Brad Parker is a ginja-ninja machine!

[Terry Zarsoff]

No Alec Tennant, 'Pogo' Morgan, Ken Day, Mick Veivers and where was that clever little winger that only lasted a season in Mick Bryant

Mick Bryant was a teacher at my primary school. Fairly strict and he loved making his class (and ours) undertake a very rudimentary form of (let’s call it) tech drawing.

 

[midsteyne]

I never had the pleasure to have seen Alec Tennant . No much footage available .
What style of centre was he . What was he built like . What were his strengths ?

As good as any I've seen.He was as cult hero even after his accident that forced him out.

 

[Shoe1]

I have had the 1975 team on my office wall for a few years. Taking it home now, and I’ll replace it with another historical image.

 

[Kevinward777]

I have had the 1975 team on my office wall for a few years. Taking it home now, and I’ll replace it with another historical image.View attachment 12519

That’s a ripper.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I have had the 1975 team on my office wall for a few years. Taking it home now, and I’ll replace it with another historical image.View attachment 12519

Looks like we can see your knees (thighs?) but not your shoes, come on, we want the shoe!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

The era referred to in this thread is exactly the era when I commenced my lifelong attachment to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (as they then were!) Some kids at school were talking about the games, they liked Canterbury and Manly. I didn't know the teams (or suburbs!) and thought I'll see which team wins next week, Manly did, the Berries did not, so I became (nominally) a Manly fan.
This was cemented when Colin Meads and Brian Lochore (@Kiwi Eagle will know these names) came to our school, a union school, to inspire us with their words and size. Lo and behold word got out that the mighty touring All Blacks were playing a midweek game across the road against Australian Combined Services - and the most brilliant young league player would be turning out for the Aussie team. We all went, we watched, I reckon nearly all of us would have become Manly fans after that, the young blond guy stood out in attack and defence despite his team being monstered.
Just saw this article, may explain to some extent the reputation Fulton has of being a hard-arse and not really a ' nice guy, one of the boys' type.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bo...atriation-of-33-veterans-20160602-gpafqb.html
@BOZO

ps I followed Manly (on radio) that year and watched them on tv in the '68 grand final. That's why I've heard of all those players, Pogo Morgan, Bradstreet, the whole bunch. I kept screaming at the TV, 'Pass it to Hanigan", he was the only one who looked like he could get past! Having made the GF, I was hooked, and Manly kept building although it took a few more seasons till we broke through to win.The rest, as they say, is history!

 

[40 nil]

replays of the 1968 & 1970 Grand Finals

Today, I watched this 1968 GF replay.* Manly won the semi final well against Souths 2 weeks earlier, but in the GF it was more the case of Manly losing it, rather than Souths winning it. Sadly, it was 'one that got away'. Batty missed 5 kicks at goal, three of which were virtually in front of the posts. Simms also missed a couple of relatively easy goals and both sides made several poor field goal attempts. Batty also threw a poor pass to Hanigan which went to ground & was picked up by Cleary who ran away to score a long range try - Souths only try.

It was a frenetic affair with continual dropped ball from both sides throughout. Very interesting to see a four tackle game again - almost no bash & barge up the middle with the ball regularly being swung wide - centres & wingers seeing plenty of ball. Even the front rowers were running wide at times. The forwards all seemed to have offload skills and some had very good passing games. There were numerous line breaks from broken play, but somehow the movements kept breaking down. Compared to today, there appeared to be little structured play, apart from a few runarounds and some inside passes. It was nearly all playing what was in front of the eyes. The halfbacks & dummy halves didn't really control play. From scrums & rucks, back lines were mostly set deep with players running on to the ball. I am not sure, but it appeared Stanton was playing outside centre & Tennant inside centre - or maybe he was playing right & Tennant left? Interesting to see scrums being won against the feed by both sides. Many collapsed scrums weren't penalized & many knock ons were missed. Col Pearce was the referee. There was a lot of niggle in the game. I think Coote threw an early punch - Fulton gave away two points when he threw punches in front of the posts. Compared with modern times, it was amazing to see 80 minute performances from all players. In the first half Bradstreet was injured (playing well at the time) and was replaced by Cameron who also played very well. Not sure if any Souths players went off injured.

I thought 'Pogo' Morgan was best on ground - great ball skills and tireless in defence & attack. Perhaps, Bob Moses was South's best player. Fulton didn't stand out in this game. He made one or two line breaks and defended well, but his short kicking game (mostly chip & chase) was not effective. Stanton was probably Manly's most dangerous back - next best Ward & Hanigan. All the forwards played well. The ABC commentators Norman May & Trevor Allan were very 'proper', but sometimes their analysis of the play didn't seem on point.

Overall, this four tackle match appeared untidy - would need to see more games to judge properly. Over time, six tackle sets have become too predictable - maybe five tackles would have produced more spontaneous football?

* Resolution only 480p, so best viewed on a smaller screen such as a phone or tablet.

 

[TokyoEagle]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bo...atriation-of-33-veterans-20160602-gpafqb.html
@BOZO

Now that is a man who can lead men.

 

[Shoe1]

Today, I watched this 1968 GF replay.* Manly won the semi final well against Souths 2 weeks earlier, but in the GF it was more the case of Manly losing it, rather than Souths winning it. Sadly, it was 'one that got away'. Batty missed 5 kicks at goal, three of which were virtually in front of the posts. Simms also missed a couple of relatively easy goals and both sides made several poor field goal attempts. Batty also threw a poor pass to Hanigan which went to ground & was picked up by Cleary who ran away to score a long range try - Souths only try.

It was a frenetic affair with continual dropped ball from both sides throughout. Very interesting to see a four tackle game again - almost no bash & barge up the middle with the ball regularly being swung wide - centres & wingers seeing plenty of ball. Even the front rowers were running wide at times. The forwards all seemed to have offload skills and some had very good passing games. There were numerous line breaks from broken play, but somehow the movements kept breaking down. Compared to today, there appeared to be little structured play, apart from a few runarounds and some inside passes. It was nearly all playing what was in front of the eyes. The halfbacks & dummy halves didn't really control play. From scrums & rucks, back lines were mostly set deep with players running on to the ball. I am not sure, but it appeared Stanton was playing outside centre & Tennant inside centre - or maybe he was playing right & Tennant left? Interesting to see scrums being won against the feed by both sides. Many collapsed scrums weren't penalized & many knock ons were missed. Col Pearce was the referee. There was a lot of niggle in the game. I think Coote threw an early punch - Fulton gave away two points when he threw punches in front of the posts. Compared with modern times, it was amazing to see 80 minute performances from all players. In the first half Bradstreet was injured (playing well at the time) and was replaced by Cameron who also played very well. Not sure if any Souths players went off injured.

I thought 'Pogo' Morgan was best on ground - great ball skills and tireless in defence & attack. Perhaps, Bob Moses was South's best player. Fulton didn't stand out in this game. He made one or two line breaks and defended well, but his short kicking game (mostly chip & chase) was not effective. Stanton was probably Manly's most dangerous back - next best Ward & Hanigan. All the forwards played well. The ABC commentators Norman May & Trevor Allan were very 'proper', but sometimes their analysis of the play didn't seem on point.

Overall, this four tackle match appeared untidy - would need to see more games to judge properly. Over time, six tackle sets have become too predictable - maybe five tackles would have produced more spontaneous football?

* Resolution only 480p, so best viewed on a smaller screen such as a phone or tablet.

Great analysis. I think Greenberg is to blame for the untidiness of the 4 tackle game.

 

[Woodsie]

Overall, this four tackle match appeared untidy - would need to see more games to judge properly. Over time, six tackle sets have become too predictable - maybe five tackles would have produced more spontaneous football?

True ... 4 tackle era games were very untidy compared to the modern era ... for the reasons you mentioned ... combined with a reduced fitness level of the part timers, only 2 replacements and injuries ... plus as you say ... 90% of play was heads up instinctively playing what was in front of you ....

The 4 tackles didn't allow you to run 3/4 plays building towards something ... it was generally ad hoc with only broad game plan outlines .... this made for far greater unpredictabilty ... but it also made all the players far more attuned to back up and support the ball runner because breaks could be made anywhere by anyone ... as a result of a tired or lazy defender ....

Overall, I think the introduction of the 6 tackle rule was a good thing ... it allowed more thought and planning to go into attacking structure and tactics .. with it came more individual player specialisation and honing of particular skills ....

 

[40 nil]

Overall, I think the introduction of the 6 tackle rule was a good thing ... it allowed more thought and planning to go into attacking structure and tactics .. with it came more individual player specialisation and honing of particular skills ....

Agree with this. Professionalism & full time training has honed individuals' skills (esp. various aspects of kicking) way beyond the sixties & seventies. At that time, most of the very skilful players were in the UK. Mal Reilly & Mike Stephenson (Penrith), with their multifarious kicking & ball playing skills, were a revelation when they first arrived in Australia.

However, I think the six tackle game has gradually gone the wrong way - prioritizing slowing play etc. to advantage defensive structures. When I have time, I'll start a thread about rule changes I would like to see...

 

[Woodsie]

However, I think the six tackle game has gradually gone the wrong way - prioritizing slowing play etc. to advantage defensive structures. When I have time, I'll start a thread about rule changes I would like to see...

Those shortcomings you mention are certainly symptoms of the current game ... and certainly a more organised defense slowing play down evolved as a result of 6 tackles allowing more attacking proficiency ... however I don't believe the "shiitefest" of wrestling etc is an inherent fault or logical conclusion to the 6 tackle rule .... the introduction of the 10m rule had more impact in this area ... in my opinion those blights are simply a testament to the incompetency of the NRL complete lack of will to discipline coaches ...

5 wrestling penalties a game and the Coach gets fined $10,000 ... then $5000 for each additional one ... the Coaches wife's would soon put an end to it ...

 

[40 nil]

however I don't believe the "shiitefest" of wrestling etc is an inherent fault or logical conclusion to the 6 tackle rule .... the introduction of the 10m rule had more impact in this area ... in my opinion those blights are simply a testament to the incompetency of the NRL complete lack of will to discipline coaches ...

Yes, but there are other aspects which could be changed to speed up play, e.g. the ref calling 'held' immediately when a player's momentum is halted (not after he's been wrestled to the ground); restricting scrums to forwards only - unless there has been an approved shift in position during the game or a team is man down due to bin or injury - loading the back line with big forwards when defending a scrum is a blight on the game, IMO; stripping the ball only when one player is making the tackle - not after being tackled by 2-3 players who then release to allow for the attempted strip

 

[Woodsie]

Yes, but there are other aspects which could be changed to speed up play, e.g. the ref calling 'held' immediately when a player's momentum is halted (not after he's been wrestled to the ground); restricting scrums to forwards only - unless there has been an approved shift in position during the game or a team is man down due to bin or injury - loading the back line with big forwards when defending a scrum is a blight on the game, IMO; stripping the ball only when one player is making the tackle - not after being tackled by 2-3 players who then release to allow for the attempted strip

Agree ... but these are refereing issues ... not 6 tackle issues ....

I particularly detest the current free pass for 4 players to hold a ball runner up and push him back 10 yards .... it is an uneven contest and has nothing to do with either the spirit or rules of the game ... one on one fine ... but that gang tackle crap is a blight ..

 

[stoodamire]

Ok, time to get back on topic.

Let's hope our fav ginger can play the whole game in his preferred left centre position.

 

[40 nil]

Agree ... but these are refereing issues ... not 6 tackle issues ....

Yes, modern game issues, not specifically 6 tackle. However, I think some rule changes with proper enforcement could improve the game. Anyway, may the Ginja-Ninja prevail tonight!

 

[Shoe1]

Those shortcomings you mention are certainly symptoms of the current game ... and certainly a more organised defense slowing play down evolved as a result of 6 tackles allowing more attacking proficiency ... however I don't believe the "shiitefest" of wrestling etc is an inherent fault or logical conclusion to the 6 tackle rule .... the introduction of the 10m rule had more impact in this area ... in my opinion those blights are simply a testament to the incompetency of the NRL complete lack of will to discipline coaches ...

5 wrestling penalties a game and the Coach gets fined $10,000 ... then $5000 for each additional one ... the Coaches wife's would soon put an end to it ...

I agreed until the last para.

5 metre rule made deep backlines a necessity. More exciting

 

[Woodsie]

I agreed until the last para.

5 metre rule made deep backlines a necessity. More exciting

We don't appear to disagree ... what I was saying is that the 10m rule was one of the major reasons coaches invented the wrestle and slow down ... needed extra time for the defense to set ...

 

[madmax]

Brad has re-signed for a further two years

 

[Mitch]

Parker said: “It’s pretty special signing a new contract with Manly.

“I’m really happy about it and I can really focus on finals footy without any extra things to worry about.

“I had a couple of other clubs interested but Manly feels right for me – just looking this year at my footy under Des [Hasler, coach] says it all really.