Walker hypothetical

[The better Robbo]

Say we win 4 of our next 6 or 5 of our next 7. The Chez and Croker combo has us firing, where does that leave Walker? Does he walk straight back in? In this hypothetical both our centres are fit and healthy too.
Walker off the bench as a sub? Could be a massive weapon coming on as a running 5/8 after the defence tires. Again, just hypothetical and thinking outside the box...
He is one of those gifted players that doesn't really have a position. He is not a 5/8, well not to partner Chez anyway and he can't defend at centre. Maybe a super sub... "If" Chez and Croker fire together.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Bench hooker.

 

[DUFFMAN]

What if the team with Brendon Elliot at fullback we get the same result, he scores 12 try's winning the man of the match award in each game.
Does Turbo come back at fullback seen he can play plenty of other positions.

That might be a good thing actually, might put less stress on his body.
With Walker I'm still not sure if he is better elsewhere on the field.

Can live by hypotheticals, lets see how we a travelling when they return .... I'm expecting no less then a 50% win ratio.

 

[frank stokes]

Both Walker and Turbo are in our best side regardless of results imo... if Croker is travelling well than maybe Walkz pushes Suli to a wing spot... if Elliot is also travelling well I am not so sure what Des does because Garrick is our goal kicker... either way Jorge will be under pressure...
It may also depend on Cust because if he struggles then Crokers value at 14 is further highlighted too... interesting (and likely stressful) 6-8 weeks ahead...

 

[manly al]

Doubt that Suli and now on higher ranked centre money would be moved to the wing unless there was really a problem with available players there . If Croker in going really well when Walker is anticipated to return , will present some major team selection issues . Also if Parker is going well too but Walker starts somewhere when fit again . . Don't think that young Hoppa has played much centre and even depending on Turbo "s recovery time , would still most likely be given his opportunity as a winger .

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Walks straight back into the starting lineup and Croker heads back to his bench role

Let’s not forget that we should be leading the comp with 5 straights wins with the toughest draw right now with the status quo

 

[silvereagle]

Doubt that Suli and now on higher ranked centre money would be moved to the wing unless there was really a problem with available players there . If Croker in going really well when Walker is anticipated to return , will present some major team selection issues . Also if Parker is going well too but Walker starts somewhere when fit again . . Don't think that young Hoppa has played much centre and even depending on Turbo "s recovery time , would still most likely be given his opportunity as a winger .

Putting on my Nostradamus hat I would say Crokes will own the 5/8 position for the rest of this year. Barring any major injury. He's a terrific complement to cherry, adds stability to the backline and can kick the begeezes out of the ball and defends well. It was so good to see some familiar sweeping backline moves again on the weekend two of which led to great tries. He slotted in perfectly. Reminds me very much of Blake Green. Hope he bats on and stays injury free.

 

[manly al]

Putting on my Nostradamus hat I would say Crokes will own the 5/8 position for the rest of this year. Barring any major injury. He's a terrific complement to cherry, adds stability to the backline and can kick the begeezes out of the ball and defends well. It was so good to see some familiar sweeping backline moves again on the weekend two of which led to great tries. He slotted in perfectly. Reminds me very much of Blake Green. Hope he bats on and stays injury free.

As Walker at 6 was also responsible for some effective and points scoring opportunities for Tom [ and others ] in sweeping plays in earlier matches this season . Not only for Croker's sake but of course also for Manly 's , hope that he can play an injury free and important role in coming weeks but really expect the choice when Walker is ready again is whether he will come in for Croker at 6 or Parker in the centres .

 

[frank stokes]

Doubt that Suli and now on higher ranked centre money would be moved to the wing unless there was really a problem with available players there . If Croker in going really well when Walker is anticipated to return , will present some major team selection issues . Also if Parker is going well too but Walker starts somewhere when fit again . . Don't think that young Hoppa has played much centre and even depending on Turbo "s recovery time , would still most likely be given his opportunity as a winger .

Suli just makes more sense than Parker as a winger because he has more experience and is more of a big body at speed plus Ninja is brilliant in defense... agree that Suli is playing well but imo Walkz is still the best centre we have...

 

[Woodsie]

@The better Robbo ... to add content to your hypothetical ... as the telecrap points out today ... at no stage has Croker ever been dropped from his position as incumbent 5/8 ...

After a rocky start in 2018 he did his cruciate just as he was coming good ... and again in 2019 did his hammie ... both times it was an injury that saw him off ...

 

[manly al]

Suli just makes more sense than Parker as a winger because he has more experience and is more of a big body at speed plus Ninja is brilliant in defense... agree that Suli is playing well but imo Walkz is still the best centre we have...

Healthy discussion but just think that Suli "s retention now on very decent coin can only indicate that he will have the role of a strike centre for Manly going forward [ and hopefully even much longer term ]

 

[The Who]

I'm expecting Froggy to do very well at 5/8 and remain there.
For me, Walker is dispensable and has never lived up to the hype - nor the high opinions of some posters on here.

 

[jbb/james]

Its interesting the lack of hookers isnt discussed much. I know we lost fainu, but replaced him with levi. We only have one recognised 9

Cust , croker, walker, suli, to and extent are being utilised to accomodate the lack of nines to a point. We are skinny in the halves or nines mainly due to having so few specialists, at least there roles anyway.

Fainu and levi or levi and someone good and our halves look more settled, but its no accident .

 

[Dan]

Id like to see walker have a go at hooker, might offer something, but if he is fit he comes straight back in to 5/8th in my opinion

 

[manly al]

I'm expecting Froggy to do very well at 5/8 and remain there.
For me, Walker is dispensable and has never lived up to the hype - nor the high opinions of some posters on here.

Setting a high [ or perceived ] bench mark for him . Just for another perspective , scored a great try against the Eels to help get Manly back in the match , very good against the Roosters in round 2 , Generally speaking , has played very well and consistently really and since his switch to 6 mid last year or so in particular [ well in many people "s view and including the Manly hierarchy ] Also Daily M centre of the year in 2017 ?

 

[Andyvb88]

Crocker has a superior kicking game than walker

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Well it all up to Croker now. The opportunity is there and he needs to take it.

 

[frank stokes]

@The better Robbo ... to add content to your hypothetical ... as the telecrap points out today ... at no stage has Croker ever been dropped from his position as incumbent 5/8 ...

After a rocky start in 2018 he did his cruciate just as he was coming good ... and again in 2019 did his hammie ... both times it was an injury that saw him off ...

Telecrap lifted that story straight off the nrl site... even I 'reported' it earlier than them on ST lol

 

[frank stokes]

Crocker has a superior kicking game than walker

Not his bombs... walker gets snow on them...

 

[manlyfan76]

If walks is back before turbo I'd play him at fullback in attack, keep croaks at 5/8.