Defence was WON in the Middle

[maxta]

That Manly defence for 70 plus minutes was brutal, committed and dominant.
I know young Kelly and Green have copped some criticism for poor missed tackles, but I think last weekends game was a clear demonstration - take control of that ruck and they will stand up out wide.
If the Forwards Aim up in the middle and dominate the middle third - the outside backs have time to reshape and be up in the faces when the ball is shifted wide....Kelly and Walker made some great 1 on 1 tackles and a few decent shots, due to the bid men inside and their own merit.
To see the Big boys killing them in the ruck also motivates and excites the rest of the team - almost like a Piranha feeding frenzy, when they all come in striking from everywhere.
Have a feeling Penrith will play far more direct this week and spot DCE and Green in defence, so Sirro and Winterstein need to be on big alert to help their little mates on the edges.

 

[Paw93]

That Manly defence for 70 plus minutes was brutal, committed and dominant.
I know young Kelly and Green have copped some criticism for poor missed tackles, but I think last weekends game was a clear demonstration - take control of that ruck and they will stand up out wide.
If the Forwards Aim up in the middle and dominate the middle third - the outside backs have time to reshape and be up in the faces when the ball is shifted wide....Kelly and Walker made some great 1 on 1 tackles and a few decent shots, due to the bid men inside and their own merit.
To see the Big boys killing them in the ruck also motivates and excites the rest of the team - almost like a Piranha feeding frenzy, when they all come in striking from everywhere.
Have a feeling Penrith will play far more direct this week and spot DCE and Green in defence, so Sirro and Winterstein need to be on big alert to help their little mates on the edges.

Our edge forwards (Siro and Winterstein) really held their own. I noticed both Siro and Winterstein running from the middle to the edge whenever they were needed to support in defence. The centres just had to hold out for a few seconds before support would arrive.

 

[Go manly]

I find it hard to listen to shim shim gasnier but at one stage during our defensive set he commented that our players eye taking it personal and were being brutal as they hunted in a pack

Not sure how that got lost and found again but reckon your right and it sets the tone for everyone in defence