Ryan
Journey Man
With all the debate etc. over the past few weeks / months, it got me to thinking, in a perfect world, what would I like to make me feel all warm and fuzzy as a fan going forward. With that in mind, and with a "broader" group of fans now posting here, I'd love to see and/or hear what you guys would like in a perfect world from this team in the next 18 months (long, or short - it doesn't matter).
For me: (apologies for the length here, but I will try and highlight the subjects so you can avoid the ones you don't want to know about.)
Andrew Johns / Cliffy Lyons : Now that Parramatta are done with Andrew Johns, and with our 1/2's pairing potentially being very inexperienced, I'd LOVE Manly to grab at the chance of attaining Andrew Johns services more frequently. I realise he already does SOME work, but more would be fantastic (and hopefully doesn't cost us too much). I'd also love (time / work etc permitting) for Cliffy to do some one on one stuff with Keiran Foran;
Donny Singe : In my opinion, we started looking pretty fit in 2007. Towards the end, our defense at the back end of games were improving. There was also a sprinkle at the start of the season where you'd look at a player, and think, "damn, XYZ looks fit AS". 2008, we came out like a machine (and looking like one fitness wise). Since that period, we have appeared to be regressing in this area a little. Without being ridiculous this off season, I'd love to see our playing group come back MUCH leaner, more mobile, and with more constitution;
Injuries : Ok, we have now had our share of injuries (especially season ending ones). The football gods owe us, and I'd love to see our Brett back firing on all pistons. I know there are a few that are adamant his knees are shot, but I then look at Matty Bowen, Anthony Minichello, George Rose and players like that, and think he may have a good chance (yep, I'll be glass 1/2 FULL with this one
);
Graham Lowe : Ok, he's made some moves that are positive for Manly. I'd like to see some great results produced. I believe he is working on that Centrebet sponsorship, and hopefully that pays dividends (so to speak). I hope he CAN land us that PNG game, and we get circa $1,000,000 for it. I'd love to see us land a surprise signing either this year, or next, so that opposition teams know that we are still around, and doing what we need to roster wise to attain a premiership....BUT, I have to admit, I "LOVED" it when Lowe mentioned we will look WITHIN for a 1/2's solution - that breeds a wonderful culture imo, and could be a thread on its own. I'd also LOVE Lowe to improve the general communication from the "club" to the various outlets (players, fans, sponsors, media etc) - note I did NOT say just Lowe here.
Crowd Sizes & Membership Numbers : I really, REALLY hope that the club provides a "compelling reason to buy". I really hope they (and I have been told umpteen times that this is not a business, it's a sports club) make fans & sponsors alike feel as though we / they are part of the family. Part of the community - and that is something in my opinion, the club has gone away from over the past 18 months. BUT, this can be easily rectified. The Sea Eagles are an attractive brand - and a lot of people / business / franchises want to be associated with us;
Brookvale Oval : I don't care WHO wins in government ( they are all the same to me - sorry Dave), but there needs to be a continued effort (with support from us the fans) for the acquisition of funding for our beloved Brooky. I know there is a lot being done behind the scenes from the club with this - so I'm not complaining, but I'm talking taking a leaf out of Wheels book, who is one person, yet making his voice be wonderfully heard none the less. I personally commit to do my part, and write to the powers that be (again), and also be involved in healthy6 debate etc.
Interaction : This is more about me personally, but I'd love to get out there, and meet more of the fans (probably next season, as my boy has just started liking footy, and I can drag him along now!). I'd like to go on an away trip (maybe start with Melbourne on a Mark trip), so I can hook up with Douggie and co. I also reckon with the old website being shut down, it may bring a lot of the different (groups I will call it) together. Hopefully a lot of bridges are mended.
Leagues Club : As a local resident, I'd love to see the renovation of the Leagues started and finalised. I'd love a place you could go, and stomach a feed. A place to be very proud of after a game.
Memberships : I say this as a simple supporter, but I'd LOVE for all memberships to be built into one package if possible. I realise this may not be an option for new members, but what about someone like me, that just wants to simply renew them all. I'd love to just tick a box on the Internet, and I'm renewed (maybe even on a three year option for example) in all of The football club, The Leagues Club, and my season ticket etc...
The High Ball : Melbourne Storm work very closely with an AFL team, with a value add for both franchises. The AFL team get the benefit of tackling technique, and the Storm get much needed, and put to practice technique under the high ball. I'd love to see us work with The Swans. Heck, Adam Scheider's brother, Leigh works with me (and I know Adam now plays for St Kilda), but I'm sure I could get something organised !! Then again, Robbo is a gun under the high ball. We haven't seen it that often this season as Hodko and Foran aren't as skilled as Ox was with cross field kicks (sorry DSM5), but I'm sure if we have both Cliffy and Johns supporting Foran and Cherry-Evans, these things may come quickly, and imagine that with the added skill The Swans may impart;
The Halves : Before I start, I want to say this is NO-ONE'S fault here, but for whatever reason, I believe we MAY struggle due to injuries this year. I have no doubts some players are currently playing injured (Foran, Lyon, Matai) for example. If we per chance end up sliding to 10th, with 5 rounds to go, lets give Cherry-Evans a run;
Mobility : Much like the Donny Singe topic above, we have to be healthier. Our team is currently being targeted out wide late in games because of lack of speed in my opinion. We HAVE to get T-Rex out of the backline. He dominated in the pack at World Cup level. Wolfman / Stewie will rectify this;
Player Signings : Sometimes, player signings could be announced in a more efficient way. I don't know if Manly releases the info as soon as they happen (if at all - Ox), but like the communication, this could happen much better;
Forwards : I believe our forward pack is one of the best going around today. What I also believe, is they are extremely overweight, and unfit. I'd love to see them tone up, become faster, because their size and skill is already there. They need to bend the opposition defensive line back, and this year, that hasn't happened nearly enough. That then means our 1/2's get dominated;
Captaincy : Not a fan of the dual captaincy. Lyon is great with the media (well, he has been this year at any rate). He's our Thurston. He should be our sole captain. He leads from the front, and for petes sake mate, have an injury free year will ya !!
Anyway guys - these are my thoughts (Oh, and a Premiership would be great), but I'd love to hear your warm, fuzzy things....
For me: (apologies for the length here, but I will try and highlight the subjects so you can avoid the ones you don't want to know about.)
Andrew Johns / Cliffy Lyons : Now that Parramatta are done with Andrew Johns, and with our 1/2's pairing potentially being very inexperienced, I'd LOVE Manly to grab at the chance of attaining Andrew Johns services more frequently. I realise he already does SOME work, but more would be fantastic (and hopefully doesn't cost us too much). I'd also love (time / work etc permitting) for Cliffy to do some one on one stuff with Keiran Foran;
Donny Singe : In my opinion, we started looking pretty fit in 2007. Towards the end, our defense at the back end of games were improving. There was also a sprinkle at the start of the season where you'd look at a player, and think, "damn, XYZ looks fit AS". 2008, we came out like a machine (and looking like one fitness wise). Since that period, we have appeared to be regressing in this area a little. Without being ridiculous this off season, I'd love to see our playing group come back MUCH leaner, more mobile, and with more constitution;
Injuries : Ok, we have now had our share of injuries (especially season ending ones). The football gods owe us, and I'd love to see our Brett back firing on all pistons. I know there are a few that are adamant his knees are shot, but I then look at Matty Bowen, Anthony Minichello, George Rose and players like that, and think he may have a good chance (yep, I'll be glass 1/2 FULL with this one
);Graham Lowe : Ok, he's made some moves that are positive for Manly. I'd like to see some great results produced. I believe he is working on that Centrebet sponsorship, and hopefully that pays dividends (so to speak). I hope he CAN land us that PNG game, and we get circa $1,000,000 for it. I'd love to see us land a surprise signing either this year, or next, so that opposition teams know that we are still around, and doing what we need to roster wise to attain a premiership....BUT, I have to admit, I "LOVED" it when Lowe mentioned we will look WITHIN for a 1/2's solution - that breeds a wonderful culture imo, and could be a thread on its own. I'd also LOVE Lowe to improve the general communication from the "club" to the various outlets (players, fans, sponsors, media etc) - note I did NOT say just Lowe here.
Crowd Sizes & Membership Numbers : I really, REALLY hope that the club provides a "compelling reason to buy". I really hope they (and I have been told umpteen times that this is not a business, it's a sports club) make fans & sponsors alike feel as though we / they are part of the family. Part of the community - and that is something in my opinion, the club has gone away from over the past 18 months. BUT, this can be easily rectified. The Sea Eagles are an attractive brand - and a lot of people / business / franchises want to be associated with us;
Brookvale Oval : I don't care WHO wins in government ( they are all the same to me - sorry Dave), but there needs to be a continued effort (with support from us the fans) for the acquisition of funding for our beloved Brooky. I know there is a lot being done behind the scenes from the club with this - so I'm not complaining, but I'm talking taking a leaf out of Wheels book, who is one person, yet making his voice be wonderfully heard none the less. I personally commit to do my part, and write to the powers that be (again), and also be involved in healthy6 debate etc.
Interaction : This is more about me personally, but I'd love to get out there, and meet more of the fans (probably next season, as my boy has just started liking footy, and I can drag him along now!). I'd like to go on an away trip (maybe start with Melbourne on a Mark trip), so I can hook up with Douggie and co. I also reckon with the old website being shut down, it may bring a lot of the different (groups I will call it) together. Hopefully a lot of bridges are mended.
Leagues Club : As a local resident, I'd love to see the renovation of the Leagues started and finalised. I'd love a place you could go, and stomach a feed. A place to be very proud of after a game.
Memberships : I say this as a simple supporter, but I'd LOVE for all memberships to be built into one package if possible. I realise this may not be an option for new members, but what about someone like me, that just wants to simply renew them all. I'd love to just tick a box on the Internet, and I'm renewed (maybe even on a three year option for example) in all of The football club, The Leagues Club, and my season ticket etc...
The High Ball : Melbourne Storm work very closely with an AFL team, with a value add for both franchises. The AFL team get the benefit of tackling technique, and the Storm get much needed, and put to practice technique under the high ball. I'd love to see us work with The Swans. Heck, Adam Scheider's brother, Leigh works with me (and I know Adam now plays for St Kilda), but I'm sure I could get something organised !! Then again, Robbo is a gun under the high ball. We haven't seen it that often this season as Hodko and Foran aren't as skilled as Ox was with cross field kicks (sorry DSM5), but I'm sure if we have both Cliffy and Johns supporting Foran and Cherry-Evans, these things may come quickly, and imagine that with the added skill The Swans may impart;
The Halves : Before I start, I want to say this is NO-ONE'S fault here, but for whatever reason, I believe we MAY struggle due to injuries this year. I have no doubts some players are currently playing injured (Foran, Lyon, Matai) for example. If we per chance end up sliding to 10th, with 5 rounds to go, lets give Cherry-Evans a run;
Mobility : Much like the Donny Singe topic above, we have to be healthier. Our team is currently being targeted out wide late in games because of lack of speed in my opinion. We HAVE to get T-Rex out of the backline. He dominated in the pack at World Cup level. Wolfman / Stewie will rectify this;
Player Signings : Sometimes, player signings could be announced in a more efficient way. I don't know if Manly releases the info as soon as they happen (if at all - Ox), but like the communication, this could happen much better;
Forwards : I believe our forward pack is one of the best going around today. What I also believe, is they are extremely overweight, and unfit. I'd love to see them tone up, become faster, because their size and skill is already there. They need to bend the opposition defensive line back, and this year, that hasn't happened nearly enough. That then means our 1/2's get dominated;
Captaincy : Not a fan of the dual captaincy. Lyon is great with the media (well, he has been this year at any rate). He's our Thurston. He should be our sole captain. He leads from the front, and for petes sake mate, have an injury free year will ya !!
Anyway guys - these are my thoughts (Oh, and a Premiership would be great), but I'd love to hear your warm, fuzzy things....
