The Daly Cherrygraph

[lurker]

With Fainu playing well and (my opinion) growing into the hooker role, I wonder is there any case to make for putting Api into 5/8 or Half? (Has played in the halves in the past, and looked OK doing it).

I'd be more inclined to put fainu at 5/8. Api's service is much better out of dummy half than Fainu's. He can't throw a long spiral (well it didn't seem like it given the loopy end over end balls he kept throwing to Chez).

Made setting up for the field goal very difficult

 

[Paw93]

That has been one of the pleasing things about DCE in the past couple of months. He's finally starting to get the hang of actually running the side out there which is something that he failed to do for a long time. We all saw how good he can do it when he played for Qld, and yesterday was about as close I have seen him come to replicating that sort of game play with Manly.

Next year will be interesting. Even before we start talking possible (if any) recruits, we do have the makings of a good team. I wonder though, is Walker seen as a long term 5/8 or is this just something we seem to be doing out of necessity right now? And where does it leave Hodkinson? Api should be back at worst for round 1 next year and he'll no doubt be the starting hooker, but Finau might have done enough to make him the bench hooker / utility (depending on the outcome of his court case I guess).

I still think our best side should see Walks in the centres and Hodko organising in the halves with Cherry as a running player. Otherwise, Hodko might well end up playing mostly NSW Cup in 2019, especially if Barrett is still coach and someone like Jade Anderson comes along as a winger.

Thank God I am not an NRL coach. Who needs that sort of stress?

Yeah, I feel for Barrett at times. Damned if you do and damned if you don't in any scenario. Based on what we've seen in the last few weeks, I think Barrett will favour DCE running the show with a running 5/8. I've noticed Tom playing like a 5/8 on the left side with Walker running the show on the right.

I'd like to see Kelly at 5/8 and Walker and Tom Wright in the centres. To me Kelly looks like a 5/8 playing centre and Walker a centre playing 5/8. I think the positions they are now playing actually weakens their effectiveness, despite the good job both are doing at present. But Barrett will probably ignore that suggestion because it appears he doesnt like being told where he is going wrong.

For example I think Barrett has shunted Tom Wright unfairly. He gave Croker half a season at 5/8, despite Croker's lack of effectiveness in the role. Wright has played no worse yet is shown the door after two full matches. It makes me wonder if Barrett is not only myopic but prideful. I wonder if he reads these forums because when the majority of us push for a player to be given a go, he resists. Yet if he has made the decision for himself he will give the player enormous latitude. That works for players like Kelly, Lane, Api, Sironen, AFB, who have generally improved. But it doesn't for players like Croker, Parker, Suli, Brown, M. Wright even Uate this year.

I credit Barrett in bringing some players along, but he seems to dig his heals in, when criticism of these other players are made. I wonder with Hastings whether there was really such a bad problem deserving exile, or was it that supporters kept at Barrett to play him, especially when we saw he added spark when he played, but he didn't like being told what he should do and gave the kid no opportunities. I would be a little annoyed if that was happening to me. I really hope I am over reading this but it seems to fit. Same seems to be happening to Tom Wright. He's been virtually stigmatised/scape goated for Manly's performance two weeks ago to the point where he is not even named in the reserve group. Tom Wright to me is a confidence player. If the boss doesn't have confidence in you, you're not going to perform to your best. Barrett shows favour only to those he selects and not to those he feels he is forced to promote. If I am right, he's got a lot to learn about people management.

Mate I think you're over thinking it by a long shot. Tom Wright is a case where he's a future gun but needs to learn to do the small things in an NRL game first. Croker could hold his own in defence very well but you can't say the same about Wright. He'll get more game time next year but I don't think he'd quite ready yet.

Regarding Walker and Kelly, I'm not sure to be honest. On the one hand Kelly has some of the best footwork I've seen in the NRL but on the other, Walker's pace gives him the ability to run around the opposition like he did against the Sharks. He also has a decent kicking game which we haven't yet seen from Kelly. Who knows? It seems like Barrett now favours a running 5/8 to partner Cherry and we might end up seeing Kelly there at some point.

 

[Bearfax]

Yeah, I feel for Barrett at times. Damned if you do and damned if you don't in any scenario. Based on what we've seen in the last few weeks, I think Barrett will favour DCE running the show with a running 5/8. I've noticed Tom playing like a 5/8 on the left side with Walker running the show on the right.



Mate I think you're over thinking it by a long shot. Tom Wright is a case where he's a future gun but needs to learn to do the small things in an NRL game first. Croker could hold his own in defence very well but you can't say the same about Wright. He'll get more game time next year but I don't think he'd quite ready yet.

Regarding Walker and Kelly, I'm not sure to be honest. On the one hand Kelly has some of the best footwork I've seen in the NRL but on the other, Walker's pace gives him the ability to run around the opposition like he did against the Sharks. He also has a decent kicking game which we haven't yet seen from Kelly. Who knows? It seems like Barrett now favours a running 5/8 to partner Cherry and we might end up seeing Kelly there at some point.

Not convinced about Wright's supposed defence issues and certainly he has far more to offer in attack than Croker and has a great kicking game as is seen in the Reggies. But I'll let that one lie. As for the Walker/Kelly issue, its because of the abilities you described that I would consider switching them. Kelly's footwork and brilliant passing game would be ideal at 5/8 and Walker is far better with space in the centre as was seen last year. I just think its worth a try. It may be that we are getting less worth in both players in their present positions. At the moment most Manly tries are coming from the forwards. Last year the backs dominated by a long shot. Ask the question why this is so. Certainly injuries contribute and we now have to new blokes in the three quarters. But the effect should not have been so profound. The backs are being starved of good ball and I don't think Walker or Croker is the answer. But its just an opinion.

 

[The Who]

I read that Doesn'tmatta will have to pay Corey Norman $900,000 for next season. . .
puts DCE's salary into perspective, doesn't it?

 

[Paw93]

Not convinced about Wright's supposed defence issues and certainly he has far more to offer in attack than Croker and has a great kicking game as is seen in the Reggies. But I'll let that one lie. As for the Walker/Kelly issue, its because of the abilities you described that I would consider switching them. Kelly's footwork and brilliant passing game would be ideal at 5/8 and Walker is far better with space in the centre as was seen last year. I just think its worth a try. It may be that we are getting less worth in both players in their present positions. At the moment most Manly tries are coming from the forwards. Last year the back dominated by a long shot. Ask the question why this is so. Certainly injuries contribute and we now have to new blokes in the three quarters. But the effect should not have ben that great. The backs are being starved of good ball and I don't think Walker is the answer. But its just an opinion.

I'd agree that our backs get starved of good ball on the left side of the field where Tom, as good as he is, isn't passing the ball early enough to Kelly. On the right side, Suli gets plenty of ball but just doesn't pass it on to Parker often enough. I don't think the answer is quite as clear cut as putting Walker in at centre and Kelly at 5/8 since you'd be getting more ball to Brian but then not enough to Dylan who IMO is by far the better player with ball in hand. Either way, Baz has a lot of tough decisions to make - we could argue all day on what's right and what's wrong but there'll be benefits and drawbacks to all of them.

 

[Paw93]

I'd be more inclined to put fainu at 5/8. Api's service is much better out of dummy half than Fainu's. He can't throw a long spiral (well it didn't seem like it given the loopy end over end balls he kept throwing to Chez).

Made setting up for the field goal very difficult

Like Api, I suspect that playing 80 minutes in the middle for a small guy would be fairly exhausting. Having Api start and Fainu on the bench seems like what will happen next year. Instead of seeing it as Baz demoting him to the bench, I think it will allow both of them to go all out when they are on the field. Exciting to watch how they'll be used next year.

 

[manlyfan76]

I read that Doesn'tmatta will have to pay Corey Norman $900,000 for next season. . .
puts DCE's salary into perspective, doesn't it?

Players on + 1 million
DCE
Hunt
Jt
JOHNSON
MILFORD
TOMALOLO
MORGAN
SCAM
PEARCE
COOPER
A TAYLOR

And who could forget Hayne 1.2 at titans
And foran 1.2+ at parra.

 

[HappilyManly]

Players on + 1 million
DCE
Hunt
Jt
JOHNSON
MILFORD
TOMALOLO
MORGAN
SCAM
PEARCE
COOPER
A TAYLOR

And who could forget Hayne 1.2 at titans
And foran 1.2+ at parra.

Plus:
Fiz
Tedesco

 

[Fluffy]

Then those on over 800K - Crighton, Keary, Cordner, Hall, Friend, Radley, Cordner, SBW, JWH

 

[robbiea]

Dce tried his guts out & controlled that 2nd half ,like a good captain should.I honestly think he is giving his all.
But not sure I liked this quote from the presser "Ive actually had a really enjoyable year ,despite what has been written about us in the press.
#Wtfdce !

 

[mave]

I'm glad Cherry has had a really enjoyable year.
I certainly haven't really enjoyed watching his team this year.

 

[HappilyManly]

Dce tried his guts out & controlled that 2nd half ,like a good captain should.I honestly think he is giving his all.
But not sure I liked this quote from the presser "Ive actually had a really enjoyable year ,despite what has been written about us in the press.
#Wtfdce !

Chez is just playing with the Manly deathriding Media.

Just like yesterday's half time interview. The reporter was laying in how Manly were behind on the scoreboard (2 points #crisis), Chez replied 'all our tries will come in the second half'

 

[MadMarcus]

Then those on over 800K - Crighton, Keary, Cordner, Hall, Friend, Radley, Cordner, SBW, JWH

Yes, all these players are on $800k under the sombrero. In total.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yes, all these players are on $800k under the sombrero. In total.

But don’t you know , the Roosters are “ special”, the NRL needs them to succeed so they get 9.5 million in Cap and are allowed another 9.5 million in TPA.

Toddy approved it!!

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I see Delta Goodrem-Evans has opened his gob to Nicolussi in the Fairfax press re: Barrett, facilities and of most concern, has a crack at Gorman. Oh, and then hints that he would be flattered if another club made him an offer.

His comments are not a good look and probably misguided. But no real surprise, ever since his big payday, he runs the organisation in an unofficial capacity.

Attention Daly: you and your teammates blew a big lead on Friday night. That’s not the ‘front office’s’ fault.

 

[Bird of Prey]

Acknowledging his short comings and supporting his current coach while giving the people who run the joint a serve , what ever you think of the man he is direct and articulate and a leader.

 

[Ryan]

I see Delta Goodrem-Evans has opened his gob to Nicolussi in the Fairfax press re: Barrett, facilities and of most concern, has a crack at Gorman. Oh, and then hints that he would be flattered if another club made him an offer.

His comments are not a good look and probably misguided. But no real surprise, ever since his big payday, he runs the organisation in an unofficial capacity.

Attention Daly: you and your teammates blew a big lead on Friday night. That’s not the ‘front office’s’ fault.

Can you link it, mate? Can't find it.

 

[mave]

Going to try again ..

 

[mave]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp...-the-problem-not-barrett-20180817-p4zy7x.html

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I see Delta Goodrem-Evans has opened his gob to Nicolussi in the Fairfax press re: Barrett, facilities and of most concern, has a crack at Gorman. Oh, and then hints that he would be flattered if another club made him an offer.

His comments are not a good look and probably misguided. But no real surprise, ever since his big payday, he runs the organisation in an unofficial capacity.

Attention Daly: you and your teammates blew a big lead on Friday night. That’s not the ‘front office’s’ fault.

Saw that and was a little surprised. Nothing against Cherry supporting his coach, but are the players really happy with winning 40% of their games? If you want to support your coach, win some games of footy. Otherwise, your good buddy Baz will be looking for another job, and rightly so.