Trial observations

[The better Robbo]

• Schuster is a genuine superstar and without him today would have been 80 nil!
• Garrick played on the left which I've wanted for 2 years and a sign Saab will get his preferred right wing spot.
• Aloiai looked strong off the bench.
• Davey ran and hit hard.
• Weekes (harsh comment coming) will never play NRL, was way out of depth, out of position in both attack and defence.
• Des still doing dumb ****, playing a prop at hooker for most of the game which is even dumber when you look at Birt doing well in his 10 minutes.
• I thought Dylan Smith looked as good as any other of our backs... Can he play hooker? He looks a genuine footy player, a bit like Dufty.
• Harper didn't get much chance in attack but I'd probably lean towards Funa based on today's performance.
• WE NEED TO SIGN A GENUINE EXPERIENCED NRL HOOKER!!!!

 

[40 nil]

Birt doing well in his 10 minutes.

Maybe Des was preserving him for Round One? If Cust's injury is serious, the only dummy half options we might have are Birt & Foran.

 

[XV-1]

Must be Des plan to have the Roosters very overconfident for round 1.

 

[The better Robbo]

Maybe Des was preserving him for Round One? If Cust's injury is serious, the only dummy half options we might have are Birt & Foran.

That was my only thought behind it, otherwise it makes absolutely no sense!

 

[manlyfan76]

Agree @The better Robbo maybe Des was protecting Birt as cust went off injured?

 

[maxta]

I think Foran was already the 9 choice, but Birt could and may well be an option off he bench
Davey was Super imo, yes a trial but seemed more enthusiastic than many Youngsters shooting for a spot in the 17....the only hard tackles I seen were from Keppie and Saddler....last but not least - Please remember many teams beaten by Big margins go on to compete or win a premiership, it's all about trialling position and combinations.
The ONLY true concern that repicates 2019/2020 was the slowness in the middle...they ate us up in the ruck and that is what decides the modern game more than ever before.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Is Birt’s nickname Bryan?

OK, slightly different spelling of the surname.

 

[Red Pill]

Did not see Birt tackle anyone. Looks a natural in attack but maybe a little fragile(defense) for NRL at this stage. No doubt a keeper for the future

 

[highlandeagle]

De ja vu of last year. Slow in attack and defense. The new rules are going to kill us. We look so far off the pace. Get ready for a year of pain. Only upside was Shuster.

 

[winnyason]

• Schuster is a genuine superstar and without him today would have been 80 nil!
• Garrick played on the left which I've wanted for 2 years and a sign Saab will get his preferred right wing spot.
• Aloiai looked strong off the bench.
• Davey ran and hit hard.
• Weekes (harsh comment coming) will never play NRL, was way out of depth, out of position in both attack and defence.
• Des still doing dumb ****, playing a prop at hooker for most of the game which is even dumber when you look at Birt doing well in his 10 minutes.
• I thought Dylan Smith looked as good as any other of our backs... Can he play hooker? He looks a genuine footy player, a bit like Dufty.
• Harper didn't get much chance in attack but I'd probably lean towards Funa based on today's performance.
• WE NEED TO SIGN A GENUINE EXPERIENCED NRL HOOKER!!!!

Lack of depth, why did we sign foran and aloiai when what we need is a hooker.
Schuster a star and Des grow a brain and sign peats on a 1 year deal.
Also a fair few pea hearts in defence same **** as last year

 

[Disco]

I was at the game and thought Harper looked decent with some good last tackles.

That said watching the replay now as hard to gauge things at the game

 

[Supreme Leader]

Agree with most of above, I think Ben T impressed also. Yes he got rolled over for a try, but I did like his connection with Schuster... Yes early days but could be version 2 of Cliffy and Beaver. Yes I know big call, so lets have that conversation in 2 years.

 

[Pepi]

A bit harsh on Weekes who was playing his first game against grown men with very little possession.

 

[The better Robbo]

Lack of depth, why did we sign foran and aloiai when what we need is a hooker.
Schuster a star and Des grow a brain and sign peats on a 1 year deal.
Also a fair few pea hearts in defence same **** as last year

Why we haven't looked at Peats is beyond me. Great defender, fit and has the NRL experience. Yeah he's probably no better than we have but we are only an injury away from being completely screwed before the season even starts! Peats is still up here on the GC and training and keeping fit, not sure who else is out there?

 

[sheridanstand78]

I know its only a trial but we have a gaping hole at number 9 and its folly that we go into the season without adequate cover this role.

 

[The better Robbo]

A bit harsh on Weekes who was playing his first game against grown men with very little possession.

I know it's harsh but I just seen absolutely nothing to make me think he could play NRL let alone in the halves.

 

[pjayz]

Maybe Des was preserving him for Round One? If Cust's injury is serious, the only dummy half options we might have are Birt & Foran.

This is exactly what he was doing. We are down to our last hooker.

 

[Franko]

New to forum long time reader, and supporter, every family member a Manly member(for Bozo).

I thought Davey was the standout of the new guys hit and ran hard, showed urgency. Josh A. was a close second, wish we had more time of Birt. Felt sorry for Burbo, was doing alright to doueihi ran over him...

 

[pjayz]

Schuster was awesome as expected.

The other player that looked super fit and dangerous was Gossie - he was excellent.

Davey and Aloiai both looked good and young birt looked sharp.

I thought Weekes struggled, Burbo struggled a bit also; however, that was more fitness than anything else. Tuipulotu made a few errors as well.

 

[ManlyArmy]

Schuster was awesome as expected.

The other player that looked super fit and dangerous was Gossie - he was excellent.

Davey and Aloiai both looked good and young birt looked sharp.

I thought Weekes struggled, Burbo struggled a bit also; however, that was more fitness than anything else. Tuipulotu made a few errors as well.

I thought Tuipulotu was very disappointing and can see why Saab and Garrick will most likely be the starting wingers.