5 things we learnt from last night

[ManlyBacker]

Michael Chammas smh.com.au


1. If last night was a grand final dress rehearsal, we won't be disappointed.

Imagine if Billy Slater, Tony Williams, Steve Matai and David Williams all took part in last night's blockbuster? As far as grand final spectacles are concerned, there wouldn't be much better than another Melbourne-Manly grand final, especially considering the fiery history between the two sides.

2.The kick from the scrum is an under-used tactic.

It was great to see Manly chance their arm on the first tackle with a kick from the scrum win with great success in the first half. It can make you look like a fool if it backfires, but Jamie Lyon's grubber in the first half was pinpoint accurate, allowing a charging Brett Stewart to register yet another try at his beloved Brookvale Oval. If you have the players to execute such a play, it's a great ploy.

3. Craig Bellamy won't be happy with his team's defensive lapse.

Coming into the game, the Storm had conceded an average of just 11.8 points a game. Their defence is the best in the league but they clocked off just before half-time last night, conceding 18 points in 15 minutes to invite Manly back into the contest. The Storm were otherwise brilliant in defence, but Bellamy will still demand better from his team.

4. Anthony Watmough is walking wounded.

A bulging disc in his spine has caused Anthony Watmough some trouble in his shoulder and neck over the last six weeks, but it looks like he has added a thumb injury to his problems. He was in some discomfort in the early minutes of last night's clash but pushed through the pain barrier and finished the game. It's going to take more than a thumb injury to bring Watmough from the field.

5. The Monday night curse continued for the Blues.

Paul Gallen, Danny Buderus, Luke Lewis and Michael Jennings have all given Blues coach Ricky Stuart heart palpitations this year after copping injuries in Monday night games. Last night Glenn Stewart joined the list, leaving the field just before half-time after his knee buckled in a tackle. He's unlikely to play in the decider, and Stuart might have to ask the NRL to ban Monday night football during Origin.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/five-things-we-learnt-from-last-nights-match-20120618-20kc3.html#ixzz1yBcZ3Vbu

 

[HappilyManly]

Point 5 underlies that SOO Players are human - their bodies need time to recouperate after the trauma of a SOO match.

 

[WAMF]

There would have been 6 things learnt but everyone already knew about Melbourne's intentional tactic of head and neck attacking and dangerous gang tackles.

 

[EagleFromMay1967]

A replacement winger for Mr Tafua should be found A S A P.! He had a shocker in defence. With any high ball in the in goal or even near it, he has no idea and seems to run away from where he should be. He cannot jump he cannot catch. All he can do is bring the ball back, which he does effectively, but he is being targeted with bombs, justifiably.

Is Ben Farrer fit? When Matai is back, Whare on Wing, Oldfield right wing.

 

[NFN2IT]

A replacement winger for Mr Tafua should be found A S A P.! He had a shocker in defence. With any high ball in the in goal or even near it, he has no idea and seems to run away from where he should be. He cannot jump he cannot catch. All he can do is bring the ball back, which he does effectively, but he is being targeted with bombs, justifiably.

Is Ben Farrer fit? When Matai is back, Whare on Wing, Oldfield right wing.

I agree. Jorge is a good player and will only get better with time but he seriously has an issue with cross field bombs. He rearly attempts to give it a good crack at defusing and is leaking tries, its amazing no other team has picked it out as a genuine chance to put a massive score on us(besides brisbane the night we played them at suncorp). The coaching staff MUST work with jorge at finding a solution, weather it be confidence or just hours of practice. I like the way melb use their 'system' with defusing bombs with slater and wingers all having their "own zone" which if the ball goes in then thats their ball to catch and the rest work as blockers to support. Id like to see us utilising a similar system.