[Resurrected] Turbo injury, healthy, injury, healthy, and dancer - updates

[Disco]

Ummm yeahhhh right. Taken off as “just a precaution”. I smell BS, given we could still win the game at that point. I think it’s probably a bit more serious than they are letting on.

With any other player Id agree.

With Turbo, I think they be cautious to the extreme

 

[Carl]

Can we just change our jersey to a NSW or Australian one and play in it every week. Turbo would never miss a game again.

NSW
2018 3 games
2019 2 games
2020 0 games
2021 3 games
2022 0 games
2023 < 2 games
2024 0 games

 

[HoldenV8]

For the longest time I have believed that we are a better team with Turbo at fullback.

I still believe that which is why it pains me to say that maybe it is about time to start looking at a change of position. I hate to say it but maybe, just maybe, it is time to play Hopoate at Fullback and move Tom into the centres.

smh

 

[DUFFMAN]

They will rush him back and then get injured again and be out for the rest of the season after 3 games maximum.

It's time to have Hopoate or someone else as our first pick fullback and play Tom elsewhere.
No way his next contract should be a million dollar a season deal.

 

[Sheikheagle]

They will rush him back and then get injured again and be out for the rest of the season after 3 games maximum.

It's time to have Hopoate or someone else as our first pick fullback and play Tom elsewhere.
No way his next contract should be a million dollar as season deal.

I agree. Fullback is too
Important a position to have a part timer there.

 

[jbb/james]

Wonder what kind of attacking team Manly would be with tom stuck on one side mostly

Its obvious we go to Tom to create space rather than when space has been created currently and i dont see too much appetite to change that. He is doing a fair bit of the ball playing. From the naked eye it appears he does more than both halves combined. He is the player that splits defenders

Its this reason we struggle so much when he is gone

Pointless making him a roving centre, just keep him at fullback

Neither of our existing centres seem to get much quality ball currently so the team would have to evolve a fair bit , something we are not known for

He could do it for sure but how would our game look if we constantly went to a particular side, looking for him. It could get fairly predictable

How do others think it would go down. Playing for the blues is so different

 

[Once Was Brissie Kid]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1900497005228785728

https://twitter.com/x/status/1900707251272511544

 

[XV-1]

For the longest time I have believed that we are a better team with Turbo at fullback.

I still believe that which is why it pains me to say that maybe it is about time to start looking at a change of position. I hate to say it but maybe, just maybe, it is time to play Hopoate at Fullback and move Tom into the centres.

smh

Why?

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

Wonder what kind of attacking team Manly would be with tom stuck on one side mostly

Its obvious we go to Tom to create space rather than when space has been created currently and i dont see too much appetite to change that. He is doing a fair bit of the ball playing. From the naked eye it appears he does more than both halves combined. He is the player that splits defenders

Its this reason we struggle so much when he is gone

Pointless making him a roving centre, just keep him at fullback

Neither of our existing centres seem to get much quality ball currently so the team would have to evolve a fair bit , something we are not known for

He could do it for sure but how would our game look if we constantly went to a particular side, looking for him. It could get fairly predictable

How do others think it would go down. Playing for the blues is so different

FWIW I think you make some excellent points. Structurally, Turbo at FB seems to be a critical part of Manly's planning and game play.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

it’s time to change. How many premierships have we won in the last 10 years. Keep doing the same things and we’ll keep getting the same results.

 

[Stewbojevic]

It’s funny how Lehi has leapfrogged Koula as the stand in fullback. The only time we have put points on without Turbo in the team is when Koula has played fullback.

Lehi is safer and has a better passing game, but Koula creates opportunities with his pace.

 

[silvereagle]

it’s time to change. How many premierships have we won in the last 10 years. Keep doing the same things and we’ll keep getting the same results.

Almost bordering on that famous definition of madness.

After only two matches into a very long season, I would be making some permanent and structural changes right now before the season gets away from us.

Firstly there is absolutely no doubt Turbo is the best fullback in the world but I doubt he will get through this season unscathed at FB. I would be moving him to centre position immediately. Obviously with a roving commission same as his stints for SOO and Kangaroos he could be deadly for us AND less chances of injury. It's about preserving / protecting Tom but could also address another obvious issue we have in the centres. Lehi the obvious FB choice.

Secondly our single biggest issue last few years has been (unquestionably) our engine room...or lack thereof. I would be looking to get Lodge back up and running asap and partnering him with Taukeiaho as our starting props. These two guys will bring much needed presence and aggression to our games. Paseka, Sipley and Bully on the bench with a 14. If that does not bend the line AND somewhat intimidate the opposition, then I suggest we need to start our recruitment all over again.

Thirdly, I would be moving Tolu to wing when he is back. He is simply not a centre. He is another Brian To'o in the making. Fast and really strong carries. We would have the two fastest wingers in the NRL.

Interested in your opinions.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It’s sad , but Tom will never get to be remembered as Manly’s greatest fullback , despite his two knee reconstructions Snakie is streets in front. And Wombat ( a different era I know ) heads and shoulders above them all.

I also believe the brothers won’t get to taste the ultimate victory they so richly deserve , and much of this as a result of Tommy.

Because when he’s firing on 8 cylinders , we are a top 4 team , when he’s not , verge of the 8, or sneak into a lower position.

 

[LeonardCohen]

It’s funny how Lehi has leapfrogged Koula as the stand in fullback. The only time we have put points on without Turbo in the team is when Koula has played fullback.

Lehi is safer and has a better passing game, but Koula creates opportunities with his pace.

I think you’ll find we’ve won more games with Hoppa at 1, than Koula. One of our best games with Hoppa at the back was last year against St George at Brookie.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Almost bordering on that famous definition of madness.

After only two matches into a very long season, I would be making some permanent and structural changes right now before the season gets away from us.

Firstly there is absolutely no doubt Turbo is the best fullback in the world but I doubt he will get through this season unscathed at FB. I would be moving him to centre position immediately. Obviously with a roving commission same as his stints for SOO and Kangaroos he could be deadly for us AND less chances of injury. It's about preserving / protecting Tom but could also address another obvious issue we have in the centres. Lehi the obvious FB choice.

Secondly our single biggest issue last few years has been (unquestionably) our engine room...or lack thereof. I would be looking to get Lodge back up and running asap and partnering him with Taukeiaho as our starting props. These two guys will bring much needed presence and aggression to our games. Paseka, Sipley and Bully on the bench with a 14. If that does not bend the line AND somewhat intimidate the opposition, then I suggest we need to start our recruitment all over again.

Thirdly, I would be moving Tolu to wing when he is back. He is simply not a centre. He is another Brian To'o in the making. Fast and really strong carries. We would have the two fastest wingers in the NRL.

Interested in your opinions.

We could move Tom to centre and he could get injured anyway and/or not have the same impact. Without Tom at 1, we are probably no chance of jagging a long-odds premiership. For this reason, we might as well roll the dice. He might get injured, but at least we died trying. Tom at centre is akin to not really having a crack at glory. The reason we need him at 1 is not just about his touches of the ball. He provides great direction for everyone else in the team with his vision, and we need him to set the defence.

Koula is doing well at centre. Look across the NRL - how many other centres are torching oppositions with one on one brilliance every week? I feel that because of his speed, people are expecting him to have moments like the semi-final last year, week in, week out. Those opportunities are not being created for him. He can only work with what he is given. He has a strong carry and is much safer in defence than Garrick.

As for the pack, it’s limited. We knew that before a ball was kicked this year. We also need a 9.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

We could move Tom to centre and he could get injured anyway and/or not have the same impact. Without Tom at 1, we are probably no chance of jagging a long-odds premiership. For this reason, we might as well roll the dice. He might get injured, but at least we died trying. Tom at centre is akin to not really having a crack at glory. The reason we need him at 1 is not just about his touches of the ball. He provides great direction for everyone else in the team with his vision, and we need him to set the defence.

Koula is doing well at centre. Look across the NRL - how many other centres are torching oppositions with one on one brilliance every week? I feel that because of his speed, people are expecting him to have moments like the semi-final last year, week in, week out. Those opportunities are not being created for him. He can only work with what he is given. He has a strong carry and is much safer in defence than Garrick.

As for the pack, it’s limited. We knew that before a ball was kicked this year. We also need a 9.

I often like your analysis LC but sometimes the logic and rationality clashes with your user persona, how about introducing a little poetry or haunting sensuality into your posts (where appropriate)

 

[LeonardCohen]

I often like your analysis LC but sometimes the logic and rationality clashes with your user persona, how about introducing a little poetry or haunting sensuality into your posts (where appropriate)

Essentially, i’m just articulating what ‘everybody knows’.

 

[Waz13]

It’s sad , but Tom will never get to be remembered as Manly’s greatest fullback , despite his two knee reconstructions Snakie is streets in front. And Wombat ( a different era I know ) heads and shoulders above them all.

I also believe the brothers won’t get to taste the ultimate victory they so richly deserve , and much of this as a result of Tommy.

Because when he’s firing on 8 cylinders , we are a top 4 team , when he’s not , verge of the 8, or sneak into a lower position.

Didn’t get to see the great Wombat (other than off highlights), but gee he must have been good if head and shoulders above Snake and Turbo.

 

[bob dylan]

It’s sad , but Tom will never get to be remembered as Manly’s greatest fullback , despite his two knee reconstructions Snakie is streets in front. And Wombat ( a different era I know ) heads and shoulders above them all.

I also believe the brothers won’t get to taste the ultimate victory they so richly deserve , and much of this as a result of Tommy.

Because when he’s firing on 8 cylinders , we are a top 4 team , when he’s not , verge of the 8, or sneak into a lower position.

Tom is the best ball runner I have ever seen in any position, he sees gaps and opportunities that mere mortals simply dont see. He is probably the most "freakish" player I coulld imagine.

Its premierships that really count and as you say Tom and Jake will never be winners. I dont think Manly willl ever win another comp for reasons I have shared elsewhere, we are not alone in that department.

I agree with you, Eadie's brilliant goal kicking and general kicking is a skill the other two dont have. Plus his defence was better than both.

Snake was the "Prince". A genius and I dont care what anyone says he was never 2nd to the grub from the Storm. Even the Storm knew they couldnt contain him in the 2007 GF, one day someone will admit their tactic to "take him out of the game".

I havent even mentioned Matthew Ridge or Dale Shearer.

 

[bob dylan]

Didn’t get to see the great Wombat (other than off highlights), but gee he must have been good if head and shoulders above Snake and Turbo.

Mark is right, they dont even compare.