The Hooker

[chuckee]

We know Karl Lawton is nearing his return date from injury. Croker has been doing an apt job and we have been winning. His defence has also been great.

Does Lawton go straight to the 9 role replacing Croker or does he replace Cust on the bench?

It’ll be interesting to see which way Desmond goes with this. I think it’s a win/win.

 

[pjayz]

We know Karl Lawton is nearing his return date from injury. Croker has been doing an apt job and we have been winning. His defence has also been great.

Does Lawton go straight to the 9 role replacing Croker or does he replace Cust on the bench?

It’ll be interesting to see which way Desmond goes with this. I think it’s a win/win.

I don't think they will put him anywhere other than Blacktown for at least 3-4 weeks before considering him for a bench role. He has been out too long with a serious injury to come straight back into first grade.

 

[Waz13]

I doubt Des has any plan to shift Croker. His defence has been very good in the middle. They type of player Des loves. I reckon Croker will also go to 14 if/when Fainu or Lawton come back.

 

[mickqld]

Yep Des won't shift Croker. Lawton should come back through BWSE then probably go to #14 seeing how Des refuses to give Cust much game time. I'd guess we may lose Cust in the next year or 2.

 

[chuckee]

Yeah I agree with Croker holding the 9 jersey, hasn’t put a foot wrong for mine. And I think Lawton at 14 adds some good value once he is fit enough.

 

[frank stokes]

We know Karl Lawton is nearing his return date from injury. Croker has been doing an apt job and we have been winning. His defence has also been great.

Does Lawton go straight to the 9 role replacing Croker or does he replace Cust on the bench?

It’ll be interesting to see which way Desmond goes with this. I think it’s a win/win.

Yep... Croker stays and Lawton to 14 until such time as Karl shows he is the better option...

 

[Sheikheagle]

How things have changed. We wanted to hang froggy a few weeks ago. Has improved big time, playing a Matt balin role. He needs to have a dart more often.

 

[Disco]

Yep... Croker stays and Lawton to 14 until such time as Karl shows he is the better option...

Really is this simple

 

[Disco]

How things have changed. We wanted to hang froggy a few weeks ago. Has improved big time, playing a Matt balin role. He needs to have a dart more often.

No no I still think he is not good enough but players need to prove they are better options

 

[maxta]

I think he was signed to play in the Top 17.
Thing is - only your Elite players like Tom T, will ever jump straight back into the starting side and personally be suprised to see him even on the bench immediately....fact is, he needs game time....you can train hard as you like, but there's a big difference to match fitness and the contact required.
Have a good feeling this bloke will add more thrust in the middle and could well become an important cog in this Manly machine.

 

[Stewbojevic]

Croker is still a stop-gap until Manase (or someone else we recruit) is available.

I’d say Lawton is more suited to the 14 role especially with Croker’s defence, but he may play more minutes than Cust does.

Eventually it’d be Manase and Lawton in the rotation in my opinion, but that could be next year.

I’ve changed my opinion on Croker though, I think he’s worth hanging onto as depth next year. Covers halves and hooker aptly without setting the world on fire

 

[Sheikheagle]

Croker is still a stop-gap until Manase (or someone else we recruit) is available.

I’d say Lawton is more suited to the 14 role especially with Croker’s defence, but he may play more minutes than Cust does.

Eventually it’d be Manase and Lawton in the rotation in my opinion, but that could be next year.

I’ve changed my opinion on Croker though, I think he’s worth hanging onto as depth next year. Covers halves and hooker aptly without setting the world on fire

I agree and honestly think Cust maybe the fall guy and the odd one out.

 

[Disco]

Cust is contracted and Croker is not.....Croker should be wished the best of luck for next year and not offered a new deal

 

[Peter C]

We know Karl Lawton is nearing his return date from injury. Croker has been doing an apt job and we have been winning. His defence has also been great.

Does Lawton go straight to the 9 role replacing Croker or does he replace Cust on the bench?

It’ll be interesting to see which way Desmond goes with this. I think it’s a win/win.

I think Cust would be the one to drop out

 

[bob dylan]

Croker is still a work in progress while doing a great job.

I doubt we will buy a hooker if Fainu is guilty of charges.

 

[Rafferty]

We know Karl Lawton is nearing his return date from injury. Croker has been doing an apt job and we have been winning. His defence has also been great.

Does Lawton go straight to the 9 role replacing Croker or does he replace Cust on the bench?

It’ll be interesting to see which way Desmond goes with this. I think it’s a win/win.

Croker is not a good option from the bench, no impact, no value, just my opinion, if he plays he starts and should play less minutes, not the way I’d like to see it, but probably the better option. Sure he has done ok over recent weeks and is defending well, but we need a crafty 9 who reads the game, takes the team forward, takes the line on and has the skill of a genuine 9, we just need a heads up genuine 9 to keep advancing our game, it’s that simple, its not Croker for mine, its a must have position and a specialist one at that, hopefully Lawton when ready can bring what we need as we need more from our 9 than what’s currently on offer and if that’s not forthcoming and our other option is found guilty then we must go to market for a genuine 9, who? Well that is another question altogether.

 

[Woodsie]

Croker must have been in the special classes at school ... 9 games at hooker and he hasn't become as good as CamSmith yet ....

 

[Disco]

Look he is doing a job, but lets be serious here, if we want be be a genuine threat we need better.

If Fainu goes do we must recruit.

I honestly don't think he'd make the top 20 hookers in the NRL

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

No no I still think he is not good enough but players need to prove they are better options

Agreed. I think Des will consider someone better if they can match Croker in defence and offer more in attack. Not either or.
Defence is paramount for Des, and quite reasonably so*.

*for any side other than West Tigers

 

[Spartan Eagle]

I'm no fan of Croker. Yes he defends well but you also need your number 9 to create space for your forwards. With quick darts from dummy half etc. I know that Des is big on defense but what's the point of defending wave after wave if your'e playing on the back foot the majority of time. You need a balance of defense and attack Croker offers jack in attack. No real news there. Cust is a better option imo.