The Manly forward pack are Soft

[Damien2812]

Well Taupau won't be here after this season so makes me wonder what the club will do with that $800k? Also why didn't we sign a actual hooker in the off season? Why does Hasler think we can compete for the premiership with Croker at hooker? Croker has no running game and no creativity to trouble the good sides.

 

[ManEagle]

I would say some of the Manly "fans" on here are definitely as weak as piss.

Agree, I'd go so far to say I wouldn't give them the steam of my piss on a cold winters morning.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Smole would be t

Forward Leader. When you google Alpha Male, it say “a strong and successful man who likes to be in charge of others”. This is someone who will stand up when the chips are down, inspiring other around him to stand up, step up and give 110% and most importantly, never back down.

When you compare us to other teams or Sea Eagles teams of yesteryears, I think we would agree that we are missing that forward who is capable of either leading or dominating / bulling the opposition. I have gone through other teams and compared them to us and found this:

Penrith - James Fisher-Harris / Liam Martin
Raiders - Joseph Tapine / Josh Papalii
Sharks - Dale Finucane / Braden Hamlin-Uele / Andrew Fifita
Broncos - Payne Haas
Rabbitohs - Keaon Koloamatangi
Roosters - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves / Victor Radley / Lindsay Collins
Knights - David Klemmer / Tyson Frizell
Warriors - Addin Fonua-Blake
Dragons - Jack de Belin / Tariq Sims / Jaydn Su'a
West - ??
Storm – Nelson Asofa-Solomona / Jesse Bromwich / Christian Welch
Eels – Nathan Brown / Junior Paulo / Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Titans – Tino Fa'asuamaleaui / David Fifita / Jarrod Wallace
Cowboys - ??
Bulldogs – Josh Jackson / Tevita Pangai Junior

Manly – Jake Trbojevic / Martin Taupau ??
Manly team from last 20-25 years – BK, Choc, Gift, Spud before that.

Whilst we need skillful players, we still need 1 or 2 players who the opposition need to go through in order to get to the play makers/ Tommy etc. At the moment we are missing that steel and I we do not remedy this, DCE and Turbo will not be able to do their stuff.

Manly - Olakau'atu

 

[eaglebuzz]

The way we played on Thursday night reminds me of how we looked before Ballin became our regular hooker in 2008, aimless and ineffective. I honestly think that about 90% of our problems would be solved if Fainu was back on deck or we started playing an actual hooker at 9. Croker is hopeless.

 

[hozza]

Well Taupau won't be here after this season so makes me wonder what the club will do with that $800k? Also why didn't we sign a actual hooker in the off season? Why does Hasler think we can compete for the premiership with Croker at hooker? Croker has no running game and no creativity to trouble the good sides.

This..

Hooker without a doubt is our biggest Achilles heel. Croker no doubt is full of heart but doesn’t hold a candle to most NRL hookers. This must be fixed. No specialist hooker, no premiership

 

[Supreme Leader]

"The enforcer" Taupau...hmmm you watch, as soon as he signs his contract he'll start playing safe.... he is unfortunately that type of player

But proves my theory that a props or second rower life span is only 4 - 6 years in NRL. Yes there are exceptions to that but I reckon only about 15 players in the last 20 years that were great for a longer period. ie the likes of Jake / Beaver / Hargreaves/ Fitzsimmons / Petro.

 

[ALinda]

Also why didn't we sign a actual hooker in the off season? Why does Hasler think we can compete for the premiership with Croker at hooker? Croker has no running game and no creativity to trouble the good sides.

We did sign Segeyaro to Blacktown though and being an experienced NRL hooker, I still hold hope he might play for us in 2022. If he proves he's still got it at Blacktown, then he may just give us a solution for our hooking woes (and a cheap solution at that). With Segeyaro's off-field issues I was dubious about signing him, but with virtually no Fainu this year, Segeyaro might suffice.

 

[Damien2812]

We did sign Segeyaro to Blacktown though and being an experienced NRL hooker, I still hold hope he might play for us in 2022. If he proves he's still got it at Blacktown, then he may just give us a solution for our hooking woes (and a cheap solution at that). With Segeyaro's off-field issues I was dubious about signing him, but with virtually no Fainu this year, Segeyaro might suffice.

I do realise Segayaro was signed to Blacktown and does need some fitness. He does need to be in the 17 because we will struggle to win the middle.

 

[Pete W]

Choc and Gifty were half the size of our current forwards but had excellent footwork before the line... and footy smarts. They were also a hell of a lot more aggressive in attack and defence.

A lot of people here keep commending Croker because he tackles?? This is an odd compliment about an NRL level number 9. Frankly, he is not good enough, and this will continue to be a major weakness for Manly.

Our middles in particular are soft as ****. Thursday night was embarrassing. I couldn't care less if they were Penrith, it is unacceptable that big name, big money, and big body players get so dominated so easily. We were finished in 10 minutes, it was lame.

Just quickly on the backs, DCE is a myth. He is a 6 at best, with a decent long kicking game. Foran is our 7 and needs to be given full game management responsibilities. He plays direct, doesn't confuse his runners, nor cramp his outside men. Harper is useless - put Tuipulotu instead. Parker not too bad, but why oh why can't he just put on a timely left foot step as Matai so successfully used to?

Finally, as mentioned in other threads, our lack of energy is concerning. From watching all other teams have a dig over the weekend, Manly were the only club completely and utterly outclassed. I don't buy the excuse some write on here that Penrith would have beaten everyone else by the same margin, or that we would have beaten many others with that performance. Please...

 

[Pete W]

I do realise Segayaro was signed to Blacktown and does need some fitness. He does need to be in the 17 because we will struggle to win the middle.

I say we blood Gordon now slowly from the bench. It will be tough going, but by season's end, we could have a genuine 9

 

[Damien2812]

I say we blood Gordon now slowly from the bench. It will be tough going, but by season's end, we could have a genuine 9

I think his time will come but Hasler usually likes experienced players and Segayaro fits that bill.

 

[Marto1970]

Smole would be t
Manly - Olakau'atu

From the short amount of time I've seen him this year he looks fitter and stronger and in for a big year

 

[davohan123]

I would say some of the Manly "fans" on here are definitely as weak as piss. Our forwards not so much. I will definitely be revisiting some of the comments in this thread after we beat the Roosters this round. Go Manly.

Maybe do a multi quote post like last year if we win.

I hope we do come out and beat the roosters then they will be 0-2 to start the season.

 

[maxta]

Against weaker teams, watch everyone say "Manly are a team to Win this year".....and maybe we do - but not til competing against the torrid, rugged top 4 teams who really want the Premiership title
Do we have the ability - Yez
Will we Win - We can - which is pretty damn exciting- will beat Roosters next week

 

[Bomb Voyage]

"The enforcer" Taupau...hmmm you watch, as soon as he signs his contract he'll start playing safe.... he is unfortunately that type of player

But proves my theory that a props or second rower life span is only 4 - 6 years in NRL. Yes there are exceptions to that but I reckon only about 15 players in the last 20 years that were great for a longer period. ie the likes of Jake / Beaver / Hargreaves/ Fitzsimmons / Petro.

Marty is soft as hell. Literally no impact

 

[IQofalimabean]

I know because I look on with envy at the eels, raiders, and knights forward packs and i am not even talking about the top 4 teams. Its one thing to pass the ball to Tom, Garrick, or Saab but its not their job to win the battle of the ruck and intimidate by belting the opposition in defense. This manly side could learn a lot from the 08/11 sides when it comes to aggressive defense and laying a platform for the outside backs.

If the forward pack gets beaten by hargraves whos old enough for retirement its going to be a tough year come finals.

 

[Woodsie]

I don't think individually our forwards are soft .. I just think they are playing to the patterns and plan of the coach.

That and the equally important factor that with the exception of Keppie they appear to be missing a pack mentality .. again I question is this by instruction and coaching?

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

I don't think individually our forwards are soft .. I just think they are playing to the patterns and plan of the coach.

That and the equally important factor that with the exception of Keppie they appear to be missing a pack mentality .. again I question is this by instruction and coaching?

Wrong player mix.... 4 x props essentially all the same type of player... 2 x utilities on the bench... 1 x non attacking hooker. Hooker we might not be able to do much about at the moment but the others Des certainly can.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

The Manly forward pack are Soft

Sorry, that's absurd.
We have one pack, pack is singular, so the Manly forward pack is soft, not are soft.

 

[deanm]

LOL, where did Raiders and Knights finish last year ? The Eels were very lucky last week. Go back to supporting Parra mate if you can't get behind the boys after losing 1 game against the reigning Premiers on their turf , who have lost 6 games in 2 seasons !