Game Day: Bulldogs V Manly [Round 21, 2025]

[Brookie1973]

Hopefully we can rain on their parade.

Their parade is bull****. Why should we have to take part in celebrating a black day for our club. It’s actually pretty disrespectful if you ask me. How about we celebrate 40 nil every time we play the storm.

 

[manly al]

Still a hard one to predict though plenty of indicators that Manly are more then capable of winning
Will be important to try and win the middle and hopefully the good results last week with set completions , defence holding up and field position can continue to play out well
Think that Lehi still has a bit more in attack to offer but regardless of course , going well enough

 

[JakeyB789]

No backline player on the Bench - very risky selection practice. If one of our backs goes down - e.g. Turbo or Saab, then Ben goes into centre and almost certain we lose. This has happened before - just wish Talau could be included on Bench for obvious benefits. (BTW C.B. have two players who can easily cover backs and forwards roles, on their Bench).

Agreed but it’s a difficult one to get right really. Talau didn’t even get on the field last week and our forward pack isn’t good enough to be carrying one less on the bench. Earlier this year Jurbo got knocked out early and we had Faulalo on the bench who still only played less than 10 mins at the end of the game while our forwards were struggling.

Hard to plan for injuries or HIA’s during a game but ideally we’d have someone equally competent in both the centres and backrow, that’s why the potential Garner signing didn’t sound too bad to me. Burbo in the centres has been a disaster almost every time

For the record I’d have Talau playing over Saab anyway

 

[God]

On i

You hear that, @God? So do your thing 🙂

On it

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

On it

Thank God

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Agreed but it’s a difficult one to get right really. Talau didn’t even get on the field last week and our forward pack isn’t good enough to be carrying one less on the bench. Earlier this year Jurbo got knocked out early and we had Faulalo on the bench who still only played less than 10 mins at the end of the game while our forwards were struggling.

Hard to plan for injuries or HIA’s during a game but ideally we’d have someone equally competent in both the centres and backrow, that’s why the potential Garner signing didn’t sound too bad to me. Burbo in the centres has been a disaster almost every time

For the record I’d have Talau playing over Saab anyway

Highlights our lack of second row options. Burbo is going well at second row (imo) but we lack a credible secondrow/centre utility to pick on the bench. Chee Kam is that sort of player but clearly hasn't impressed the coaches enough to get a call-up. It's a weakness in our squad currently.
(Bring on Hugo Hart!!)

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Agreed but it’s a difficult one to get right really. Talau didn’t even get on the field last week and our forward pack isn’t good enough to be carrying one less on the bench. Earlier this year Jurbo got knocked out early and we had Faulalo on the bench who still only played less than 10 mins at the end of the game while our forwards were struggling.

Hard to plan for injuries or HIA’s during a game but ideally we’d have someone equally competent in both the centres and backrow, that’s why the potential Garner signing didn’t sound too bad to me. Burbo in the centres has been a disaster almost every time

For the record I’d have Talau playing over Saab anyway

And maybe the other thing ...? we've selected that bench because we're planning to attack the Doggies through the middle. That worked a treat in our R26 game last year.

 

[manly al]

Their parade is bull****. Why should we have to take part in celebrating a black day for our club. It’s actually pretty disrespectful if you ask me. How about we celebrate 40 nil every time we play the storm.

Guess being a home game can warrant some type of recognition but a parade seems a bit over the top . Maybe just restricted to welcoming the Dogs players onto the field but would have to rate in the poor taste category parading around the ground , also taking into account some of the controversy attached to that win
Hopefully will fire up the Manly boys a bit more to help them onto a win

 

[manly al]

Highlights our lack of second row options. Burbo is going well at second row (imo) but we lack a credible secondrow/centre utility to pick on the bench. Chee Kam is that sort of player but clearly hasn't impressed the coaches enough to get a call-up. It's a weakness in our squad currently.
(Bring on Hugo Hart!!)

Especially if his defence is coming on well also [ Hart ] , No substitute for speed anywhere in a line up
Tried to see how long he has been signed for but could not find any details .
Hopefully for some time yet .
Not sure about Bryan but throw in those other two young props who seem to be showing some real potential int he N S W cup recently and could be looking good for the future forward line ups

 

[Woodsie]

Had coffee this morning with big scotty and the lads .. he was dressed like a mungo in his bulldogs sweaty and beanie .. whilst I was resplendent in my Manly top ... both too nervous to even mention the game today.

Rip in Manly ..

 

[ALinda]

What end are the manly contingent sitting at? Considering walking down for this one as live locally.

See a Manly Away V Dogs thread by @ManlyArmy about that

 

[Fred]

These dogs are such pretenders. This is the day they come completely undone. Manly by plenty....

 

[manlyfan76]

No backline player on the Bench - very risky selection practice. If one of our backs goes down - e.g. Turbo or Saab, then Ben goes into centre and almost certain we lose. This has happened before - just wish Talau could be included on Bench for obvious benefits. (BTW C.B. have two players who can easily cover backs and forwards roles, on their Bench).

We have also won a few when Ben has shifted to centre

 

[The '47ers]

You hear that, @God? So do your thing 🙂

Careful @God, I'm sure Allah will lurking in the blue/white somewhere today

 

[The Insomniac]

We should look at developing Talau into a utility who can fill not only a back position but a back row position as well. Look, nobody here goes to training sessions and knows the physical and mental capabilities of all these players ,like the coaching staff would. So i might be talking rubbish. He certainly has the size and skills to attempt both. Wonder if it's been considered ?

 

[Rosko]

No backline player on the Bench - very risky selection practice. If one of our backs goes down - e.g. Turbo or Saab, then Ben goes into centre and almost certain we lose. This has happened before - just wish Talau could be included on Bench for obvious benefits. (BTW C.B. have two players who can easily cover backs and forwards roles, on their Bench).

Still in the 19, here's hoping.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Lots of talk about having a back on the bench , and I get that, but this game will be won by whichever forward pack dominates and I think that’s enough reason to run 4 forwards.

Yes if a back goes down we are semi screwed but potentially semi screwed if we don’t have a decent forward rotation or a forward gets injured ( more likely ).

So it’s a toss of a coin isn’t it.

 

[Eagle 1]

Such a big buildup to this game, the semis have come 7 weeks early by the looks of it.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Such a big buildup to this game, the semis have come 7 weeks early by the looks of it.

Last weeks win has done that , everyone wants to see if it can be repeated.

 

[Wombat Junior]

I was more confident in us getting a win over storm last week, I'm not super confident for today. I also have had to learn that I can't expect a performance like last week to come out today as our performances fluctuate from one side of the scale to the other.

I'm hoping Galvin throws one too many of his pressure passes but if it's a close game we have to stay in it for the whole 80, we can't fade like we do sometimes as the dogs always fight till the very end in every game.

I wish we had simpkin as I'm not super confident in GCKT.

Anyways, nonetheless Go MANLY!