Pre-Game Bulldogs V Manly [Finals Week 1, 2024]

[Dee Why Eagle]

I was expecting a Bulldogs victory before the JAC circus. Seems a bit weird to ascribe so much to that incident, but now, I think it comes down to how much that has affected them.

 

[mickqld]

I really can’t pick a winner on Sunday , there’s just so many unknowns.

They’ve lost the last two, one of those a fair flogging by us ( at THEIR home ).

They’ll either be “ mentally scarred “ or the complete opposite “ fired up beyond imagination to win and win big “.

They have some guns returning from injury / suspension.

But , this group have never played finals and we know everything changes in the finals.

We on the other hand have an injured superstar fullback who seems to be the catalyst to us winning or not winning.

We are absolute rocks or diamonds and you never know which one is turning up.

It’s at THEIR home ground , whilst we’ll have a good crowd there we will be outnumbered 3-1.

They have a dynamic 9, we have a tackle machine and no backup.

BUT, we’ve beaten them, and recently , we know how to do it , we don’t fear them.

Honestly, ****ed if I really know , may as well get the pennies out , stick them on a little slab of wood , toss them on the air , and sing out heads or tails.

In fact if you were picking a winner , that would be as good as any selection option.

I just think we are desperate playing a lame duck Turbo and we all know how much we fall off the cliff without Turbo doing it all in attack. He's our top try scorer and only played half a season. He won't last on Sunday and we'll go down like the Hindenberg when he succums.

 

[manly al]

Guess that itis going to come down to which side can show the most improvement , Bulldogs the bigger loss scoreline wise last week but Manly well below their best also and definitely worryingly defensively .
Main consolation , Manly largely putting tit together for 60 min. previously against the Dogs but then on the down side, dropping off for the remainder.
Blueprint is no doubt there which placed Manly on top for a good part a couple of weeks ago but sure that the Dogs will try to measure up a bit better on that front and Crichton back
Manly handled the pressure poorly against the Sharks combined with some dumb penalties and any repetition will go really against them again .
Really need the senior players to step up and get some serious grit and intensity back to the fore .
Sure that Manly can get the job done , even with a slightly fragile Turbo and back to their better level of form but also sure that the Dogs will not make it [or intend to ] that easy

 

[manly al]

Forgot to include , full 80 min effort and application required and not just for portions of the game

 

[The Wheel]

How corporate life has Bullemor ready for finals football

Manly forward Ethan Bullemor is confident a part-time job as a fund manager has translated to improved performances on the field.

www.nrl.com

 

[TJ55]

It

Guess that itis going to come down to which side can show the most improvement , Bulldogs the bigger loss scoreline wise last week but Manly well below their best also and definitely worryingly defensively .
Main consolation , Manly largely putting tit together for 60 min. previously against the Dogs but then on the down side, dropping off for the remainder.
Blueprint is no doubt there which placed Manly on top for a good part a couple of weeks ago but sure that the Dogs will try to measure up a bit better on that front and Crichton back
Manly handled the pressure poorly against the Sharks combined with some dumb penalties and any repetition will go really against them again .
Really need the senior players to step up and get some serious grit and intensity back to the fore .
Sure that Manly can get the job done , even with a slightly fragile Turbo and back to their better level of form but also sure that the Dogs will not make it [or intend to ] that easy

Its going to be a very interesting game of footy, Matt Johns & Cam Smith reckon the Dogs are going to try play a fast game of footy in the middle to gas out the big Manly pack, I’m expecting a lot of pressure on Turbo with Burton bombs and targeting him down that end, but if the dogs can’t contain Manlys pack then I don’t see much chance unless Crichton does a miracle, also worried on that Edge with Skelton

 

[frank stokes]

It

Its going to be a very interesting game of footy, Matt Johns & Cam Smith reckon the Dogs are going to try play a fast game of footy in the middle to gas out the big Manly pack, I’m expecting a lot of pressure on Turbo with Burton bombs and targeting him down that end, but if the dogs can’t contain Manlys pack then I don’t see much chance unless Crichton does a miracle, also worried on that Edge with Skelton

Comes down to that forward battle... if Manly do not win the field position then Xerri, Crighton, Kiraz and Shelton will crash straight through our centres/wingers I reckon... but if our forwards do their job than our pace will find your lot out...

Gonna be a good game and a lot tighter with Crighton back and Kiraz defending back out on the wing where he belongs...

Still reckon we will get you tho 😁

 

[The Wheel]

Willing to take on the challenge: Haumole Olakau'atu

Haumole Olakau'atu talks about the banter with family and friends to taking on Viliame Kikau in Sunday's elimination final against the Bulldogs.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[TJ55]

Comes down to that forward battle... if Manly do not win the field position then Xerri, Crighton, Kiraz and Shelton will crash straight through our centres/wingers I reckon... but if our forwards do their job than our pace will find your lot out...

Gonna be a good game and a lot tighter with Crighton back and Kiraz defending back out on the wing where he belongs...

Still reckon we will get you tho 😁

100%
If I’m being honest The Fox being out is significant for us, he’s explosive and the energy he brings is crazy, but with Saab out too it sort of evens things Skelton can still be a bit dicey. I’m expecting Critta to really step up here in this one, interesting match up between him and Garrick, I’m not confident on a dogs win but been a long hard 8 years with no finals so happy to be here either way

 

[mickqld]

100%
If I’m being honest The Fox being out is significant for us, he’s explosive and the energy he brings is crazy, but with Saab out too it sort of evens things Skelton can still be a bit dicey. I’m expecting Critta to really step up here in this one, interesting match up between him and Garrick, I’m not confident on a dogs win but been a long hard 8 years with no finals so happy to be here either way

After Saab's recent defensive efforts on JAC I think we've come out on top in those 2 losses.

 

[The Wheel]

The players have worked really hard: Anthony Seibold

Coach Anthony Seibold talks about the challenge against the Bulldogs, the return of Tom Trbojevic, and expresses gratitude for the incredible fan support this season

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[TJ55]

The players have worked really hard: Anthony Seibold

Coach Anthony Seibold talks about the challenge against the Bulldogs, the return of Tom Trbojevic, and expresses gratitude for the incredible fan support this season

www.seaeagles.com.au

Good press conference thanks for sharing, he doesn’t sound convincing about Turbo going off what others like Billy Slater have said. Just watched the one with Ciraldo, he actually said he doesn’t know why the Eagles aren’t higher than they are. Great respect from both coaches looking forward to it

 

[manly al]

Just hope that D C E can bring his S O O, higher stakes mindset into the knockout and certainly including some better positioning [ or set positioning ] in defence for his side .
No second chances if his input is below par similar to last week
Hopefully the possession flow will be a bit more favorable and not see the pack doing so much back peddling and struggling as was the case against the Sharks .
Definitely need much better from Browny especially discipline wise , done plenty of good things in numerous previous games but more of a liability last week .
Still thought that it was a bit marginal with Lawton over Burbo but hopefully Lawton "s busy type game can be quite effective again tomorrow .
Koula "s attack seemed quite sharp again last week and that has to be a positive and even allowing for Turbo "s playing situation and Sabb unavailable , Manly 's strongest 17 and if not good enough tomorrow , would have the notion that it would be an underperformance in retrospect to their overall season to date

 

[BOZO]

The players have worked really hard: Anthony Seibold

Coach Anthony Seibold talks about the challenge against the Bulldogs, the return of Tom Trbojevic, and expresses gratitude for the incredible fan support this season

www.seaeagles.com.au

Thank you for posting feathered friend
Seibs tells us how hard his players have worked and that is great as hard work is one winning factor

On game day , Games are also won by the team that is given the right game plan and is motivated with a winning attitude . As Attitude is everything in the end

Manly are favorites because of their overall superior players and their more Dominant Bigger pack
The Dogs have overachieved playing in a home final and on the day they will have the final say
Because we should never underestimate the Underdog

I hope Manly can knock out Cocky Rocky Senseless on Sunday

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Hey Bozo haven't seen one of these for a while! You realise this Rocky Balboa guy is a fictitious character (of course). Personally, I also take endless inspiration from fictitious characters!

Babe is an unlikely hero, teaching us that determination, kindness, and a bit of plucky spirit can get you anywhere—even if you're a pig trying to herd sheep. It’s about breaking stereotypes, smashing expectations, and being just plain adorable while doing it. [thanks to AI for sparing me the time to find the right words]

 

[Once Was Brissie Kid]

I got a feeling Dogs backline will be changed late in the hope of shoring it up defensively. Skelton was picked out by Manly attack a fortnight ago and the other winger Kiraz got injured vs Cows. Maybe return of Taaffe at fullback and Tracey to wing.

 

[globaleagle]

Phew, so relieved I could read a story on kikau's leaked photo in a dogs jersey from 3 years ago instead of...just kidding, I don't give a ****.

do better 'journos'

 

[Rosko]

Perfect day in Sydney, the games are in Melbourne and Townsville.
50,000 at Homebush tomorrow - cold, wet and windy. The Footy Gods are cruel.

 

[BOZO]

Hey Bozo haven't seen one of these for a while! You realise this Rocky Balboa guy is a fictitious character (of course). Personally, I also take endless inspiration from fictitious characters!
View attachment 28206
Babe is an unlikely hero, teaching us that determination, kindness, and a bit of plucky spirit can get you anywhere—even if you're a pig trying to herd sheep. It’s about breaking stereotypes, smashing expectations, and being just plain adorable while doing it. [thanks to AI for sparing me the time to find the right words]

Thanks for your Inspirational post @SeaEagleRock8
Babe is a Winner indeed
All things that inspire are an Inspiration to all of us
and we all need inspiration now and again

 

[mickqld]

Obviously Ch nein are all out wanting a dogs win. Pathetic preview of tomorrow all about 1 team of course. Wouldn't even know who the fuk they're playing.