Manu 5/8 Experiment Over?

[Rooster89]

Last night Manu started at 5/8 with the goal of getting his hands on the ball as possible.

Is it just me or did he look lost there.

When Watson came on it was almost as if he was 2nd receiver on most plays leaving it obvious to Panthers that nothing is on.

How did you all think he went last night?

[Headless Chook]

Last night Manu started at 5/8 with the goal of getting his hands on the ball as possible.

Is it just me or did he look lost there.

When Watson came on it was almost as if he was 2nd receiver on most plays leaving it obvious to Panthers that nothing is on.

How did you all think he went last night?

Played a major role in our first try and looked threatening when he got the ball in his hands. I thought he went fine considering he hasn't trrained a lot in that position

[Serenader]

I thought it went ok considering he had basically minimal time to train in the position (as Robbo stated). But Keary back after the bye. Will be interesting to see if Keary goes back to half thou….

[King Salvo]

I assume if Keary is okay to play then he will be back at half.

During the pre-season it was mentioned that Manu would have a roving role which really hasn't eventuated. Tedesco plays a roving role - do you have two players playing such a role?

Manu needs to get more ball though but how that happens is the question - does he also play a roving role or they go right more in attack.

Manu does have a kicking game although not sure if he has a long one as mostly have seen only short ones from him in a one off attacking move when he has the ball.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Keary should be our 5/8th, the experiment with him at half and Walker at 5/8th hasn't worked. If Keary can't play Hutch should be 5/8th.

[Keith]

Manu was pretty good, take into account that he hasn't trained there , we were playing in thr wet vs the Panthers at home with Sutton as ref.

[FlamingRooster]

He was really good, just inexperienced. Experiment definitely not over considering we almost (should've) beat the reigning and probable premiers

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Its obvious that he needs to get more involved. The good thing is that he is still only 24. He has plenty of time to add a few more dimensions to his game. The main thing is that we find a way to keep him, Walker and JS long-term. Can't afford to lose any of them. They are all natural footballers

[Inflictor]

I don't think he is our long term 5/8 option. He did some very good things but when he gets more involved from centre he does similar things. He just needs to go looking for the ball more.

[Kelby]

I assume if Keary is okay to play then he will be back at half.

During the pre-season it was mentioned that Manu would have a roving role which really hasn't eventuated. Tedesco plays a roving role - do you have two players playing such a role?

Manu needs to get more ball though but how that happens is the question - does he also play a roving role or they go right more in attack.

Manu does have a kicking game although not sure if he has a long one as mostly have seen only short ones from him in a one off attacking move when he has the ball.

What about Manu at fullback and Teddy to 5/8? Worked well for Darren Lockyer. Walker stays at 7
I dont think it would change Teddys game at all?

[ism22]

Last night Manu started at 5/8 with the goal of getting his hands on the ball as possible.

Is it just me or did he look lost there.

When Watson came on it was almost as if he was 2nd receiver on most plays leaving it obvious to Panthers that nothing is on.

How did you all think he went last night?

He was effective but there was one moment near the end where Walker threw him the ball on the 4th and he eeerm... froze, ran backwards, stalled a bit and either passed or got tackled.

Aside from that he had some adventurous plays and went toe-to-toe with Luai as a half (seeing Walker and Manu do that was impressive!!! Also suggested we were dominating in the middle though, but for some really unfair calls).

Dunno if he's a long-term 5/8 but it raises the question, why are halves always little guys who are easy to take-out? Guessing small guys focus on skills from a young age so train as halves but like... with a bit more practice (and a long kicking game, betcha a guy that tall and strong can kick a ball 60m!!!) Manu could be VERY impressive I think.

Ideally Keary returns though. IMO as people are saying... the issue is that if he returns and immediately gets pummelled to the ground with his head hitting elbow & terra firma HARD then if we're not already, we'll then be talking about his retirement. Dunno how to stop that happening either. You want him to play evasive footy and be ambitious... not sit back and be dull because you might cop a shot to the head if you dodge a tackle or somebody reads you perfectly, leading to a dominant tackle.

[Rooster1908]

What about Manu at fullback and Teddy to 5/8? Worked well for Darren Lockyer. Walker stays at 7
I dont think it would change Teddys game at all?

I quite like Manu at 5/8 and teddy stay at f/b . Teds kicking game is crap

[DP1990]

I think Manu has earned the right and free pass to be allowed another crack/opportunity in playing at 5/8. Give him some proper time to train, adjust and gel with his natural freakish talents and instinctive abilities ... he could end up being a surprise solution


Anytime Manu has the ball in-hand, something is processing or about to be executed. The team may not know what it is, Manu may not know what it is and the opposition has no chance due to there being no structure or set style to his play. This could be very beneficial to our spine !


PS: He played well against the Panthers !

[Roosterfarian]

I thought he was solid for his first real crack in that position. He looked threatening most times he had the ball so imagine how he’d go after a few games there. Better than Hutch tbh who only really offers a good kicking game. This is certainly where Manu struggles especially a good long kick.

He may be our only medium term option if Keary goes whilst we wait for Munster.

[QWERTY]

What about Manu at fullback and Teddy to 5/8? Worked well for Darren Lockyer. Walker stays at 7
I dont think it would change Teddys game at all?

Teddy does not have a 5/8’s build, and his kicking game is atrocious. He’s a fullback through and through