Lehi deserves the 1

[maxta]

Tom T is out again and not gunna bag him personally, but it's almost become a week to week proposition.
Lehi has been 1 of Manlys Best all season and 1 of few to hold his head up, even after some terrible losses more than holding his own.
Just maybe, it will be Lehi at fullback on a permanent basis near future, as Tom is on his day up with the elite players in the game, but personally reckon he has been at 60% in 2025 and a week to week proposition to be available.
Having a classy young gun who will only be better with age in that vital fullback position, is part of what Manly need .... every week knowing he will show up and play a 7+ game and be there next week to do the same.
I mean our consistency is a bit like a mirror of Tom being available....a big question mark.
Manly lack stability and the way the side relies on Tom, is detrimental at times of the "TEAM" performances....the old shut down Tom, we win the game formula of many opposition teams, has in fact been visible for years and the Manly team seems to believe it too.
I think it's time moving forward to build a "team" who play for each other, as Tom fades away making this current system even further from producing a side who wants to seriously challenge for a title...and I feel a safe yet classy fullback like Lehi, is a perfect "reliable" bloke at the back to build a Winning team around.
I like Tom, I think when fit is a weapon....but that's 2-3 games a season, which makes it hard to build momentum and a big part of why Manly are

• A team that is suddenly rated a contender
• A team that is not far off bottom 4

Really need a team that shows up "every week" and from what I've seen - Lehi as a player, is in this bracket

 

[Sheikheagle]

Yeah i think fullback is too important a position now to chop and change. Keep Lehi at 1 until Tom proves he is over injury and back to his best. He could play centre or wing.

 

[XV-1]

There is a very good argument that Koula would be as good or even better.

He certainly has a lot more speed to be able to chime into the backline.
D - not sure but Koula does have more robust D.
Hands and taking the high ball - I think Hoppa has better hands and maybe better in the air, but both are good at that.

 

[SeaEagle007]

I disagree.. Koula to Fullback , way more explosive, Talau to Centre keep Lehi on the wing

 

[Rafferty]

I disagree.. Koula to Fullback , way more explosive, Talau to Centre keep Lehi on the wing

I go this way as well, should be given a go, it has the potential to strengthen the squad, I also think Lehi could be given a go in the halves, at least as an experiment during Origin, JA isn’t going to take us anyway as a half, otherwise leave Lehi on the wing while he develops physically.

 

[Thewestisbest]

Tom T is out again and not gunna bag him personally, but it's almost become a week to week proposition.
Lehi has been 1 of Manlys Best all season and 1 of few to hold his head up, even after some terrible losses more than holding his own.
Just maybe, it will be Lehi at fullback on a permanent basis near future, as Tom is on his day up with the elite players in the game, but personally reckon he has been at 60% in 2025 and a week to week proposition to be available.
Having a classy young gun who will only be better with age in that vital fullback position, is part of what Manly need .... every week knowing he will show up and play a 7+ game and be there next week to do the same.
I mean our consistency is a bit like a mirror of Tom being available....a big question mark.
Manly lack stability and the way the side relies on Tom, is detrimental at times of the "TEAM" performances....the old shut down Tom, we win the game formula of many opposition teams, has in fact been visible for years and the Manly team seems to believe it too.
I think it's time moving forward to build a "team" who play for each other, as Tom fades away making this current system even further from producing a side who wants to seriously challenge for a title...and I feel a safe yet classy fullback like Lehi, is a perfect "reliable" bloke at the back to build a Winning team around.
I like Tom, I think when fit is a weapon....but that's 2-3 games a season, which makes it hard to build momentum and a big part of why Manly are

• A team that is suddenly rated a contender
• A team that is not far off bottom 4

Really need a team that shows up "every week" and from what I've seen - Lehi as a player, is in this bracket

It's sad but true. I think you are right Maxta, we def need to reinvent our overall team play.

 

[Thewestisbest]

I like Koula at FB. His best games have been in the 1.

I disagree.. Koula to Fullback , way more explosive, Talau to Centre keep Lehi on the wing

 

[Phobia]

There is a very good argument that Koula would be as good or even better.

He certainly has a lot more speed to be able to chime into the backline.
D - not sure but Koula does have more robust D.
Hands and taking the high ball - I think Hoppa has better hands and maybe better in the air, but both are good at that.

Big disagreement here. Hoppa has vastly better line management than Koula. That's an underrated skill that isn't easily observed, but it's not coincidental that we have had 40+ put on us numerous times with Koula at FB. I also think Hoppa has better playmaking instincts, and knows when to chime in.

On the Turbo vs Hoppa discussion, I thought I'd compare their stats at fullback this year.

Turbo
7 games
1 try
4 try assists
2 linebreaks
7 linebreak assists
16 Tackle breaks (8 of which were Rnd 1)
4 offloads
155 average running metres
16 errors!!!

Hoppa
5 games at FB (including 40 mins vs Eels)
0 tries
4 try assists
1 linebreaks
7 linebreak assists
17 Tackle breaks
2 offloads
200 average running metres
3 errors

Hopoate actually looks better statistically this year, even when having less games at fullback. I think they need to seriously consider bringing back Turbo through the centres again, because he has not been performing in a key spine position.

 

[MW66]

Lehi has been one of our best players all season and I have no doubt he will be fine on Saturday. The big difference between Lehi and Tom (when fit) is that Tom adds so much to the attack and sets up a lot of try's sweeping into the backline by either a half bust or attracting the opposition player/s. Lehi physically does not have the same presence yet.

 

[maxta]

Big disagreement here. Hoppa has vastly better line management than Koula. That's an underrated skill that isn't easily observed, but it's not coincidental that we have had 40+ put on us numerous times with Koula at FB. I also think Hoppa has better playmaking instincts, and knows when to chime in.

On the Turbo vs Hoppa discussion, I thought I'd compare their stats at fullback this year.

Turbo
7 games
1 try
4 try assists
2 linebreaks
7 linebreak assists
16 Tackle breaks (8 of which were Rnd 1)
4 offloads
155 average running metres
16 errors!!!

Hoppa
5 games at FB (including 40 mins vs Eels)
0 tries
4 try assists
1 linebreaks
7 linebreak assists
17 Tackle breaks
2 offloads
200 average running metres
3 errors

Hopoate actually looks better statistically this year, even when having less games at fullback. I think they need to seriously consider bringing back Turbo through the centres again, because he has not been performing in a key spine position.

Your bang on with WHY personally I feel Lehi to fullback
Has more vision and leadership skills and will only get stronger with time and confidence- a Natural
Still understand Koula as well - so fast and unreal hovering around for second faze and has that blistering pace
Either way I'd be happy, just feel it's time to get more solidarity at the back with a fullback who is consistently out there to guide the side around and be "part of" a great side....maybe either of these boys, but I see Hoppa by an edge of footy brains and a future leader

 

[maxta]

There is a very good argument that Koula would be as good or even better.

He certainly has a lot more speed to be able to chime into the backline.
D - not sure but Koula does have more robust D.
Hands and taking the high ball - I think Hoppa has better hands and maybe better in the air, but both are good at that.

Fair call , can handle that way as well mate

 

[47MVEagle]

Yeah I reckon Lehi has a better footy mind & read of the game at fullback than Koula.

 

[Gonzosnos]

Yeah i think fullback is too important a position now to chop and change. Keep Lehi at 1 until Tom proves he is over injury and back to his best. He could play centre or wing.

🤣🤣🤣wing.... might as well stay in the box picking his snos and commentating

 

[Disco]

Personally I stick with Tom.

But in the Lehi V Koula fullback debate its easily Lehi IMO (and I love Tolu).

Better ball playing and footy IQ IMO

 

[Top End Eagle]

There is a very good argument that Koula would be as good or even better.

He certainly has a lot more speed to be able to chime into the backline.
D - not sure but Koula does have more robust D.
Hands and taking the high ball - I think Hoppa has better hands and maybe better in the air, but both are good at that.

Koula got injured after the first go with him at 1 and turbo 4. He was excellent that game like he was at the end of 2023 playing there.

Ive kept my powder dry hoping he had something to him, knew a Broncos player who spent his early days at the Clydesdales playing with him, but there's been no rhyme or reason to his coaching other than ensuring a contract extension for himself in anything the club has done during Seiblod's tenure.

 

[susan]

Tom T is out again and not gunna bag him personally, but it's almost become a week to week proposition.
Lehi has been 1 of Manlys Best all season and 1 of few to hold his head up, even after some terrible losses more than holding his own.
Just maybe, it will be Lehi at fullback on a permanent basis near future, as Tom is on his day up with the elite players in the game, but personally reckon he has been at 60% in 2025 and a week to week proposition to be available.
Having a classy young gun who will only be better with age in that vital fullback position, is part of what Manly need .... every week knowing he will show up and play a 7+ game and be there next week to do the same.
I mean our consistency is a bit like a mirror of Tom being available....a big question mark.
Manly lack stability and the way the side relies on Tom, is detrimental at times of the "TEAM" performances....the old shut down Tom, we win the game formula of many opposition teams, has in fact been visible for years and the Manly team seems to believe it too.
I think it's time moving forward to build a "team" who play for each other, as Tom fades away making this current system even further from producing a side who wants to seriously challenge for a title...and I feel a safe yet classy fullback like Lehi, is a perfect "reliable" bloke at the back to build a Winning team around.
I like Tom, I think when fit is a weapon....but that's 2-3 games a season, which makes it hard to build momentum and a big part of why Manly are

• A team that is suddenly rated a contender
• A team that is not far off bottom 4

Really need a team that shows up "every week" and from what I've seen - Lehi as a player, is in this bracket

Think both arguments have merit. Tom fit then he is far superior, not fit then not much in it .

Personally I think our fortunes with either there is pretty much the same unless we address the blindingly obvious …. We are not winning anything with the worst ( or close to) pack in the comp. Playing around with the backs is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic when the pack and bench is simply awful.Yet it seems next year the pack will be more of the same… and the same results will follow

 

[maxta]

Think both arguments have merit. Tom fit then he is far superior, not fit then not much in it .

Personally I think our fortunes with either there is pretty much the same unless we address the blindingly obvious …. We are not winning anything with the worst ( or close to) pack in the comp. Playing around with the backs is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic when the pack and bench is simply awful.Yet it seems next year the pack will be more of the same… and the same results will follow

Thing is, theres no stability across the team many games and while I agree the pack needs an injection of faster feet and quality, it's still very important to have a player at the back in the 1 jersey offering direction, enthusiasm and consistently revving the team from the back.
I mean our pack when Snake Stewart was there as a general was much improved and I think his defensive organisation was massively underrated as a pivotal part of the Manly success during that golden era.
I feel Hoppa, though young....Is well ahead of his years in this capacity and though he can't make the forwards individually become better, can certainly help them as a unit and this itself improves the team as a whole....and thing is, if you can keep a consistent side in majority of any season, the combinations, confidence and structures improve dramatically

 

[Tomay]

Lehi has great positioning and feels very reliable. He’s good enough to play fullback now. In 3 seasons he could be anything.

I like the idea of a solid, reliable fullback with a good defensive radar. He is actually pretty good at poking through the line and getting a fast play the ball as well. Team that with a no frills half in Fogarty and we may finally be forced to play a more grindy style of game rather than relying on flash and lots of points.

 

[bob dylan]

Not a bad place to be, tossing up between Lehi and Koula.

I have seen worse options over the years.

Brendon Elliott and Tevita Funa send their regards.

 

[Fibro Eagle]

No doubt Lehi deserves to be fullback but it won’t happen
A fully fit Tom is the fullback every game
Unfortunately he has not been at his peak fitness for some time now
That’s where the question beckons, Is the team better with Lehi at fullback ,Tom in the centres Garrick back to wing most likely
As long as Tom can run during the week he will be fullback and I can’t see it changing the coach as said this numerous times