Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[AmericanHistoryX]

He should be semi decent playing alongside DCE and Turbo but then again, I thought he’d do well this year. Not only is his kicking game piss poor but also his long and short passing. Pretty essential attributes for a halfback I’d think we all agree.

If he was half the player his fanboys claimed he is, he should’ve done well behind the forward pack in the first half of the season where they were top 4-8 in every tangible indicator. No doubt the pack fell off in the second half of the season but you can hardly blame them when you’re laying a platform for your playmaker and your halfback is producing the usual garbage.

You.are a poet. Maybe its the fanboys? Great reply. Well.though out.

 

[Tom Shines]

You.are a poet. Maybe its the fanboys? Great reply. Well.though out.

possibly a poet and doesn’t know it…

or possibly not

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

possibly a poet and doesn’t know it…

or possibly not

Aren't we all Tom?

 

[watersider]

A lot of people predicting brooks will be good at Manly. I don't see it. His issue is decision making and reading the game. He also is inconsistent in both kicking and passing. He rarely throws a cut out pass, and somehow always takes the wrong option on short balls to forwards or passing to the backline. You just can't hide those things.

Personally, I think Arthurs is a much better foil to DCE. Smart player with good kicking and passing. I don't understand what manly is doing.

I'm also loving the DCE defending brooks headlines and brooks talking about the fresh start over there. So glad we don't have to put up with them. Remember Owen craigie's perpetual offseason headlines about weight loss and reform? Can't wait for brooks to just be 'enjoying his football' and being 'freed up to play my game' and loving the 'lack of pressure'. Such a weak attitude, the guy hates grit.

 

[Vicious]

Could Staines ever become a good quality centre?

Why not, I’ve mentioned before I think he could.
Quick across the ground, has a very good catch & pass and bigger than some may think.

 

[Vicious]

cmon, Toa would not make the top 13 for most sides in the comp, and especially wouldn't come remotely close to the grand finalists.

As a backup player he may make some rosters but most clubs have far more backline talent than us. He's lazy, defence poor and not fast enough.

How many centres could make the amount of tackle breaks he did this season with the constant terrible ball he received ?
He was very rarely one on one with his opposing centre, when he was he generally beat them.
Johnny regularly running him out of room and offering no attacking threat inside of him.
He would walk into the Broncos or Panthers starting line ups in 2024 without a problem.
He makes Jesse Arthurs look second rate.

 

[Kelce68]

Is keppies younger brother in our system? I believe he is and is a young half who played sg ball this year? Maby that’s why they want him?

Yes mate, Luke.

If it happens, would be a factor no doubt.

 

[Vicious]

He's better than Herbie and Katoni?

OK then....

2024 Herbie won’t be there.
He’s better than Jesse Arthur’s don’t worry about that.

 

[versa]

Off the Tigers a little bit.
Scoop for you all Tonga and Kiwi fans.
DWZ will be playing for Tonga in the internationals.

 

[Don Kershane]

My point was initially raised as a way of countering someone saying that there is “no talent on the market”…I do get a bit tired of hearing this…

The three players were not really big names previously … and were signed relatively cheap…

They may not be the best players like AFB or Johnson… but I believe they have played their part in their success this year.

You mention Martin - TMM? … what did he do this year? …And Dylan Walker? He didn’t play as well as these three this season…

These guys turned out to be three above average players,,, I think you are underestimating them

TMM has been a barely noticeable everywhere he has been -health issues aside- regardless of the position he plays.

 

[jrtiger]

How many centres could make the amount of tackle breaks he did this season with the constant terrible ball he received ?
He was very rarely one on one with his opposing centre, when he was he generally beat them.
Johnny regularly running him out of room and offering no attacking threat inside of him.
He would walk into the Broncos or Panthers starting line ups in 2024 without a problem.
He makes Jesse Arthurs look second rate.

if Star can get a full preseason as first choice right centre and get used to Sezer and Bateman inside him we could see him explode. key for him is consistency and combinations.

 

[Tucker]

He would walk into the Broncos or Panthers starting line ups in 2024 without a problem.
He makes Jesse Arthurs look second rate.

Wow.
That’s a really poor take.

 

[king_sirro]

if Star can get a full preseason as first choice right centre and get used to Sezer and Bateman inside him we could see him explode. key for him is consistency and combinations.

I think it's important to pair the right styles together. Bateman and Toa are both early ball players, so they probably should be on opposite sides. Having both on the same side really limits the halves options. You always need a hole runner. Toa with Paps and Reilly with Bateman works better IMO.

 

[Lestronge]

Hunt will be at the Dolphins? Guess work or something concrete?

Guess work . Putting 2 and 2 together , Bennett , Brisbane , a lot of cap money , wants out of the dragons ….. not a fan of the boys club apparently .

 

[Kaito]

if Star can get a full preseason as first choice right centre and get used to Sezer and Bateman inside him we could see him explode. key for him is consistency and combinations.

I agree, interesting you say that because Jnr
Tupou has played right centre/wing in HS and
is his preferred position. Maybe they switch

 

[Krammy]

So true, Benji is not taking over a Chooks type roster. It’s a roster that is light years away from being up there with the top four teams.

In saying that, they are at least looking Long term and not doing what they have in the past and use the scatter gun approach and throwing lots of money around at players without any plan.

2024 will be a hard year, keeping fans happy and keeping the media off their back. Anyway I think Benji is worth giving a decent shot at the gig and could surprise a few

good post

 

[skywalker]

I hope they stick with Reilly. Thought his last game in first grade was promising. Especially his defensive efforts which surprised me.

 

[Vicious]

I think it's important to pair the right styles together. Bateman and Toa are both early ball players, so they probably should be on opposite sides. Having both on the same side really limits the halves options. You always need a hole runner. Toa with Paps and Reilly with Bateman works better IMO.

Agree with that plus the fact To’a is a better left sided player with a big left foot step.

 

[SwervinMervin]

I think a lot of the Brooks detractors (well I definitely have) have said repeatedly that Brooks is a terrible halfback. I stand by that. He'll be a decent 5/8 outside of DCE. If someone does Brooks' kicking, passing, talking and thinking then he isn't a liability

All Brooks will have to do at Manly is back up, run the ball, make his tackles and maybe kick the occassional field goal. He has shown in the past he can do that OK at a decent NRL level. What he can't do at decent NRL level is organize an attack, create pressure on the opposition, get repeat sets, a consistent kicking game, or take the right option at the right time. While ever DCE is fit, he won't have to do much of this. DCE is in the top 3 or 4 halves in the comp for these things. So Brooks probably goes OK next year if Manly can keep DCE on the park and some of their other stars healthy. I think he will prove to be a good signing for Many, and a good exit for Wests Tigers. Sometimes both things can be true at once, even if juxtaposed. He was never going to be the player that Wests Tigers needed, unless they could sign an elite organizing halfback like DCE, Reynolds, etc.

 

[Krammy]

I'll just quote this post again because good old @tigerballs stated last season Bula was the one to watch. I trust him a little more than my own opinion about Doueihi becoming an elite running 6.

I'm pretty sure I posted that BJ Leiluia was going to be a good buy! Nice one Krammy.