Shoe1
Journey Man
Worst injury run ever took us to 13th, so with a decent year of fewer injuries we must finish higher.
2021 - Are Manly truly under the Radar ??
- Thread starter maxta
- Start date
Injuries played their part sure, but most alarming was our gameplay. No ability to build pressure, lapses in concentration leading to conceding points either side of halftime on the reg. Brittle middle and edge defence, Impotent and uninspired attack.
Our whole structure/tactics/effort areas and desire is what will contribute most to our success in 21.
If it was my job to frame markets and I had watched every manly game last year (I did) I would struggle to put us any higher than 12-16 finish.
The returning and new troops will make a difference. But everything footy related at our club needs a shakeup and rethink. We even looked unfit last year and fitness and toughness has always been a manly hallmark
Our whole structure/tactics/effort areas and desire is what will contribute most to our success in 21.
If it was my job to frame markets and I had watched every manly game last year (I did) I would struggle to put us any higher than 12-16 finish.
The returning and new troops will make a difference. But everything footy related at our club needs a shakeup and rethink. We even looked unfit last year and fitness and toughness has always been a manly hallmark
With the signings of Saab, Tuipulotu and (imminently) Aloiai, things are looking up and that little dot you see in the radar is us.
To be honest, I was dead against signing Foz because of his obvious run of injuries. But the more I become accustomed to the idea, the more I think he could be a real wild card. When he was playing last year, the Dogs looked so much better. He's still got all the creativity and his ability to get repeat sets....well we all know how much we sucked at that in 2020.
Add Garner who will appreciate Foz's ball playing and it's even better.
That dot could start getting bigger. The big variable as always.....effing injuries.
To be honest, I was dead against signing Foz because of his obvious run of injuries. But the more I become accustomed to the idea, the more I think he could be a real wild card. When he was playing last year, the Dogs looked so much better. He's still got all the creativity and his ability to get repeat sets....well we all know how much we sucked at that in 2020.
Add Garner who will appreciate Foz's ball playing and it's even better.
That dot could start getting bigger. The big variable as always.....effing injuries.
47MVEagle
Bencher
I'm liking our confirmed & rumored signings - we're not going after any flash superstars but look to have really checked out potential stars & brought them in without too much fuss (Aloiai contract drama aside as that's more of a Tigers' drama than ours).
It indicates to me that our recruiters have been going about their work quietly & steadily in the background (a.k.a. under the radar).
It indicates to me that our recruiters have been going about their work quietly & steadily in the background (a.k.a. under the radar).
Apart from the very obvious (9) I think they’ve done a great job , no superstars ( we couldn’t afford them anyway ) but players who I think will bring something to the table.
I hope we keep Curtis and add Garner.
And our 9 will be our Achilles Heel for 2021 but I totally get what the club are ( have done ) doing!!
Brisbane Tragic
Bencher
Just a question - what other clubs can lose 3 of the 4 spine players - one being their best player, another being their most creative and then still make the 8? It is bloody hard to get a game style going when you don't have the cattle to deliver that game style!
Exactly!!
The better Robbo
Bencher
Add to that absolutely no spark or speed out wide. We have added Foz and Schuster as play makers and added Tuipolotu and Saab out wide. Both areas of concern have somewhat been rectified
We have a few unknowns which can make or break our season.
Players that can build on last season in Tent and Guaca, two big bodies that can break the line and have an arm free looking for support.
Within the senior playing group, DCE to get his 2019 kicking game back and Jake hopefully looming to break tackles on his hit ups rather than going down for a quick play the ball.
X factor attacking players in Schuster, Suli, Walker, Turbo, Fainu (praying for the miracle he plays), Cust and Foran.
I thought we would have gone close this season, I was horribly wrong, based on our games this season we will be under the radar.
If we can get the balance correct on the bench we will make the semis.
Players that can build on last season in Tent and Guaca, two big bodies that can break the line and have an arm free looking for support.
Within the senior playing group, DCE to get his 2019 kicking game back and Jake hopefully looming to break tackles on his hit ups rather than going down for a quick play the ball.
X factor attacking players in Schuster, Suli, Walker, Turbo, Fainu (praying for the miracle he plays), Cust and Foran.
I thought we would have gone close this season, I was horribly wrong, based on our games this season we will be under the radar.
If we can get the balance correct on the bench we will make the semis.
Stevo
First Grader
Yeah but Fox Sports had us coming 3rd last on their predictive ladder last week. I'd say thats under the radar.
That's about the same range of prediction as here on Silvertails ... some have us as 6-8th, always with the proviso Tommy stays healthy ... and some have us fighting out the wooden spoon ..
I have us 6th ... and hope I am being pessimistic ..
madmax
Bencher
Stevo....remember 2019, similar team to this year & we were right up there battling for top 4 until injuries got us. Even then were were a game away from major semi. This year year we had many more injuries which affected the team badly. We didn't blood our youngsters soon enough after injuries struck & by then it was too late in the season. For whatever reason the coaching staff continued to select players who were not performing (Croker, Taufua, Waddell, Gosiewski) & let players in Olakauatu, Schuster, Harper etc sitting on the sidelines. I believe had these guys been brought in earlier we would have finished higher on the table. I'm not making excuses but we have the nucleus of a top 4 team no matter what fvcking Fox Sports thinks. They've never been correct in their predictions! For next year we've improved our team markedly.....Aloai, Saab, Davey, Foran, Tuipulotu.....we now have speed, both Foran & Schuster will bring out the best in DCE & our forwards are still strong even without AFB. Hooker may be an issue, however i think we'll be fine. I have no doubt top 4 will be Desmond's goal & no doubt it's achievable!
Brisbane Tragic
Bencher
If Schu, DCE and Turbo are healthy - seriously anything can happen and we would be super strong chances for top 4. I honestly think Schu is that good based on that first game and can be that influential for us
Look I think we’ve improved but that’s on paper at this stage and probably means **** all.
Foran / Tommy stay fit for most of the year and I reckon we are in for an absolute ripper BUT lose them in round 3 for the season and we’ll be back battling for 16th.
Foran / Tommy stay fit for most of the year and I reckon we are in for an absolute ripper BUT lose them in round 3 for the season and we’ll be back battling for 16th.
I think our major concern is Hooker now with the players bought recently , DCE now has a 5/8 whether it is Foran or Schuster , More backline depth there with speed and height , So that leaves the Hooker position vulnerable , The NRL stand down rule is still going to effect Fainu , the club relying on him getting off the charges , Cust may be the answer , not entirely confident in Croker , not having a specialist hooker maybe the difference in making the 8 or not and be either under the radar or not in the radar at all
Crocker is not the answer and we are in trouble if Cust is our starting Hooker.
The better Robbo
Bencher
Was wondering who that was.... thought it was Pythian
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