Blue print of a winning formula - Spine

[maxta]

Yes I hate Melbourne as much as you...but the fact is - they have proven consistency and success....why???
100% The spine....
Smith
Cronk
Slater
Now add Munster
The reality is - you can add solid moneyball style players, Blair, Gladsby ect and you will be a contender....
In that decider last night, if you swap the spine its a NSW win....and comfortably.
The Manly spine of
Turbo
DCE
Api
Green
Is also doing well and though some feel Manly can't win with Green at 5/8, I disagree provided he is not expected to WIN the game, simply play his part.
The success of the Qld dominance is no fluke, nor is the Storm success - the Spine is a proven winner and the winning formula in today's game.

 

[HappilyManly]

Plus stretching the defense to the right, then turning back left (Slater) , running to the line (Smith) with at least 2 attackers on the left to pass to.

Qld did this all night and it forced Duges/Fergie infield by 20 meters - leaving Holmes a free run to the tryline.

Manly can do this with our Team makeup so easily 🙂

 

[Holmsey]

Green is the perfect 6 for our team.

 

[Keffola]

Green worked well in the Melbourne system so there's no reason why he couldn't do the job here as well.

I think talks of replacing him are more due to his age than his ability. He's performed pretty well for us and fulfilled his role.

 

[Top End Eagle]

Greens fine for now. I don't expect our team to win the Gf this year.

Btw what's up with Cullen and Hastings. I thought it might have been to give Jackson game time, that could still be the case. Cullen has t really had a decent run I guess.

 

[Snake]

Yes I hate Melbourne as much as you...but the fact is - they have proven consistency and success....why???
100% The spine....
Smith
Cronk
Slater
Now add Munster
The reality is - you can add solid moneyball style players, Blair, Gladsby ect and you will be a contender....
In that decider last night, if you swap the spine its a NSW win....and comfortably.
The Manly spine of
Turbo
DCE
Api
Green
Is also doing well and though some feel Manly can't win with Green at 5/8, I disagree provided he is not expected to WIN the game, simply play his part.
The success of the Qld dominance is no fluke, nor is the Storm success - the Spine is a proven winner and the winning formula in today's game.

I pretty much agree with you; QLD's spine was fantastic but NSW were absolutely destroyed in the forwards last night. QLD's line speed and aggression stopped any momentum and opportunities for second phase play.

In saying that, Smith is a huge reason for QLD's forwards getting over the advantage line which makes the forwards job so much easier. As good as Thurston is, I think QLD lose more if Smith doesn't play, then if JT is out.

 

[Technical Coach]

Yes I hate Melbourne as much as you...but the fact is - they have proven consistency and success....why???
100% The spine....
Smith
Cronk
Slater
Now add Munster
The reality is - you can add solid moneyball style players, Blair, Gladsby ect and you will be a contender....
In that decider last night, if you swap the spine its a NSW win....and comfortably.
The Manly spine of
Turbo
DCE
Api
Green
Is also doing well and though some feel Manly can't win with Green at 5/8, I disagree provided he is not expected to WIN the game, simply play his part.
The success of the Qld dominance is no fluke, nor is the Storm success - the Spine is a proven winner and the winning formula in today's game.

Fans keep using this term "Spine" like it is some new found secret blueprint to success, it really is just common sense.

What is more important is recruiting the right type of players(in that spine) that have not just league skills but have a decent IQ behind all the sporting talent. (DCE and Green are very smart thoughtful players along with Turbo---great starting point along with a smart well spoken Coach)

Combine smart thoughtful players with structure that is rooted in deep analysis and sound hard working fundamentals and you will build a consistent performing squad.

Qld have been successful this past 12yrs due to the large make up of the squad consisting of Melb talent over the years.

Melb have been top 2 and inside the top 4 for the entire period of Qlds dominance---why fans and players continuously talk up Thurston as a huge factor in Qld's success is beyond me---(Great competitor, very good player but not an immortal far from it)

Remove Smith,Cronk or Slater from the Qld squad and watch the performances drop off.

 

[maxta]

The term spine comes from holding a side together such as a backbone
The blueprint Storm/Qld have built success on - is exactly this....the term spine is not groundbreaking, but fans generally understand it in 2017, rather than naming the 4 positions....
The Dogs blueprint for example, used to build a team on big, tough forward packs....Tigers shocked the NRL with a blueprint of razzle dazzle that defence could not defend...
Melbourne can throw in discards from other clubs and succeed due to their blueprint, building a great team around the spine (or should I say the fullback, half ,5/8 and Hooker.....
My point I was trying to make, was the fact Manly are building quality that complement each other, in these 4 key positions and keeping them consistently on the park together....they will only improve.

 

[Technical Coach]

The term spine comes from holding a side together such as a backbone
The blueprint Storm/Qld have built success on - is exactly this....the term spine is not groundbreaking, but fans generally understand it in 2017, rather than naming the 4 positions....
The Dogs blueprint for example, used to build a team on big, tough forward packs....Tigers shocked the NRL with a blueprint of razzle dazzle that defence could not defend...
Melbourne can throw in discards from other clubs and succeed due to their blueprint, building a great team around the spine (or should I say the fullback, half ,5/8 and Hooker.....
My point I was trying to make, was the fact Manly are building quality that complement each other, in these 4 key positions and keeping them consistently on the park together....they will only improve.

The Dogs and Tigers did not have what i call blue prints to success, just short term going against the norm of the time styles, that set them apart for a year or two.

You have to admire Melb, even from the Chris Anderson years they did it their own way, from the flat not give up the advantage line Kimmorley days to the Bellamy years, even Cronk doesn't give up the advantage line all that often when receiving a pass from Smith through the middle.

 

[bob dylan]

Its a myth this spine rubbish.

If it was the definitive they all say explain to me the NZ situation on the ladder with best spine in the nrl.

1 RTS
6 Foran
7 Johnson
9 Luke

 

[Lyonstomenzies]

Its a myth this spine rubbish.

If it was the definitive they all say explain to me the NZ situation on the ladder with best spine in the nrl.

1 RTS
6 Foran
7 Johnson
9 Luke

Foran is the problem there. He only plays half a season because he is busted after giving it all for Manly. He's done now, apart from the odd flash of brilliance every 4 games.

 

[TokyoEagle]

The term spine comes from holding a side together such as a backbone
The blueprint Storm/Qld have built success on - is exactly this....the term spine is not groundbreaking, but fans generally understand it in 2017, rather than naming the 4 positions....
The Dogs blueprint for example, used to build a team on big, tough forward packs....Tigers shocked the NRL with a blueprint of razzle dazzle that defence could not defend...
Melbourne can throw in discards from other clubs and succeed due to their blueprint, building a great team around the spine (or should I say the fullback, half ,5/8 and Hooker.....
My point I was trying to make, was the fact Manly are building quality that complement each other, in these 4 key positions and keeping them consistently on the park together....they will only improve.

If Manl'y spine is similar to Melbournes and the traditonal variety that is commonly talked about in RL nowadays, why then the mention of other 'spines' that are not really 'spines' as they are now known in the modern game?

 

[TokyoEagle]

Its a myth this spine rubbish.

If it was the definitive they all say explain to me the NZ situation on the ladder with best spine in the nrl.

1 RTS
6 Foran
7 Johnson
9 Luke

Johnson is unpredictable and injury prone. Luke is not the same player as he was at Souths (fat and lazy is what my warriors mate called him), Foran is dealing with the demons, and RTS is still building confidence after coming back from a huge injury and still dealing with trying to fit into a new environment.

Generally players in these position get touches of the ball at crucial times throughout the game. If you have players who can create opportunities in these positions, similar to Melb., you have a very good chance that they can have an influence on the result of the game.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Its a myth this spine rubbish.

If it was the definitive they all say explain to me the NZ situation on the ladder with best spine in the nrl.

1 RTS
6 Foran
7 Johnson
9 Luke

Their spine has no backbone.

 

[maxta]

Its a myth this spine rubbish.

If it was the definitive they all say explain to me the NZ situation on the ladder with best spine in the nrl.

1 RTS
6 Foran
7 Johnson
9 Luke

The spine needs to be reliable, offer options, create and most importantly - work together.
They are all individuals
Nz have great individuals, but don't complement each other...that's the key....to ensure they work well together and all are inconsistent including Foran these days.

 

[maxta]

If Manl'y spine is similar to Melbournes and the traditonal variety that is commonly talked about in RL nowadays, why then the mention of other 'spines' that are not really 'spines' as they are now known in the modern game?

Manly have a very good spine in 2017, but offer a very different style to Storm and a long way to go to be considered as good, though are closing the gap.
The basis of a good spine is your 9 conducting the go forward and getting options right, add a quality service with a huge bonus if they have a kicking game...Smith is dominant in all area's, but Api has improved here more than Any NRL dummy half in 2017.
The organiser is Cronk at Melbourne and Green at Manly....again Storm have the best and that's no discredit to Green, who has been offering far more to this team than what we see on the ball. Continually organising and controlling tempo off the ball....no surprise the team flows far more smoothly than the past 2 years. Then we have the running, creative half - DCE on form - is the best in the game today, but Munster is also a super running player with a huge future. DCE gets the points clearly.
Then to complete the spine is today's fullback - the best will support well and be close to the ball as a constant threat, be hard to tackle, an extra link to create numbers and control the team from the back...Slater is the best support player in the game but Tom is an absolute gun runner of the ball also and still improving.
The Storm spine is the benchmark but in its twilight.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

recruiting the right type of players(in that spine) that have not just league skills but have a decent IQ behind all the sporting talent. (DCE and Green are very smart thoughtful players along with Turbo---great starting point along with a smart well spoken Coach)

Absolutely. Storm's incredible run (yes I know about the salary cap) comes down to having on-field generals who (1) ensure the players around them remain focussed and organised, and (2) are smart enough to know what to do in various situations when tight games need to be closed out. Along with a coach smart enough to know what will work for his players.

 

[manly al]

Some good and potentially good club spines in the N R L at present but familiarity , continuity and experience mainly help the gelling process for best and optimum effect

 

[Technical Coach]

Its a myth this spine rubbish.

If it was the definitive they all say explain to me the NZ situation on the ladder with best spine in the nrl.

1 RTS
6 Foran
7 Johnson
9 Luke

It's not about the raw talent in the positions, it's the intelligent mindset of the players playing in these key positions.

There are more skilled players than the Melb 3 in the competition but they have the three best on field brains and still best Coach in the competition.

You can win the odd comp with just raw skill, power and speed but sustained dominance and performance/executing under pressure comes with smart intelligent composed thoughtful players with a rounded skillset used in an intelligent well thought out way.

(Stuart, Daly), (Johns brothers), (Sterling, Kenny) (DCE, Foran,Stewart) (Smith, Cronk, Slater) offer the right balance of skillset, structured and intelligent play, that can offer consistant top 4 and 8 years.

Just picking the best raw talent in each of the key positions is not enough, i would be analysing the intelligence level of players to see if they have potential to move on from just relying on raw talent.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Blake Green has been criticised here at times, but he definitely has that intelligence and it's made a huge difference to our side.