sapphire coast sea eagle
Member
Debate Time!! How do you reckon the players that have appeared so far in the top team have performed so far this season? Don't forget they're only opinions and apologies if I've left any players out.
Brett Stuart..WAS a great player for the club. I reckon his best footy is well and truly behind him and perhaps injuries and age have caught up. Suggestions of putting him to 5/8 are off the mark..his attempts at grubber kicks are pretty awful.
Jorge Taufua..hasn't been the same since he lost confidence under the high ball a few seasons back. A couple of injuries since probably haven't done his confidence any good either. At least he runs the ball back from kicks with some vigour. Maybe a Tony Williams type move to the back row is the answer.
Tom Trbojevic..A great player so far. Potential unlimited written all over him. I can visualise a long and good career ahead including rep honours. The club MUST hang on to him.
Brayden Wiliame..Finally broke the jinx and has been fairly consistent since. Has some versatility to slot into other positions if needed. Fair backup player but shouldn't regularly be in the top side.
Lewis Brown..To be fair, he has been played in a few positions so far and through necessity hasn't been able to settle in the back row where he belongs. He is a Kiwi rep remember but his "arm grabs" in defence are a worry.
Pita Godinet..Bought to replace Tim Moltzen, not really first grade material but can fill in at 1/2 hooker 5/8 at a pinch.
Api Koroisau..I rate Api fairly highly..shows good scope and flair in attack when filling in at 1/2 back and let's not forget what he often does out of dummy half. Needed in the top team.
Darcy Lussick..When it suits him he can produce some powerful hit ups and some good shots in defence. Has the size and aggression to match his opponents and in the last few games has been good for the team. Needs to consistently play like this.
Matt Parcell..Sign him long term. So far has been probably week in week out their best player. Proof that the decision to let Matt Ballin go was a good one. Can handle NRL 1st grade with ease.
Martin Taupau..More controlled "kapow" and less trips to the judiciary is what's needed. Has the reputation of an enforcer and needs to show it. He can be damaging in both attack and defence and really needs to recapture the style he showed when at Wests Tigers.
Josh Starling..At least he has a go. Seems to have been pushed down the front row pecking order and sometimes seems to come off second best in front row collisions. A bit of a shame really because him and Brenton Lawrence were the cornerstone of the pack not so long ago.
Jamie Buhrer..Guts are the one thing Jamie has. Is still getting thrown around and bouncing off the opposition. Can do some good things in attack, does the occasional good kick into the in goal area and can still make metres out of dummy half. Should come off the bench when the other team are knackered.
Jake Trbojevic (c)..Wholehearted efforts and consistent performances are his mainstay. Like his brother, will probably have a long and proud life in the game. Another couple of kilos would be of benefit, but can mix it well with his opponents as he is. I don't think he's played a bad game for the club yet.
Blake Leary...A bit like Jamie Buhrer in that he defensively gets outmuscled alarmingly regularly. That shows because he hasn't established a regular spot in the top grade. He appears to try hard but that isn't enough when back rowers NEED to be effective defenders.
Matt Wright...Fringe first grader with utility value at best. Every club should have a player that can cover a few positions and Matt also has plenty of experience in the top grade. Still new the club, he should get better the more he settles in.
Siosaia Vave..Love the way the big unit hits the ball up! doing a bench prop's job well. Maybe has found a home at Manly and seems to have established himself in the regular squad. His fitness doesn't seem to be at the level needed as he seems to exhaust out quickly. With a bit of work in that department better things might come.
Liam Knight..Sadly injured but found himself up in first grade at last. Big and raw, if he plays in first grade like he did in the under 20's , he'll be a great player. First he needs to overcome this injury setback and get another chance. I'm sure that will happen eventually and hopefully prove what he can do.
Addin Fonua-Blake..A few games in first grade then dropped? what happened? seemed to handle the pace and rigours of 1st grade allright and seemed undaunted playing against opposition forwards. Maybe will get another chance and still only young so anything could happen with this guy.
Nathan Green..Grabbed a back row spot in round 1 and then never to be seen again until now and in the back row again. This guy is a centre or winger ferchristsake. I can't understand some coaches playing outside backs as forwards. A successful switch doesn't always happen. Give him a go in the centres or on the wing instead of Williame or Wright.
Brenton Lawrence..Love his bravery and effort but I think that he is prone to serious injuries and gives away a lot of size to his opposite props. Had a great season in his first year at the club, but he seems to be on the downward spiral as age does not favour him and I don't think he could ever play with the same confidence that he had a few seasons back.
Steve Matai..There's that word again..injury..hardly spotted this season but when fit I still think he's one of Manly's best. Badly needed now and would lift the team with his presence. Can still produce absolute bellringers of hits on anyone and still knows the way to the tryline. Very much missed player.
Jamie Lyon..Like Brett Stuart, Jamie's best is behind him. He himself has probably realised this and he deserves to retire with some grace and dignity. The thing I've noticed mainly is he is getting brushed off in defence a bit and it rarely happened before. Still shows the odd flash of brilliance in attack but for a player of his calibre we need more.
Nate Myles..Has basically done nothing for Manly. I am starting to believe that he really came to the club so that Cherry-Evans would backflip. Nowhere near as effective is we know he can be. If he can play well for Queensland, why can't he play well for Manly. Needs to lift a hell of a lot to justify himself to his club, team mates and supporters.
Daly Cherry - Evans..I think the biggest concern is that Daly needs to have a regular halves partner. I know injuries have played a big part, but really, how many partners has he been with? I'll get to Dylan Walker soon, but he needs a 5/8 with him. regularly. As an individual, The only thing that mystifies me is that he makes some really strange decisions in attack. He doesn't do it often but sometimes will kick early, puts up a bomb instead of a grubber or not kick at all and die with the ball on the last tackle. He is a better player than that and I don't like to say it but he probably would like Keiran Foran back as a partner.
Feleti Mateo..Out of favour it seems. One of those enigmatic type of players that can almost win games on his own. Had a blinder against Manly in the 2011 grand final. Throws a beautiful pass but i'm not sure what his best position really is. A move to the front row could be an experiment at this stage of the season as there really isn't that much to lose.
Dylan Walker.. IS A CENTRE!!! played way out of position early on, now at where he should be. Most effective at running out wide, looked ordinary at 5/8. Tried to place intricate kicks inside the opponent's 25 area with little or no effect. Didn't show any attributes of what is needed as a 5/8, but seemed to play his natural game close in to the centre of the field. There was a lot attack taking place when he moved out to where he should be. Leave him in the centres.
Brett Stuart..WAS a great player for the club. I reckon his best footy is well and truly behind him and perhaps injuries and age have caught up. Suggestions of putting him to 5/8 are off the mark..his attempts at grubber kicks are pretty awful.
Jorge Taufua..hasn't been the same since he lost confidence under the high ball a few seasons back. A couple of injuries since probably haven't done his confidence any good either. At least he runs the ball back from kicks with some vigour. Maybe a Tony Williams type move to the back row is the answer.
Tom Trbojevic..A great player so far. Potential unlimited written all over him. I can visualise a long and good career ahead including rep honours. The club MUST hang on to him.
Brayden Wiliame..Finally broke the jinx and has been fairly consistent since. Has some versatility to slot into other positions if needed. Fair backup player but shouldn't regularly be in the top side.
Lewis Brown..To be fair, he has been played in a few positions so far and through necessity hasn't been able to settle in the back row where he belongs. He is a Kiwi rep remember but his "arm grabs" in defence are a worry.
Pita Godinet..Bought to replace Tim Moltzen, not really first grade material but can fill in at 1/2 hooker 5/8 at a pinch.
Api Koroisau..I rate Api fairly highly..shows good scope and flair in attack when filling in at 1/2 back and let's not forget what he often does out of dummy half. Needed in the top team.
Darcy Lussick..When it suits him he can produce some powerful hit ups and some good shots in defence. Has the size and aggression to match his opponents and in the last few games has been good for the team. Needs to consistently play like this.
Matt Parcell..Sign him long term. So far has been probably week in week out their best player. Proof that the decision to let Matt Ballin go was a good one. Can handle NRL 1st grade with ease.
Martin Taupau..More controlled "kapow" and less trips to the judiciary is what's needed. Has the reputation of an enforcer and needs to show it. He can be damaging in both attack and defence and really needs to recapture the style he showed when at Wests Tigers.
Josh Starling..At least he has a go. Seems to have been pushed down the front row pecking order and sometimes seems to come off second best in front row collisions. A bit of a shame really because him and Brenton Lawrence were the cornerstone of the pack not so long ago.
Jamie Buhrer..Guts are the one thing Jamie has. Is still getting thrown around and bouncing off the opposition. Can do some good things in attack, does the occasional good kick into the in goal area and can still make metres out of dummy half. Should come off the bench when the other team are knackered.
Jake Trbojevic (c)..Wholehearted efforts and consistent performances are his mainstay. Like his brother, will probably have a long and proud life in the game. Another couple of kilos would be of benefit, but can mix it well with his opponents as he is. I don't think he's played a bad game for the club yet.
Blake Leary...A bit like Jamie Buhrer in that he defensively gets outmuscled alarmingly regularly. That shows because he hasn't established a regular spot in the top grade. He appears to try hard but that isn't enough when back rowers NEED to be effective defenders.
Matt Wright...Fringe first grader with utility value at best. Every club should have a player that can cover a few positions and Matt also has plenty of experience in the top grade. Still new the club, he should get better the more he settles in.
Siosaia Vave..Love the way the big unit hits the ball up! doing a bench prop's job well. Maybe has found a home at Manly and seems to have established himself in the regular squad. His fitness doesn't seem to be at the level needed as he seems to exhaust out quickly. With a bit of work in that department better things might come.
Liam Knight..Sadly injured but found himself up in first grade at last. Big and raw, if he plays in first grade like he did in the under 20's , he'll be a great player. First he needs to overcome this injury setback and get another chance. I'm sure that will happen eventually and hopefully prove what he can do.
Addin Fonua-Blake..A few games in first grade then dropped? what happened? seemed to handle the pace and rigours of 1st grade allright and seemed undaunted playing against opposition forwards. Maybe will get another chance and still only young so anything could happen with this guy.
Nathan Green..Grabbed a back row spot in round 1 and then never to be seen again until now and in the back row again. This guy is a centre or winger ferchristsake. I can't understand some coaches playing outside backs as forwards. A successful switch doesn't always happen. Give him a go in the centres or on the wing instead of Williame or Wright.
Brenton Lawrence..Love his bravery and effort but I think that he is prone to serious injuries and gives away a lot of size to his opposite props. Had a great season in his first year at the club, but he seems to be on the downward spiral as age does not favour him and I don't think he could ever play with the same confidence that he had a few seasons back.
Steve Matai..There's that word again..injury..hardly spotted this season but when fit I still think he's one of Manly's best. Badly needed now and would lift the team with his presence. Can still produce absolute bellringers of hits on anyone and still knows the way to the tryline. Very much missed player.
Jamie Lyon..Like Brett Stuart, Jamie's best is behind him. He himself has probably realised this and he deserves to retire with some grace and dignity. The thing I've noticed mainly is he is getting brushed off in defence a bit and it rarely happened before. Still shows the odd flash of brilliance in attack but for a player of his calibre we need more.
Nate Myles..Has basically done nothing for Manly. I am starting to believe that he really came to the club so that Cherry-Evans would backflip. Nowhere near as effective is we know he can be. If he can play well for Queensland, why can't he play well for Manly. Needs to lift a hell of a lot to justify himself to his club, team mates and supporters.
Daly Cherry - Evans..I think the biggest concern is that Daly needs to have a regular halves partner. I know injuries have played a big part, but really, how many partners has he been with? I'll get to Dylan Walker soon, but he needs a 5/8 with him. regularly. As an individual, The only thing that mystifies me is that he makes some really strange decisions in attack. He doesn't do it often but sometimes will kick early, puts up a bomb instead of a grubber or not kick at all and die with the ball on the last tackle. He is a better player than that and I don't like to say it but he probably would like Keiran Foran back as a partner.
Feleti Mateo..Out of favour it seems. One of those enigmatic type of players that can almost win games on his own. Had a blinder against Manly in the 2011 grand final. Throws a beautiful pass but i'm not sure what his best position really is. A move to the front row could be an experiment at this stage of the season as there really isn't that much to lose.
Dylan Walker.. IS A CENTRE!!! played way out of position early on, now at where he should be. Most effective at running out wide, looked ordinary at 5/8. Tried to place intricate kicks inside the opponent's 25 area with little or no effect. Didn't show any attributes of what is needed as a 5/8, but seemed to play his natural game close in to the centre of the field. There was a lot attack taking place when he moved out to where he should be. Leave him in the centres.
