The Book of Albert

[Waz13]

The whole backline was out of juice, constantly exposed by the pace of the drizzle backline. If they had been really on it would have been a lot worse than 30-6

No they weren’t. Maybe later in the match but not early. Hoppa had hands on hips 15/20mins in. And regularly at stoppages. You see this live far more than on tv. Those try’s in the first happened right in front of me so could see how hard he was sucking them in. Other players were not at all looking like Hoppa was. He also could not keep up with the storm in the second due to fatigue and they were constantly getting around him. Out of interest I watched the Kayo mini last night and got a better look at the second half efforts which were further away from where we were sitting and confirmed same. I too would like to see him get a run at FB in a couple weeks If that’s where he will excel as believed by many on here, but like others have said he is not near fit enough yet for the taxing role of fb. I’m also interested in this concept of him being a specialist FB. As I understand it has he only played SG ball then had two years off? He may have played FB v young kids coming through but you would hardly label a young kid as a specialist without being seen against stronger opposition. Perhaps FB is his preferred position but if that’s the case good luck getting a start there in this team. Maybe he will move on.

 

[Shoe1]

No they weren’t. Maybe later in the match but not early. Hoppa had hands on hips 15/20mins in. And regularly at stoppages. You see this live far more than on tv. Those try’s in the first happened right in front of me so could see how hard he was sucking them in. Other players were not at all looking like Hoppa was. He also could not keep up with the storm in the second due to fatigue and they were constantly getting around him. Out of interest I watched the Kayo mini last night and got a better look at the second half efforts which were further away from where we were sitting and confirmed same. I too would like to see him get a run at FB in a couple weeks If that’s where he will excel as believed by many on here, but like others have said he is not near fit enough yet for the taxing role of fb. I’m also interested in this concept of him being a specialist FB. As I understand it has he only played SG ball then had two years off? He may have played FB v young kids coming through but you would hardly label a young kid as a specialist without being seen against stronger opposition. Perhaps FB is his preferred position but if that’s the case good luck getting a start there in this team. Maybe he will move on.

Agree with all that, he struggled

 

[Bearfax]

No they weren’t. Maybe later in the match but not early. Hoppa had hands on hips 15/20mins in. And regularly at stoppages. You see this live far more than on tv. Those try’s in the first happened right in front of me so could see how hard he was sucking them in. Other players were not at all looking like Hoppa was. He also could not keep up with the storm in the second due to fatigue and they were constantly getting around him. Out of interest I watched the Kayo mini last night and got a better look at the second half efforts which were further away from where we were sitting and confirmed same. I too would like to see him get a run at FB in a couple weeks If that’s where he will excel as believed by many on here, but like others have said he is not near fit enough yet for the taxing role of fb. I’m also interested in this concept of him being a specialist FB. As I understand it has he only played SG ball then had two years off? He may have played FB v young kids coming through but you would hardly label a young kid as a specialist without being seen against stronger opposition. Perhaps FB is his preferred position but if that’s the case good luck getting a start there in this team. Maybe he will move on.

Needed the run. Needed to be out there. Otherwise how does he learn what's expected. He'll be better the next time and the next after that. Two years out of the game doesnt allow for match fitness over night. Not that I'm in any way comparing myself with first graders etc, I recall my first game as a teenager in RU. I thought my heart was going to fail. By about ten games in I was fitter than most of the rest of the team and could at one stage play two games one after the other. Its what you have to go through, and I'm sure those who have played any competitive sport, its a real struggle at first, despite being a whizz at training.

 

[Waz13]

Needed the run. Needed to be out there. Otherwise how does he learn what's expected. He'll be better the next time and the next after that. Two years out of the game doesnt allow for match fitness over night. Not that I'm in any way comparing myself with first graders etc, I recall my first game as a teenager in RU. I thought my heart was going to fail. By about ten games in I was fitter than most of the rest of the team and could at one stage play two games one after the other. Its what you have to go through, and I'm sure those who have played any competitive sport, its a real struggle at first, despite being a whizz at training.

Don’t get me wrong Bear he needs to be out there and I wanted the kid picked and happy with that. Just pointing out how far off the pace he was at Centre in relation to the idea he go into FB which is even more taxing. I’d like to see Funa stay at the back the next couple then give Hoppa a run at FB.

 

[Tslog]

still not up to fitness levels needed. I would still would keep him in at Right centre to improve game levels. Playing against weaker teams and more possession will help.
Now way Suli or JetSki would have done much better letting those tries in v Melbourne.
He still did hit ups like he would in u 18’s which don’t work well in 1st grade.
Big potential was visible.

New fatigue rules make it generally harder for younger Players to play young in 1st grade

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Garrick's wing.

 

[Bearfax]

Don’t get me wrong Bear he needs to be out there and I wanted the kid picked and happy with that. Just pointing out how far off the pace he was at Centre in relation to the idea he go into FB which is even more taxing. I’d like to see Funa stay at the back the next couple then give Hoppa a run at FB.

Sure Funa is doing a good job at full back. Positional play a little off, but he's really a centre himself primarily. Maybe Hopa on the wing for a while until his match fitness improves. But not playing him means his not getting the match play he needs to get match fit. There are only 4 games remaining. Winning and losing now are secondary to getting the experience for 2021.

 

[Waz13]

Sure Funa is doing a good job at full back. Positional play a little off, but he's really a centre himself primarily. Maybe Hopa on the wing for a while until his match fitness improves. But not playing him means his not getting the match play he needs to get match fit. There are only 4 games remaining. Winning and losing now are secondary to getting the experience for 2021.

Yeah, he’ll be there somewhere wing or Centre I’d imagine. Funa a couple of lapses for sure. Tge JAC try wasn’t even positioning. He wasn’t even looking and walking back with his back turned! He didn’t even think to try and position himself. It was worse than under ten stuff that one. That said, I like what he brings and think it’s worth persisting with him. He’s bigger than he looks on TV too. Was surprised. He runs the ball strongly as well. Fox gassed him but he’s sharp enough speed wise I thought. Fox gasses everybody tbh

 

[The Who]

He plays for Melbourne but The Fox is my favourite non-Manly player. He's exciting; a throw back to Kenny Irvine and the now culturally insensitive 'Black Flash', Larry Corowa. When those wingers got the ball the whole crowd rose it is feet in anticipation.
The Fox is a better defender than those two. He's the one player I'd love to see playing for Manly.

 

[40 nil]

He's the one player I'd love to see playing for Manly.

Maybe fellow Blues, Turbo & Jake, can persuade him to come

 

[Peter C]

He plays for Melbourne but The Fox is my favourite non-Manly player. He's exciting; a throw back to Kenny Irvine and the now culturally insensitive 'Black Flash', Larry Corowa. When those wingers got the ball the whole crowd rose it is feet in anticipation.
The Fox is a better defender than those two. He's the one player I'd love to see playing for Manly.

Speed kills

 

[Bearfax]

Speed kills

That's one of the principal reasons we aren't competing

 

[HK_Eagle]

He plays for Melbourne but The Fox is my favourite non-Manly player. He's exciting; a throw back to Kenny Irvine and the now culturally insensitive 'Black Flash', Larry Corowa. When those wingers got the ball the whole crowd rose it is feet in anticipation.
The Fox is a better defender than those two. He's the one player I'd love to see playing for Manly.

I'd love to see Russel Gartner back in our centres, use to love watching him play 🙂

 

[47MVEagle]

So here's a question - does Des name Hoppa in this week's squad or does Miski get a go?

Considering Miski's been named in the 21 more times than Hoppa has this season & Hoppa got a go after what appears to have been some drama created by Hoppa snr over the Warriors loan, & showed he's a ways off being match fit, does Miski have to start sounding off in the media to get a run?

What about Schuster, Anderson, Metcalfe etc?

 

[Woodsie]

Just depends on whether both parties can reach that medium point.

Are you suggesting that they will contact dead relatives ??

PSS ... Sorry Bear, but occasionally I just like to one up @globaleagle

 

[HK_Eagle]

So here's a question - does Des name Hoppa in this week's squad or does Miski get a go?

Considering Miski's been named in the 21 more times than Hoppa has this season & Hoppa got a go after what appears to have been some drama created by Hoppa snr over the Warriors loan, & showed he's a ways off being match fit, does Miski have to start sounding off in the media to get a run?

What about Schuster, Anderson, Metcalfe etc?

I would hope he names Hoppa again. We want to get games in the legs and expose these young guys to FG. I'd also be happy to give the other guys a run as well. At this point of our season I don't think we need to follow the play book and be conservative.

 

[Bearfax]

Are you suggesting that they will contact dead relatives ??

PSS ... Sorry Bear, but occasionally I just like to one up @globaleagle

Actually what I'm trying to inter...oops sorry...infer is that there are grave elements to consider, and we can only hope the spirit of goodwill prevails, otherwise we don't have a ghost of a chance of nailing this coffin...sorry, contact down. Negotiations are really a body of séance....sorry science that needs special handling before the deal can achieve its final cremation...er sorry creation and be laid to rest.

 

[Waz13]

He plays for Melbourne but The Fox is my favourite non-Manly player. He's exciting; a throw back to Kenny Irvine and the now culturally insensitive 'Black Flash', Larry Corowa. When those wingers got the ball the whole crowd rose it is feet in anticipation.
The Fox is a better defender than those two. He's the one player I'd love to see playing for Manly.

Absolutely TW. He’s another one who’s a lot bigger in person than he looks on TV.

 

[Peter C]

So here's a question - does Des name Hoppa in this week's squad or does Miski get a go?

Considering Miski's been named in the 21 more times than Hoppa has this season & Hoppa got a go after what appears to have been some drama created by Hoppa snr over the Warriors loan, & showed he's a ways off being match fit, does Miski have to start sounding off in the media to get a run?

What about Schuster, Anderson, Metcalfe etc?

Miski somehow strikes me as a last resort backup, when we have no other options available

 

[StuBoot]

I just read on Twitter that they were asking for double the amount of money that Manly had offered to pay for Albert. On Sunday’s performance he still has a long way to go before he reaches that level. It doesn’t mean to say he won’t get there in a year or two but at this moment in time he isn’t there yet.

The problem for both parties is he will most likely have two years leave from the game to do his Mormon Mission like Will did - and he hasn't been the same player since.

He's 19 so can be called on to do his mission anytime now so how much work, $$ and trust do you put into a player that will most likely have two years off?

I don't know what it all means and how it all works but surely he wouldn't sign a multi year deal due to his faith.

Will left after winning a Premiership and playing SOO, Parra took the punt by signing him before his mission and it all ended in tears.