Walker shows our problem

[Eagle 1]

Not sure how he ran 125m unless they count cross field running

Uninspiring to say the least..

 

[double hoops]

not an excuse but a fact, we are still yet to play on a dry track. Wet Weather football impacts what your players are actually capable of.

Playing wet weather footy in the wet would sure help. Zero discipline in the team. Non.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Marty's shuffle at the line and hesitation is killing us. He gets the ball flat footed, saunters a few meters and then just tries to push forward with his upper body at contact. No leg drive, no determination, no speed and slow play the balls. His technique is poor unless your goal is to get offloads, which he seems to have put away anyway. Defensively he adds little as well.

Great hair and jawline though.

The good news: Uncle Marty’s party should be calling ‘last cornrows’ at Manly prior to next season, bringing down the curtain on the 2015 ructions that brought him here in the first place.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Not sure how he ran 125m unless they count cross field running

I think they included his jog off the field to join the bench and the return jog for his second stint.

 

[HK_Eagle]

not an excuse but a fact, we are still yet to play on a dry track. Wet Weather football impacts what your players are actually capable of.

Great. We just need to convince the NRL to move all games indoors and we have ourselves a competitive footy team. 😉

 

[Dion Johnson]

Great. We just need to convince the NRL to move all games indoors and we have ourselves a competitive footy team. 😉

Cardiff would be a good ground, the other teams wouldn’t like the travel either..

 

[Deleted member 26876]

I hope aloiai is better this year

Was so dissappointing last year despite a positive start

 

[XV-1]

I hope aloiai is better this year

Was so dissappointing last year despite a positive start

If he can hold onto the ball and just run really hard, that would be a great start

 

[pjayz]

This is somewhat controversial; however, I would move Olakau’atu to prop. I believe it would suit his style of play and allow him to maximise his strength and aggression. He is a little slow for an edge and that would allow the creativity and reasonable speed of Schuster to partner up with Davey, Bullemor or someone I would like given a shot in Alex Tuitavake.
Keppie or Lawton might need to drop out.

Then we run with a side that is a little more mobile like:
8. Olakau’atu
9. Croker
10. Taupau
11. Davey
12. Schuster
13. Jake
———-
14. Walker
15. Bullemore
16. Tuitavake
17. Paseka

More flexibility in the pack, faster-play-the-balls and better laterally in defence with a bit more zip in attack.

 

[Forster eagle]

Marty's shuffle at the line and hesitation is killing us. He gets the ball flat footed, saunters a few meters and then just tries to push forward with his upper body at contact. No leg drive, no determination, no speed and slow play the balls. His technique is poor unless your goal is to get offloads, which he seems to have put away anyway. Defensively he adds little as well.

Of course that’s when he’s not chip kicking......should have been dragged for that.

 

[maxta]

This is somewhat controversial; however, I would move Olakau’atu to prop. I believe it would suit his style of play and allow him to maximise his strength and aggression. He is a little slow for an edge and that would allow the creativity and reasonable speed of Schuster to partner up with Davey, Bullemor or someone I would like given a shot in Alex Tuitavake.
Keppie or Lawton might need to drop out.

Then we run with a side that is a little more mobile like:
8. Olakau’atu
9. Croker
10. Taupau
11. Davey
12. Schuster
13. Jake
———-
14. Walker
15. Bullemore
16. Tuitavake
17. Paseka

More flexibility in the pack, faster-play-the-balls and better laterally in defence with a bit more zip in attack.

Gutsy play call and I see where your going, because it covers genuine concerns about some lethargic middle attack....though I reckon Oka will still destroy teams on that right edge with better momentum through the middle and is suffering like Tom, due to the lack of thrust in the ruck....but could he handle prop, well maybe time to adjust, but the kid is an athlete of the highest order and would thrive there in time....thing I like is idea's out the box like this, as it's what a footy forum is about and personally - I don't mind it at all.
Also really like your call on Alec Tuitavake - the kid is a big wrecking ball who could realy dent the opposition and give us some genuine go forward and aggression, which is currently lacking....watched him for a while now and rate him to be a big potential player with genuine X factor

 

[Rocky]

Gutsy play call and I see where your going, because it covers genuine concerns about some lethargic middle attack....though I reckon Oka will still destroy teams on that right edge with better momentum through the middle and is suffering like Tom, due to the lack of thrust in the ruck....but could he handle prop, well maybe time to adjust, but the kid is an athlete of the highest order and would thrive there in time....thing I like is idea's out the box like this, as it's what a footy forum is about and personally - I don't mind it at all.
Also really like your call on Alec Tuitavake - the kid is a big wrecking ball who could realy dent the opposition and give us some genuine go forward and aggression, which is currently lacking....watched him for a while now and rate him to be a big potential player with genuine X factor

Agreed out of the box call and worth considering the pros and cons for us armchair experts. I'd be interested to hear what others think.

I speak for myself and I'm guessing a lot of others on here, in saying that the most disappointing part of this years start is relying on essentially the same personnel that couldn't get it done versus the top sides last year.

Where was Des thinking the improvement was coming from to beat the top sides?

This team really needs a shakeup if we have aspirations to win the premiership. That might be changes to position or bringing in fresh blood.

Otherwise we have a ceiling of 4th or 5th.

 

[maxta]

Agreed out of the box call and worth considering the pros and cons for us armchair experts. I'd be interested to hear what others think.

I speak for myself and I'm guessing a lot of others on here, in saying that the most disappointing part of this years start is relying on essentially the same personnel that couldn't get it done versus the top sides last year.

Where was Des thinking the improvement was coming from to beat the top sides?

This team really needs a shakeup if we have aspirations to win the premiership. That might be changes to position or bringing in fresh blood.

Otherwise we have a ceiling of 4th or 5th.

Very true, I mean there are definitely other possibilities and agree would prefer to attempt to raise the bar, with the chance it may not be the "perfect" answer and maybe not even be the answer, but I am pretty convinced that the setup now will again struggle in the crunch games....again, as proven first 2 rounds after the way we bowed out in 2021.
Sure we will hit a purple patch and everyone here (myself included) will be pumped and start calling us a genuine Premiership threat....but in reality, hard to see with the setup as is.
I am a Des fan in relation to his passion, competitive nature and has some strong points that are up with the best....but I do feel his loyalty and stubborness to change is his achilles heel at times.....anyways, lets beat those Raiders on Saturday !!

 

[Rocky]

Very true, I mean there are definitely other possibilities and agree would prefer to attempt to raise the bar, with the chance it may not be the "perfect" answer and maybe not even be the answer, but I am pretty convinced that the setup now will again struggle in the crunch games.
Sure we will hit a purple patch and everyone here (myself included) will be pumped and start calling us a genuine Premiership threat....but in reality, hard to see with the setup as is.
I am a Des fan in relation to his passion, competitive nature and has some strong points that are up with the best....but I do feel his loyalty and stubborness to change is his achilles heel at times.....anyways, lets beat those Raiders on Saturday !!

Agree with all the above Maxsta. I also acknowledge that a shake up may not produce the answers.

But i would personally rather shoot for the stars when we have players like Turbo, Schu, DCE, Foz, Guaca and Jake in the team.

 

[Snake]

This is somewhat controversial; however, I would move Olakau’atu to prop. I believe it would suit his style of play and allow him to maximise his strength and aggression. He is a little slow for an edge and that would allow the creativity and reasonable speed of Schuster to partner up with Davey, Bullemor or someone I would like given a shot in Alex Tuitavake.
Keppie or Lawton might need to drop out.

Then we run with a side that is a little more mobile like:
8. Olakau’atu
9. Croker
10. Taupau
11. Davey
12. Schuster
13. Jake
———-
14. Walker
15. Bullemore
16. Tuitavake
17. Paseka

More flexibility in the pack, faster-play-the-balls and better laterally in defence with a bit more zip in attack.

You know it’s crazy but I kinda like it, given the right circumstances. If Haumole was to become a batter ram, no. However, if he was given a licence to offload, maybe.

My primary concern is that he created points on the edge in a few games last year when we really needed something...the Raiders and Dragons games stand out as examples...an offload for a Harper try or a big run at a small half to barge over for a try...crucial points in games that were in the balance until he turned things...

He is pretty much our Kikau, just needs to run direct lines instead of getting early ball all the time....the occasional early ball is good but Cherry needs more Siro from Haumole at times.

 

[mave]

You know it’s crazy but I kinda like it, given the right circumstances. If Haumole was to become a batter ram, no. However, if he was given a licence to offload, maybe.

My primary concern is that he created points on the edge in a few games last year when we really needed something...the Raiders and Dragons games stand out as examples...an offload for a Harper try or a big run at a small half to barge over for a try...crucial points in games that were in the balance until he turned things...

He is pretty much our Kikau, just needs to run direct lines instead of getting early ball all the time....the occasional early ball is good but Cherry needs more Siro from Haumole at times.

I'm hearing you....but fk me I'm sick of reading that DCE needs this, or that....surely it's well past time for DCE to demand what he needs.

It is literally in DCEs job description to get Ola to run whatever lines DCE wants him to run?

Anyone remember Foran and T Rex ?

 

[manly al]

Not that he wouldn :t be capable of playing there but see no benefit in moving Oloka - atu to a prop - middle role . Just needs to be better used in attack isolating the opposing halfs in particular and getting some quality ball instead of close to the ruck plays . Wet conditions have not helped but agree made some crucial plays last season either busting the line or scoring just wide of the ruck . . Not too many back rowers in the comp would have been able to get back past the play and cover when the Dogs made that long break from a Manly error and save the day retrieving possession after Daly tried to catch the dogs 's player kick ahead . Doesn 't lack mobility , maybe a bit of lateral defence but can improve on that . Expect him to be our main edge forward for many seasons hopefully to come[ with possibly Schuster ] .

 

[pjayz]

Not that he wouldn :t be capable of playing there but see no benefit in moving Oloka - atu to a prop - middle role . Just needs to be better used in attack isolating the opposing halfs in particular and getting some quality ball instead of close to the ruck plays . Wet conditions have not helped but agree made some crucial plays last season either busting the line or scoring just wide of the ruck . . Not too many back rowers in the comp would have been able to get back past the play and cover when the Dogs made that long break from a Manly error and save the day retrieving possession after Daly tried to catch the dogs 's player kick ahead . Doesn 't lack mobility , maybe a bit of lateral defence but can improve on that . Expect him to be our main edge forward for many seasons hopefully to come[ with possibly Schuster ] .

I agree he doesn’t lack mobility, in fact, I think his level of mobility is what we need in the middle which allows an even more mobile player with a bit more speed on the edge.

I agree its a little different but I see it suiting Olakau’atu’s strengths. I don’t see him taking the first hit up, but he could provide the aggression and mobility we need in the middle. Bring in Tuitavake on the bench and those two changes might give us a different dynamic. He has a cheeky offload as Snake noted and could hit a trailing Turbo every now and then to keep the defence guessing.

 

[pjayz]

You know it’s crazy but I kinda like it, given the right circumstances. If Haumole was to become a batter ram, no. However, if he was given a licence to offload, maybe.

My primary concern is that he created points on the edge in a few games last year when we really needed something...the Raiders and Dragons games stand out as examples...an offload for a Harper try or a big run at a small half to barge over for a try...crucial points in games that were in the balance until he turned things...

He is pretty much our Kikau, just needs to run direct lines instead of getting early ball all the time....the occasional early ball is good but Cherry needs more Siro from Haumole at times.

I hear you, it is a cheeky change up. I know the idea of him being our kikau is a nice one; however, I don’t see him having the dynamic running of Kikau. I think he has more raw strength and aggression than the big Benji Marshall lookalike, which I believe is under-utilised in his present role. It also allows him to have a spell during the game.

 

[manly al]

I agree he doesn’t lack mobility, in fact, I think his level of mobility is what we need in the middle which allows an even more mobile player with a bit more speed on the edge.

I agree its a little different but I see it suiting Olakau’atu’s strengths. I don’t see him taking the first hit up, but he could provide the aggression and mobility we need in the middle. Bring in Tuitavake on the bench and those two changes might give us a different dynamic. He has a cheeky offload as Snake noted and could hit a trailing Turbo every now and then to keep the defence guessing.

All interesting suggestions and considerations . Actually thought at the the start of last season and with A f B leaving could have been worth a try playing Olokau - atu there but an established back rower now and really should have enough prop depth including Jake playing big minutes there now to get the job done . Would have been so much better if A F B could have stayed but just have to rely now on the collective efforts of the remaining props , Sometimes individually they are up to it , quite a few times not unfortunately and that has to change and to be an intimidating pack or unit if Manly wish to be serious premiership contenders .