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With the retirement of BK, there is a massive hole left within the Manly pack. Who should replace BK at lock?
Some say Glen Stewart, others say Luke Williamson, heck, some even say Steve Matai should bulk up for next season. The real reason behind my post is that it has become apparent that Manly's recruitment has been aiming to establish a large amount of depth in the forward pack, and I believe they've achieved their goal. The forward pack I would be starting with in 2007 would be:
8. Jason King
9. Michael Monaghan
10. Brent Kite
11. Steve Menzies
12. Anthony Watmough
13. Glen Stewart
14. Shayne Dunley
15. George Rose
16. Mark Bryant
17. Luke Williamson
Despite having these players in the starting side, if we take a look at the proposed Premier League forward pack we can see a large amount of depth within the forwards. The following forward pack is based on Manly signing Glen Hall from Newtown and Jack Afamasaga from Parramatta. All the below players, IMO, all have the talent to fill a hole left by an injury or suspension to anyone in FG. Especially with Shayne Dunley and Luke Williamson being on their last legs, such players as Matt Ballin and Mailangi Styles would be of better use in the team.
8. Jack Afamasaga
9. Matt Ballin
10. Adam Cuthbertson
11. Mailangi Styles
12. Mark Offerdahl
13. Jason Wells
With others such as Nathan Tutt, Jim Curtis, Phil Morwood, Chris Trembath, Glen Hall, Daniel Harrison and Vic Mauro, all in amongst the possibilities for Premier League selection. In previous years, especially the last two, Manly has gotten into trouble come State of Origin time in the forward pack, due to injuries to key players such as Beaver, BK and Watmough, and as a result has had trouble fielding suitable replacements. However, in 2007, due to the depth we now have in the forward pack, we should not have any problems blooding any of these juniors into First Grade, and to be quite frank, they all have the ability to succeed and make a name for themselves. Another positive with the PL forward pack is that they are all in their early 20's, and will only improve with First Grade experience. I'm extremely glad that we now portray such depths in the forwards, and believe that players such as Jack Afamasaga, Matt Ballin, Mailangi Styles and Adam Cuthbertson MUST be given the opportunity to prove themselves in the top grade in 2007. Well Done Eagles Recruitment
However, whilst we may portray plenty of depths in the forwards, our depth in the backs leaves nothing to be desired. Whilst we may have signed Jamie Lyon from St Helens, whom will no doubt help our offence, should he and Steve Bell both be selected for Origin in 2007, and the fact Paul Stephenson has signed with the Sharks, we will have to blood some more juniors to fill the centre or wing position left vacant by Bell and Lyon. Should this be the case (i.e Origin or injuries), I think Sean Meaney should definately be given the first chance to prove himself. Other then Meaney, I don't see much future for the other players in the Premier League backline. However, Sam Key, Manly 2006 Jersey Flegg centre, definately seems to have plenty of talent and should definately get a starting position in PL next year. I think Manly should be trying to sign some more PL backs next year and the year after, as it'd be great having the same amount of depth in the backs, to what we do with the forwards. With this being said, I think the Eagles Recruitment Officers should definately be commended for not only attracting quality players to the club such as Jamie Lyon, Steve Bell, Matt Orford, Ben Kennedy, Brent Kite etc etc, but also for rebuilding the depth we once portrayed in the lower grades. Further emphasis on signing some young backs in 2007 for depth purposes and we'll be laughing.
I can't wait for 2007, all three grades should feature prominently on their respective ladders, and the beginning of more youngsters careers!
Thoughts?
Some say Glen Stewart, others say Luke Williamson, heck, some even say Steve Matai should bulk up for next season. The real reason behind my post is that it has become apparent that Manly's recruitment has been aiming to establish a large amount of depth in the forward pack, and I believe they've achieved their goal. The forward pack I would be starting with in 2007 would be:
8. Jason King
9. Michael Monaghan
10. Brent Kite
11. Steve Menzies
12. Anthony Watmough
13. Glen Stewart
14. Shayne Dunley
15. George Rose
16. Mark Bryant
17. Luke Williamson
Despite having these players in the starting side, if we take a look at the proposed Premier League forward pack we can see a large amount of depth within the forwards. The following forward pack is based on Manly signing Glen Hall from Newtown and Jack Afamasaga from Parramatta. All the below players, IMO, all have the talent to fill a hole left by an injury or suspension to anyone in FG. Especially with Shayne Dunley and Luke Williamson being on their last legs, such players as Matt Ballin and Mailangi Styles would be of better use in the team.
8. Jack Afamasaga
9. Matt Ballin
10. Adam Cuthbertson
11. Mailangi Styles
12. Mark Offerdahl
13. Jason Wells
With others such as Nathan Tutt, Jim Curtis, Phil Morwood, Chris Trembath, Glen Hall, Daniel Harrison and Vic Mauro, all in amongst the possibilities for Premier League selection. In previous years, especially the last two, Manly has gotten into trouble come State of Origin time in the forward pack, due to injuries to key players such as Beaver, BK and Watmough, and as a result has had trouble fielding suitable replacements. However, in 2007, due to the depth we now have in the forward pack, we should not have any problems blooding any of these juniors into First Grade, and to be quite frank, they all have the ability to succeed and make a name for themselves. Another positive with the PL forward pack is that they are all in their early 20's, and will only improve with First Grade experience. I'm extremely glad that we now portray such depths in the forwards, and believe that players such as Jack Afamasaga, Matt Ballin, Mailangi Styles and Adam Cuthbertson MUST be given the opportunity to prove themselves in the top grade in 2007. Well Done Eagles Recruitment
However, whilst we may portray plenty of depths in the forwards, our depth in the backs leaves nothing to be desired. Whilst we may have signed Jamie Lyon from St Helens, whom will no doubt help our offence, should he and Steve Bell both be selected for Origin in 2007, and the fact Paul Stephenson has signed with the Sharks, we will have to blood some more juniors to fill the centre or wing position left vacant by Bell and Lyon. Should this be the case (i.e Origin or injuries), I think Sean Meaney should definately be given the first chance to prove himself. Other then Meaney, I don't see much future for the other players in the Premier League backline. However, Sam Key, Manly 2006 Jersey Flegg centre, definately seems to have plenty of talent and should definately get a starting position in PL next year. I think Manly should be trying to sign some more PL backs next year and the year after, as it'd be great having the same amount of depth in the backs, to what we do with the forwards. With this being said, I think the Eagles Recruitment Officers should definately be commended for not only attracting quality players to the club such as Jamie Lyon, Steve Bell, Matt Orford, Ben Kennedy, Brent Kite etc etc, but also for rebuilding the depth we once portrayed in the lower grades. Further emphasis on signing some young backs in 2007 for depth purposes and we'll be laughing.
I can't wait for 2007, all three grades should feature prominently on their respective ladders, and the beginning of more youngsters careers!
Thoughts?
