Walker special mention

[Eagle 1]

Agreed

i obviously have no clue on the inner workings / culture but on performances alone we should sign him for a further 2 years.

Him and Connor Watson are the two premier “genuine 14s” in the comp in my opinion (not inc. Grant whose a 9 and not specialist 14)

Agree with your assessment, but if Walker is going to be permanently on the bench, I cant see Manly maintaining his current deal.

 

[XV-1]

I see Walker coming on being a part of the prop rotation as disruptive to both our defensive and attacking structures.
We never had our middle ripped open before Des started doing this and our attack is disjointed because there are too many cooks in the kitchen.
The REAL middle know their positions in defence and maybe having someone in that structure that is not a middle forward is ruining their effectiveness.
The Shoo has not been contributing in attack like he was before this tactic...has it plssed him off or just stifled his effectiveness? Our attack has been REALLY clunky since we started doing this.
I know many here have a hard-on for Walker and want him in the team but it is CLEARLY not working as a TEAM structure, both defensively and attack wise and not about Walker.
Des is trying to be creative but it is not working and we are far better off having our proper middle rolling through and letting DCE, Foz, Shoo and Tom take care of the flair on the back of it.
It's finals time and it's time to knuckle down and do the hard work through the middle and let the backs do what they do best...which is what wins ALL the big games, regardless of any new rules.
We will be bundled out in 2 games if we don't have a strong, structured middle.

Agree. Walker takes the ball from DCE and Schuster, so while he is on our attack seems to have too many cooks.

 

[Rafferty]

It really is interesting how almost every one of us sees a game differently... I see it that one of them is a waste of a bench spot. Walker has been coming on as part of the prop rotation around the 20 min mark...cluttering our attack structure while weakening our middle defence and Lawton being our most "efficient" defender relieving the Frog for 10 minutes at the end. Can't see it any more differently than that.

It’s a hard one, our Mid season form seemed a lot better than our current form (opposition aside) our structure in both attack and defence was far better IMO when our big men shared the middle rotation, we had solid go forward to lay the platform for our expansive play, which seems is not happening as well now or as effectively, without relying on stats our defence also seems to be a little less effective, our defensive structure and it’s deficiencies were on show yesterday verses our mid season effectiveness when playing our big men in the middle rotation.

Its tuff knowing which way to go, but its 3 big men on the bench for me and back to a solid middle rotation that allowed our backline to click, we were scoring points at will and holding up much better defensively, our mid season form and structure could win this comp, what we dished up yesterday and over the last couple of weeks may not.

 

[Woodsie]

Agree with all positive comments about Walkers game and attitude .... but ... I do prefer him to be a bit chirpy .. not up to dickhead level, but the confident, back yourself top of your game level.

Some players thrive in the contest, and when/if Walker starts to get a bit chirpy again I think it will be on the back of becoming a more dominant force ...

 

[Nordburg]

It’s a hard one, our Mid season form seemed a lot better than our current form (opposition aside) our structure in both attack and defence was far better IMO when our big men shared the middle rotation, we had solid go forward to lay the platform for our expansive play, which seems is not happening as well now or as effectively, without relying on stats our defence also seems to be a little less effective, our defensive structure and it’s deficiencies were on show yesterday verses our mid season effectiveness when playing our big men in the middle rotation.

Its tuff knowing which way to go, but its 3 big men on the bench for me and back to a solid middle rotation that allowed our backline to click, we were scoring points at will and holding up much better defensively, our mid season form and structure could win this comp, what we dished up yesterday and over the last couple of weeks may not.

As “good” as Walker has played,I think he’s stifling the attack and his defence is not what the team needs in the middle of the field

 

[QueefRichards]

Dogs ran straight past Walker to break the line for their second try see 55 second mark

 

[NYEagle]

I see Walker coming on being a part of the prop rotation as disruptive to both our defensive and attacking structures.
We never had our middle ripped open before Des started doing this and our attack is disjointed because there are too many cooks in the kitchen.
The REAL middle know their positions in defence and maybe having someone in that structure that is not a middle forward is ruining their effectiveness.
The Shoo has not been contributing in attack like he was before this tactic...has it plssed him off or just stifled his effectiveness? Our attack has been REALLY clunky since we started doing this.
I know many here have a hard-on for Walker and want him in the team but it is CLEARLY not working as a TEAM structure, both defensively and attack wise and not about Walker.
Des is trying to be creative but it is not working and we are far better off having our proper middle rolling through and letting DCE, Foz, Shoo and Tom take care of the flair on the back of it.
It's finals time and it's time to knuckle down and do the hard work through the middle and let the backs do what they do best...which is what wins ALL the big games, regardless of any new rules.
We will be bundled out in 2 games if we don't have a strong, structured middle.

You make some excellent points here. I really see your point about the effect on Schusters role and how Walker can disrupt flow in the middle.
Quietly, I think Lawton is a better option for team stability in attack and defense. He was awesome when he came on yesterday.

But I think in the end though, Walker will be in the team whether we like it or not because he brings the finals experience. We will have to leave it up to Sir Desmond to put all these pieces together so we can win the premiership.

NYEagle

 

[Ned]

I see Walker coming on being a part of the prop rotation as disruptive to both our defensive and attacking structures.
We never had our middle ripped open before Des started doing this and our attack is disjointed because there are too many cooks in the kitchen.
The REAL middle know their positions in defence and maybe having someone in that structure that is not a middle forward is ruining their effectiveness.
The Shoo has not been contributing in attack like he was before this tactic...has it plssed him off or just stifled his effectiveness? Our attack has been REALLY clunky since we started doing this.
I know many here have a hard-on for Walker and want him in the team but it is CLEARLY not working as a TEAM structure, both defensively and attack wise and not about Walker.
Des is trying to be creative but it is not working and we are far better off having our proper middle rolling through and letting DCE, Foz, Shoo and Tom take care of the flair on the back of it.
It's finals time and it's time to knuckle down and do the hard work through the middle and let the backs do what they do best...which is what wins ALL the big games, regardless of any new rules.
We will be bundled out in 2 games if we don't have a strong, structured middle.

I have to agree, I noticed we started losing the battle in the middle when Walker came on. The dogs were making easy meters there.

 

[The Who]

Unfortunately I feel lawton may find himself in the reserves come finals.

I really like him as a player but when it comes to finals he doesn’t really have it over anyone in any aspect enough to counter the fact that he is new and inexperienced.

The LawMan has played 57 NRL matches so he is not inexperienced. He can also play hooker, halfback and five eighth, making him a valuable back-up to Froggy, DCE and even Foran. DESpicable has given him the role of a defender, which he does well, but if you have a look at his brag video you'll see he was/is a speedy attacker.
For me he offers both surety in his performance, and utility value, over Walker.

 

[Rafferty]

As “good” as Walker has played,I think he’s stifling the attack and his defence is not what the team needs in the middle of the field

No argument, Walker has been playing well as an individual and yesterday was one of his better games, but I still think we were playing a far better brand of footy mid season when our big men were used in a more conventional rotation, granted we have not been able to run that way recently with suspensions, injuries and personal circumstances playing a role, but I’d like to see us go back now we have our forward depth returning, personally I believe we were and will be a far better outfit, Walker can still play 14 and bring value to the side, just not as first change coming on in place of a prop.

 

[BOZO]

I am liking what I am seeing from Walker especially the last month or so. I think he has finally seen the light. No more big mouth. He seems to be putting in his all with his head down and doing his job to the best of his ability. He has def improved his mentality and makes some good runs. There is room for improvement though but if his mindset is right then I have hope for him. As a player If he sparks I do believe he has the ability to turn a game.I hope he keeps it up. Hats off to Des though.

Great post feathered friend .

Nothing like watching the perpetual motion of natural gifted players on the field

And Mr Walker is Mr Natural Ability

 

[Eagle 1]

Have noticed how Walker has bulked up, and it seems to be suiting him. That tackle to put the Bulldogs forward into the ingoal was what the team needed, I've been a harsh critic of Walkers on and off field incidents, but hats off, well done Dylan.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Its about balance and I see both Walker and Lawton as competing for the one bench spot. Both have positives. I'm glad I don't have to chose.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Dogs ran straight past Walker to break the line for their second try see 55 second mark

Yeah that's a bad miss. I can definitely see the argument for leaving him off as well. Des will have to weigh it all up I guess.

 

[castle eagle]

give me lawton over walker any day

 

[Simonmyers11]

Agree. Walker takes the ball from DCE and Schuster, so while he is on our attack seems to have too many cooks.

agree. reckon he stifles the attack at times and takes too much ball away from dce or foran. Not needed.

Bench of
Josh
keppie
Sippley
Lawton

Although i wont be surprised to have him on the bench. He still does add value, just feel at times we are missing another big mobile unit to keep carrying the ball forward. We look our best of go forward first and quick play the balls.

Maybe lawton misses out??

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Dogs ran straight past Walker to break the line for their second try see 55 second mark

Walker was on the other side of the scrum the dogs player ran past Guac and Sipley

 

[Shoe1]

S

Walker was on the other side of the scrum the dogs player ran past Guac and Sipley

sips was there for both breaks. Keps to take his place next week.

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Walker is a centre but Des has turned him into a bench player cause he sees the value of Walker on the bench
Back to pre-season Walker trained in the centre position of Parker it was only when Tommy was out that Walker got switched to fullback then he got injured in the meantime Parker did really well in the centre’s and Des has left Parker there . I believe if Walker started Centre he would probably still be there

 

[Fibro Eagle]

S

sips was there for both breaks. Keps to take his place next week.

Sips is good for his hit ups but has been found out a few times in defence
Keppie will give the forwards that aggression and a bit quicker in defence so don’t miss too much there
Id have Keppie back in for Sipley