Best GO Forward in the NRL ??

[pjayz]

I think Penrith showed on the weekend and in the finals last year, they are no push overs. Eels lack talent but turned up more consistently than we did last year.

The pack that really went off the boil was the Roosters. Harvgraves and Napa have really lost their mojo.

Maybe we aren't far off the best (as you point out) but I want to see them tear in every week, not just when we have our backs to the wall. They should have played with the same energy in week 1 of the finals of last year, as they did in rd.26 in 2017. Most weeks should feel like that game in rd.26 last year at Brookie, with the occasional trough (they are human).

All fair points.

As for the Roosters - Napa in particular has gone off the boil and seems a little out of favour at the chooks. I doubt he will be with them next year.

 

[maxta]

Think AFB and Kapow have proven track records of post contact metres with the huge bonus of regular offloads adding even more go forward.
The wingers as a package are as dominant in this area as any.
I think though Tanginoa needs more games to prove himself consistently, any footy fan would see he has the goods as a metre eater.
Lane looks angrier which was the area he needed to improve and Perrett maybe played reserves last week, but isn’t that the same bloke who bent the line regularly when he got a shot in 2017 ??
Not sure of many better teams in this part of the game and yet to read any posts that make sense about the credentials in this regard.
Discipline, defensive lapses and errors we are down the pack, but the go forward is proving strong imo.

 

[globaleagle]

Our just bumped into AFB at burger fuel! The kid can eat! Hopefully he uses the food to help him belt parra

I hope you told him that! And to play the ball properly!

 

[Snake]

Think AFB and Kapow have proven track records of post contact metres with the huge bonus of regular offloads adding even more go forward.
The wingers as a package are as dominant in this area as any.
I think though Tanginoa needs more games to prove himself consistently, any footy fan would see he has the goods as a metre eater.
Lane looks angrier which was the area he needed to improve and Perrett maybe played reserves last week, but isn’t that the same bloke who bent the line regularly when he got a shot in 2017 ??
Not sure of many better teams in this part of the game and yet to read any posts that make sense about the credentials in this regard.
Discipline, defensive lapses and errors we are down the pack, but the go forward is proving strong imo.

Yet to read anything about creditials that make sense? You created the thread to start a conversation and get people's opinions. You don't have to agree, but I doubt anything has failed to make sense? It's just a different opinion. I and other fans believe us to be inconsistent in this area. We lost the yardage battle heaps of times last year...look at the stats across 24 games and we ran for less metres than the opposition on a number of occasions...we have the talent to win it most weeks but didn't; which is why I feel we are inconsistent. The reasons for losing the battle in he middle can vary significantly too. Dummy half having an off game, mistakes forcing us to defend which saps juice...

We are good but we aren't better than Melbourne and the Cowboys and I would guess there would be a few other clubs that might have an argument to put forward. It's a good topic of conversation...lots of variables.

 

[maxta]

Yet to read anything about creditials that make sense? You created the thread to start a conversation and get people's opinions. You don't have to agree, but I doubt anything has failed to make sense? It's just a different opinion. I and other fans believe us to be inconsistent in this area. We lost the yardage battle heaps of times last year...look at the stats across 24 games and we ran for less metres than the opposition on a number of occasions...we have the talent to win it most weeks but didn't; which is why I feel we are inconsistent. The reasons for losing the battle in he middle can vary significantly too. Dummy half having an off game, mistakes forcing us to defend which saps juice...

We are good but we aren't better than Melbourne and the Cowboys and I would guess there would be a few other clubs that might have an argument to put forward. It's a good topic of conversation...lots of variables.

Well here is an example - you state we don't have close to the best go forward originally, then nominate only 2 teams that you feel are better in this area in your last post....that to me, does not make sense.

Kapow who makes up with the most metres in the comp and AFB the most post contact metres based on factual stats you rate inconsistent which to me does not make sense as though both have some parts of game that are inconsistent - the yardage is not part of this..

An opinion would be that Storm and Cows have better go forward at this stage and I certainly would not argue, simply disagree.
The fact these 2 teams are overall better disciplined, have smoother combinations and structures on the back of their hitups makes them look far superior...but the platform is similar.

Also the fact last year we were not always dominant here is a valid point, just feel this is a huge improved area due to a number of variables in 2018.

Here is your original post.

I don't think we have close to the best go forward in the competition. The Knights pack are nuffies.

Uate has a poor work ethic compared to other wingers, Taupau and AFB are good on their day but very inconsistent compared to elite props in the game, Lane has only played one game at prop, Perrett was a reserve grader as of last week and Tanginoa (although looks promising) is yet to meet a serious pack.

 

[Kevinward777]

For what it’s worth, I believe we have the potential to blow away anyone through the middle. Whether we do it consistently or not will come down to lots of things. But purely on a power and strength perspective it’s the Cows, Storm and us who have the most explosive packs. The Goons are potentially up there as well, if they extract the full potential out of their big men. Put it this way, long gone are the days where Buhrer gets belted by Paulo down at Canberra and our boys get steam rolled by big powerful forwards from other clubs.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I think we have a very strong forward pack and, with a few more years together, potentially a great one. But all that really matters is winning games. "Go forward" can help, but somehow we conspire to lose games even when we win the battle up front. The talent is there but the consistency is not, and until it is we won't be in the running for "best" anything.

 

[Kevinward777]

I think we have a very strong forward pack and, with a few more years together, potentially a great one. But all that really matters is winning games. "Go forward" can help, but somehow we conspire to lose games even when we win the battle up front. The talent is there but the consistency is not, and until it is we won't be in the running for "best" anything.

Give this man a cigar, and be sure that it’s Cuban. We are Manly after all.

 

[The Eagle Has Landed]

Then there are 2 wingers in Taufua and Uate who cart the ball with thrust and bend the line, giving the next runner plenty of momentum.

I think our Wingers are the two biggest butterfingers Wingers in the comp. Neither of them can catch a high ball, Uate is slightly better in this regard.
Tafua is as slow as a wet week and would be better served in the second row.
I think the Squeals will towel us up this week. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[jbb/james]

We have a strong pack for sure. My worry is these guys will lay a platform that we should win off more often than not.

Its up to cherry to manage the rest. He is the man, croker, green, and all the others are just bit players on the scraps left over.

Cherry has to start delivering the game and not just moments in games. There will come a time i see when we get a rift between the men who lay the platform and the man who is supposed to make the platform count

Im kind of over hearing what else or who else cherry needs other than his bag of gold. He is the chief playmaker and we cant afford to pay for 2 .

And we want consistency from the big men. I want it from our playmaker

 

[Snake]

Well here is an example - you state we don't have close to the best go forward originally, then nominate only 2 teams that you feel are better in this area in your last post....that to me, does not make sense.

1 - It's not a courtroom, I don't have to come up with an entire list of clubs to justify my opinion, I just named two of the obvious choices.

2- Hypothetically speaking, If I thought Melbourne were light years ahead of us, I could still say "I don't think we have close to the best go forward in the competition". It doesn't mean we are right down the pecking order with many teams ahead of us, it means we have a long way to go before we are "the best". The gap between the best and the second best might be significant?!

You put the question out there, I just gave an opinion. Not sure how it doesn't make sense? You just don't agree with it, which is fine.

Kapow who makes up with the most metres in the comp and AFB the most post contact metres based on factual stats you rate inconsistent which to me does not make sense as though both have some parts of game that are inconsistent - the yardage is not part of this..

Effective go forward is not just about how many yards you make. For example, Aaron Woods averaged more metres than Taupau last year and the year before that. But...Aaron Woods' metres are slow, plodding metres that do not require a great threat to the opposition defensive line and do not attract as many defenders as someone like Martin Taupau for example. This doesn't show up in statistics.

When I think of go forward, I think of a team moving up the field smoothly as a unit, getting quick play the balls and moving the defence around. Penrith taught us a lesson in this in the second semi-final last year. They played the ball quicker, had better service from the ruck and everything happen quicker. I think there are a number of teams in the competition that get up the field quicker, smoother and more effectively than we do, regardless of AFB's post contact metres or Taupau's overall running metres per match.

If I have misunderstood what you were asking and it's strictly about players generating metres with no other variables considered then put me down for the Des Hasler school of thought that Aiden Tolman is the best prop in the game (this comment is very firmly tongue in cheek).

 

[Shoe1]

I want the 2 points for the scoreboard win.

 

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

Every player in the side can be effective if we stop giving 12 penalties away.

 

[maxta]

I think our Wingers are the two biggest butterfingers Wingers in the comp. Neither of them can catch a high ball, Uate is slightly better in this regard.
Tafua is as slow as a wet week and would be better served in the second row.
I think the Squeals will towel us up this week. I hope I'm wrong.

Personally think Tafua scores tries that most wingers can't and is pretty decent, though as you point out he has handling issues and is not the quickest....Uate hands also suspect....thing is as the thread was about, both are powerful and start sets off well with power carries, some must have short memories of how much Manly lost last year when Tafua was out.

 

[Snake]

Personally think Tafua scores tries that most wingers can't and is pretty decent, though as you point out he has handling issues and is not the quickest....Uate hands also suspect....thing is as the thread was about, both are powerful and start sets off well with power carries, some must have short memories of how much Manly lost last year when Tafua was out.

I think Taufua and Mansour are the two best yardage wingers in the competition. Not only do they make good metres, but they get through a mountain of work and they really make the defence work hard to bring them down.

 

[maxta]

1 - It's not a courtroom, I don't have to come up with an entire list of clubs to justify my opinion, I just named two of the obvious choices.

2- Hypothetically speaking, If I thought Melbourne were light years ahead of us, I could still say "I don't think we have close to the best go forward in the competition". It doesn't mean we are right down the pecking order with many teams ahead of us, it means we have a long way to go before we are "the best". The gap between the best and the second best might be significant?!

You put the question out there, I just gave an opinion. Not sure how it doesn't make sense? You just don't agree with it, which is fine.


Effective go forward is not just about how many yards you make. For example, Aaron Woods averaged more metres than Taupau last year and the year before that. But...Aaron Woods' metres are slow, plodding metres that do not require a great threat to the opposition defensive line and do not attract as many defenders as someone like Martin Taupau for example. This doesn't show up in statistics.

When I think of go forward, I think of a team moving up the field smoothly as a unit, getting quick play the balls and moving the defence around. Penrith taught us a lesson in this in the second semi-final last year. They played the ball quicker, had better service from the ruck and everything happen quicker. I think there are a number of teams in the competition that get up the field quicker, smoother and more effectively than we do, regardless of AFB's post contact metres or Taupau's overall running metres per match.

If I have misunderstood what you were asking and it's strictly about players generating metres with no other variables considered then put me down for the Des Hasler school of thought that Aiden Tolman is the best prop in the game (this comment is very firmly tongue in cheek).

This is a courtroom and I am now officially "Judge Maxta" !!
Jokes aside, I feel think we are on the same page with a different opinion, but we both mistook each others responses to a degree.
To add to the Go Forward theory, I do think this Manly team rolls up field as good as any.
The Cows and Storm have far better structures and control in general, including less errors, penalties and have more defensive cohesion, rarely letting in simple tries..... due to this they are far more complete as teams - this is where they beat Manly across the board and maybe look better with go forward - they "cash in" on their dominance after winning the middle.
Judge Maxta has eliminated Tolmans No1 rating and believes once Manly can improve game management and move the scoreboard off the back of it, the thread will look clearer.....

 

[maxta]

I think Taufua and Mansour are the two best yardage wingers in the competition. Not only do they make good metres, but they get through a mountain of work and they really make the defence work hard to bring them down.

With you 100% on their Snake - would add Rapana for his explosive footy, but for tough yards with power charges - they are the best 2.

 

[Snake]

With you 100% on their Snake - would add Rapana for his explosive footy, but for tough yards with power charges - they are the best 2.

Yeah Rapana is probably the best at breaking the line when carrying it out of trouble. He has really slinky legs that seem to leave defenders grasping.

 

[Snake]

This is a courtroom and I am now officially "Judge Maxta" !!
Jokes aside, I feel think we are on the same page with a different opinion, but we both mistook each others responses to a degree.
To add to the Go Forward theory, I do think this Manly team rolls up field as good as any.
The Cows and Storm have far better structures and control in general, including less errors, penalties and have more defensive cohesion, rarely letting in simple tries..... due to this they are far more complete as teams - this is where they beat Manly across the board and maybe look better with go forward - they "cash in" on their dominance after winning the middle.
Judge Maxta has eliminated Tolmans No1 rating and believes once Manly can improve game management and move the scoreboard off the back of it, the thread will look clearer.....

I'm really holding out hope for Tanginoa. I didn't really rate the guy but he impressed me on Saturday night. I hope he can repeat that performance consistently throughout the year...will be a huge boost for us!

 

[maxta]

Yeah Rapana is probably the best at breaking the line when carrying it out of trouble. He has really slinky legs that seem to leave defenders grasping.

That's for sure - I recall maybe last year Manly dominating and Rapana from dummy half .....evades Jake inside (who admittedly had made 158 tackles), to run 80 odd metres and score totally against the run of play....crazy finisher and scores those distance tries not many can....but think we still snuck home in that game.....