when looking at players who have an impact on the game.
At Manly the 1 time since the golden era I got excited and seem us looking a serious threat, we had Api and a young Fainu ready to be the complete game changer....this is a "Must fix" as we are lightyears from the good sides in this department and it's the ruck that wins and loses momentum ... and I dare say games in the end.....
There's been eough said of Croker and this is not a "lets bag a bloke "thread....he tries his pants off, but is a very incomplete 9 in the modern game and Simpkin looked not super, but sharper...especially with distribution.
Manly has some talent coming through at 9 but maybe a couple of years off, though the ex Dogs junior will have his shot in 2026.
Then Storm have grant who it would be unfair to compare to the Manly rakes as he is the boss dummy half over anyone in the NRL by streets and what a luxury after Cam Smith...this has been their most pivital part of success imo....along with Bellamy who commands effort "every game"

Halves Munster and Hughes are a serious combination of competitiveness, combined with constant attacking threats and direct plays all day
We have DCE who I feel is a great player at times, but just too many trickshots when the game is in the balance, rather than playing structured direct, field position to win the arm wrestle and Brooks is ok....but often missing and I would have to say has been a disappointing signing all up....their halves take a game bt the scruff of the neck, where ours wanna win pretty and "outscore" the opposition, which is an unreliable way to live in the NRL.

At fullback they always win also, with Slater a freak and now Pappenhuyzen, who is another with natural ability to sniff out a try and is usually safe at the back also.....we have been fortunate there also with Snake Stewart my all time favourite player who was the perfect combo of speed and smarts mixed with arguably the best skillset Ive seen from a fullback with amazing hands, plus defence, positioning and communication from the back was the best in the game...and Tommy T was another blessing at fullback, who no doubt peaked as the BEST player in the game at 1 point, before a run of injuries have ravaged his brilliant career and I don't wanna sound negative, but I have doubts he will be close to that level again which is sad but real - so step up Hoppa, a bloke who WILL be another GREAT in the 1 for Manly, I feel confident about that.

Thing is, Storm then simply build a team around these stars who know their role and get it done and due to these freaks in the spine who can make things happen, the rest can just play simple mistake free footy to get the results.
The Storm also attract better players, due to being so successful and the coach Bellamy brings out the best in players, be it a no name forward who suddenly looks the goods or a good player like backrower Katoa who then turns into a Superstar.

I think it's fair to say the Manly "unbalanced" roster has not worked, due to many things including injuries, poor recruitment and let's face it, you need that timing where a few seasoned players are joined by some up and comers, plus those shrewd signings for that right mix.....we just are a way off here, so changes being made are hopefully on the way even if it means a few seasons of struggle....

Great post maxta
The Moral of the story ...
It is not all about what you have . Its all about what you are capable of doing with what you have

 

[BOZO]

Most clubs have a "big" 3 or 4 - ours just happen to be a combination of old, slow and injured.

Thigs do not just happen by them selves
We make things happen
Just like we are responsible for our combination of Old and slow recruitment instead of young players with potential and build them up . We recruit the old and wind them down .
As far as Injuries goes all club get the luck of the draw

 

[mosto]

I just can't get past the lack of appreciation for front rowers, the muppets in the HR department at our club do my head in. Respectfully, we haven't had a bull in our pack since AFB left 5 years ago, when they did have $800 K for a contract Schuster's extension was a classic example of their ability. On the odd occasion when we win the middle we're great. Broncos first half 3 weeks ago, Knights first half 2 weeks ago are a good example. Friday was just piss poor, and I don't think we have and hope of turning it around with our wounded soldiers. I hope I'm wrong. In the meantime, send someone to Brisbane with a hot tourist information chick and the keys to a penthouse at Freshwater and get one Payne Haas here ASP. But, I guess if your not in the Moses stable there's no seat at the Manly table at the moment, a new broom sweeps clean.

Yep, unfortunately our issues extend beyond the coach. I see Hugh Jackman is dipping into sports ownership with Ryan Reynolds in Australia, buying the SailGP team. Wonder if they could be persuaded to throw some money at his beloved Sea Eagles.