Ryan
Journey Man
Ryan's BOLD predictions of 2008:-
Ryan’s Preview of 2008:-
Most Improved Player of 2008:- Whilst Glenn Stewart improved in my opinion exponentially in 2007, I consider that he will continue that growth as a player in 2008. I also expect that Glenn will be in a City/Country jersey this year. I would actually like him to play lock, to utilise his great offloads and passing ability both sides of the ruck. I also think both Ballin & Bani will be right up there in 08.
Manly’s Finishing Position in 2008:- I know this is a bold prediction, but basically backed up by the depth in the forwards, combined with the utility values of Le’Strange & Vaeliki, as well as the continued improvement of players like Ballin & Bani – both minor premiers & premiers !!
Manly’s surprise packet of 2008:- Another bold prediction here, but I think (yep, I’m gonna say it !) Clint Halden wil be the surprise packet in 08. The reason I say this is as follows. I considered the way Halden / Burns played as very, VERY similar. Same jinking style etc, but Halden had the diversity and size to slot into the centres as well. What I’m saying here, is that Halden is a bigger, faster version of Burns (also very young). I also assume he’s been told to bulk up in the off season.
Manly’s Representative players 2008:- Steve Matai (NZ), Glenn Stewart (City/Country), Jamie Lyon (State of Origin), Brent Kite (Australia), Brett Stewart (Australia), Josh Perry (City/Country), Anthony Watmough (State of Origin). I hate to say it, but I think QLD will go with:- Hunt, Tate, Falou, Hodges, Inglis, Lockyer, Thurston – so Bell may miss out this year.
Ryan’s 2008 YART (and at full strength), next to what I believe Des will go with:-
Ryan-------------------------------------------Des
1.Brett Stewart----------------------------- Brett Stewart
2.Michael Robertson-----------------------Michael Robertson
3.Steve Matai--------------------------------Steve Matai
4.Steven Bell--------------------------------Steven Bell
5.Michael Bani-----------------------------Michael Bani
6.Jamie Lyon-------------------------------Jamie Lyon
7.Matt Orford-------------------------------Matt Orford
8.Jason King--------------------------------Jason King
9.Matt Ballin-------------------------------Matt Ballin
10.Brent Kite-------------------------------Brent Kite
11.Anthony Watmough-------------------Anthony Watmough
12.Steve Menzies--------------------------Glenn Stewart
13.Glenn Stewart---------------------------Luke Williamson
14. David Vaeliki--------------------------Mark Bryant
15. Adam Cuthbertson--------------------Adam Cuthbertson
16. Josh Perry------------------------------Josh Perry
17. Glenn Hall-----------------------------Steve Menzies
Mark Bryant, George Rose, Heath Le’Strange, Luke Williamson, Jason Wells, Clint Halden, Vic Mauro, Nick Bradley Qalilawa, Shane Neumann, David Williams & co. to start off in Premier League. I expect Premier League to also do very well this year.
What can we expect off the field:- I expect to see the government come to the table with an offer of cash, but not as much as what we would like. I expect G Mayer to be awesome in his business dealings here (no surprise there), and will attain the required funding elsewhere. I think Manly’s 08 success will mean that we get an average of 17,000 this year, with the back end of the year being packed to the rafters. I predict the club will continue to locate & gain support from larger corporates. Off the park, and Sydney based, we are by far in my opinion, the luckiest club there is, and that all stems IMO from a CEO that can make hard, critical decisions based upon what is best for the club, even if in the short term it doesn’t sit well with a few fans. I also expect hardly ANY off field incidents. Espescially with the religious vibe around the club at present.
What is the major change from 2007 / 2008:- I think the club have invested in size, and channelled aggression. I don’t think we’d let the likes of Michael Crocker intimidate us anymore. We get this “fight in the trenches with each other†attitude, and we will dominate this competition. We don’t want to be the nice guys of the comp. That was The Bears job. Perry, a fit and unsuspended Matai, Hargreaves & co. will go a long way to improving this are.
Anyways, long read I know…but I needed a footy fix.
Ryan’s Preview of 2008:-
Most Improved Player of 2008:- Whilst Glenn Stewart improved in my opinion exponentially in 2007, I consider that he will continue that growth as a player in 2008. I also expect that Glenn will be in a City/Country jersey this year. I would actually like him to play lock, to utilise his great offloads and passing ability both sides of the ruck. I also think both Ballin & Bani will be right up there in 08.
Manly’s Finishing Position in 2008:- I know this is a bold prediction, but basically backed up by the depth in the forwards, combined with the utility values of Le’Strange & Vaeliki, as well as the continued improvement of players like Ballin & Bani – both minor premiers & premiers !!
Manly’s surprise packet of 2008:- Another bold prediction here, but I think (yep, I’m gonna say it !) Clint Halden wil be the surprise packet in 08. The reason I say this is as follows. I considered the way Halden / Burns played as very, VERY similar. Same jinking style etc, but Halden had the diversity and size to slot into the centres as well. What I’m saying here, is that Halden is a bigger, faster version of Burns (also very young). I also assume he’s been told to bulk up in the off season.
Manly’s Representative players 2008:- Steve Matai (NZ), Glenn Stewart (City/Country), Jamie Lyon (State of Origin), Brent Kite (Australia), Brett Stewart (Australia), Josh Perry (City/Country), Anthony Watmough (State of Origin). I hate to say it, but I think QLD will go with:- Hunt, Tate, Falou, Hodges, Inglis, Lockyer, Thurston – so Bell may miss out this year.
Ryan’s 2008 YART (and at full strength), next to what I believe Des will go with:-
Ryan-------------------------------------------Des
1.Brett Stewart----------------------------- Brett Stewart
2.Michael Robertson-----------------------Michael Robertson
3.Steve Matai--------------------------------Steve Matai
4.Steven Bell--------------------------------Steven Bell
5.Michael Bani-----------------------------Michael Bani
6.Jamie Lyon-------------------------------Jamie Lyon
7.Matt Orford-------------------------------Matt Orford
8.Jason King--------------------------------Jason King
9.Matt Ballin-------------------------------Matt Ballin
10.Brent Kite-------------------------------Brent Kite
11.Anthony Watmough-------------------Anthony Watmough
12.Steve Menzies--------------------------Glenn Stewart
13.Glenn Stewart---------------------------Luke Williamson
14. David Vaeliki--------------------------Mark Bryant
15. Adam Cuthbertson--------------------Adam Cuthbertson
16. Josh Perry------------------------------Josh Perry
17. Glenn Hall-----------------------------Steve Menzies
Mark Bryant, George Rose, Heath Le’Strange, Luke Williamson, Jason Wells, Clint Halden, Vic Mauro, Nick Bradley Qalilawa, Shane Neumann, David Williams & co. to start off in Premier League. I expect Premier League to also do very well this year.
What can we expect off the field:- I expect to see the government come to the table with an offer of cash, but not as much as what we would like. I expect G Mayer to be awesome in his business dealings here (no surprise there), and will attain the required funding elsewhere. I think Manly’s 08 success will mean that we get an average of 17,000 this year, with the back end of the year being packed to the rafters. I predict the club will continue to locate & gain support from larger corporates. Off the park, and Sydney based, we are by far in my opinion, the luckiest club there is, and that all stems IMO from a CEO that can make hard, critical decisions based upon what is best for the club, even if in the short term it doesn’t sit well with a few fans. I also expect hardly ANY off field incidents. Espescially with the religious vibe around the club at present.
What is the major change from 2007 / 2008:- I think the club have invested in size, and channelled aggression. I don’t think we’d let the likes of Michael Crocker intimidate us anymore. We get this “fight in the trenches with each other†attitude, and we will dominate this competition. We don’t want to be the nice guys of the comp. That was The Bears job. Perry, a fit and unsuspended Matai, Hargreaves & co. will go a long way to improving this are.
Anyways, long read I know…but I needed a footy fix.
