Game Day: Chooks v Manly [Round 2, 2020]

[Deleted member 26876]

In my opinion our attack will be fine. Im loving Walker at 5/8, last week our attack was disjointed but our spine came to life for a lot of that game, especially early in that first half. Im glad croker came on and proved to be the smart, composed player he is. His execution wasnt s good as he wanted it with that kick out of dummy half but that was a great idea, and other than that he proved a bit of creativity and he smartly stole the ball in a key moment. Levi was great, held back on taking runs and proved the quick, stable dummy half we need.

The last two weeks involved three of the four best defencive teams (manly, roosters, storm, raiders) and with some more match fitness think we are the most resilient and toughest middle to break

 

[master blaster]

So JWH hasnt changed, still leads with his elbow cocked

 

[BOZO]

Didn't expect that win but VERY happy to be wrong and very happy with the two points. Sure the attack is still a bit rusty but beating the Roosters anytime is a great effort.

I also liked how on the Foxtel coverage they were switching to @wheel and family.

Speaking of the Foxtel Wheel Manly Family who did a fantastic job representing us Manly fans ......

Credit must also go to our Great hard working and passionate Manly Sea eagles Media Manager Wayne Cousins Cuzzo who did a great job organizing that .

Keep up the great work Cuzzo !

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Good to see DCE snap the field goal. I still don’t understand why we kick into air all of the time. Some grubbers ingoal and repeat sets are still missing. Great win none the less.

Agree but in yesterday’s game we didn’t have the field position to put grubbers in. Virtually all of DCEs kicks were taken from over 30m out.

 

[manly al]

Lot to like about yesterday's win . Apart from some of Turbo "s great individual plays , plenty of other good examples of determination and really good effort , typified also with Garrick clearing the in goal in a vital moment . Spine worked much more effectively , think that Levi is going particularly well and in time should be able to use his natural speed to trouble opposition defences around the ruck area too . Siro picked up his game . Certainly got their defence in order , attack can only get better . Won 't always get that level of luck but still good enough to hang in there for the win .

 

[manly al]

Also think that it was that extra bit of inspiration from Wheel and his family that helped get Manly home . FAN - tastic

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Just reading back over some earlier posts - some harsh critics of the current Test halfback! Let's see, he gave the try assist for our only try and he kicked the winning field goal. Good!
Tackled and chased with his usual commitment. Check!
Yes the attack including his involvement was clunky, but its only round 2! (Did anyone catch Shawn Johnson yesterday passing to thin air, on about 5 separate occasions!)
Against 2 genuine heavyweights we've held our own and we have so much improvement left in us. I'll be so pissed off if we don't get to play this season out because I reckon our chances are second to none.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Just reading back over some earlier posts - some harsh critics of the current Test halfback! Let's see, he gave the try assist for our only try and he kicked the winning field goal. Good!
Tackled and chased with his usual commitment. Check!
Yes the attack including his involvement was clunky, but its only round 2! (Did anyone catch Shawn Johnson yesterday passing to thin air, on about 5 separate occasions!)
Against 2 genuine heavyweights we've held our own and we have so much improvement left in us. I'll be so pissed off if we don't get to play this season out because I reckon our chances are second to none.

great post. We didn’t spend much time in their 20 and when we did DCE put the try on for Tom. A lot of the kicks where from inside our own half or just inside theirs so not a lot you could do with those. It’s fashionable to bag DCE just like its fashionable to bag Scomo.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Agree but in yesterday’s game we didn’t have the field position to put grubbers in. Virtually all of DCEs kicks were taken from over 30m out.

Absolutely , I’m no coach but even I could see that!

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

To my eyes Thommo seems to be carrying a long term injury of some sort. While still doing his short-side hit-ups with gusto, he is getting to his feet gingerly after being tackled and appears tired a lot of the time, similar to the latter part of last season. Could be wrong, hope so.

 

[frank stokes]

Something I used to go off about in the Barrett Era was how rubbish our wrestle was on the ground not just slowing others down but getting to our stomach and quick play of the ball. I must say I though our boys wrestle controlling the ruck speed was the best I've ever seen it today. If we have a new jujitsu coach, keep him.

Yeah but our quick play-the-balls are still non existent apart from sirro and susan (occasionally)... I love our front rowers but at times it dead set looks like their narcolepsy kicks in when you put them on their back...

 

[ellakasmar]

Just reading back over some earlier posts - some harsh critics of the current Test halfback! Let's see, he gave the try assist for our only try and he kicked the winning field goal. Good!
Tackled and chased with his usual commitment. Check!
Yes the attack including his involvement was clunky, but its only round 2! (Did anyone catch Shawn Johnson yesterday passing to thin air, on about 5 separate occasions!)
Against 2 genuine heavyweights we've held our own and we have so much improvement left in us. I'll be so pissed off if we don't get to play this season out because I reckon our chances are second to none.

Couldn't agree more!!!!

 

[The better Robbo]

Is it just me or do the refs seem to have put their whistle away? The game is being played in the middle of the field with posession attacking the line seeming to be very minimal. No easy yardage and it really allows the best team to win

 

[Shoe1]

I was a little frustrated by bombing to Tupou every 5th tackle. But I now see the game plan a little clearer.

mostly manly wasn’t in their 20, so grubbers not an option. Best to kick it away from teddy. Tupou is safe But it was good to hammer him and get him gassed, because he is usually dangerous against manly.

also pinning them in his left corner meant they were relatively predictable in attack for those early tackles. It was a game of chess and I think that was des’s plan to grind the game out. Boring but effective.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I was a little frustrated by bombing to Tupou every 5th tackle. But I now see the game plan a little clearer.

mostly manly wasn’t in their 20, so grubbers not an option. Best to kick it away from teddy. Tupou is safe But it was good to hammer him and get him gassed, because he is usually dangerous against manly.

also pinning them in his left corner meant they were relatively predictable in attack for those early tackles. It was a game of chess and I think that was des’s plan to grind the game out. Boring but effective.

Yes this was apparent after about 4 or 5 kicks to him and I was amazed so many were critical during the game day thread of DCE’s options.

We were rarely in range for a little kick through to get a repeat set anyway.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Yes this was apparent after about 4 or 5 kicks to him and I was amazed so many were critical during the game day thread of DCE’s options.

We were rarely in range for a little kick through to get a repeat set anyway.

Many here don't realise out team pretty strictly follow the game plan and criticise players for what they perceive as repeat mistakes or poor play.
It is time a lot of you start blaming Des instead of the players when they are doing what they are told.

Edit:
Better still, don't blame anyone, Des and ALL the players are doing their best. Sometimes everything doesn't work out. That's footy.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Many here don't realise out team pretty strictly follow the game plan and criticise players for what they perceive as repeat mistakes or poor play.
It is time a lot of you start blaming Des instead of the players when they are doing what they are told.

Agree, criticise a player for dropping the ball or giving away a dumb penalty ( note many penalties against us yesterday on the line were part of the game plan to better prepare our defence ) but most things they do are just working to their plan.

We frustrated the Roosters yesterday , you could see it in their faces, and it’s something they weren’t used to!

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

From the Roosters perspective and on a positive note, I understand that that was the largest Roosters’ home crowd for several decades.

 

[The Who]

The game plan was to keep Troppo from taking a hit up. Obviously Des and DCE felt that he was a danger man so kicking high to him and wrapping him up meant he was limited to diffusing bombs. This was a defensive tactic, and it underlined that we were in for an arm wrestle rather than expecting to score many points.
I didn't understand the tactic until it was explained to me, and it worked. We won.
It's unusual that a team will forgo the bomb as an attacking weapon as it is the main way most teams operate. I'm guessing that we'll only use such a tactic when playing teams with excellent wingers, such as Melbourne, Doesn'tmatta and Souffs.

 

[40 years an eagle]

We frustrated the Roosters yesterday , you could see it in their faces, and it’s something they weren’t used to!

Yesterdays game plan was obviously pretty well crafted and luck allowed us to scrape home.
We really are missing the spark that would have the game plan show a more convincing win. As well as Dylan played yesterday unfortunately it is the 6 position that we need more from. Swap Dylan and Keary yesterday and we probably win by 10. No criticism of Dylan but I think he is and always be a centre.

It feels like it's just a matter of time until the season is shut down and maybe Des should give Schuster a crack at 6 in preparation for 2021.