Defence

[manly al]

Heap of reasons why Manly 's defence is not up to scratch at times , fatigue , lack of proper execution , inadequate positional and reading of play and maintaining overall intensity.
Know that it can apply to most other sides as well in many instances and easy to oversimplify but in Manly 's case , plenty that can be improved on if a bit more attention to the fundamentals .
Far too often , just don't have an even share of possession [ or expected ] , quite a few players unfortunately at times just can not make the required level of more hit and stick contact .[ and definitely not keen on ankle taps when a conventional tackle is more the go ]
Against the better drilled sides , have problems numbering off sufficiently and responding to changes to a point in attack .
Not as if there is a general lack of individual ability and mobility in most positions to be better and at times can aim up real well but still a more focussed mindset and application definitely needed for some essential or more consistency .
Not sure if a look at some high profile Rah Rah team's defensive structure can offer much helpful insight but who knows .

 

[maxta]

This was one of the three big reasons I reluctantly gave Seibs a fail in 24. The other two reasons related firstly to an inability of the coaching staff to create workable game plans around getting Tolu out in the open (kick throughs, chips, cut-outs etc) and secondly, around our right side defence. Not rocket science so should nail these issues in 25. If the case, we score more and stop more tries in 25 v 24. Look forward to seeing this!!

Very good post - think you are heading exactly the right direction, for mine Seibs is "just" on a pass mark as we have improved in footy and position on ladder and truth be known, with this squad "We Should be competitive"....but the elementary points you make are 100% justified and if achieved, can only be a Massive positive....

 

[Woodsie]

Admittedly I'm tired but I didn't see 'learnings' anywhere. I guess you're more powerful than you realise!

Showing good 'stickability' there (as who wants to say perserverance?)

In my younger days I was reknown for my stick ability ...

 

[Ryan]

If we can get our defense to a top 4 standard then the premiership is on the table. I still think we need a better hooker but we can survive with Croker if we aren't leaking points.

We are WAY too slow 8-17 , simple as that. The big, robust, agile teams will tear us apart like they have for 11 years now. It's such a shame our recruitment hasn't cottoned on. Bringing in 3 ageing vets (lumbering type players) will only exacerbate that problem, too.

 

[Woodsie]

Ummmm Saab has jumped high & taken bombs on numerous occasions!

He is very good at taking defensive bombs ... less than average at taking attacking bombs imo.

 

[maxta]

We are WAY too slow 8-17 , simple as that. The big, robust, agile teams will tear us apart like they have for 11 years now. It's such a shame our recruitment hasn't cottoned on. Bringing in 3 ageing vets (lumbering type players) will only exacerbate that problem, too.

I hope your wrong, but in the words of Billy Joel "You may be right"
If in 2025 there's not a Fermor, Murray type lock with agility and a change of hooker, which I feel we see unfold in 2024....will be absolutely astounded.....is Navale ready for a breakout at lock in 24 to help this issue ??

 

[BOZO]

I will never understand why Manly have only kicked cross field bombs 3 times that have landed in the right spot and Saab has scored 3 from 3.....WHY has this not been more of a weapon ??

Good point feathered friend
It is not what you have but how you use what you have
Saab is the Super sonic Weapon that we have not used affectively up in the air or out in the open
This does not only apply to Saab but to all players
If we get the best out of all players we do not underachieve

 

[maxta]

He is very good at taking defensive bombs ... less than average at taking attacking bombs imo.

I'm kinda the opposite on this 1 Woodsie - I reckon if he had Cleary lobbing accurate cross field kicks instead of dropping 10m out, over sidelines or dead in goal - he would score 2 out of 3 opportunities....but forget that old mate - Great to cya back in town Champ

 

[BOZO]

in the words of Billy Joel "You may be right"

Great song feathered friend
I Love Billy Joel

Sing with me Sexy Maxy ...
You may be right
I may be crazy
Oh, but it just may be a Lunatic you're looking for!


One of my favourite "No fear" Manly Premiership Winning Lunatics
The Legendary Ronny Gibbs

 

[maxta]

Good point feathered friend
It is not what you have but how you use what you have
Saab is the Super sonic Weapon that we have not used affectively up in the air or out in the open
This does not only apply to Saab but to all players
If we get the best out of all players we do not underachieve

Very fair summary Bozo - hope your good Champ and done your rigerous traing session to kick off the day

 

[BOZO]

I'm kinda the opposite on this 1 Woodsie - I reckon if he had Cleary lobbing accurate cross field kicks instead of dropping 10m out, over sidelines or dead in goal - he would score 2 out of 3 opportunities....but forget that old mate - Great to cya back in town Champ

Great to have Woodsie back for sure
He is a Great forum competitor
And that is what makes forums great

 

[BOZO]

Very fair summary Bozo - hope your good Champ and done your rigerous traing session to kick off the day

Self motivation is the key to get things done my feathered friend
No one wipes our arse in the morning or does our reps and sets
Its all up to us
So let us all wake up , Show up and Never give up trying !

 

[BOZO]

This is Charlotte Henshaw the Gold Medal Winner in the Women's Kayak Singles 200m. She has no legs but she has an abundance of Spirit

The moral of the story is ....
You can lose limbs and still win Gold Medals
Once you lose your Spirit you are totally fcked
We need to get back our Mighty Manly Grand final Winning Sea eagle Spirit

 

[Woodsie]

I'm kinda the opposite on this 1 Woodsie - I reckon if he had Cleary lobbing accurate cross field kicks instead of dropping 10m out, over sidelines or dead in goal - he would score 2 out of 3 opportunities....but forget that old mate - Great to cya back in town Champ

It is the wingers job to time his run and leap to where the ball is coming down .... not where he hopes or would like it to be ...

The notion that the kicker is in any way responsible for the wingers success at catching the ball baffles me ... I know the response I would have gotten from Ray Ritchie or biscuits if I had used that excuse ...

Zac Lomax turns ordinary kicks into pay dirt every week ...

PSS ... Thanks for your kind words ....

 

[globaleagle]

He is very good at taking defensive bombs ... less than average at taking attacking bombs imo.

I used to really like watching Jamie Lyon take them. He wasn't the tallest, nor jumped the highest, he just seemed to run 'back in' towards the post at an angle and take 'em uncontested.

Seibs should dig out that old footage, wrap it and put it under dce and saab's Christmas tree!

 

[jbb/james]

Our own Tommy Turbo is a great exponent of the attacking bomb take. Still not that many tries coming off this ploy considering we have tommy, saab and oku who all have ability in the air .

Just applying pressure to opposition outside backs for a consistent period can really open a game……..the sound of footsteps man

Our kick chase cohesion in most aspects could be improved a fair bit and would add something worthwhile

 

[Ryan]

I hope your wrong, but in the words of Billy Joel "You may be right"
If in 2025 there's not a Fermor, Murray type lock with agility and a change of hooker, which I feel we see unfold in 2024....will be absolutely astounded.....is Navale ready for a breakout at lock in 24 to help this issue ??

For the record mate, while I'm having a go at recruitment, I'm also arguing against myself here, in that I actually think we already have the tools at the club (barring maybe ONE speedster at prop), to make things more competitive for us:

1. Jake Simpkin needs to be hooker, simple as that. Almost a 70% win record at Hooker with us (very shortsample size), versus Croker who sits in the 40's.

2. Caleb Navale should be in the 12 or 13 jersey. Has the leg speed. Has the intensity. Just needs to be mature enough to carry that from week to week, but we've nurtured him slowly, and really embraced the kid, so I think he could do it.

3. One of Tommy Talau (Dene Halatau type role) or Jake Arthur should be in the other backrow / lock spot. That automatically makes us MUCH more agile, especially defensively.

4. Ethan Bullemor is our starting prop. He makes more impact than almost all of our forwards barring maybe Olakau'atu. Forget contract values, time for us to make footballing decisions that improve the team.

08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Ethan Bullemor
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Tommy Talau
13. Caleb Navale

And then Jake Trbojevic, Jazz Tevaga, Corey Waddell, Josh Aloiai, Lachlan Croker, Nathan Brown, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Toff Sipley, Michael Chee Kam, Chris Patolo, Ben Trbojevic can fight it out for the last 4 spots. My selection would be:

14. Jazz Tevaga (could play forward or hooker)
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Siosiua Tuakeiaho
17. Chris Patolo

I've left some fan favorites out there I get it. But we NEED to change. Siebold has come 12th and 7th so far, and in my view, that's un-Manly like despite the club (and some fans) praising ourselves.

For the record, our backline is blue-chip.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

For the record mate, while I'm having a go at recruitment, I'm also arguing against myself here, in that I actually think we already have the tools at the club (barring maybe ONE speedster at prop), to make things more competitive for us:

1. Jake Simpkin needs to be hooker, simple as that. Almost a 70% win record at Hooker with us (very shortsample size), versus Croker who sits in the 40's.

2. Caleb Navale should be in the 12 or 13 jersey. Has the leg speed. Has the intensity. Just needs to be mature enough to carry that from week to week, but we've nurtured him slowly, and really embraced the kid, so I think he could do it.

3. One of Tommy Talau (Dene Halatau type role) or Jake Arthur should be in the other backrow / lock spot. That automatically makes us MUCH more agile, especially defensively.

4. Ethan Bullemor is our starting prop. He makes more impact than almost all of our forwards barring maybe Olakau'atu. Forget contract values, time for us to make footballing decisions that improve the team.

08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Ethan Bullemor
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Tommy Talau
13. Caleb Navale

And then Jake Trbojevic, Jazz Tevaga, Corey Waddell, Josh Aloiai, Lachlan Croker, Nathan Brown, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Toff Sipley, Michael Chee Kam, Chris Patolo, Ben Trbojevic can fight it out for the last 4 spots. My selection would be:

14. Jazz Tevaga (could play forward or hooker)
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Siosiua Tuakeiaho
17. Chris Patolo

I've left some fan favorites out there I get it. But we NEED to change. Siebold has come 12th and 7th so far, and in my view, that's un-Manly like despite the club (and some fans) praising ourselves.

For the record, our backline is blue-chip.

Wow should be specials to win the comp if the current (winning) Origin captain can't even make the reserves bench!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Like some of your selections though. But highly doubt Bull is a starting prop or Talau a second rower. (Possibly at some future time they could be, I suppose)

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Our kick chase cohesion in most aspects could be improved a fair bit and would add something worthwhile

It could help our defence actually, which after all is the main problem.
Even with wingers not catching attacking bombs/Koula not finding space/ etc etc Manly's attack was up with the best this year. The defence ... not so much.