The Kieran Forum

[mickqld]

In my book, Walker only looks good because the rest of our backs are so average.

But I don't want to go back to the Foz days. Move forwards. Not backwards.

Well get ready because the Foz is coming back home. Can see it a mile off. The solution to our slow, injury riddled team is to buy a slow injury riddled 5/8.

 

[Peter C]

The rumour is a player swap: Dogs give us Foran and we give them Walker.
The only sticking point is the likelihood of further injuries....
Dogs don't want to take the risk with Walker

Dogs don't want to take a risk with Walker?, how about the risk we're going to take with Foran?

 

[StuBoot]

I like him when he’s on the field, but with injuries (some self inflicted), suspension and stand downs I don’t think he has played many games together in his whole tenure.

And that's the key.
3 seasons at Souths - 63 games / 34 tries
5 seasons at Manly - 80 games /27 tries
*according to wiki.

 

[lsz]

I have no issues with the man coming back. He clearly has matured after some issues in his younger years (and do not do come back to me with the "karma" quote - because no one on here has ever made a rash decision / comment in their early 20's)

Not sold on the player but can see the value he could bring

 

[NYEagle]

I have no issues with the man coming back. He clearly has matured after some issues in his younger years (and do not do come back to me with the "karma" quote - because no one on here has ever made a rash decision / comment in their early 20's)

Not sold on the player but can see the value he could bring

I think Foz still has the same ability he had when at Manly the first time. He was running some super lines like the old days against Canberra on Sunday, particularly in the first half. He will complement DCE well just like in the past.

The problem is simply can he do it for 80 minutes these days, and without being injury prone.

It is a risk, no doubt, and has to be a factor in what he is offered.

NYEagle

 

[lsz]

I think Foz still has the same ability he had when at Manly the first time. He was running some super lines like the old days against Canberra on Sunday, particularly in the first half. He will complement DCE well just like in the past.

The problem is simply can he do it for 80 minutes these days, and without being injury prone.

It is a risk, no doubt, and has to be a factor in what he is offered.

NYEagle

We are missing something outwide - also if the kids are eventually going to come through would walker be the one to lead them?

 

[The Who]

Dogs don't want to take a risk with Walker?, how about the risk we're going to take with Foran?

I
It was a joke, Joyce!

 

[47MVEagle]

Hey there. I just read info regarding dylan walkers contract being staggered . Its pretty recent. Just chucking into the convo

Foran Manly return hinges on player moving the other way

Rumours of Kieran Foran's return to Manly are gathering, but it could all depend on Dylan Walker's future.

www.smh.com.au

Interesting, so it seems Walker re-signed on what could be considered a back-ended contract...

I wonder if the NRL allows such a structure if any increases in later years are termed as "incentives" or "bonuses" for meeting performance KPIs both on & off the field (in Walker's case he may have agreed to a lower first year salary with an increase in the second year providing he stays out of trouble off field)?

If so, then back-ended contracts are still very much in existence!

 

[grogbog]

If we are able to stay relatively healthy next season I do like the balance of our side.

1. Trbojevic
2. Hopoate
3. Parker
4. Funa
5. Garrick
6. Foran
7. DCE
8. AFB
9. Fainu
10. Tapau
11. Olakau'atu
12. Sironen
13. J. Trbojevic

14. Cust
15. Paseka
16. Keppie
17. Waddell


Suli I have concerns about him coming back from his foot injury and being able to produce at a high level. NRL physio reported that most athletes suffers a 20% drop average in performance the following season.

Fainu obviously is another concern with his court case. Unless we go out on the market we should give Cust the 9 jersey to keep building up his first grade experience.

 

[Bearfax]

For moi, I would see it differently. No surprises if we keep hopa

Turbo
Garrett
Walker
Funa
Hopa
Schuster
DCE
AFB
Fainu
Taupau
Olakau'atu
Sironen
Jake

Cust
Paseka
Keppie
Parker.

Suli, Burbo, Titmus, Saddler, Anderson, Miski in the mix with a couple of new faces. Add Fainu Jnr when he's old enough

 

[Tragic Eagle]

We have no choice but to plan on Fainu not being there in 2021. So we need to chase a quality hooker. Not a lot available at present and Verills is currently recovering from a knee injury. I would like to see him at the Eagles.

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

We have no choice but to plan on Fainu not being there in 2021. So we need to chase a quality hooker. Not a lot available at present and Verills is currently recovering from a knee injury. I would like to see him at the Eagles.

Thats the problem isn't it. No quality hookers.. Starling from raiders looks good but i think he will stay with them. As for us if we sign foran then cust would be our 9 im assuming. Unless we stay with the levi croker combo which is horrible.
Interesting to see what Desmond will do with the team moving forward

 

[Bearfax]

We have no choice but to plan on Fainu not being there in 2021. So we need to chase a quality hooker. Not a lot available at present and Verills is currently recovering from a knee injury. I would like to see him at the Eagles.

I would like to see Hasler adapt young Cust for the position. Half backs and hookers are often interchangeable. Just needs some tweaking

 

[The Who]

Thats the problem isn't it. No quality hookers.. .

... that we know of because there has been no second tier RL played. We are basing all our comments on players who have already made their NRL debuts. I'm sure there are a few good hookers who are busting for a chance to be included into a top 30 roster. Melbourne seem to be able to unearth great talent; it's up to our scouts to do likewise.

 

[HK_Eagle]

... that we know of because there has been no second tier RL played. We are basing all our comments on players who have already made their NRL debuts. I'm sure there are a few good hookers who are busting for a chance to be included into a top 30 roster. Melbourne seem to be able to unearth great talent; it's up to our scouts to do likewise.

It's astonishing how well and consistently over years, Melbourne have done this. They bring in relatively unknowns to a well-drilled structure, and very quickly move them on if they don't fit. Can't help but admire how they do it.

And as a stroke of pure genius... they seem to move on their unwanted misfits to other teams all clamouring for a Storm player from the Storm system, who inevitably get exposed for the lemons they are.

 

[Shoe1]

Walker has the one thing Manly are seriously missing in their backline, pace. I've always believed his best position is centre, and I recall how effective he was there until he was forced into the 5/8 position through lack of options. If you were looking at Foran, and I dont think we can risk paying more than $400,000 yearly and then only 2 years max, Walker would be one of the last players I would let go in the backline. No question Turbo's absence has been a major factor in Manly's fall from grace. But notice, Walker has also been absent during that period. Last year or two I believe he has been stifled at 5/8 and we've lost through not have an effective ball player at 5/8 and not having speed at centre. Lost both ways with Walker away from his natural centre position. At present he's the best centre we have.

Walker can stay if he plays centre

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

In my book, Walker only looks good because the rest of our backs are so average.

But I don't want to go back to the Foz days. Move forwards. Not backwards.

Walker is a great center.. but he's been made into a 5/8 and while he goes ok i think he would be great outside foran

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Walker is a great center.. but he's been made into a 5/8 and while he goes ok i think he would be great outside foran

Even when he's played centre over the seasons since 2017 he has looked slow, lacked aggression, lacked a passing game and has been very suspect in defence. I like it on paper, but he really just doesn't offer us much imo. I wouldn't say he's bad, just that he is pretty invisible in attack unless other plays get him involved and is a little predictable.

Foz is the opposite of invisible, the whole performance of the bulldogs has seemed to weigh on him. If we have a chance to move Walker on i'd do it in a heartbeat unfortunately.

 

[Bradza]

Just a question. How is it a player swap when one player is off contract in 2021 and the other isn’t? You can’t swap something you don’t have.

 

[KNUCKLES]

In my book, Walker only looks good because the rest of our backs are so average.

But I don't want to go back to the Foz days. Move forwards. Not backwards.

Who would you sign as a half then? Or just persist with what we have?