Matt Orford

[dollyhands]

Orfords problem was that he thought that he needed to be involved in every play and be the man like A. johns was(not even half the player) this is why he never fitted into storms 'TEAM'. Imagine how much stronger the eagles could of been if he played the team game week in week out. This is also the reason he was never a good 'big game' player

 

[stormbati]

Orford was a hack.. best thing that happened to the Storm was him leaving..
Geez.. imagine if he had of stayed and Cronk moved on to a diff club..
thats a nightmare of ever there was one..

I dont think anybody saw Cronk as a halfback. He always came on as a hooker or a lock/second row.
Anyway, as weird as it sounds, sometimes losing your best/main player actually brings better results.

Back on Orford, in his 4 years at Manly, they have made every finals series, 2 Grand Finals and 1 premiership. Before he got there Manly werent doing anything special.
Now that he's left, Manly are being written off again. He may have been inconsistent in big games, but at the end of the day he did the job in 08, theres still better rated halfbacks running around today who havent.

 

[manly4lyf]

I think we'll go well this year wthout Ox. It's a massive blow, yet I think Foran will be able to handle it well. It'll take some time, but we're in safe hands I believe.

 

[Sea_Eagles_Rock]

hmmmm Foran is an international.

 

[Scarves]

Orfords problem was that he thought that he needed to be involved in every play and be the man like A. johns was(not even half the player) this is why he never fitted into storms 'TEAM'. Imagine how much stronger the eagles could of been if he played the team game week in week out. This is also the reason he was never a good 'big game' player

I can't agree that he was never a good big game player. Yes granted he was inconsistent in big games, but he performed outstandingly in some of our big match wins, especially in the finals series of 2007 and 2008.

Look, he's definitely not in the Joey Johns class but I do recall a period where Joey's form at Origin level was doubted, so Orford isn't on his Robinson there. Someone like J Thurston who has never won a premiership for a club as a halfback could be considered an inconsistent player in big games as well.

Matty Orford looked way too bulky last season, it affected his big weapon, his explosiveness out of the blocks. He was never a classic halfback, more of a take it to the line bustler. While as a Manly supporter I appreciate the leadership, competitive spirit and the Premiership he helped bring to the club, I think Manly chopped him at the right time and both Foran &/or Trent are in a better position to make a fighters fist of the 7 jumper in 2010.

Overall, I'm glad we are being overlooked as a contender this season, It's how the peninsula likes it.

 

[kia ora storm]

hmmmm Foran is an international.

Not sure what Kearney was thinking with that selection..was not ready for that standard.

 

[The 18th Man]

I am not sure there are many suggesting Manly won't be a top eight team, though there is a concern about the loss of Matt Orford and the potential loss of the dynamic Brett Stewart.

The critique of Matt Orford is interesting. I believe he put to bed his "can't play in big games" when he led Manly to the 2008 NRL Premiership. Orford was outstanding in the finals series. That aside, the loss of Orford is a big one give he contributed 22 try assists, 15 line breaks and 133 points (sharing kicking duties with Jamie Lyon who scored 78 points).

Kieran Foran is an outstanding talent who can fill the void for Hasler. In eight appearances, he scored six tries (Orford scored 3 in twenty 25 appearances) and looked like a player with enormous potential. All signs point to Foran having a very good season behind a very good Manly pack. Potentially a Cooper Cronk type season after he replaced Orford at Melbourne.

 

[Patsy]

say what you like about orford but for the 2008 season he was awesome and proved it with a dally m & a premiership

in 09 he is woeful and this is why i don't think he will be missed this year. still came 5th without a dominating half and best player on the sidelines for all but 2 games.

 

[Bicey_18]

Wont make the 8. No recognised half will hurt them badly...

 

[aqua_duck]

In regards to Foran, I do rate him but he's 19 years old, how many 19 year old halfbacks have guided a side to a premiership?
I think Manly will struggle because some of their players who looked like world beaters in 08 have come back down to earth.
Guys like Wolfhack, Robertson, Matai, Kite and Perry have been only a shadow of what they were in 08

 

[Dutchy]

A tad harsh on Robertson, he was forced to play out of position and had massive boots to fill.

 

[Big Pete]

Robertson is fairly dime a dozen too when it comes to wingers.

Manly '10 will depend on B. Stewart and Lyon more than anything else. They've still got a solid forward pack and backline and could feature in the finals.

 

[wittyfan]

A bit harsh too on the Wolfman, him and the beard had some differences through '09.

 

[God-King Dean]

Anyway, as weird as it sounds, sometimes losing your best/main playeractually brings better results..

IMO this would be the case if Thurston left North Queensland.

 

[Evenflow]

hmmmm Foran is an international.

So is Shannon Hegarty and David Williams......nuff said. Though in fairness to Foran i do rate him as a very good player of the future and will go on to do more in the game than the other 2 mentioned. He'll also do it on talent alone and not with the gimmick of a beard.

 

[God-King Dean]

Orford...consistent underachiever.

I actually think he's massive over-achiever.

 

[Daddycool]

Getting back to the original topic......any team who loses a Dally M and Premiership winning halfback, will always attract negative reviews, particularly when the replacements are rookies.

By their 2007/8 standards, Manly were very poor in 2009. Much of it could be put down to the absence of Brett Stewart and all the other off field dramas they had. Having said that, they still finished 5th.

As far as Orford goes, I think he had reached the end of the road in terms of his ability to compete at a high level in the NRL. The groin and ankle injuries had reduced his speed and acceleration, but most of all it was his tendancy to have to do absolutely everything. Poor form affected his confidence, which then affected the team.

Foran and Hodkinson will be like a breath of fresh air for Manly's overall attack. Without Orford there, these two as well as Lyon and Ballin will have much bigger roles to play.

Manly are still going to be very competitive this year, so.....being tipped to finish mid-table just means they'll slip back under the radar. Just the way Des likes it!

 

[typicalfan]

I can't agree that he was never a good big game player. Yes granted he was inconsistent in big games, but he performed outstandingly in some of our big match wins, especially in the finals series of 2007 and 2008.

Look, he's definitely not in the Joey Johns class but I do recall a period where Joey's form at Origin level was doubted, so Orford isn't on his Robinson there. Someone like J Thurston who has never won a premiership for a club as a halfback could be considered an inconsistent player in big games as well.

Matty Orford looked way too bulky last season, it affected his big weapon, his explosiveness out of the blocks. He was never a classic halfback, more of a take it to the line bustler. While as a Manly supporter I appreciate the leadership, competitive spirit and the Premiership he helped bring to the club, I think Manly chopped him at the right time and both Foran &/or Trent are in a better position to make a fighters fist of the 7 jumper in 2010.

Overall, I'm glad we are being overlooked as a contender this season, It's how the peninsula likes it.

It isn't so much that he isn't a big game player, more than he was never a close match player. He was never the halfback that with the game on the wire with 5 to go that would steer his side to victory. That is the where the criticism stems from.

He did step up once last year v Bulldogs in that belter of a game at Brookie but apart from that he really seems to go missing with the game on the line. 2008 finals were different because Manly weren't troubled at all in the finals. JT hasn't steered his side to victory but he has done so at Origin level and is definitely a very good big game player in Origin.

 

[Patsy]

It isn't so much that he isn't a big game player, more than he was never a close match player. He was never the halfback that with the game on the wire with 5 to go that would steer his side to victory. That is the where the criticism stems from.

He did step up once last year v Bulldogs in that belter of a game at Brookie but apart from that he really seems to go missing with the game on the line. 2008 finals were different because Manly weren't troubled at all in the finals. JT hasn't steered his side to victory but he has done so at Origin level and is definitely a very good big game player in Origin.

i can remember 2-3 last minute field goals to get manly home. and a few more big plays over the yeard as well.

manly's record with him was probably a win % of 80% or more - did you want him to lead them to 100%.

he is judged more than any half in the comp.

 

[bartman]

Sea Eagles will fall apart on field if Stewart's charges stick.

Could be a very tough year over Brookvale way... Orford or no Orford.