Now that optimism for this season has finally passed, and emotions subside, I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on our 2022 performance (first half). Whilst it is clear there are systemic issues with the team's structures and attitude as a whole, rating individual players seems like good fodder for a members forum. So here are my Manly player ratings for this season to date:
Tom Trbojevic 4 - Missed the majority of games, playing hampered in those he did play.
Jason Saab 2 - Disappointing start before injury. His form seems completely dependent on Turbo's, and offers very little by way of helping team-mates with the hard yakka.
Brad Parker 7 - Turns out to be one of our most consistent and defensively sound players in the squad. Manly have missed his presence since his injury.
Morgan Harper 2 - The cracks started appearing late last season, and they have now become gaping chasms that have eroded away at his most foundational self-confidence. Badly exposed in defence, and has shown that the physical demands of week to week NRL is too much to handle. Should be selected only in the depths of an injury crisis.
Reuben Garrick 8 - Continues to grow, does all the 1%ers, has great attitude, and is probably our most consistent player. Turned out to be not a bad goal-kicker either! The only player to have continually evolved and improved under Des' watch (with Parker), which says more about Reuben's character than Des' approach. My first pick every week.
Tolu Koula 6 - Could be rated higher due to his determined performances in a poor team especially at such a young age. His technique is good, but needs a lot of work on his defensive reads and positioning, which has seen him miss too many tackles - very understandable at this stage. Hasn't been given enough opportunity in attack.
Christian Tuipulotu 6 - Again, could have rated higher after some barnstorming performances. Still a work in progress, but see plenty of potential.
Kieran Foran 8 - Along with Garrick, has been our best performer. Straightens the attack, creates tries every week, and plays with toughness and leadership. It's little wonder our left side often looks slick and dangerous in attack with most of Manly's points come on his side. Shame to see him go.
Daly Cherry-Evans 5 - Whilst our captain has put in a few great kicking performances against the bottom teams (interestingly just while contract extension negotiations were being finalised), as our general, and marquee playmaker, does very little in helping our cause. Tries hard, but often adds to the confusion and deficiencies.
Lachlan Croker 6 - Can't fault his application. A tackling machine, but a bit of a shame that's all he can do (although a little more promising this year, has a long way to go in terms of controlling play, reading the ruck, and creating opportunity).
Martin Taupau 4 - Underwhelming is probably an understatement. May be playing injured, but the fire within.has long been extinguished. A shadow of his former self.
Josh Aloiai 7 - Easily our best middle forward. Just thought he would have had a greater influence on the rest of the pack since his signing. Still, if the others played with his intensity every week, surely Manly would be sitting higher on the ladder.
Jake Trbojevic 6 - Unfortunately Jake's effectiveness has been slowly waning since 2019. All heart, the crucial cog in our defensive middle, and honesty believe that without him, Manly could be contesting for the spoon this year. Having said that, Des' coaching has sucked all life out of him, and missing this year's SOO for the first time in years is a sad testament to a great man (this most certainly says a lot about Des' approach).
Taniela Paseka 5 - Injured for some time, but had quality stints. When will potential ever be fulfilled? We're all still waiting to see Haas-like performances from him, but just don't know if this will ever happen. Shame.
Sean Keppie 4 - Rose to some pretty impressive standards by late last season. Aggressive and tough, but needs to work on his discipline. A major disappointment this season, putting tremendous pressure on the team almost on a weekly basis
Toafofoa Sipley 4 - Damaging ball runner, needs to work harder on his fitness levels so he can help the team more than he does
Haumole Ola'akautu 8 - Our most dangerous player at the moment, although performance has slightly dipped lately. An absolute weapon, but under-utilised.
Andrew Davey 6 - Hard worker, consistent. Don't need to say much here. Every team needs a few Daveys.
Dylan Walker 6 - Added great impact on several occasions. The team balance seems to get disrupted when he comes on however, and the niggling injuries continually add pressure to the team.
Karl Lawton 5 - Brings energy, and has covered admirably. Sometimes feel he is pretty good at everything, whilst not being great at anything. A certain tackle has cost Manly dearly too.
Josh Schuster 4 - Like Turbo, hasn't been on the field long enough to score higher. We can all see his potential.
Ben Trbojevic 7 - One of the shining lights of season 2022. Great attitude and pedigree. Probably see him as a better edge forward then centre, but will continue to improve.
Feel free to add others and put your own ratings!
Tom Trbojevic 4 - Missed the majority of games, playing hampered in those he did play.
Jason Saab 2 - Disappointing start before injury. His form seems completely dependent on Turbo's, and offers very little by way of helping team-mates with the hard yakka.
Brad Parker 7 - Turns out to be one of our most consistent and defensively sound players in the squad. Manly have missed his presence since his injury.
Morgan Harper 2 - The cracks started appearing late last season, and they have now become gaping chasms that have eroded away at his most foundational self-confidence. Badly exposed in defence, and has shown that the physical demands of week to week NRL is too much to handle. Should be selected only in the depths of an injury crisis.
Reuben Garrick 8 - Continues to grow, does all the 1%ers, has great attitude, and is probably our most consistent player. Turned out to be not a bad goal-kicker either! The only player to have continually evolved and improved under Des' watch (with Parker), which says more about Reuben's character than Des' approach. My first pick every week.
Tolu Koula 6 - Could be rated higher due to his determined performances in a poor team especially at such a young age. His technique is good, but needs a lot of work on his defensive reads and positioning, which has seen him miss too many tackles - very understandable at this stage. Hasn't been given enough opportunity in attack.
Christian Tuipulotu 6 - Again, could have rated higher after some barnstorming performances. Still a work in progress, but see plenty of potential.
Kieran Foran 8 - Along with Garrick, has been our best performer. Straightens the attack, creates tries every week, and plays with toughness and leadership. It's little wonder our left side often looks slick and dangerous in attack with most of Manly's points come on his side. Shame to see him go.
Daly Cherry-Evans 5 - Whilst our captain has put in a few great kicking performances against the bottom teams (interestingly just while contract extension negotiations were being finalised), as our general, and marquee playmaker, does very little in helping our cause. Tries hard, but often adds to the confusion and deficiencies.
Lachlan Croker 6 - Can't fault his application. A tackling machine, but a bit of a shame that's all he can do (although a little more promising this year, has a long way to go in terms of controlling play, reading the ruck, and creating opportunity).
Martin Taupau 4 - Underwhelming is probably an understatement. May be playing injured, but the fire within.has long been extinguished. A shadow of his former self.
Josh Aloiai 7 - Easily our best middle forward. Just thought he would have had a greater influence on the rest of the pack since his signing. Still, if the others played with his intensity every week, surely Manly would be sitting higher on the ladder.
Jake Trbojevic 6 - Unfortunately Jake's effectiveness has been slowly waning since 2019. All heart, the crucial cog in our defensive middle, and honesty believe that without him, Manly could be contesting for the spoon this year. Having said that, Des' coaching has sucked all life out of him, and missing this year's SOO for the first time in years is a sad testament to a great man (this most certainly says a lot about Des' approach).
Taniela Paseka 5 - Injured for some time, but had quality stints. When will potential ever be fulfilled? We're all still waiting to see Haas-like performances from him, but just don't know if this will ever happen. Shame.
Sean Keppie 4 - Rose to some pretty impressive standards by late last season. Aggressive and tough, but needs to work on his discipline. A major disappointment this season, putting tremendous pressure on the team almost on a weekly basis
Toafofoa Sipley 4 - Damaging ball runner, needs to work harder on his fitness levels so he can help the team more than he does
Haumole Ola'akautu 8 - Our most dangerous player at the moment, although performance has slightly dipped lately. An absolute weapon, but under-utilised.
Andrew Davey 6 - Hard worker, consistent. Don't need to say much here. Every team needs a few Daveys.
Dylan Walker 6 - Added great impact on several occasions. The team balance seems to get disrupted when he comes on however, and the niggling injuries continually add pressure to the team.
Karl Lawton 5 - Brings energy, and has covered admirably. Sometimes feel he is pretty good at everything, whilst not being great at anything. A certain tackle has cost Manly dearly too.
Josh Schuster 4 - Like Turbo, hasn't been on the field long enough to score higher. We can all see his potential.
Ben Trbojevic 7 - One of the shining lights of season 2022. Great attitude and pedigree. Probably see him as a better edge forward then centre, but will continue to improve.
Feel free to add others and put your own ratings!
