1986 MANLY

[The Wheel]

Problem with Blake was his defense not his highlight reel of attack/chip and chases.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

I loved watching Phil Blake & I was very disappointed when he left. He did have some defensive issues & at times could be a bit impulsive in attack, which served him well in his early days, but became less successful as his Manly time moved on. It would have been hard for Bozo to put him ahead of Cliffy or Hasler in the halves so it was either centre or wing, which Blake did not appreciate.

His 1982 & 83 were magic to watch!
A fantastic Sea Eagle in my book.

 

[Once Was Brissie Kid]

I loved watching Phil Blake & I was very disappointed when he left. He did have some defensive issues & at times could be a bit impulsive in attack, which served him well in his early days, but became less successful as his Manly time moved on. It would have been hard for Bozo to put him ahead of Cliffy or Hasler in the halves so it was either centre or wing, which Blake did not appreciate.

His 1982 & 83 were magic to watch!
A fantastic Sea Eagle in my book.

100% agree, except Cliffy wasn't playing 5/8th at all in 1986 (Mitchell Cox was). At Norths in 1985 it was Lyons at 5/8th and Cox at #7.

The only time in 1986 that Lyons-Hasler were in the halves combo was one Panasonic Cup game when Cox was out injured or rested. When Cox was out injured again later for a few rounds Bozo picked Blake at 5/8th.

I don't think Bozo saw or rated a Hasler-Lyons combo at all. It wasn't on the radar when Blake decided to leave because in 1987 Bozo had Martin Meredith as his preferred 5/8th even ahead of Cox.

It wasn't until finally in Rd 7 Anzac Day in 1987 he picked Lyons at 5/8th with Hasler at #7. Even then it may have been forced on Bozo if it was because Meredith and Cox were out injured. Pretty sure Cox was injured. Two months on Lyons was the NSW Blues 5/8th and then Manly won the 1987 grand final.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

100% agree, except Cliffy wasn't playing 5/8th at all in 1986 (Mitchell Cox was). At Norths in 1985 it was Lyons at 5/8th and Cox at #7.

The only time in 1986 that Lyons-Hasler were in the halves combo was one Panasonic Cup game when Cox was out injured or rested. When Cox was out injured again later for a few rounds Bozo picked Blake at 5/8th.

I don't think Bozo saw or rated a Hasler-Lyons combo at all. It wasn't on the radar when Blake decided to leave because in 1987 Bozo had Martin Meredith as his preferred 5/8th even ahead of Cox.

It wasn't until finally in Rd 7 Anzac Day in 1987 he picked Lyons at 5/8th with Hasler at #7. Even then it may have been forced on Bozo if it was because Meredith and Cox were out injured. Pretty sure Cox was injured. Two months on Lyons was the NSW Blues 5/8th and then Manly won the 1987 grand final.

Good pick up OWBK. You are quite correct. I had timed my run a year early on who was the halves combination.
The fact was unfotunately Bozo didnt value Blake in the halves anymore, so Blake did what he thought was best for his career & moved on. Good luck to him.

 

[manly al]

Guess that it was always going to be a bit tough for Manly to take out the Big one that year when the still very strong and really generational level Eels side was still going around and the Dogs of War Bulldog pack were still dominant .
Still , thought that the Manly side of that year however did underperform by getting knocked out by the Tigers in the i st final week .
Certainly a help having a classy centre like O ' Conner coming on board for a tilt in 87 and Rambo Gibbs really coming on as a 2 nd rower but probably the addition of Kevin Ward up front was a key factor to claim the title in 87