Kurt Mann for 2 or 3 years

[Life's Good]

Our fullback doesn't need to be a gun.

Just needs to be solid defensively and not stifle our backline. We've gone well even with Nighty at FB. With Hunt and Widdop in the halves, they will be doing most of the playmaking.

If someone like Mann can produce what say Gutherson produces for the Eels, solid with moments of brilliance, I'll be stoked with that given our halves and forwards for next year.

So true. We will have plenty of points and creativity in the backs and forwards next year(I said posted as much in the FB replacement thread). Not EVERY player needs to be a ball player. Just look at Warriors who have all the toys but forgot what they did with the batteries.

 

[Coffs dragon]

I'm very pleased that Kurt Mann has re-signed and I do hope he is given the opportunity to nail the fullback position in 2018. We still need some speed out wide to be filled by our best young juniors ready to step up.

 

[KiamaSaint]

Only time will tell if he's a gun. Personally I think he has all the skills to be a gun, great hands and a step off both feet, great defender as well. Hope he proves me correct.

You forgot one key quality - footy smarts,

 

[FlameThrower]

Great signing and well done on Kurt to secure his future. Disappointed to still see negative comments here though, I'm not sure what else the Club can do. Some people on here never happy..

 

[possm]

I'm very pleased that Kurt Mann has re-signed and I do hope he is given the opportunity to nail the fullback position in 2018. We still need some speed out wide to be filled by our best young juniors ready to step up.

Yes Garrick and Lomax our next generation wingers to replace Nightingale and Macdonald. Let's hope we can keep Garrick and Lomax long term.

 

[SBD82]

That's week 1 and 2 of next year. Week 3 & 4

1. Widdop
2. MacDonald
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Mann
6. Hutchison
7. Hunt

Week 5 & 6

Swap in JDP into halfback. You know the routine from there

Despite all of Mary's faults (which have been fairly well covered in this forum) changing the team drastically isn't one of them.

Actually, that's kind of a fault, just the other way.

 

[getsmarty]

Yes Garrick and Lomax our next generation wingers to replace Nightingale and Macdonald. Let's hope we can keep Garrick and Lomax long term.

Lomax looks special. Same with Robson.

 

[RedV Resurgence]

Despite all of Mary's faults (which have been fairly well covered in this forum) changing the team drastically isn't one of them.

Actually, that's kind of a fault, just the other way.

It was a crack at Mary that after this years off season, he will revise his strategy and become change happy.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Replacing Duges will be difficult but don't you think an under 20s State of origin player who scored a record number of tries last year (over 60) with scorching pace and a great passing game who's defence is improving might be worth a try .you don't know what you have till you set it free

 

[mickeylane]

Why?

Because no where in the real world of sport you lose a world class player and replace him with a rookie..

 

[mickeylane]

Because no where in the real world of sport you lose a world class player and replace him with a rookie..

I still think MANN should replace Nightingale hes not a full back IMO.. Way too frail for a fullback

 

[SBD82]

It was a crack at Mary that after this years off season, he will revise his strategy and become change happy.

Ha. You're probably right.

 

[denis preston]

Settle down, mate. Was just repeating what I heard, not stating fact. It was from a few weeks ago when maybe he was feeling like he wanted out and maybe saints upped the ante, who knows?
Glad that he has re-signed as he's been stuffed around most the season and still performed well.
It's been a great week for him with the 7 jumper also.
My info was from Jake Marketo's brother so couldn't of been far from the truth but

Fair enough , at least you had a source , and it was plausible considering how Mann has be treated by the coach.Id say he wanted 3 years but was given 2 with a guarantee to start at No 1 next year.

 

[Old Timer]

Great news re the extension to Mann's contract and it raises many possible outcomes.
If he is given the No 1 jumper next year which I hope he is, then most of the issues go away, however if he is not the designated FB where should he play?
The halves will be settled with Widdop & Hunt.
It appears fairly obvious that Lafai & Aitken are the preferred centre options and over the next 2 years there are a number of good young prospects coming through.
It is to be hoped that he is not consigned to the utility / bench role as he is a great asset to the starting team.
So if not given the No 1 jersey I believe he has to start in either the 2 or 5 jumper every week (I still prefer him closer to the ball but certain things appear to be pre ordained) which will depose 1 of the existing wingers.
Having Mann start every week means the utility is already on the paddock and allows many more options as to who you pick on the bench and will most likely give us far greater flexibility in the forward rotation.
IMO far easier to cover off 2 or 5 if Mann has to be moved to cover off injuries or players missing on rep duties.
So IMO as was the case at the beginning of this year and still very much the case for next year, Mann has to have a permanent starting position in the team.
There is a lot to be learned from how Gutherson and Munster are used by their teams and despite their obvious value as utility players they would never miss a starting spot in their teams even if all players in the squad were fit.

 

[giboz71]

So true. We will have plenty of points and creativity in the backs and forwards next year(I said posted as much in the FB replacement thread). Not EVERY player needs to be a ball player. Just look at Warriors who have all the toys but forgot what they did with the batteries.

Exactly.

Coote for the Cowboys is a perfect example. He was regarded as a solid fullback/half at best when he joined the Cows but he combined perfectly with his star halves. Not particular big or fast, not a massive kick returner, just skillful and a great footy brain.

Was good enough to win the Cows a comp.

 

[watatank]

Our proposed team for 2018 only contains 1 out of 30 current SOO players; Frizell. We are not replacing like with like and unless the gamble comes off, we will lose momentum in our quest to win another premiership.

Come on, we have made the finals once in the last five years, and we finished 8th. How much momentum do we have?

 

[pfrano]

I still think MANN should replace Nightingale hes not a full back IMO.. Way too frail for a fullback

According to your theory why have juniors.

 

[West coast dragon]

I think Mann will go that good doust and Millward will quietly regret signing hunt because they'll realize that with the money they saved on hunt they could've kept packer and Dugan!

 

[mickeylane]

According to your theory why have juniors.

I guess we will never know how good our juniors are as there doesn't seem to be any opportunity to blood them because we can't afford to lose many more games - carrying Host and Sele (who btw has been making at least 1-2 major errors a game lately that are costing us points) seems to be the blooding threshold at this stage. I must admit though failing signing a star back I would try and give Dufty a start at FB next year - best we find out if he's up to it or not

 

[Walpole]

I still think MANN should replace Nightingale hes not a full back IMO.. Way too frail for a fullback

Rubbish. Mann at 6 foot and 90 kg is bigger than Billy Slater, Lachlan Coote and Michael Gordon. They've all made a decent go of the fullback position.