Walker to 5/8 our X factor for finals

[47MVEagle]

I'm really happy to come into this thread every time Manly win with Dee Dubya at 5/8th & eat another serve of humble pie!

I changed my original "disagree" to "agree" last week.

 

[Class of 96]

Errrr Ummm...late change. Winner post!

 

[Class of 96]

C’mon all you disagreeable sods. Change it from a record dislike to a record like!

 

[Pittwater Legend]

Down from 52 disagrees to 37, that is quite a turnaround!

I never gave the original post a rating but if this keeps up then I might have to do a Steven Bradbury and assign a clever rating.

Dylan Walker deserves some credit! 1978 was very reasonable in putting his points across initially but I’m guessing that the overall dissatisfaction with Dylan Walker is one of the biggest reasons why people felt so strongly about the original post. Dylan Walker is solely letting his football do the talking now

 

[HappilyManly]

Walker hasn't done anything yet

We are all just relieved that he has stopped leaving defensive gaps at centre and letting in multiple tries each game 😎

Long way to go for his redemption story

 

[wombatgc]

Already reversed mine Saturday night.

NYEagle

I think reversing your disagrees takes away from the huge call @1978 not only made, but backed it up in his initial post. How’s he supposed to brag , if everyone starts jumping back over the fence.

 

[Top End Eagle]

I disagreed because I still think he’s one of the best centres in the game and based on watching him under Trent at six. Des can coach and whilst I think originally it was about building his confidence and getting him away from his preferred side he has been given a game plan and instruction he can follow and not push the whole side sideways for Tom to be picked off when trying to straighten it.

 

[Ben]

Changed from a dislike to a winner

 

[Oracle]

I'm not a fan of Walker, however I'd love to be proven wrong. I thought he was a running back, but I'm yet to see/remember him making a break this season.
I'm obviously missing his attributes.

State who you would rather see playing 5/8 ???
Then work it out from there
When Ponga was asked (Marty Johns) about why Manly was going so good he said our spine

 

[Lyonstomenzies]

I disagreed because I still think he’s one of the best centres in the game and based on watching him under Trent at six. Des can coach and whilst I think originally it was about building his confidence and getting him away from his preferred side he has been given a game plan and instruction he can follow and not push the whole side sideways for Tom to be picked off when trying to straighten it.

Killer was the best centre we have had since Bozo but he made a pretty handy 40-nil 5/8.
You pick your best 17 the rest works it self out. Tom looked great as a centre in SOO but is a fullback. Laurie Daley was a awesome centre but played mostly at 5/8. Same as Filter. ET looked good everywhere (even to Mellors wife) and he played all over the backline.

 

[wombatgc]

Killer was the best centre we have had since Bozo but he made a pretty handy 40-nil 5/8.
You pick your best 17 the rest works it self out. Tom looked great as a centre in SOO but is a fullback. Laurie Daley was a awesome centre but played mostly at 5/8. Same as Filter. ET looked good everywhere (even to Mellors wife) and he played all over the backline.

If I was that way inclined I’d have done ET as well. And fuuck it, I’d do the alien as well.

 

[Oracle]

I know Walker's struggled in halves before, and I am a fan of Cust.

But to catch up to Storm/Roosters/Rabbitohs and overtake them in GF, we need Walker at 5/8. Here's why:

1. Walker is a big match player who thrives on early ball.

2. Parker is a must to return to centre. We'll need his defence in GF against Mitchell/Manu and co. I like Cust but think Parker adds more to team overall.

3. Not sold on Cust / Croker / LG for big games. Cust still a work-in-progress.

4. We have a real coach who can make Walker in halves work.

5. The emergence of Fainu gives us another ball-player in team,

6. Walker has that X Factor you need in big games.

I know most will disagree with this but backline with Walker at Six and Parker at three looks stronger.

Been away for along time and just read what you said about our halves
YOU NAILED IT !!!!!!!

 

[manlyfan76]

While our forwards have been more than holding their own (and the middle) both halves have been playing well. Walker has surprised most with his play including me.

Let's see how he goes when our forwards are losing the front battle. Many on here berated chez in the past when the big boys up front failed to lay the platform, something Walks has had the benefit of.
Interesting to see if he is cut more slack than the clean skin Cherry Evans.

 

[Oracle]

While our forwards have been more than holding their own (and the middle) both halves have been playing well. Walker has surprised most with his play including me.

Let's see how he goes when our forwards are losing the front battle. Many on here berated chez in the past when the big boys up front failed to lay the platform, something Walks has had the benefit of.
Interesting to see if he is cut more slack than the clean skin Cherry Evans.

Hmmm interesting ...to be fair our big boys were great under Barrett
When Des arrived, without doubt he reviewed tapes of last years games under TB
And could see what was happening
To us TB game plan was obvious, but even worse then this ..opposition coaches
His plan get field position through API,Taupau and FB then give the ball to Jake, Cherry, and Tom
Basically every one else were simply playing to make this happen
Walker as 5/8 was without doubt frustrated with his role under Trent Barrett and simply copped the criticism
Under Des he is playing like the shackles are off
Cust as 5/8 appeared to think to much with the ball in hand and whatever momentum could have been gained was lost (outside backs scratching heads,work in progress)
By comparison before Walker gets the ball he (in 3 weeks) has instinctively got it figured out ,draw and pass, cut out pass run or simply pass ( just like Foz)

I’m 100% sure after Des could see what Barrett did he simply did the opposite
The seamless transition of our combinations is a credit to Des and his team they are doing a fantastic job
Now everyone across the park is dangerous

 

[manly al]

Might have to try and move Elgey for instance on to retain Walker on some still decent coin. Elgey seems a good bloke and basically a good footballer but maybe best instead to ideally keep Cust and Croker on modest contracts to compliment the halves positions and with Funa and young Hoppa to add to the outside backs depth . Assuming also that Parker stays . On present form and value to the side and now as a 6 , Walker is still warranted a healthy contract amount for Manly [ taking into account that he does presently have a preference to stay ] just have to make some other player contact arrangement changes i guess to get the preferred back line balance right going forward

 

[Woodsie]

Might have to try and move Elgey for instance on to retain Walker on some still decent coin. Elgey seems a good bloke and basically a good footballer but maybe best instead to ideally keep Cust and Croker on modest contracts to compliment the halves positions and with Funa and young Hoppa to add to the outside backs depth . Assuming also that Parker stays . On present form and value to the side and now as a 6 , Walker is still warranted a healthy contract amount for Manly [ taking into account that he does presently have a preference to stay ] just have to make some other player contact arrangement changes i guess to get the preferred back line balance right going forward

Elgey was on the bench for reggies this weekend .... can you suggest who might take him for anywhere near his contract value ?

PSS ... Although he did go okay when he came on ...

 

[manly al]

Elgey was on the bench for reggies this weekend .... can you suggest who might take him for anywhere near his contract value ?

PSS ... Although he did go okay when he came on ...

Was thinking more like Super League for a possible Elgey move , Probably on the 300 - 350 k contract range for Manly now , Maybe an English club would be prepared to outlay a good portion of his present contract with Manly covering the rest .Also was aware of his weekend stint with Black Town and he is maybe already considering his options for next year . Also have to concur that there would be unlikely much interest from other N R l clubs for his services and current contract value right now . . Just have to wait and see no doubt .

 

[Oracle]

I’m enjoying this
I have been a long time advocate of Walker at 5/8
I saw him play as a 5/8 in the under twenties and know what he is capable of.
Everyone agrees Twenty stuffed our team up!, but not in Walkers case.
Well anyway thank god Des turned up
I’m very happy that Walker has a proper chance to show us what he can do
And so far in spite of the stuff he has had to deal with he is going from strength to strength

 

[Go manly]

King Bonzo always believed Dylan was a 5/8th and brought him to us for that reason

As our Silvertail BOZO might remind us
He was ahead of his time again

Trent could not pull the right reins is all and Dylan was the frustrated big name in a team going no where led by TB

He now knows his role and has the authority, accountability and support to execute

It’s in his court - just the way he likes it

Got a feeling he might be here for a while , which was not in the cards earlier this year

The choice will be be Dylan’s

Go Manly

 

[The better Robbo]

Ok, now we've seen Manly in a game under pressure and walker basically ineffective today do we go back to Croker/Cust at 5.8 and walker to Centre? Especially with Parker injured. I know we had no go forward and we were terrible in the wet but with the parker injury i dont see another option