Fatigue, lack of depth and playing with injuries(as all clubs deal with) resulting in a lack of overall sharpness/directness, speed and team aggression.(Barrett could see it a mile a way, you could tell from the press conference against the Tigers he wasn't shocked---the dumbfounded look was more for show)
The resting of players with niggling injuries was evidence of this.
Manly haven't really won many (as many) games with the grind(like a Cronulla), it's been pockets/patches of up tempo effort and scoring sprees showing our punch and attacking potential.
Once the one out aggression tackles and lack of application in the tackles started creeping back in the performances have started to resemble what was on display at the start of the season.(Manly are flat)
With Melb you have to do everything at speed and not one out, over doing the one out runs or dummy half runs is not going to hurt Melb, they will compress dominate the wrestle and slow down every set.
Sharp, creative, structured at speed lateral spreads to stretch the defensive line, before direct power straightness through the middle hurts Melb---which will improve the offloads due to less gang tackle opportunities---easier said than done when the team is fatigued and flat at the moment.
Yes people will complain about playing too laterally and going sideways, but with good structured lateral play you can still play straight---Melb spread and remain straight.
Watch the numbers backing up the lead runner at the advantage line of Melb's go forward sets----a step/class above with a variety of options.
