Optimistic for 2016 but looking forward to 2017

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TagMonster

Reserve Grader
Hi guys, now let me start off by saying I'm not writing off 2016 just yet. Whilst I don't believe we have the team this year to win a GF (happy to be proven wrong), we definitely have the talent to give it a shake and at the very least upset a few teams along the way.

With that said, I've looked ahead at the 2017 season and Manly have the potential to trot out a very scary team that could do a lot of damage. Looking at who we have off contract and who we could bring in I'd suggest a Top 25 of this would be very good

1. B. Stewart
2. T. Trbojevic
3. D. Walker
4. S. Matai
5. M. Koroibete or J. Mansour (will be a stretch for the money)
6. D. Cherry-Evans
7. A. Koroisau
8. J. Tamou (with Killer likely to hang up the boots, we could afford him)
9. M. Parcell
10. N. Myles
11. B. Lawrence
12. M. Tapau
13. J. Trbojevic
14. D. Lussick
15. S. Vave
16. A. Founa-Blake
17. L. Knight
18. J. Buhrer
19. L. Brown
20. F. Mateo
21. D. Cox
22. J. Starling
23. H. Pratt
24. F. Goodall
25. H. Lavaka

Obviously there will be others in the side outside the top 25 that may get a run dependant on form / injury. I'd let go players like Taufua, Burgess, Hodges, Leary, Symonds & Williame as they are either bad (Burgess) or a borderline players that will be moved on for youth (i.e. Knight, Cox, Pratt).

Sadly, I think Lyon will either jump or be pushed at the end of the season. It does leave a huge hole in terms of leadership and goal kicking, but would likely move Walker to centre where he is more comfortable. Using his money and others, I'd like to see the club go after a specialist winger like Koroibete or Mansour if possible. Finally, the addition of another big prop like Tamou, Klemmer or even Moa would improve the go forward.

Looking forward to 2018 would see Snake and Skivvy hang up the cleats (I'd suggest they may flee to the UK for a season with Gift) would see Tom move to Fullback and open up a wing and centre spot for someone like Dean Whare and Daniel Tupou / Jason Nightingale.

Just my opinion (while I'm eating lunch). The big concern I have with Killer retiring in the future is who takes over the goal kicking? Wasn't Cherry meant to be practicing this offseason? Any idea if he is an option? Otherwise, I've noticed that Tom takes the kickoffs. How does he go for conversions? Could be an interesting dilemma.

Either way, I still think this season we are in good shape despite some not so good results. We will come good as the season progresses. I just think we are an impact player or two short this year. Over the next year or two that will likely change.
 
I'd be guessing at Jorge Taufua to the centres for Matai. Not quite a like-for-like swap, but he is a big unit who has sometimes shown glimpses of great ball handling (and some shockers as well, yes...). Also less exposed to high kicks if he isn't on the wing.
Rather than Tamou (and I wouldn't complain at his signing mind you) I think a really good, creative second-rower is a priority. Thinking Gillett, Guerra, Boyd Cordner type of player. We are good for props now - three absolute guns all at the age of 20, with some good hard-heads thrown into the mix. Back row and one more back, like maybe I dunno...Peta Hiku? Or failing that, Chee Kam...or failing that, Whare.
 
I'd like to see t-red stay on for back up. Also wondering if the club will be keen to pay Mateo mid range player payments if he's not going to be considered as part of the top 17.
 
Not really keen to talk 2017 and its pointless as rosters and contracts change like the wind theses days (we all had Hiku and Gutherson in our squads for this season)

But

In the situation outlined above, why oh why would you have DCE at 5/8 and Api at Half

DCE being an organizer with ball playing skills and Api being a running half

Bonkers
 
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Hi guys, now let me start off by saying I'm not writing off 2016 just yet. Whilst I don't believe we have the team this year to win a GF (happy to be proven wrong), we definitely have the talent to give it a shake and at the very least upset a few teams along the way.

With that said, I've looked ahead at the 2017 season and Manly have the potential to trot out a very scary team that could do a lot of damage. Looking at who we have off contract and who we could bring in I'd suggest a Top 25 of this would be very good

1. B. Stewart
2. T. Trbojevic
3. D. Walker
4. S. Matai
5. M. Koroibete or J. Mansour (will be a stretch for the money)
6. D. Cherry-Evans
7. A. Koroisau
8. J. Tamou (with Killer likely to hang up the boots, we could afford him)
9. M. Parcell
10. N. Myles
11. B. Lawrence
12. M. Tapau
13. J. Trbojevic
14. D. Lussick
15. S. Vave
16. A. Founa-Blake
17. L. Knight
18. J. Buhrer
19. L. Brown
20. F. Mateo
21. D. Cox
22. J. Starling
23. H. Pratt
24. F. Goodall
25. H. Lavaka

Obviously there will be others in the side outside the top 25 that may get a run dependant on form / injury. I'd let go players like Taufua, Burgess, Hodges, Leary, Symonds & Williame as they are either bad (Burgess) or a borderline players that will be moved on for youth (i.e. Knight, Cox, Pratt).

Sadly, I think Lyon will either jump or be pushed at the end of the season. It does leave a huge hole in terms of leadership and goal kicking, but would likely move Walker to centre where he is more comfortable. Using his money and others, I'd like to see the club go after a specialist winger like Koroibete or Mansour if possible. Finally, the addition of another big prop like Tamou, Klemmer or even Moa would improve the go forward.

Looking forward to 2018 would see Snake and Skivvy hang up the cleats (I'd suggest they may flee to the UK for a season with Gift) would see Tom move to Fullback and open up a wing and centre spot for someone like Dean Whare and Daniel Tupou / Jason Nightingale.

Just my opinion (while I'm eating lunch). The big concern I have with Killer retiring in the future is who takes over the goal kicking? Wasn't Cherry meant to be practicing this offseason? Any idea if he is an option? Otherwise, I've noticed that Tom takes the kickoffs. How does he go for conversions? Could be an interesting dilemma.

Either way, I still think this season we are in good shape despite some not so good results. We will come good as the season progresses. I just think we are an impact player or two short this year. Over the next year or two that will likely change.
Your optimism borders on denial. :*
 
Dce will be at 7 not 6 . Honestly i think we have a better chance of winning the comp in 16 then 17 . Reason being when killer calls it quits it is going to leave a MASSIVE HOLE . Not just for his ability but for his calming influence on this side . I hope im wrong but i dont think so . Its going to be up there with trying to replace cliffy , in my opinion. So lets get behind these buggars and get them home .17 well lets worry about that when the time comes .
 
Watch out boys I was crucified a few weeks ago for suggesting that this was year 1 of a 5 year rebuild , with us unlikely to feature in the finals in 2016, and perhaps only just in 2017.

Don't forget we have to win EVERY year !!
 
I keep seeing people talking about Johnny Walker lately...anyone have some insights that they could share? I know he's a backrower, but haven't seen him play. Is he still U20s?
 
Not really keen to talk 2017 and its pointless as rosters and contracts change like the wind theses days (we all had Hiku and Gutherson in our squads for this season)

But

In the situation outlined above, why oh why would you have DCE at 5/8 and Api at Half

DCE being an organizer with ball playing skills and Api being a running half

Bonkers

Because we have DCE as the main (sole?) playmaker opposition defences are rushing him every tackle. He has no time to do anything. Thurston plays off and as a second receiver and it gives him slightly more room, but more importantly more time, to evaluate and attack the defensive structure. Being at first receiver will also allow Api to quickly read the defence and attack if the markers are lazy etc. This will all compound to give Cherry more space which will flow on to the rest of the backs.

It works well for the Cows. Besides, the difference between who wears the 6 and 7 these days is minimal. I'm simply suggesting DCE plays deeper and either Api or a backrower fees him the ball first.
 
Whilst I don't agree the intent is a 5 year rebuild, I suspect we may be in a 2-3 year rebuild for post Snake/Killer/Skivvy.
 
My " 5 year plan" thoughts come purely from being good mates with Noel Cleal and we have discussed many many times how long it takes to build for a Premiership shot.

When we signed Jamie he told me it would be 5 years before we played in a GF, he was out by 1 year ( 2007).

I was sitting in a very sombre dressing room after the 07 loss and we chatted again and he said " don't worry 2008 was our aim and this loss almost guarantees we will be there".

Of course the great Bozo might have a different idea, but I'm still sticking to my guns, I dont think we will make the 8 in 2016, but we definitely will in 2017.

And a GF somewhere from 2018-2020
 
My " 5 year plan" thoughts come purely from being good mates with Noel Cleal and we have discussed many many times how long it takes to build for a Premiership shot.

When we signed Jamie he told me it would be 5 years before we played in a GF, he was out by 1 year ( 2007).

I was sitting in a very sombre dressing room after the 07 loss and we chatted again and he said " don't worry 2008 was our aim and this loss almost guarantees we will be there".

Of course the great Bozo might have a different idea, but I'm still sticking to my guns, I dont think we will make the 8 in 2016, but we definitely will in 2017.

And a GF somewhere from 2018-2020
It's more a 3yr rebuild with years 4 and 5 being GF targets. Year 3 might offer a small opportunity also off the back of teams falling back and the power game differential not as great.

The current owners i think will want a decent ramp up in performance back end of yr2 and 3.
 

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