Many of us here have been die hard Manly fans for a long, long time. In my case 50 years.
We've been through enormous highs and naturally the lowest of lows. Thankfully the latter has never lasted and we've recovered as champion clubs do.
Des you of course know this as well as anyone given your esteemed playing and coaching career at the club.
I realise it's only round 4, and we've played 3 of the elite top 4 teams. Of course we've also played these games without a fullback and a hooker, arguably now the two most important positions on the field. On top of that back we've suffered back row injuries to Siro, Davey and Olakau'atu leaving us threadbare. Any team would suffer up against all of that.
However it's not about the fact we've lost these games, fans are ok with gutsy losses. It's the WAY we've lost them, and the blowout scores with defence that is completely unacceptable for a Manly first grade team. A team that looks mentally shot after 20 minutes.
Moving forward there's just TWO things we'd like to see:
1. The best 17 players selected who are the ones to build our future (even if that means trying hard but losing)
2. A coach who's not afraid to drop players who are either out of form, out of position, or simply not contributing
To that end, this is the team I'd like to see picked tomorrow afternoon, and why:
1. Tom T - we shouldn't be afraid to rotate him with Funa
2. Funa - hasn't let us down before, can cover FB too
3. Harper - impressive back end of last year, deserves his chance, and also FB cover
4. Walker - pressure off from FB
5. Tuipulotu - we need size and speed on the wing
6. Schuster - Joey Johns said on Thu night Josh MUST be the ball player (and not making 35 tackles)
7. DCE - needs all the help he can get and Schuster is the future
8. Aloiai - the best prop to date, must start
9. Cust - every man and his dog knows Cade is by far the best option who must play at least 60-65 mins
10. Taupau - needs a hard as nails partner like Josh A
11. Sipley - we desperately need size on the edge
12. Saddler - happy to swap with another Blacktown name if there is a better option (until Siro back obv)
13. Jake T - should he be the capt and let DCE get back to his best?
14. Foran - should only be used EXACTLY like Benji for 15-20 mins only (unless injury)
15. Paseka - sheer size and impact off bench
16. Keppie - ditto Paseka
17. Gosiewski or Ben Turbo or Suli (as edge forwards who can also cover centre)
DROPPED:
Parker - ball handling and defence must be practised at Blacktown
Suli - unless he can play 2nd row like a Joey Leilua
Saab - great kid but clearly not ready for first grade yet
Croker - had chances but unfortunately not a first grade player
Boyle - same as Croker
As said, losing with heart and guts is totally fine. But capitulating is not ok.
Please, let's do this now before it's too late and we are 8 losses down.
