Who's Your Man To Watch This Season?

[Hamm.0]

Dave, you couldn't be further from reality in reference to Lima. He was a standout Prop in 2008 and will only improve in 2009 IMO.

As for Manu, did you not see the 77th minute where he dislodged the ball from Sims, then 20 seconds play later, beats 3 Broncos to offload to Crocker who gets tackled a metre out? That's 77 minutes not 79 8-) . That game aside, he is an amazing impact forward IMO.

Each to his own; my call is that if they were both eligible for Australia, they would have been in our WC squad. And I'd definetly have them in my QLD team.

 

[mick]

The problem with DT last year though Coxy was that he would do shit all and still come off the field gasping for breath!

Yeah, I agree [icon_lol1.

I wish I had a photo of the image I saw in the Broncos v Storm semi last year (yes...that game). If you want to see a forward give 100% for the time they are on, you guys should have seen Lima and Manu when they left the field, at differing intervals during the game.

In the first half, Manu came off and deadset, he could barely breath. He was actually choking whilst trying to sip water, as he needed to breathe as well. He was lathered in sweat and was struggling to gasp for oxygen. Same same Lima towards the end of the half. In the 2nd half I saw Manu again, i have very seldomly seen a guy so buggered from footy. He looked like he had just finished a beach sp[rint circuit. The guy couldn't walk properly trying to breathe.

Both players oozed commitment. If we got even half that from DT, I'd be impressed.

I'd give ANYTHING to get Manu and/or Lima in a Broncos jersey....I even give Je$ter.

Pfffffffffffffft... I've seen Carl Webb do that on a number of occasions. Honestly, unfitness is the reason more than commitment. Did you ever see Webcke or Lazo puffing like that? Of course not. So they weren't committed?

Seriously, I rate both Manu and Lima highly. But Manu in particular is not a fit forward - he's an impact player. A damn good one, but you couldn't have him play 70 minutes of a match. If they upped his minutes on the field, he would be nowhere near as effective.

 

[Hamm.0]

Pfffffffffffffft... I've seen Carl Webb do that on a number of occasions. Honestly, unfitness is the reason more than commitment.

Yawn.

Did you ever see Webcke or Lazo puffing like that? Of course not. So they weren't committed?

Um yes, I have seen Webcke do EXACTLY that. Half the reason I have such a high regard for the man's work ethic.

Seriously, I rate both Manu and Lima highly.

Most sensible football talk you have said in a long time.

But Manu in particular is not a fit forward - he's an impact player. A damn good one, but you couldn't have him play 70 minutes of a match. If they upped his minutes on the field, he would be nowhere near as effective.

Agreed. Which is why he is IMO the best impact forward of 2008. Showed us how unworthy chumps like Hannant are of their $300,000 asking price.

Like I said, time will tell how both their 2009 seasons fare, but (and only IMO) I rate them both highly on 2008 performances.

When Australia destroyed NZ second game of the WC, wasn't it Manu who beat three Aussie defenders? Sole Kiwi try scorer?

 

[The Brizz]

Webcke and Lazo puffed just as much as those two guys do and its because they gave it there all and spent every ounce they had not because they are unfit. I completely disagree with any notion that they would be unfit in fact I would suggest Manu and Lima would be fitter than Lazo ever was (not to denigrate Lazo he was a legend) Lazo just gave 100% commitment every time he was on the field and despite being as bulky as he was refused to give up.

 

[mrslong]

Don't forget they used to have unlimited interchanges too.

 

[mick]

Agreed. Which is why he is IMO the best impact forward of 2008. Showed us how unworthy chumps like Hannant are of their $300,000 asking price.

Chumps? Lol let's compare a starting prop to an impact forward. Srsly, you might as well compare Lockyer with Moimoi if you're getting into that category.

All I'm saying is how about you wait a few months before blowing your load over players who have had one decent season, but have never spent more than 20 minutes at a time on the field?

 

[Hamm.0]

I've never seen Hannant give more than 20 minutes either, so fair comparison IMO.

 

[GCBRONCO]

His played longer periods then 20 minutes periods and if you want a quality experienced prop, especially a starting one(which Hannant is one) your going to have to pay for one, the Bulldogs needed to do so and he was on the market.

 

[mick]

I've never seen Hannant give more than 20 minutes either, so fair comparison IMO.

Ah no worries, thought I was attempting a debate with someone who watched rugby league. Carry on.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Webcke and Lazo puffed just as much as those two guys do and its because they gave it there all and spent every ounce they had not because they are unfit. I completely disagree with any notion that they would be unfit in fact I would suggest Manu and Lima would be fitter than Lazo ever was (not to denigrate Lazo he was a legend) Lazo just gave 100% commitment every time he was on the field and despite being as bulky as he was refused to give up.

Webcke himself and Bennett have both previously said when he came to the club he was one of the most unfit forwards the club has seen, it took a lot of work and a change of roles(where he was used early on largely as a battering ram) overtime to see him develop into the player he became, its not something to be underestimated or dismissed as just a player going all out, a lot of these forwards that play impact roles would struggle if they had to play a workrate role unless they worked hard to change their fitness, even then not all make a successful change.

 

[Coxy]

I've never seen Hannant give more than 20 minutes either, so fair comparison IMO.

Ah no worries, thought I was attempting a debate with someone who watched rugby league. Carry on.

Burn baby burn!

 

[Hamm.0]

I've never seen Hannant give more than 20 minutes either, so fair comparison IMO.

Ah no worries, thought I was attempting a debate with someone who watched rugby league. Carry on.

Sorry, I missed the "per half"; as in Hannant doesn't play more than 20 minutes a half. Which is the same amount of game time Manu played for the majority of the 2nd half of 2008 (ironically the time Hannant got his payday and went MIA).

I do agree however, that Hannant is a poor comparison and to compare the players roles wasn't my intent. Rather I was trying to show the over inflated price certain players ask for after only 1 season of decent footy, compared to other players who don't play for glamour clubs nor get gifted SoO jerseys.

 

[Jeba]

Did Hannant actually ask for that sort of money though? I thought the Bulldogs just made him a very generous offer that was too good to refuse.

 

[mick]

Jeb you're pretty much right.

Broncos offered him around $150k-$200k, I believe. Dogs were closer to $300k. He has a family etc., so of course an extra $100k+ per year would help!

 

[Coxy]

Exactly Mick. Hannant and his manager walked in to talk to Bruno. Said they had a $300K offer on the table from the Bulldogs, what was Bruno going to do about it. Bruno said he'd wave good bye at the airport :P

 

[Assassin]

The dogs did that to a number of players last year... basicly drove their blue and white dump truck full of money round the NRL and made lots of offers players couldn't refuse. I don't know how the hell they had so much cap space but I can only asume that they have been steadilly saving up for this since the post 04 premiership started a major exodus for them. The spending spree may still not yet be over as I hear they are in Crockers ear as well now.

Anyway main point is you can't blame hannant for going, most of us in all fairness would of taken it too.

 

[mick]

Absolutely. I mean, it sucks when it's a matter of $20 grand or something similar when the club has done so much for a player or whatever.

But honestly, when the player has been good to the club and vice versa, but there's a case of a ridiculously large offer coming from outside, there's not a lot you can do. It was basically double the money!

I know if a company from down south came knocking on my door offering me $150k/year, I'd be looking VERY likely to take it.

 

[Jargernaut]

K Hunt - He has the torment of the "scandal" last year and contract renewal issues hanging over his head - Im hoping he'll stand up as a man and play his best season and keep billy playing only for the WWE Storm!