Walker hypothetical

[The better Robbo]

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

I like it

 

[Woodsie]

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

Well done ... it is an interesting point ...

 

[Waz13]

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.

Yeah he’s played some good games but I’m almost of similar opinion. He was never a natural 6 and I think the postion really is Croker to lose now. Then comes the question where does Walker go? Well if Suli and Parker are fit and firing, I’m not sure he starts, maybe 14. In reality our injuries ain’t done yet and there will be more changes and opportunities as the year goes on. Good thread tho Robbo.

 

[Under the Sticks]

We'll have more injuries for sure by then at this rate and all of this conjecture will be moot! Our depth is our weakness.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Yeah he’s played some good games but I’m almost of similar opinion. He was never a natural 6 and I think the postion really is Croker to lose now. Then comes the question where does Walker go? Well if Suli and Parker are fit and firing, I’m not sure he starts, maybe 14. In reality our injuries ain’t done yet and there will be more changes and opportunities as the year goes on. Good thread tho Robbo.

He would go in for Parker no doubt. Or Croker will slot back to 14

 

[Fibro Eagle]

I think Crocker goes back to bench
Walker is Des's 5/8 otherwise Crocker would have started the season there
I disagree that Walker can't defend in the centres ,The origin game he played in when he marked up against Inglis he owned Inglis that game that Inglis got so frustrated
Maybe it's he a little inconsistent .
Back to topic will be interesting as they say when you get a chance you need to take it and the player does the job well but gets dropped as soon as the original player comes back

 

[40 years an eagle]

I know this will ruffle a few feathers but I see the Frog as a better transition awaiting Schuster than Walker is.
Walker is not the mentor to bring Schuster in to being a 6 and i'm not saying the Frog is, but I feel he provides a better direction.
It's really hard to explain my thoughts on it but despite his previous "centre of the year award", Walker makes me feel 90% of the time he doesn't really have "a position".

My gut feeling tells me his best position is FB (not necessarily in our current team) but his defence is poor in space.
What do you do with him?

He is an enigma that doesn't really have a "best position" and I think we are better off without him at all because he clutters up a coach's focus. His potential upsets balancing a team because he has to be included somewhere.

That being said...I doubt anyone at 6 is the ultimate answer while DCE is in charge of leading the team around the park.

I have said it many times...we need a 7, not a 6. DCE is a running half and while he is burdened with leading the team around the park we will not see the best of him.
Think Green and Foz as when DCE was worth his money.
The modern game has a 7 calling the shots and a running 6.
Cronk/Munster, Cronk/Keary, Cleary/others, Pearce/others, the list goes forever. The teams that have a 6 running the game don't perform as well.

If these thoughts upset you please suck it up and read them again before you nail me..

 

[globaleagle]

If these thoughts upset you please suck it up and read them again before you nail me..

Strangest way of saying "buy me a drink first" I've ever heard! (lol)




I sometimes wonder if Manly started the walker 5/8 experiment out of desperation and now there are options once more.... the powers at be think they have gone too far down the rabbit hole to pull the plug, stick Crocker in, walks back to the centres but everything is a big mud pile of skittles.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Strangest way of saying "buy me a drink first" I've ever heard! (lol)




I sometimes wonder if Manly started the walker 5/8 experiment out of desperation and now there are options once more.... the powers at be think they have gone too far down the rabbit hole to pull the plug, stick Crocker in, walks back to the centres and everything is a big mud pile of skittles.

Could have saved me a shltload of typing if you posted this first mate.

Bundy and coke would be great, thanks.

 

[maxta]

I see the Walker transition due to a few things.
With the speed of the game today going from fast to lightning fast, he has the speed that can be pivotal in breaking down the middle, or to burn his opposite to create an extra man.
Does not appear to understand a given situation and get his players running good lines and when confused seems to simply zip back and forth creating confusion for himself and team mates.
Has also thrown some sublime close balls for tries, often what appear to be planned move rather that Walker reading the defence, though the timing has often been spot on, which shows he has potential to do so....when he plays direct rather than lateral.
A little surprised he does not follow the forwards Kapow, AFB, Jake who all possess great offloads as Personally feel this could be his trump card, awaiting 2nd phase or a hole and just hitting the gas and exploiting his acceleration....his primary strength regardless of a few key passes is his running game and could really cash in on this area, which is arguably the most important attacking attribute to have...and Manly certainly do..
Is not blessed with game management, more X factor who can open the game up if taking the right opportunities....
I also feel Des likes the Parker/ Suli combination at centre as Parker is up with the best defensive outside backs in the game and much improved player, while Suli is a Powerhouse who is finally playing up to the hype...Des likes this centre combination.
It is only a matter of time for Schuster to be at 6, so there are tough decisions in the future, but I expect Des to persist with Walker at 5/8 through 2020, unless there are injuries.
I reckon he can get it done too and only needs to tweak a few area's (support play and more direct in attack) to go from good to excellent imo.

 

[TokyoEagle]

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

Regarding the hypothetical, I think Kiwi Eagle is on the money here and provides the best balance to the team overall with Croker moving back to the bench.

I do also agree with some of the other posters comments that, while Dally M centre of the year in 2017, 5/8 or centre may not be his best position. I can definitely see an argument for him at 1, a la Rowdy Shearer, but have also wondered how he would do at 9.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

So many variables between now and then. Dylan has done well at 5/8 since coming back last year and this season so far. He has developed further attributes to his game. Whilst I think his best position is centre he is a good 5/8. I guess it depends on what plans Des has for young Schuster if any this year and also how well Croker goes for the next few weeks. Crokes needs to improve his options and stop kicking early in the tackle count when we are on attack otherwise he too is a very good 5/8 who plays with plenty of grit and courage. This is his window of opportunity for Croker and I really hope he nails it.

 

[Disco]

Unpopular opinion here but I think Croker is a bit overrated amongst this board.

Great player to have in the squad as a backup half but not a long term prospect and IMO when Walker is back he will go straight back in to 5/8.

If fact I fully expect that if we drop a few games, people on here will rip into him when really its only their own hyper inflated views on his capabilities that are to blame.

He will hold the fort and do a job but we are severely weakened without Turbo, Suli and Walks

 

[jbb/james]

Maybe your right.
At least schuster is flying under the radar in terms of expectations on ST.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Unpopular opinion here but I think Croker is a bit overrated amongst this board.

Great player to have in the squad as a backup half but not a long term prospect and IMO when Walker is back he will go straight back in to 5/8.

If fact I fully expect that if we drop a few games, people on here will rip into him when really its only their own hyper inflated views on his capabilities that are to blame.

He will hold the fort and do a job but we are severely weakened without Turbo, Suli and Walks

He has been chosen in junior rep teams and lauded by several who supposedly know what they are talking about. His prior stints in FG here were under the coach who's name we cannot speak. He is now been under the tutelage of the Des team. I'm happy to give him the chance to see what he really has.

 

[manly al]

Actually quite a few of the present outside Manly backs have had a brief stint as full backs for Manly , Garrick , Jorge even Walker very briefly during a match once . Again Funa did play as a full back occasionally in under 20 's . Elliot still seems the best option for now though , then there is young Hoppa as an alternate also and all things being normal latter .

 

[Disco]

Unpopular opinion here but I think Croker is a bit overrated amongst this board.

Great player to have in the squad as a backup half but not a long term prospect and IMO when Walker is back he will go straight back in to 5/8.

If fact I fully expect that if we drop a few games, people on here will rip into him when really its only their own hyper inflated views on his capabilities that are to blame.

He will hold the fort and do a job but we are severely weakened without Turbo, Suli and Walks

Just want to highlight my thoughts from earlier this week.

For what its worth my view is still the same, decent squad player and fine off the bench but no long term option.

Get Schuster in there

 

[Disco]

People standing by their Croker enthusiasm from this thread??