I'm not even in-country but I can tell we are just not hitting the mark.....when it comes to manipulation of Ref decisions and towing the NRL storylines.
I mean....come-on! How long can we rely on this balancing act of getting screwed in the meaty parts of the game, only to have the ref balance the ledger once the result is in no doubt? 6-agains? FAIL. Penalty count (when it matters) FAIL!! Wait til you play the Eels, we'll show you the definition of bias.
Clearly, this is a fallacy of technique and tactics on behalf of the Manly boys. Naivety personified - Get with the program or GTFO.
We obviously need to be penalised as much as we are when the game is in the balance - I mean the bastards are asking for it, what.. with tackling their marquee players when they should be asserting their value (no sleight Kalyn, but mate there was a vacancy sign up most of tonight on your watch - don't blame our boys for setting up shop). We try so hard to emulate the greats of ruck-control like the Storm, but you ain't in an AFL heartland needing a leg-up to remain relevant Eagles! (Whistle) Penalty for holding down in the ruck....250% times that of the Knights!
Get over the fact you're an expendable club. We don't need anything from the N.Beaches except their money - and you got the Roosters representing privilege - join that bandwagon already...
It's obvious we can't bat with the big boys when it come to convincing the Ref we deserve equal consideration. This is a failure of training, tactics and overall brainpower. Sack Des Hasler - SDH (TM)
Keppie had it right when he decided to don the milkman frock and beg for the crusher. Despite being over-ruled (which - if it had been Tedesco, Slater of Cam Smith in their heyday, was an instant send-off with 15-weeks of bans for consideration on how much of a sht-cnt they were for laying a finger on royalty - but no...it was dropsies Keppies - Get crushed prick... It's not like it's someone the NRL actually gives 2 ****s about), this was the right approach Kep. Perhaps there is hope for the butter-fingered, thick-set prop yet.
Overall, we'll be lucky to finish in the top 18 (on penalty counts) - and that is being generous.
Admit it, we deserve this horrendous (penalty count) discriminatory response from the NRL - we are over-performing with a roster most deem sum-par - but TUBRO!! - and heavily over-invested in a player not available right now. The script says we lose, and lose well! Why can't you get that!!?
Stop messing with the program Manly. Lose. And lose with the lack of dignity the experts like Voss, Anasta and Girdler expect - you know...the REAL experts. Stop messing with fairytales, and know your place. Be the Spoon we need you to be, to feel good about our decisions in life.
/Sarc in case people are obtuse...