maxta
First Grader
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....
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....
