Brad Parker and Moses Suli were considered by many to be liabilities to the Sea Eagles chances of success not so long ago.
Here is what a couple of Manly fans wrote about Parker at the end of 2018.
“Gronk of a player, looks like a deer in the headlights out there. Slips over, drops the ball and makes regular clangers. Not first grade material, unsure why we are persevering with him”
“Nothing personal but Parker is not of first grade standard.”
And on Suli?
“Is it me or is he just a passenger in every game?”
“Fat, slow, lazy in defence. His combination with Parker has him as the worst centre winger combination pair in the comp.”
Not everyone was this harsh but it was fair to say many fans weren’t keen on either player.
I was pretty keen on Parker early in his career but some pretty big doubts were creeping in. I hadn’t seen enough of Suli to make a firm judgement but I did see him play the Roosters in a trial at Gosford and it was clear he was very hard to tackle and, on that basis, was keen to see how he would develop.
Heading into 2020, I’m of the opinion that they could provide the edge we need to win the big one. By the end of last season they were both in excellent form. Suli had trimmed down, become quicker and fitter and was close to the form centre in the finals. Parker was back in the centres, was regularly beating the first tackle, looked injury free, was well balanced and confident.
Both players were enjoying the game possibly for the first time in a couple of years or more and, if they can maintain or even improve on their late season form, the Sea Eagles are a real threat for title. If Suli can get even fitter and faster than last season, the impact for his club could be pretty dramatic.
If I’m correct, this continues a promising trend for the game, whereby centres play a big role in the result of contests again and continues the work of Joseph Manu and Latrell Mitchell at the Chooks – who were massive factors in consecutive titles.
Maligned players who come good is such a positive factor at any club and players like Jason King, in particular, along with Steve Matai and even Anthony Watmough and Jamie Lyon, to some extent, had question marks over their value but came good and played plenty of great games for the club.
As a fan nothing is better than watching a player improve and have a great career but, as always, only time will tell.
Roarers, which centre pairing will finish the season as the competition’s best? The Sharks, Broncos, Raiders, Roosters or another pairing? Could it be Manly’s odd couple, Parker and Suli?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I probably would have agreed with those quotes from Manly fans at the start of the season but nowhere near the end. Both players were killing it With Thompson and Sironen inside them, Manly are one of the few tans that are genuine threats down either side of the park I could understand them being maligned at the start of the season but not so much now...of course 12 months in footy is a long time...
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
100%. He's always had the skills that makes a good centre - good draw and pass, a bit of footwork, can run a line outside his opposite centre, reasonably stable defence. He is on the right track mentally too, just needs a bit more arrogance in his abilities. I am confident that he will be one of our great juniors. Hope the club holds him for a long time.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The thing which stood out for me with Parker as the season went on was how he run into the defence and get his nose out the other side fairly often. It's a really good sign as to how a player is tracking.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good read 40/20.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I just hope that rumours aren't true that the chooks are thinking about chasing Adam Doueihi. They can have both Bryson Goodwin and Corey Allan as a gift instead. ;-)
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
My biggest worry about Brad Parker is his mentality. When things go wrong for Brad, he really shows it. If he can learn to make a mistake, then put a line under it and move on, there is no reason why he cannot be one of the best centres in the game. He reminds me a lot of a rawer and slightly slower Matt Cooper.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
funnily enough everyone at the Roosters were all busting to resign with the club and having a shot at history, except for one who is no longer there. The Roosters parted ways with a decent player to have the money for Mr Mitchell and I think they now regret it. Team spirit and wanting to be part of something is 50% of the motivational factor in coaching. Hasler is actually in the top 5 current coaches on a % win basis of just under 60% which is pretty good
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Manly's secret weapon is the team spirit they have developed. They look like a happy bunch and nobody wanted to leave the club at the seasons end. I believe the players can see some good times ahead.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
considering the performance from Manly last season with an incomplete roster in many peoples eyes and the injury problems that Hasler and his team had to overcome, I thought Des should have recieved coach of the year and I am not a Manly supporter. However it was amighty fine effort by any standards. I do not disagree with your opinion in regards to the contribution that centres make and the example of Marnu & Mitchell last season is a pretty good example but the whole functionality of the team puts it all into place for it happen. I expect huge improvement in Manly but I reckon it will be a huge team effort that makes it happen not some individuals Des Like Robbinson has no room for ego in team. Although not a Manly supporter I enjoyed what they were offering late last season as they were all playing for each other and expect them to be in the top 4 this season...
Nambawan
Guest
Parker is a player who is continuing to develop. He has shown he knows how to set up his winger and his tackling has more often than not been safe. Whilst initially a winger his pace is a bit questionable and I recall on one occasion last year he was rather easily run down after taking an intercept. Nevertheless so long as he remains fit I expect him to continue to develope into a valuable and regularly selected, player. As for Suli, his future is up to his own desire and self discipline. Apparently he was a schoolboy prodigy so obviously he has the necessary natural talent. Late last season he began to display signs of class - showing that he could pass nicely to his winger and also displaying good reflexes and anticipation in his handling and tackling efforts. Of course the manner in which he destroyed his opposite centre in the Souths Final clearly showed just how good this player could be. BTW don't think there are any centre 'combinations' in the modern game any more ( and more the pity) as the dumb rule introduced by the NRL has both centres positioned at different 'edges' of the field.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Well if last season is anything to go by I would expecy Manly to be right up there this season and top 4 material.There is one thing for sure last season tells you that they will not " die wondering" Personally, I thought that Hasler should have recieved "coach of the year" last season for that was a masive turn around with a pretty fragmented roster and the injuries he was required to work around.As for this season, well I think he will be looking at an all round team effort and Iexpect them to be in the top 4 come trhe finals.
mushi
Roar Guru
There's merit to either depending on what Robbo wants to emphasise. I could also see it being a bit of a revolving door of youngsters.
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
Dylan Walker seems to have been left out of all this centre talk. Was one of the best centres not long ago until the 5/8 experiment has left him in a bit of limbo.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Mitchell was a huge factor in the last year and more so the season before in who won the big games. If Chamberlain was playing for NSW and the Chooks instead of Mitchell , I think the end results are a lot different. The Tigers are a perfect example of how teams go with 13 reliable players.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I'd rather Morris with the game on the line much more reliable. Mitchell has a long way to go to be considered reliable
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I've been more optimistic about Manly for a couple of years now than most fans of the game and even made the bold statement a couple of years back when we were close to our first spoon that I'd rather be in Manly's position than Saints. Although it was considered nonsense at the time, I think I had a fair point. It was a bit soul destroying, as a fan, watching centres who were better off in the second row dominating the rep teams.
KenW
Guest
Garrick came through the lower grades as a centre, could always be an option for a re-shuffle too which gives some options.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
I initially saw the headline, smiled and thought, "bless him, diehard Manly fan been away from footy too long..." Then I thought about it and there are some great points here. Suli really came on at the back of last year gave and gave Gagai nightmares. Parker is rock solid without being a game winner but plenty of comps have been won with such a pairing. So regarding centres not eligible for Qld when it rains it pours. Not so long ago NSW had Beau Scott in the centres. Love Stagg's aggression, Xerri is class then Blake, Scott, Ramien and Bird are all contenders. Not to mention finding room for Latrell, Turbo and Wighton. Nice headache.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Centres... no such thing, just inside wingers. Review edge attack instead including backrowers and you might pull something out worthy enough to put some money on.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
They did cross my mind. Crusher was a hell of a player and Close was pretty handy too. My old man sold Close his house near the beach and I heard they wanted him out on a surf ski to keep the weight down a bit.