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

[Kalvin]

I would like to see this bench implemented:

14. Koula
15. Bullemore
16. Simpkin
17. Brown

 

[Disco]

"Clamour" is possibly overselling it. But he would cover hooker and the halves. Also a better kicker than Rueben.

I think it's obvious to anybody who has ever watched a single game of rugby league that Croker is not the answer at dummy half. But it's equally obvious that he's an important part of the team, at least as far as the coaches are concerned. We are stuck with him, and everybody knows that.

The most we can hope for is that he doesn't have to play 80 minutes, and that somebody else who may have developed a basic grasp of the fundamentals of dummy half play might get 15 minutes of game time. Apparently it won't be Simpkins, and it won't be Gordie, so why not Humphreys?

Instead poor old Lawton will play 60 minutes as an edge forward and then be expected to show some energy steering the team around the park.

"Clamour" is possibly overselling it. But he would cover hooker and the halves. Also a better kicker than Rueben.

I think it's obvious to anybody who has ever watched a single game of rugby league that Croker is not the answer at dummy half. But it's equally obvious that he's an important part of the team, at least as far as the coaches are concerned. We are stuck with him, and everybody knows that.

The most we can hope for is that he doesn't have to play 80 minutes, and that somebody else who may have developed a basic grasp of the fundamentals of dummy half play might get 15 minutes of game time. Apparently it won't be Simpkins, and it won't be Gordie, so why not Humphreys?

Instead poor old Lawton will play 60 minutes as an edge forward and then be expected to show some energy steering the team around the park.

Fair enough, I just don't see enough in his game to offer us value in the 17 in a finals game.

I'd have him our 4th best hooker.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Did someone with a surname of Greight ever play for us?

If you look at the photo it’s got the EIGHT highlighted , so it’s just a take on being in the top 8 again

 

[Highflier]

Cronk and Matty Johns highlighting the poor defensive decisions of Brooks and DCE, Cronk stated DCE for an experienced seven is wreckless in defence.

The tape is hard to watch particularly Brooks inside shoulder defence, DCE running out of the line and the right edge defence as a collective.

We can only hope that DCE was watching as well

 

[globaleagle]

GREIGHTNESS IS IN OUR DNA

2024 Finals Launch

www.seaeagles.com.au

It looks like someone can't spell

haha

It did make we watch the video and eventually go "Oooooh, that's right, eight for eight premierships."

I realised that it was embarrassing that it took me that long to get it, so I told myself not to post about it on silvertails.



Ah, damn it!

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Atkins main ref
We are screwed he hates us
I can see another con job coming
He and Gough both have it in for us

But as a proud Parra man he also hates the Dogs, so that should even things up!

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

We can only hope that DCE was watching as well

Reckless is a great description of DCE’s defensive plays from Cronk I’d also say they are a bit arrogant and disrespectful of the opposition players’ attacking skills.

I’m actually glad Cronk called DCE out so directly and hope it will lead to some circumspection and a change in his approach.

 

[Pete W]

Reckless is a great description of DCE’s defensive plays from Cronk I’d also say they are a bit arrogant and disrespectful of the opposition players’ attacking skills.

I’m actually glad Cronk called DCE out so directly and hope it will lead to some circumspection and a change in his approach.

DCE is actually quite arrogant, as all great playmakers should be. But attempting to psyche out your opponent when you are the defender, as opposed to when ball is in hand, is not just reckless, it's tactically absurd. I often wonder if his standing wasn't so big at Manly, or if someone like Bellamy was his coach, would he have been called out for this at some point over the years?

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Reckless is a great description of DCE’s defensive plays from Cronk I’d also say they are a bit arrogant and disrespectful of the opposition players’ attacking skills.

I’m actually glad Cronk called DCE out so directly and hope it will lead to some circumspection and a change in his approach.

DCE has been playing in the NRL for what? Forty-seven years now. Or is it 48? In any case, he is not going to change at this late stage of his career. He is a very good one-on-one defender but hopeless (or "reckless") as part of a defensive scheme. His reads and decisions routinely put extra pressure on the defenders outside him.

Cronk may be calling him out now, but this has always been the "dirty little secret" of Cherry's game. It's not like opposition players and coaches have never noticed it before. Why do you think they run so much traffic down his side of the field? Because they want to tire out the main playmaker? Sure. Because it's the more natural attacking side for most teams? Yep. But mostly it's because they'd be crazy not to. They don't have to create chaos in the defensive line because Cherry has already done it for them.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I don’t even know what to expect with us, we are more bipolar than most people you meet in a psych ward, we had an absolute piss poor, embarrassing loss to the tigers ( 3 peat wooden spooners) and then a great win against the bulldogs (who were on a crazy winning streak with the best defence in the comp) then the next week another piss poor, disgraceful loss to the sharks.

Personally i think the difference in the Manly performances isn't quite as great as some make out. Any number of small things can turn any NRL game - even one against the wooden spooners! (actually the reffing in that game wasn't even a small thing, it was gi-normous)

 

[zfinkels]

We beat the Roosters and the Panthers with Croker

1st grade or reserve grade?

 

[KaZa]

Been calling out DCEs defence for years.. suprised media finally called him out. We've had wingers rushing in on his side for over 5 years.. dce always going for the hero intercept play. He does get a few but it's a low percentage play that's not worth doing. Imo it's what's held him back from truly being an elite player. He always goes for the selfish hero play in defence and attack. Low percentage plays look good when they come off but cause more errors most times. At 36 you'd think someone would have corrected him by now. But hey he plays alot of games hes a manly legend....

 

[Chunkytuna]

So from what I can work out Manly will beat the Bulldogs, then Roosters, then Melbourne then probably play Penrith or Cows in the GF.

Sounds simple doesn’t it!

 

[Chunkytuna]

"Clamour" is possibly overselling it. But he would cover hooker and the halves. Also a better kicker than Rueben.

I think it's obvious to anybody who has ever watched a single game of rugby league that Croker is not the answer at dummy half. But it's equally obvious that he's an important part of the team, at least as far as the coaches are concerned. We are stuck with him, and everybody knows that.

The most we can hope for is that he doesn't have to play 80 minutes, and that somebody else who may have developed a basic grasp of the fundamentals of dummy half play might get 15 minutes of game time. Apparently it won't be Simpkins, and it won't be Gordie, so why not Humphreys?

Instead poor old Lawton will play 60 minutes as an edge forward and then be expected to show some energy steering the team around the park.

I agree with this analysis. I don’t see how we can sustain Croker for a full game. He doesn’t have it in him at the moment. He’ll obviously be there but we need another back up besides Lawton, who will already be fuked. For mine it’s Simpkin but i accept that for some god only know reason, he is not wanted.

 

[Chunkytuna]

Reckless is a great description of DCE’s defensive plays from Cronk I’d also say they are a bit arrogant and disrespectful of the opposition players’ attacking skills.

I’m actually glad Cronk called DCE out so directly and hope it will lead to some circumspection and a change in his approach.

He also needs to be called out for his VERY lazy attempts at ankle tapping when he’s beaten by the ball runner. It’s happened in virtually every one of the last 5 games. Again on the weekend against the sharks, he was beaten by footwork but had a chance to dive and tackle around the legs. Instead he opted to throw a lazy hand out and try for an ankle tap, missed and it led to a try or a very long break down field. If you’re too old or unable to dive for the legs then perhaps you’re not up to it. There’s two sides to the game - attach AND defence.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

If you’re too old or unable to dive for the legs then perhaps you’re not up to it. There’s two sides to the game - attach AND defence.

This long season could be catching up with old man Daly. He does seem a bit flat lately compared with early on.
First signs of age finally catching up with him? Or maybe he's been playing with injury?

 

[stoodamire]

He also needs to be called out for his VERY lazy attempts at ankle tapping when he’s beaten by the ball runner. It’s happened in virtually every one of the last 5 games. Again on the weekend against the sharks, he was beaten by footwork but had a chance to dive and tackle around the legs. Instead he opted to throw a lazy hand out and try for an ankle tap, missed and it led to a try or a very long break down field. If you’re too old or unable to dive for the legs then perhaps you’re not up to it. There’s two sides to the game - attach AND defence.

It’s probably one of the main reasons he has remained injury free. Doesn’t put his body in front of defenders. Does that judo throw or ankle tap.

 

[Sheikheagle]

It’s probably one of the main reasons he has remained injury free. Doesn’t put his body in front of defenders. Does that judo throw or ankle tap.

I mentioned that the other week and got poo pooed 🤷‍♂️

 

[stoodamire]

I mentioned that the other week and got poo pooed 🤷‍♂️

I’m happy to get poo pooed with you!

 

[Top End Eagle]

Sounds simple doesn’t it!

Just phone the Manly team support line. After they suggest 'have you tried turning the team off then on again' (don't think there's time to fly Page Spirinovac over again) simply toggle the Garrick and Talau switch, and reinstall the Simpkin update we sent you in our pre-financial year package.

If that doesn't work we may need to look at a broader system.....