I didn't read much of your response as because as normal you lost my interest after the first few sentences of pointless dribble.
Just answer this? Do you think a half back needs a good side around him to do well? Do you think if Cleary and DCE swapped teams last year the results would have been any different?
Clearly receiving service from Crocker, behind a pack of Marty, Keppie, Aioli etc. Garrick at fullback, or Koula or and outside backs Harper, Parker etc
Do you still think Cleary wins half back of the year in 2021, takes Manly into the semi's in 2022 even with the side we had on the park and all the drama?
When they both play in good sides with support players around them they both look good organisers and can control matches.
DCE outplayed Cleary in origin in a pressure cooker and it was his kicking and game management that won them that decider.
Saying he simply cannot organise is ridiculous.
I feel he over plays his hand at times at club level but if himself or Tom don't create something no one else will. That is the sad and worrying thing.
Panthers are blessed to have a monster ferocious pack that always get them on the front foot. They are relentless. Even their bench is great. Then they have a creative hooker, a gun ball playing lock, a pretty handy dangerous 5/8 and solid full back, as well as gun outside backs which can create tries by themselves.
Im not saying DCE is perfect, just that he can organise, I don't feel that is one of our biggest concerns for 2023. Yes, im with everyone on here, sometimes i wish he wouldn't try so hard, go for the low % plays when its a gamble but I am more concerned about how to we match other sides packs like Penrith. How to we improve our D. We need more impact up front.
And then the hooker, we really need someone like GCKT to have a breakout year.
If we can lure a prop like Flegler and have some of our promising juniors step up. Weekes, Koula, Gordon and Schuster develop into a gun 5/8 then we have a chance to compete.
I feel if we can lay a platform, and have an option at hooker as well as a fit Tom, you won't see DCE trying to do it all himself. Just my opinion but from all the games I watch, not many half backs look good by themselves with a pack that is constantly being dominated and no decent hooker.
Just like Josh Aioli , i admire your belief , but ………Not for me
look i started with a bit of classic fawlty towers, i thought it was relevant as i want sure if you had your hearing aid turned on But obviously i didn't read the room.
But enough dribble i must answer “he who throws toys from cot“
Not that anything you say isnt true about the riff, just not relevant But is a good point because we seem to think its forwards first and only. When the riffs pack go elsewhere due to cap pressure will sorenson and lenu be as good without cleary. its chicken and egg stuff
DCE had one good half if footy out of 6 For qld. But lifes anomalies, your only as good as your last Game is fair enough if this was a qld bloody forum.
His last, second last 12th last etc for manly was shothouse. While you point at the spine , as poor as iswent DCE was not a shining light and is solely responsible for his contract
The whole qld spine had a bigger impact on the series than DCE.( deardon aside ) but grant, ponga, hunt all better by FAAAAR . He had a few good moments, almost anything else is lip service
DCE has had plenty of moments to be Joe Cool for Manly and field Goals aside, has failed just about all of them. Both finals games last season, manlys pack fought back, provided the platform and both times DCE threw it away with the EXACT OPPOSITE of what you describe above. When those moments arose what did you do, honestly, as youve deemed him cool under pressure in those EXACT situations. Was it hands over eyes and tra la la la la la , were you out , do you need me to send you a copy of the games ?
you see , packs, halves , while they may not have dominant seasons, or have reputations , they have dominant moments in games , where we get to see snapshots of ability and intent and there plays in action . When we have those moments and are in cruise control, DCE throws everything on red, while cleary would kick for the corner. Its pretty much that simple. Cleary is no way a better skilled half, he is just a better thinking half . He plays a game that is smarter, and leads to a higher % of wins, better field position and less defence on your own line, and penrith follow
for these reasons clearys packs will divide the sea for him, manlys pack seem to give what they get. the riff chip away while manly are always hoping for one big play.
DCE just wont change his tyres to suit conditions , its that simple , and at 34 on a squillion it costs us more and more each year
if our halfback played first receiver and took the ball to the line , surely that is the first change you make to the spine, just put the current piece's in correct positions and utilise jake better. how does a halfback who wont take the ball to the line get such immunity
Forwards and halves need to be on the same page and effort aside, dominance aside, results aside at manly they are not even in the same book, and until they are, its almost impossible to blame anyone but the director.
DCE is the director , for clarity
