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  1. 1

    next year's spine

    Would love to see 9. Simpkins (then Brooks off bench) 7. Fogerty 6. Tom 1. Koula Would need a lot of work over off-season, but that spine is far more attacking than anything we have now.
  2. 1

    Our hooker for 2026

    Would love to see Brooks tried at hooker in 2026, even if just for a short stint during matches. He whacks people in defence for his size, is quick off mark and would give us a threatening running game out of hooker for the first time since Api / Manese. Tom to 6. Lehi at 1. Other benefit of...
  3. 1

    Too much speed?

    Having watched too much football over the past month, I was struck by the importance of powerful, yardage wingers who play like an extra prop in a team's 25. Think Daniel Tupou at the Roosters, the best winger in the game IMO. He takes the tough second carry in their 25, consistently bends the...
  4. 1

    Bullemor for 13 in 2025

    As much as I admire Jake, there's a legitimate debate to be had on whether Bullemor should be our starting lock in 2025. His punch and speed in middle for longer periods would add a new dimension to our play (compared to Jake's go forward). In that world, Jake starts at prop and has a second...
  5. 1

    Finals tactics

    The best coaches treat finals like a new mini-season and have a few things up their sleeve. Here are three things Manly could do to disrupt opponents in finals. Not saying they will happen or are permanent changes - just short bursts of innovation in our play to surprise opponents in tight...
  6. 1

    Bench

    At full-strength, I don't seek how Hopoate can be left off bench, for a few reasons: 1. He has been among best players each week 2. He is versatile 3. All teams should have a specialist back on bench for backline cover due to HIAs Thus, my full-strength team for finals looks like: 1. Tom 2...
  7. 1

    Fitness

    Kudos to our new fitness team ... we look noticeably fitter and faster than this time last year. There seemed to be more energy and power in our runs, and less gassing toward the end of halves.
  8. 1

    Hooker

    Hooker is the glaring weakness in our squad composition. After Croker, we have a rookie (GCKT) and a converted halfback (Humphries) who hadn't played much reserve grade. Heaven help us if Croker is injured. I was surprised we let Lawton go ... he gave us good cover in hooker/ second row/...
  9. 1

    How we will win the comp in 2024

    Non-system errors killed us in 2023. That is, individual player errors rather than errors in defensive structure or tactics. Think Tuilagi's missed tackles, Keppie's clumsy hands, Harper rushing out of the line, Weekes dropping high balls, Jake's never-ending six agains and penalties. I don't...
  10. 1

    NRL 360

    I've watched NRL 360 since it began and am interested in the views of others on the program this year. I find it almost unbearable to watch these days and rarely make it through a full episode. Putting personalities aside, my concerns are: 1. The show is ridiculously repetitive. The panel must...
  11. 1

    There is no such thing as a rebuild at Manly

    I'm tired of the negativity about losing Fifita / Tuitavake / possibly Fainus/ Myers and so on. Like everyone else on this forum, I love seeing Manly juniors make their way to first grade. But we need a premiership NOW. It's been 10 years since our last GF appearance, 12 years since our last...
  12. 1

    Should DCE retire from Origin after Game 3?

    As a huge DCE fan (and a Queenslander), I have enjoyed seeing him succeed at Origin. He is a champion. But after 22 games (by Origin game 3), it's time to for DCE to put his entire focus on Manly. It's now a decade since our last GF. We can no longer afford to limp by each season without our...
  13. 1

    Dummy half passing

    A glaring problem against the Panthers was our distribution from dummy half. This is not just a knock on Croker. Numerous players threw terrible, slow passes from dummy half. Watch how many times DCE catches the ball above his head or has to wait for ball, stifling play. Harper is particularly...
  14. 1

    Depth

    At full strength, I believe we have five additional NRL quality players: - Lawton, Sipley, Johns, Tuipolotu and Condon We also have three young players who are NRL ready but not yet tested: - GCKT, Fifita, Tuitavake That give us 25 NRL-calibre players. Is that is not enough in a long season...
  15. 1

    Parker

    Would love to see Parker converted into a bench utility (ie cover for centre/edge back-rower). With Garrick moving to centre, we need to find a spot for under-rated Parker. I reckon he'd add more as the 17 on our bench than Burbo or Bullemor.
  16. 1

    back-up half

    We need a back-up half to join squad as cover for DCE/Schuster. Realistically, we should go for one of: 1 Adam Keighran (Roosters). Versatile, fast. Top goal kicker. Would be a starting seven in some teams. 2. Brayden Trindall (Sharks). Doubt we'd get him, but more chance playing first grade...
  17. 1

    Props

    Quick quiz: How manly Manly props would make a list of the top 20 props in NRL? I have one: Josh Aloiai. Roosters arguably have four; Broncos have three; Storm have three; Raiders have two; Eels have two and so on. Keppie, Sipley, Paseka, Boyle and co haven't kicked on as expected. they...
  18. 1

    Shameful lack of tradition

    I'm all for the occasional jersey change as a merchandising initiative or to promote important issues, such as Indigenous culture, ANZACs, LGBTQ+ etc. But this is getting ridiculous. A community jersey, retro jersey, crazy socks, now a pride jersey .. can we just wear the traditional Manly...
  19. 1

    Dolphins and Manly

    I hope this doesn't happen, but if I was the Dolphins I would target one or two Manly players from below: 1. Garrick. Excellent winger/goal-kicker/part-time fullback ... at winger's pay rates. Ideal player for new franchise. 2. Lawton. Would provide much-needed depth in hooking role (arguably...
  20. 1

    Dumb Tom tactics

    Nobody can deny Tom's toughness or team commitment. He ran the ball like a prop at times yesterday. Unfortunately, he looked like a middle forward by the end of play: battered and bruised from heavy contact. Tom won't last until the finals if he keeps taking so many tough hit-ups. Like Jake...

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4 Broncos 24 15 0 9 172 36
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6 Warriors 24 14 0 10 21 34
7 Panthers 24 13 1 10 107 33
8 Roosters 24 13 0 11 132 32
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11 Eels 24 10 0 14 -76 26
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15 Dragons 24 8 0 16 -130 22
16 Titans 24 6 0 18 -199 18
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