Watching the game Saturday had me frustrated and I'm sure many fans felt the same way.
There was a hard truth to come from this game and shows lacking experience wise and still a year or 2 off that 2008 side, who ate the adversity up and then finished all over the opposition.
Don't get me wrong - been a Massive effort this year the players and fans can be proud of.
I realise there were key players out, but that steely resolve was not on show until the 2nd half when Manly done enough to make it a real contest.
How it played out....
* The Parra love had me pissed off before a ball was kicked.
* Apprehensive going into the game with key players missing (TomT and Thommo in particular).
* The start was diabolical, with them offloading at will and everything sticking...14 down in short time.
* Bombed 2-3 certain tries with the line wide open and blokes not passing to unmarked men.
* They were allowed to lay over the attacker similar to what we copped vs NZ, yet the refs were screaming at our tacklers to release and the penalties had blown out to 8-2 or so.
* That Kapow moment on the attack 2m out and they get an Eels penalty...suprised the neighbours didn't call the cops about then....
* In fairness we capitulated from that point, but it was like a Perfect storm of sh** that helped break the back of the side - have not got the experience or talent of the 2008 side to overcome this much adversity.
* The commentary with Finch had me trying to break into the TV screen to give him 6 uppercuts and then some.
Have never been an excuse maker and was bought up on the old school attitude of - regardless of refs, players out ect....you need to fight on and use it as fuel to overcome the odds.
Truth is it showed where the side is at - a Quality side on the Rise and this week leading up to the Sharks game takes me back to a final against Canberra back in the 90's (minus the magic of Cliff Lyons), battling several injuries and against the odds big time.
With Des driving the bus and nothing to lose, I know this Manly side will give it their best shot on Saturday night and that's all we can ask at this stage of the season.
There was a hard truth to come from this game and shows lacking experience wise and still a year or 2 off that 2008 side, who ate the adversity up and then finished all over the opposition.
Don't get me wrong - been a Massive effort this year the players and fans can be proud of.
I realise there were key players out, but that steely resolve was not on show until the 2nd half when Manly done enough to make it a real contest.
How it played out....
* The Parra love had me pissed off before a ball was kicked.
* Apprehensive going into the game with key players missing (TomT and Thommo in particular).
* The start was diabolical, with them offloading at will and everything sticking...14 down in short time.
* Bombed 2-3 certain tries with the line wide open and blokes not passing to unmarked men.
* They were allowed to lay over the attacker similar to what we copped vs NZ, yet the refs were screaming at our tacklers to release and the penalties had blown out to 8-2 or so.
* That Kapow moment on the attack 2m out and they get an Eels penalty...suprised the neighbours didn't call the cops about then....
* In fairness we capitulated from that point, but it was like a Perfect storm of sh** that helped break the back of the side - have not got the experience or talent of the 2008 side to overcome this much adversity.
* The commentary with Finch had me trying to break into the TV screen to give him 6 uppercuts and then some.
Have never been an excuse maker and was bought up on the old school attitude of - regardless of refs, players out ect....you need to fight on and use it as fuel to overcome the odds.
Truth is it showed where the side is at - a Quality side on the Rise and this week leading up to the Sharks game takes me back to a final against Canberra back in the 90's (minus the magic of Cliff Lyons), battling several injuries and against the odds big time.
With Des driving the bus and nothing to lose, I know this Manly side will give it their best shot on Saturday night and that's all we can ask at this stage of the season.
