Des out coached by Fitzgibbon tonight

[The Who]

I can't understand why Koala was in the 17, and DeLuxe was dropped.
We had a weakness in the front row and you drop a front rower? It doesn't make sense.
Since when does any team carry a centre on the reserve bench? As it turned out Harpo had a shocker and Koala played well when given a chance, but that could never have been foreseen. DESpicable selected Harpo over Koala. He probably learned not to do that again.
Our bench was unbalanced, particularly as we knew the weather conditions.

 

[frank stokes]

That's the way I saw it also, the build up wasn't stopped at the bud, hence, Harper was left totally exposed.

Agree that his inside men did not make the situation any better for him but he was still poor both positionally and defensively... this is the bloke who shut down David fafita last year, he has the strength and the ability to get the job done on Talakai...

 

[47MVEagle]

Nicho Heinz' post-match interview lamented the fact that the boys - full credit to 'em, eh - kept forgetting that they'd put the queue in the wrack in the second half & agreed they'd have to look at the tapes during the week as it was something they had to work on in coming weeks.

 

[Eagle 1]

I can't understand why Koala was in the 17, and DeLuxe was dropped.
We had a weakness in the front row and you drop a front rower? It doesn't make sense.
Since when does any team carry a centre on the reserve bench? As it turned out Harpo had a shocker and Koala played well when given a chance, but that could never have been foreseen. DESpicable selected Harpo over Koala. He probably learned not to do that again.
Our bench was unbalanced, particularly as we knew the weather conditions.

Injuries had a lot to do with it tbh...

 

[JenEagle]

I thought sharks were actually lucky to win. A few ref decisions go a different way in the second half and we could have won. That kick off that went forward to Moylan was a shocker. Right when we had momentum. They were holding us down all second half and we didn’t get one six again.

 

[Ryan]

Nicho Heinz' post-match interview lamented the fact that the boys - full credit to 'em, eh - kept forgetting that they'd put the queue in the wrack in the second half & agreed they'd have to look at the tapes during the week as it was something they had to work on in coming weeks.

Mate, you've tried to leverage that same joke, by repeating it 5-6 times, in 3 different threads. Talk about flogging a dead horse Almost Craig McLachlan at the footy show quality comedy right there haha.

And for the record - Sharkies thought they had it won, simple as that. We've done it before. I felt we put the cue in the rack last week against The Titans. Out intensity dropped because of the scoreline.

Make fun all you like, that's my opinion.

 

[47MVEagle]

Mate, you've tried to leverage that same joke, by repeating it 5-6 times, in 3 different threads. Talk about flogging a dead horse Almost Craig McLachlan at the footy show quality comedy right there haha.

And for the record - Sharkies thought they had it won, simple as that. We've done it before. I felt we put the cue in the rack last week against The Titans. Out intensity dropped because of the scoreline.

Make fun all you like, that's my opinion.

I didn't realise there was a statute of limitations on using "queue in the wrack" as a joke but not as an excuse for us winning?

 

[Ryan]

I didn't realise there was a statute of limitations on using "queue in the wrack" as a joke but not as an excuse for us winning?

Mate, you're clutching haha.

Now, back to this game. People assume (this season), Storm, Panthers, Sharks and Bunnies (possibly Chooks) are going to be the top 4:
2022
Panthers beat us 28-6
Roosters beat us 26-12
Sharks beat us 34-22

2021 - Storm, Panthers, Rabbits and us (were top 4)
Rabbits beat us 36-16
Storm beat us 40-12
Storm beat us 28-18
Panthers beat us 28-16
Panthers beat us 46-6
Rabbits beat us 26-12

2020 - Panthers, Storm, Eels, Roosters (were top 4)
Storm beat us 30-6
Panthers beat us 42-12
WE BEAT EELS 22-18 18th July 2020

So, in 1 year, 9 months & 2 days we haven't manufactured a single win against a top 4 team.
That's 11 losses, 0 wins
Points Scored against us 364 (average 33 per game)
Points Scored for us 138 (average 12 per game)

For this reason, don't you in your heart of hearts think it's only fair that people/fans raise concern, critique, get frustrated with these ongoing results given the end goal here is a premiership? Why not open your mind and consider why people vent? It's called passion. The numbers are the numbers.

So when Sharks get up to a 32-0 half time score, then we come back and score 22 points in a second half (particularly given we took the foot completely off the pedal last week at Brooky against The Titans) I think it's justified to suggest The Sharks did the same - so mock away mate.

This week, part of your posse claimed that people who dared question Des selection of Harper were "cheap seats". How holier than thou. They THEN went onto suggest someone being a former Bears supporter should raise alarm bells. Talk about having a high opinion of oneself, dear god. Maybe he considers himself part of the royal family or something.

Open your minds guys. People vent, get angry, swear, argue not because they want us to lose. It's because they are so passionate about us winning again. That's NOT negative. Wanting the team to win is positive. It's as simple as that.

 

[StuBoot]

His track record prior to The Sharks was exemplary. He has fantastic pedigree, and knows the modern changing game.

I'm not as high on that second half as some, Sharks knew they had it won, and took the foot off the pedal.

Are you saying they were so in control that they knew DCE’s grubber for Davey would hit the goalpost and prevent us from being only four behind with 10 to go?

 

[Ryan]

Are you saying they were so in control that they knew DCE’s grubber for Davey would hit the goalpost and prevent us from being only four behind with 10 to go?

I'm saying yes, at half time they felt they were in control, and didn't come out with as much venom as the first half, and we gained momentum from it, absolutely. I'm not debating what happened after that, because we HAD momentum....

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

I think player selection was Des' undoing tonight. The fact that he rectified it by taking out Harper 2nd half is commendable. All 6 tries from the Sharks went through Harper's edge. That's how much of an impact one player can have. As soon as he was taken off totally different outcome.

Firstly the Problem is there is no guarantee that talaki doesn't do the same to Koula in that opening 40. Then all the chatter would be about selecting the kid against a beast and what a mistake it was.
Best scenario now is Koula has a firm hand on the centre position from now on.

Secondly koula was probably on the bench to cover Garrick who looked busted from the go. If as some suggest Koula replaced Harper after 15 and garrick did go down we would have been stuffed.

 

[deanm]

I have to disagree Frogz we probably already have them, I think young Tolu (Pepsi) Koula just proved in the second half that he is a quality center, as he showed that he can both run and tackle, he handled a much bigger man quite well. I’m not sure on whether his best position is center but I reckon it’ll do to start him off as a run on player.

Also, Christian (Tippytoes) Tuipulotu, looked pretty good tonight out there on Sanga’s left wing; when Tommy comes back, I’d be giving him a run at left center, not that Brad Parker is travelling badly but I feel that the kid has a bit more potential.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I have been impressed with Tippy Toes, but in all honesty I don't remember him being under the high ball ?

 

[The Royal Soup]

Mate, you're clutching haha.

Now, back to this game. People assume (this season), Storm, Panthers, Sharks and Bunnies (possibly Chooks) are going to be the top 4:
2022
Panthers beat us 28-6
Roosters beat us 26-12
Sharks beat us 34-22

2021 - Storm, Panthers, Rabbits and us (were top 4)
Rabbits beat us 36-16
Storm beat us 40-12
Storm beat us 28-18
Panthers beat us 28-16
Panthers beat us 46-6
Rabbits beat us 26-12

2020 - Panthers, Storm, Eels, Roosters (were top 4)
Storm beat us 30-6
Panthers beat us 42-12
WE BEAT EELS 22-18 18th July 2020

So, in 1 year, 9 months & 2 days we haven't manufactured a single win against a top 4 team.
That's 11 losses, 0 wins
Points Scored against us 364 (average 33 per game)
Points Scored for us 138 (average 12 per game)

For this reason, don't you in your heart of hearts think it's only fair that people/fans raise concern, critique, get frustrated with these ongoing results given the end goal here is a premiership? Why not open your mind and consider why people vent? It's called passion. The numbers are the numbers.

So when Sharks get up to a 32-0 half time score, then we come back and score 22 points in a second half (particularly given we took the foot completely off the pedal last week at Brooky against The Titans) I think it's justified to suggest The Sharks did the same - so mock away mate.

This week, part of your posse claimed that people who dared question Des selection of Harper were "cheap seats". How holier than thou. They THEN went onto suggest someone being a former Bears supporter should raise alarm bells. Talk about having a high opinion of oneself, dear god. Maybe he considers himself part of the royal family or something.

Open your minds guys. People vent, get angry, swear, argue not because they want us to lose. It's because they are so passionate about us winning again. That's NOT negative. Wanting the team to win is positive. It's as simple as that.

post of the year @Ryan

well
said!

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

yawnnnnnnnnnnnn.... I have watched the video a number of times and for the life of me I can't see Hasler out there on that right edge making those diabolically poor decisions. Nor did I see Hasler drop that ball from the kick off etc etc. Not sure the game plan was at fault - poor player performance/execution in that first half played a HUGE role, combined with the injuries to the three props, combined with players playing out of position ie Davey at prop and Lawton starting and not being a super sub, combined with the 40km an hour wind in the first half meaning their kicking game got a boost and DCE's huge boot was nullified, combined with an accepted poor selection with Harper over Koula... I think those areas need to be looked at before Des' game plan.

 

[Marto1970]

2021
1. Storm
2. Panthers
3. Rabbits
4. Sea Eagles
5. Roosters

and we are week 7

2022
People assume Storm, Panthers and probably Sharks will be there.

That's 18 months without a win over teams that haven't finished or are projected to finish in the top 4.

Going by your rule, Bulldogs were in the top 4 in the first few rounds this year, and we beat them, too, so we must have beaten a top 4 team.

When was sharks in the top four

 

[mickqld]

Playing Davey at prop and Lawton at 2nd row was Des's choice and it wasn't the best option. Playing a compressed defense against one of the most dangerous backlines was Des's choice. Putting an obviously unwell or weakened Harper against Talakai was Des's choice.
It was a disaster, the static defensive line especially on our right was a disaster. I don't see how you can blame anyone but the coach for those selections and tactics. Forget the 2nd half it was game over after 15 min and Des did nothing to arrest it. He is out of touch and as @Ryan has pointed out Des has failed to come up with a game plan to beat any of the top teams in 3 years now. This rubbish will continue and we will not manage to compete with these top teams for the foreseeable future.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

The strength of Bellamy, is his systems and game management adapts week-by-week depending on the opposition, and conditions. Des on the other hand has his 2008 standard, nothing changes (it's decent against the pretenders), but come up against any form of quality, we just get flogged.

Can't compare Bellamy imo. When was the last time Bellamy had to take over a struggling team and re-develop a winning culture? The storm have maintained it for years, but it hasn't had to be re-developed like we are still in the process of doing. Nothing against his coaching credibilities but he's not in a similar position to compare. I still think we will break through this year and start to get more consistent efforts against top teams. I don't think last night was a good reference, that was just a first half knockout as opposed to a contest. If anything that just shows that we do have it in us to win if we compete from the start.

We look threatening with momentum and ball in hand (yes, not good enough yadayada, i agree), and (sometimes) you are only as strong as your weakest link.

Well... you can certainly say we were as strong as our weakest link. Harper was out of sync defencively for every second of that first 40 minutes and it had a genuine, significant impact. 4 tries, and a few linebreaks conceded where at least 3, if not all 4 tries were very preventable. (not even including the try that came off a good offload)

Yes Harper's selection is on Des but again, Des put Koula on the bench for a reason and went ahead to hook Harper. With Koula at centre, our defence has shown to go pretty good for the last month, and it returned in the second half, enabling us to compete.

I'd be happy with a defence-first selection criteria for our centres from here on out, that's for sure

 

[Marto1970]

I like Des and think he is one of the best coaches, .... but

Seriously, we can't discuss Des and the perceived obvious weaknesses and where he can improve our Manly team?

Or are you happy with where Manly is at ?

Do we play better without Turbo now ?

 

[Disco]

I mean, since Des return I think there has been areas of concern in his coaching style and tactics, meaning for mine he is no longer in the top echelon of NRL coaches.

That said he is still better than most and certainly better than whats on the open market.

What concerns me is I dont seecany natural progression planing for Manly coaches.....is Monghan etc viewed that way?

We've never really been a club to have much success with an outsider

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Playing Davey at prop and Lawton at 2nd row was Des's choice and it wasn't the best option. Playing a compressed defense against one of the most dangerous backlines was Des's choice. Putting an obviously unwell or weakened Harper against Talakai was Des's choice.
It was a disaster, the static defensive line especially on our right was a disaster. I don't see how you can blame anyone but the coach for those selections and tactics. Forget the 2nd half it was game over after 15 min and Des did nothing to arrest it. He is out of touch and as @Ryan has pointed out Des has failed to come up with a game plan to beat any of the top teams in 3 years now. This rubbish will continue and we will not manage to compete with these top teams for the foreseeable future.

yawnnnnn.... with three props out... just what better selection inspiration did you have last night? I certainly didn't think of the Davey to prop option but given his all effort every game I can understand the thinking and then if Davey is at prop - then Lawton to second row makes sense. We don't have unlimited stocks of players you know. Des didn't cause the injuries to the 5 players who are out. Des can only put the tactics into place.. he can't actually run the plays out there and if we don't have the cattle at the moment - sometimes a loss will happen. Last week we were saying how great the team has played the last few weeks without Turbo and Schu. Des not selecting Koula instead of Harper is certainly on him. I am critical - very critical of Des with respect to some selections or as it may be non selections.... when it comes to game plans my friend and defensive structures while I played at a decent level for 35 or so years and coached I am sorry but I certainly don't have that expertise and if the naysayers on here do... just what in the hell are you people sitting here and commenting... just why haven't you got an NRL coaching job? Start putting feelers out to the Sea Eagles or other clubs to get a gig... your talents are wasted on here. I am yet to see anyone on here outline a detailed alternative and cogent game plan and defensive structure... not just a theory or a statement but detailed plans which would help Des out. I disagree when I think they have it wrong and have expressed those feelings many many times but respectfully Des knows just a tad more than us nufties on here... I certainly know that I am a minion when it comes to knowledge compared to Des ... just saying. It is easy to say his game plans suck.....