Hooker

[TagMonster]

Simply put, Api is not a hooker. I still think he is a 5/8. Trying to make him a hooker is working out slightly better than Walker as a 5/8 and we all know how well that went.

We cannot be a powerhouse team with Api in our spine. I don't think that is even debatable. So why not give Cullen, Hastings and Lussick a run there and see if we have anything. If we don't, then we know we must find an established specialist hooker for 2018.

Seems like a pretty simple problem to solve. Guess that's why it hasn't been.....

 

[Ralphie]

What gets me is, the answer to this problem with Api is rather simple. Why doesn't Barrett grab Api, and tell him to distribute the ball quickly from dummy half? Don't try to run it unless you feel it an opportunity to pick up 20 metres. Then, get Green to train Api how to pass the flat ball, not behind, flat, to a ball runner? Honestly, it's not that friggin hard, just needs some training. The rest of his game is pretty good...

Matty Ballin used to do this well, and Green is a master at flat distributing.

So what you are saying is Api just needs some coaching. I wonder what they did all summer then?

 

[Ralphie]

Ala Matt Ballin

That's all he did , and did it bloody well.

Plus a thousand tackles each game too.

 

[Fluffy]

Ballin wouldn't have made a difference sitting on the sideline.

 

[Mitch]

& tackles?

Good point mate, not sure what his tackle count was and reading some other posters he may have played in the halves for all or some of the match. Still impressive though!

 

[nightster]

Ballin wouldn't have made a difference sitting on the sideline.

 

[Fluffy]

And how do you tell a pessimist?

They start everything with "I'm just being realistic"

 

[Fluffy]

Good point mate, not sure what his tackle count was and reading some other posters he may have played in the halves for all or some of the match. Still impressive though!

He played 5/8 so apples and oranges

Still good that he went well.

If I was thinking of using him he would be starting hooker this week in NSW cup to see how he goes there.

 

[brad]

And how do you tell a pessimist?

They start everything with "I'm just being realistic"

And jeez there's a couple of them.

 

[wombatgc]

Api's off the hook as shiitest dummy half passer!.......Michael Lichaa, take a bow son.
Josh Reynolds has put his back out trying to grab some of those passes

 

[bringbackbeaver]

Simply put, Api is not a hooker. I still think he is a 5/8. Trying to make him a hooker is working out slightly better than Walker as a 5/8 and we all know how well that went.

We cannot be a powerhouse team with Api in our spine. I don't think that is even debatable. So why not give Cullen, Hastings and Lussick a run there and see if we have anything. If we don't, then we know we must find an established specialist hooker for 2018.

Seems like a pretty simple problem to solve. Guess that's why it hasn't been.....

Well said. My judgement of Baz will have a lot to do with how he decides to use Brown, Api, Cullen and Hastings, this year. I could deal with having Api on the bench for the last 20 mins of the game (if needed) but he shouldnt be in the starting 13. I feel for him as he seems to be a good bloke and he does have a dig but class is a big thing... I would prefer Brown to start at 9 and then bring in cullen or Hastings and see how they go... As you said, if one of them doesnt step up in a big way, our recruitment efforts should be prioritized to get a top 4 hooker for '18...

 

[HoldenV8]

IMO Api isn't a hooker and I don't really think he's someone you'd want at 5/8 either (besides, if Green got injured then it should be Hastings who plays there, not Api).

Until Manly again gets a hooker who can actually pass from dummy half, we are going to struggle *cough cough* Matt Parcell *cough cough*

 

[Holmsey]

IMO Api isn't a hooker and I don't really think he's someone you'd want at 5/8 either (besides, if Green got injured then it should be Hastings who plays there, not Api).

Until Manly again gets a hooker who can actually pass from dummy half, we are going to struggle *cough cough* Matt Parcell *cough cough*

Matt Parcell wasn't the answer, we need a top line hooker and need to stop buying fringe reserve grade hookers or hooker that are out of position.

 

[Bearfax]

I find that hard to believe
Barrett generally tries to use most modern footy options and to have simply a passing Hooker....is not today.
Krilich....Steve Edge, Peponos - all simply distributors in 80's.
This was changed by Elias, Walters types into today's prototype who have both....like Smith, Farah ....the simple 1 dimensional pass from dummy half takes away the games most lethal advantage...attacking that ruck or at least, have the defence in 2 minds to create space out wide....the tighter you can scare opposition to over compensate closing the gates, is what allows that space for your speed men out wide.
Manlys best bust against Eels was from this very position from DCE.
Barrett cops plenty but I can't buy into him not wanting to engage the ruck???
This would be footy suicide!!
Yeh nah

Actually as I recall it Krillich (and Cochrane for that matter) were great running hookers. In fact Krillich was one of the first hookers to display fine running attack from the play the ball. He was ahead of his time and that was why he was so successful. Cochrane followed that tradition with some great running performances.

 

[HoldenV8]

Matt Parcell wasn't the answer, we need a top line hooker and need to stop buying fringe reserve grade hookers or hooker that are out of position.

Parcell may not have been the long term answer (but then, he might have been).....but he can pass the ball from dummy half a lot better than Api can and his defense is also better.

If Barrett wants a dummy half who just passes and does only the occasional run (is that fact or rumour??), we got rid of the wrong hooker IMO.

I still think, other than that he came to Manly with Barrett, that Api was kept because of his ability to also play in the halves. But then, why did we buy Cullen and Hastings who are better halves than he is? Unless they saw Parcell as a bigger injury risk then the whole thing doesn't make sense given that Api is crap at passing from dummy half.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I am all but convinced that our recruitment people watched "Moneyball" at some point and modelled the club's playing roster on the ideals set out in that film.

 

[maxta]

Actually as I recall it Krillich (and Cochrane for that matter) were great running hookers. In fact Krillich was one of the first hookers to display fine running attack from the play the ball. He was ahead of his time and that was why he was so successful. Cochrane followed that tradition with some great running performances.

I think if you asked ppl who had seen Krillich, Walters and Ben Elias and asked -
who was the tough old fashion hooker ? - Krillich
who ran the ball every chance with a dummy ? - Elias
Who was the best running hooker ? - Walters
This is a clearer summary for you.
You may have a few years on me and seen him as a rookie....
As I recall he was an old fashion, no nonsense, tough as teak hooker.
Yes he ran occasionally, but don't they all??
Fact was - very slow and when he did run it was more to stand in a tackle and offload - usually gave early quality ball to hard running forwards or Johnny Gibbs to create majority of attack.
The modern hooker takes that step out to engage the markers, giving the runner space to bend the line and create momentum....and....when the defender is slow off the ground will/should scoot....which happens on the back of the momentum they have basically created 1 or 2 tackles before - as in Cam Smith.

 

[The Who]

Hookers were originally selected because they could strike with their feet, hook the ball back and win the scrums. Why are they still called hookers?

 

[susan]

Anyone who needs to see how far we are behind the eightball with Korisau just needs to watch the great service, astute kicking and ability to read the play from Jake Friend last night. The difference is embarrassing and just outlines how the 9 is the key starting point for good attack.

 

[BOZO]

Anyone who needs to see how far we are behind the eightball with Korisau just needs to watch the great service, astute kicking and ability to read the play from Jake Friend last night. The difference is embarrassing and just outlines how the 9 is the key starting point for good attack.

The good news is we now have options . Cullen and Hastings gives us hope