Anthony Griffin’s verdict: What Des Hasler needs to fix to ensure 2018 woes are stuck in the past
Fresh from a season dogged by infighting and their worst performance in 15 years, Manly will turn to Des Hasler’s mad scientist brain to return to the finals — but he has plenty of work to do.
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Manly fans will be thinking 2019 could not be worse than 2018.
Last season, the Sea Eagles only won seven matches in their worst performance since 2003 and were dogged by bitter infighting between coach Trent Barrett and the board, and playmaker Jackson Hastings and the rest of the squad.
Club legend and premiership coach Des Hasler is back and expectations have heightened. While there is some very good talent on the roster, it appears a bit thin in places.
Getting some improvement out of fringe players and rookies will be imperative.
ON THE ATTACK
Manly look strongest in the playmaking department.
Daly Cherry-Evans is set to play his best football. His combination with fullback Tom Trbojevic is lethal, between them they came up with 17 tries, 35 try-assists, 36 line-break assists and 19 forced dropouts last year.
It’s in the outside backs that Manly appear very thin on paper. Brian Kelly, Aku Uate, Jonathan and Matthew Wright are not there this year. Dylan Walker, who has the potential to be elite, has been stood down by the NRL until he faces court in May. A lot of pressure will fall on Jorge Taufua, who has the experience and is great in attack. That means Moses Suli, 20, will need to step up.
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Crafty hooker Api Koroisau missed the last 10 games of 2018 and his return is sorely needed as he is always a threat out of dummy half.
New signing Kane Elgey will likely start at five-eighth. He showed promise at the Gold Coast and has a very good short-kicking game and will benefit enormously playing in between Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic.
FORWARD STATEMENT
Starting power in the middle is not a problem. Marty Taupau, Addin Fonua-Blake and Jake Trbojevic are very hard to stop.
The two props run for big metres and Taupau offloaded 70 times last year.
These offloads can be compulsive and messy but they also release Koroisau and Tom Trbojevic into broken lines of defence.
Jake Trbojevic is your ideal 80-minute lock and has a great combination with the playmakers, especially his brother.
On the edges, Joel Thompson is a handful with the ball and Curtis Sironen is a skilful big man.
Manly need to get more from their bench. Middle interchange forwards Lloyd Perrett, Kelepi Tanginoa, Taniela Paseka and Toafofoa Sipley need to provide more impact and more minutes. Between the three of them they averaged 13 games at barely 24 minutes last year. They are all explosive types and Perrett has offloading and ball-playing ability.
But, for all their attacking power the forward group need to make some statements defensively. Your ability to contain and dominate the opposition when you are not in possession starts with your forward pack. The ability to hit, stick, lock up and control the play- the-ball speed and repeatedly keep moving forward play after play, set after set.
THE VERDICT
Solid starting forward pack and Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic are all class. Their defensive system and attitude needs an overhaul. Hasler will be working hard on moulding them into a tighter, more resilient group.
ROOKIE TO WATCH
Backrower Corey Waddell has moved from Penrith where he was the NYC player of the year in 2016.
STAT ATTACK
In 2018, they conceded the most tries in the competition — 4.3 per game.
Originally published as Anthony Griffin’s verdict: What Des Hasler needs to fix to ensure 2018 woes are stuck in the past
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