Tommy Talau

[manly al]

Thought initially that Talau may have had less upside then Brooksey but has exceeded plenty of expectations and to the real benefit of the side
Both have definitely lifted the playing level fortunately and full marks to the recruiters responsible for these choices

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Buy of the year in my opinion ( due to low expectations).

 

[BOZO]

Talau is a Talent
He is a Refreshing Upgrade from the dull and Stale Parker and Harper Years

 

[IQofalimabean]

To rack up 20 tries in 47 games with the tigers is an impressive attacking stat. Given how poor their team usually goes.

 

[eaglebuzz]

You can never have a good read on a player's potential from their form in a crap team. Melbourne prove that all the time.

I was quietly confident that he'd come good, I was certain of it when I heard his dad Willie talking about how much he'd improved in his headspace since coming to Manly at his FG jersey presentation.

 

[Eagle thru 'n' thru]

I’m looking forward to seeing Koula at FB. I think he gets stifled at centre a bit. I’d like to see him blast through the middle with the inside/outside play. DCE back to Jake, Jake to Koula hitting the ball at top speed.

Off topic a bit here, but there is some real speedsters in the NRL atm. Why (unless you’re in the GF) can’t they bring back the sprint races at the GF. I’d probably go with the hammer, but it’d be a tight fit, especially with Koula, Saab, Simonsen, Reece, Mariner, just for starters.
I know it won’t happen, but that was great to watch back in the olden times.

Averillo would have to be up there too.

 

[Brookie Bob]

Averillo would have to be up there too.

Show me the way to Averillo, then....

Close enough

 

[Kalvin]

This guy is a centre playing on the wing, with Garrick a winger playing centre.... soon enough Seibs will have that light bulb moment

 

[Blake]

The first few rounds I was convinced Brooks would be buy of the year, but the more I see of Tommy, the more I'm convinced he'll be the one.

 

[Lyonstomenzies]

I have to laugh when posters on here bang on about our recruitment and us signing up and coming players from bottom ranked sides like the Tigers.

My best mate is a tigers fan and he constantly reminds of names like Papenhausen, Tedesco, Addo Carr, Fifita, Kokoibete and the names of many more I can’t remember.

loving what TTmk2 is bringing to the team

 

[Pete W]

This guy is a centre playing on the wing, with Garrick a winger playing centre.... soon enough Seibs will have that light bulb moment

I think the original reasoning was based on the differing form of the two coming into this season.

Garrick, after spending significant time learning the fullback role, doing increasingly well, adding to his skillset as an already accomplished NRL winger, was seen as the stronger and more experienced player - better suited to being a little closer to the action with his newly developed game awareness.

On the other hand, Talau was struggling to crack a regular 1st grade spot - at the Tigers - and, tbh, wasn't exactly showing huge progress, and was a little disappointing re decision making etc in that centre role.

Without a doubt this season, however, it is Garrick that has been maybe a little slower at picking up his new role, and Talau has been in excellent form - much to everyone's surprise.

Having said that, it is still very early in the season to be making big changes. I still think Garrick can become a very formidable centre one day (nothing in his past progress has shown otherwise), and Talau still needs to earn his stripes imo - consistency season after season - before he overtakes Reuben at Manly. Still, promising signs (especially with the many options Koula, and soon, Hopoate, provide)

 

[jbb/james]

To rack up 20 tries in 47 games with the tigers is an impressive attacking stat. Given how poor their team usually goes.

David noafoaluma was a regular on the top try scorer list even though the tigers were woeful. When teams have high scoring games even when losing certain stats appear ok. We have that in us a bit

Just observation, not a a hassel at Talau

 

[Bearfax]

I have to laugh when posters on here bang on about our recruitment and us signing up and coming players from bottom ranked sides like the Tigers.

My best mate is a tigers fan and he constantly reminds of names like Papenhausen, Tedesco, Addo Carr, Fifita, Kokoibete and the names of many more I can’t remember.

loving what TTmk2 is bringing to the team

Tigers need a rich sponsor and a good manager

 

[rmd]

Tommy Talua has been someone who has exceded my expectations and has pushed Paulo back to reserves, which I never expected at the beginning of this year.

I am not sure Talau is that good as a centre, however, while he lacks the speed of a winger, he knows how to find the line and his defefence is really strong.

No doubt we will have injuries over the next 10 weeks, however, with Lehi Hopoate, Ray, plus Jacob Arthur, I think we will still compete at the top level.Well let's hope so.

 

[nightster]

I think the original reasoning was based on the differing form of the two coming into this season.

Garrick, after spending significant time learning the fullback role, doing increasingly well, adding to his skillset as an already accomplished NRL winger, was seen as the stronger and more experienced player - better suited to being a little closer to the action with his newly developed game awareness.

On the other hand, Talau was struggling to crack a regular 1st grade spot - at the Tigers - and, tbh, wasn't exactly showing huge progress, and was a little disappointing re decision making etc in that centre role.

Without a doubt this season, however, it is Garrick that has been maybe a little slower at picking up his new role, and Talau has been in excellent form - much to everyone's surprise.

Having said that, it is still very early in the season to be making big changes. I still think Garrick can become a very formidable centre one day (nothing in his past progress has shown otherwise), and Talau still needs to earn his stripes imo - consistency season after season - before he overtakes Reuben at Manly. Still, promising signs (especially with the many options Koula, and soon, Hopoate, provide)

To be fair to Talau he had some long outs through injuries- I saw him put I a few very good performances a few seasons back when he was very young , I was very happy with his signing he really puts in.
Jackson Paulo is a gifted athlete but plays soft.

 

[nightster]

The first few rounds I was convinced Brooks would be buy of the year, but the more I see of Tommy, the more I'm convinced he'll be the one.

How good is it to have at least 3 good buys (Brown too).

 

[castle eagle]

for those saying tom to centre & koala to fb, if they do that id say we would lose one of them next contract because their $ are somewhat related to their positions. koala would be chasing a fair upgrade as a full-time fb, while tom would be up for a big pay cut.

 

[jbb/james]

for those saying tom to centre & koala to fb, if they do that id say we would lose one of them next contract because their $ are somewhat related to their positions. koala would be chasing a fair upgrade as a full-time fb, while tom would be up for a big pay cut.

I think unless tom puts together 60 straight games or close he will be getting a pay cut anyway

 

[eaglebuzz]

I think unless tom puts together 60 straight games or close he will be getting a pay cut anyway

Tom Jake and DCE all need to take pay cuts if they want to win another premiership

 

[Rocky]

for those saying tom to centre & koala to fb, if they do that id say we would lose one of them next contract because their $ are somewhat related to their positions. koala would be chasing a fair upgrade as a full-time fb, while tom would be up for a big pay cut.

I hear what you are saying but i thought we upgraded Koula significantly when Rugby was sniffing around him.. thought i even saw 700--800k