Maybe the word "mongrel" can be taken a few different ways, not looking at some madmen who are under a watchful eye of the refs...probably a more old school term coaches I played under used to add intensity to the forward pack if looking a bit soft.
To give a clearer vision of my interpretation, it is a higher level of intensity and physical presence and against Storm and Rabbits we were beaten badly here....anyone who seen the Manly - Eels game would have got a glimpse, as this Eels side physically gave it to Storm and when the heat was on, Manly at the Eels home ground - bashed, hurt and intimidated them and in turn....won the game well....it had that element of Watmough, Kennedy toughness and competitiveness....this is what im more trying to relate too....
I truly expected that energetic Manly to rise in the finals, but simply didn't....the frustrating part is, it was shown previously and could have been some busted players, tired young players and the experience may have been required in 2021 and there is no doubt....this Manly side will be competitive in coming years.