If you eels want a good laugh at the expense of Manly - read the following on our Centres for 2005:
Let us have a frank look at our Centre options for 2005:
Firstly there is Hicks. He did some good things in 2004 but lets remember a lot of his early work, including a lot of his line breaks, was achieved on the wing when he had Menzies bumbling and stumbling at Centre on his inside. He was switched to Centre and one of the enduring memories of the season was the keystone cops routine played out by Hicks and Hoppa when we didnt have the ball. If the opposition wanted a try, all they had to do was pass or kick to their left. As a Centre, Hicks makes a good winger.
Secondly we have Steppa. Well named for he did show a useful step and the ability to fall over the try line. However, someone forgot to explain to him that this is the sort of thing you do in attack and not when an opposition Centre like Matt Cooper is headed your way with ball in hand. The words rough raw and ready come to mind. Hes only a serious option at centre if hes been forced to hit tackle bags until he spews on each day of the off season.
Who is next? Well, thats a problem isnt it? Its not as if were flush for options. Our next candidate is Father Time himself in the guise of Terry Hill. A few weeks ago he looked like a front rower. Were hoping that in a few short months hell be our centre saviour? Gentlemen, this is 2005 not 1995. The battle to beat the draft was fought and won some 15 years ago. The only draft Hill will beat next year is the faint swatting of his arms at the wake of air left as opposition centres run on by.
Which brings us to Alberts. Hell be lucky if hes able to swat at anything next year given the current state of his shoulder. So here we are hoping someone with a flakey attitude from the Queensland Cup is going to become the great Centre hope in the space of a few months? Yeah right. Give him a year in PL to show his potential bit lets not think that hes going to see serious game time next year!
Lets not forget that the journeyman Torrens filled a Centre spot for the entire year for us this year and hes been signed by the Dragons to assist them in taking the next step in next years Premier League Grand Final. Its not as though weve signed a stable of quality replacements.
And that my friends is pretty much it. Four centres of dubious distinction, none of whom could probably get a run in any other NRL side in that position. Is anyone going to challenge the statement that currently our Centre stocks are the weakest in the NRL?
