Suli off to Illawarra

Spartan Eagle said:
Look. I think he will can only get better in defence. Last night's game didn't show too many leaks. First try was Funa coming in when he didn't have to. Overall though he can be much more destructive bringing the ball back from our line and has good footwork.
I love Parker. He is a hard worker. Runs good lines. But a lot of the times the ball dies with him in attack. He is too slow to take advantage of the speed beside him in Garrett. Suli would probably be better in 2nd row but we have shoe and guac so no way there. Tough one...but if he shows same form it would be hard for Parker to come back into the side imo.
Click to expand...
But does Garrick see the ball with Suli inside him?
 
If the Dragons proposal is any indication , will be very similar to what he is presently on at Manly . , so money would be not so much an attraction , just the opportunity for a regular i st grade spot . Could put a different complexion on things if he retains his starting spot for the remainder of the season and even with Parker available and the inclination to then stay on . If he has been officially told that he is not in Manly "s plans for next season , different matter again but that could just be speculation , i am sure his i st preference would be to stay if he has a serious opportunity to be a i st pick centre .
 
Spartan Eagle said:
Look. I think he will can only get better in defence. Last night's game didn't show too many leaks. First try was Funa coming in when he didn't have to. Overall though he can be much more destructive bringing the ball back from our line and has good footwork.
I love Parker. He is a hard worker. Runs good lines. But a lot of the times the ball dies with him in attack. He is too slow to take advantage of the speed beside him in Garrett. Suli would probably be better in 2nd row but we have shoe and guac so no way there. Tough one...but if he shows same form it would be hard for Parker to come back into the side imo.
Click to expand...
Im not really sure where people can say “he can only get better in defence”... he’s been with us what 3-4 years and has showed, if any, marginal improvement that time?

I hope he stays next year whilst he’s contracted because I think we need a full preseason of Parker v Suli battle for that spot.

However I’d have him at 17 as a backrower... schuster and olakau’atu need rests, or you can rotate olakau’atu into the middle.

Next year we only really have schuster olakauatu and ben t as genuine 2row options along with lawton... definitely some space there IMO
 
Very cccasionally Suli runs a straight line(recall off a flat pass from DCE in the past) but too often his best point of attack is running from depth with a one on one play or from depth running unders, this can cause a lack of direct straightness from the attack and ineffective or no decoy play at all.

Defensively doesn't read the play well and can be slow to react both decision making wise and laterally which makes a winger more nervous than he should be and ends up sucking in the winger. Yes Funa is mostly to blame but maybe Suli's slow lateral movement even though he had the attacker covered was playing on his mind from past experiences.(they all add up)

Running at speed though Suli is so destructive you can't take that away from him that is for sure.
 
Technical Coach said:
Very cccasionally Suli runs a straight line(recall off a flat pass from DCE in the past) but too often his best point of attack is running from depth with a one on one play or from depth running unders, this can cause a lack of direct straightness from the attack and ineffective or no decoy play at all.

Defensively doesn't read the play well and can be slow to react both decision making wise and laterally which makes a winger more nervous than he should be and ends up sucking in the winger. Yes Funa is mostly to blame but maybe Suli's slow lateral movement even though he had the attacker covered was playing on his mind from past experiences.(they all add up)

Running at speed though Suli is so destructive you can't take that away from him that is for sure.
Click to expand...
Informative, as usual.
So, would you have Suli in our 17 and, if so, in what position?
I'm a fan of Parker but I acknowledge his shortcomings in attack. After last night's performance I've come to the opinion that Suli is worth the gamble at centre. He offers a lot more potency with ball in hand, even though he is nowhere near as good as Parker in defence nor as cluey as to how to set up his winger. I think if we are a realistic chance of beating the top four teams Suli is needed; he is our answer to Olam from Melbourne. It comes down to a strategy of Risk V Reward.
If Suli fires, and restricts his mistakes, we have much greater firepower. I'd imagine that our opponents would prefer to see Parker rather than Suli in our team.
 
It sounds like the position of centre is being re-examined in light of the rules this year. Size, speed, step, handling, ability top set up a winger, lateral defence at speed, ability to play the ball quickly, cut back in, take a hard hit up from your line - and now importantly, 'ability in the air' and how much money you want versus what other centres are paid are all in the mix. Mobility over 80 minutes is a must-have on any coach's shopping list for players.

What I'm seeing is the days of the big blockbuster centre seem numbered in the game - at least as dictated by the new rules. Gene Miles, Chris Close, Noel Cleal (started as a centre), even Greg Inglis would all struggle in some way with today's game. Lack of lateral movement would see them isolated and carved up by quick ball movement (like DCE does with Saab). Coaches are picking apart compressed defences with kicks, clever passes and rapid changes of direction. It's not only wingers who need to be able to jump for kicks on their line - how often have we seen centres who can't jump targeted and isolated by smart kickers. If you can't 'do it all; and want northwards of $500K per year.......you'll struggle to get a start at a top club now.

Suli weighs about 109 kgs (more or less, depending on motivation / Maccas temptations) and is 189 cms. Tuipulotu is 106 kgs and 186 cms. It wouldn't surprise me if someone at the club is saying, "if we lose Moses, we've got an almost like for like replacement on the production line -in terms of a 'power centre' (if we need one). Christian may not be as good as Moses is - at this point - but he could be in time. And currently he is about $300 to $400K per year cheaper to keep."

Our other two centres, Parker & Harper, are not exactly pygmies in any way. Parker is 100 kgs and 193 cms (!), while Harper is 95 kgs and 180 cms (Jamie Lyon was 182 cms and 93 kgs for comparison. Steve Matai was a similar size - 183 cms, 94 kgs).

If the Dragons want to offer Suli $533K per year for the next 3 years guaranteed - I can see why Manly won't match it, but also why the Dragons - in their current (somewhat desperate) position - would.
 
Just watched the second half. Suli was great, and he benefitted from some nice passes from foran and schuster. Suli is on decent $ with manly next year.

He should stay and try to earn a new contract beyond that. If he plays well he will get plenty of offers next year, I don’t see why he needs to rush to sign with saints now.
 
Shoe1 said:
Just watched the second half. Suli was great, and he benefitted from some nice passes from foran and schuster. Suli is on decent $ with manly next year.

He should stay and try to earn a new contract beyond that. If he plays well he will get plenty of offers next year, I don’t see why he needs to rush to sign with saints now.
Click to expand...
He has been a 1 game every 3 years wonder.
 
Mataiforever said:
He didn’t last year and wouldn’t again probably.

I’d stick with Parker Harper for now, Suli 2row and Koula the long term replacement of Parker.
Click to expand...
both Koula and Tui are exciting prospects for centers. Koula obviously an x-factor machine with his speed and shows he is up for the footy as he was one of the best for the Blacktown team this year. Just perfect for the new set of rules. Tui was quiet for Blacktown but he also has a lot of upside for him and signing him on a 4-year deal shows he is part of our long-term plans. Modern-day outside back, tall, fast, strong, will flourish in a Tom Turbo team if we work on him well.
 
He's played so well this past week, you might give him another go. If he dominates again, it gives Manly power to ask Dragons for a player swap rather than just letting him go for nothing - a player like Tyrell Sloan - (specialist fullback), or Cody Ramsey (specialist fullback who plays wing).
 
The attraction of Suli to the Dragons (or whoever) is that we want to move him on and pay some of his freight. There's interest because he is cheap. I don't see two games of footy turning him into a must have item that the Dragons are willing to part with a player to seal the deal. Manly can ask - but I'd say it's a buyers market when it comes to moving Suli on, take what you can get. Anyway they may decide to keep him next year now and shuffle the cards another way. He might jump Walker in terms of usefulness if he keeps making an impact like he has.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Members online

Total: 389 (members: 12, guests: 377)

Latest posts

Team P W L PD Pts
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0

Online statistics

Members online
12
Guests online
377
Total visitors
389
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Latest posts

Newest members

Stay Connected

Back
Top Bottom