Can't disagree with the above. The other huge factor in manly being a top 4 team is Tommy Turbo. Without him manly are floundering toward the bottom of the ladder and recruitment being questioned. He is that good.
Kelma Tuilagi Signs With Manly
- Thread starter boonboon
- Start date
Lankanflyer10.98
Active member
I saw this guy last year in the corresponding trial on a warm Sunday at Leichhardt and he was a real handful, the try he scored was from a similar distance hitting at pace, taking two or three with him. When it comes to trials we like to see what players are in the sights of our coaching staff and to a greater extend our depth. Looking at a breakdown of the players and the score, 12 -4 when the "possible's" came on and the starters left, seems more than competitive with two disallowed tries. It seems that the try Tuilagi scored against Manly last year was enough for them to let him have a full season with us and sign him if fit and well in the summer and that is what they have done.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
It’s hard for me to get annoyed about this cos he’s still an unknown. And besides, we have one of the best forwards from last season who I think can maintain that form and wasn‘t a one year wonder. It’s not all doom and gloom.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
Has it been confirmed Lankan? It would be good if he stayed with us.
Not officially but I believe it’s happening
Very disappointing..
The current development players are back rowers hopefully they prove they can step up and fill the breach
tony soprano
Well-known member
The development players are way off. Luchiano looked good too. Second Row big issue
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
No it’s not. We’ve signed the best one in the game.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
Long time Manly club heavy weight Peter Peters says that Kelma is joining them in 2023 and Marty Taupau is leaving.
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C
Cobarcats
Guest
A big issue mate, need at least one more top quality back rower to support Papa
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
For the first time in years Im actually fine with the second row for ‘23. You can’t have two guns, you need a balanced squad. If we can have Pap with someone who is serviceable, even someone like Garner, that’s fine imo. We need to sign a centre, before targeting another back rower.
Who do we have at second row for '23? Obviously Papali'i is massive but that's about the extent of our second rowers for the season besides rookies and Blore who can't stay fit
You'll find most good teams have two gun second rowers. Garner is not a starting second rower in good teams, they're banking heavily on the kids performing but that's a very risky strategy imo.
Second rower and centre for '23 is top of the list right now
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Maybe we can pick up a journeyman who can give us 2 or 3 good years, but I’d definitely be trying to invest in a good centre before another expensive back rower.
I'd be chasing Herbie Farnworth for centre, can't think of available second rowers off the top of my head
Outside of Blore Papalii and Garner it's kids. That's not fine.
And apparently Paps wants to play in the middle.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
Sign a journeyman then. You don’t need to spend overs on another back rower. I feel like this would be where the club‘s thinking is as they were more than happy for Luc to walk the moment they signed Papali’i
So we need to sign someone. Ergo the back row is not fine.
We need a couple of second rowers. It is a huge cause for concern at the moment.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
I don’t think we do, no. But if you insist, don’t sign someone that’s going to be on crazy money. At least we have Pap in the back row for 2023. Who do we have in the centres?
Other way around, Papali'i was frustrated and being forced to play in the middle for the warriors before he left
