Apart from getting a full and fit team, where can Manly improve??
More threat from dummy half
No running threat and just as big an issue- other's like Grant, Cook, Api, Bradley ect can engage a defender and have their support players push into space through a hole creating line breaks or at very least - Momentum
Be interested to see Tong or even Weekes have a shot, ppl will rightfully say it's tough defensively, but I will add....if your attack wins tempo and sets the opposition backwards - defence becomes far easier.
In reality not gunna happen so - Next which leads to point 2 - the MAIN area of concern - defence.
The illusion of poor defence out wide, is actually manufactured from the middle - not to excuse Harper, as he simply looked scared and lost last week, but he certainly had minimal help from his mates and it starts with opposition winning speed in the ruck.
Not to be an armchair critic, as this is simply a preference like what beer you like
Des likes 2 players in a tackle - well it appears this way every game Ive seen Manly the last 2 - 3 seasons and often there is only 1....making the release almost touch footy like and in the modern game, this puts pressure on from the inside out
Here is the scenario say against South's Cook or Penrith's Api
After having to release quickly with only 1 or 2 in the tackle, Cook scoops and takes off like a bullet - you are 6 meters back and need to make up 4 metres still backpedaling, players outside are confused as stay, shift, come in and there is support runners pushing into space....this is in the ruck, so the flow on effect is a lottery for the outside defenders simply having to react to the inside defenders who are all out of sync
Then watch Storm, Penrith tackle in bunches and slow the play ball and in turn are all communicating and coming up , rather than still getting onside, with line speed that dominates and swarms the opposition attack
Even allows an easy slide and shut when short on defensive numbers , as defending coming forward is far easier than on the back foot....
I am starting to wonder about the Manly side lacking the athletic and mobile middles to carry out the modern day defensive duties, but regardless....if the time is not slowed by extra numbers or somehow, will keep allowing big scores and rely on shootout scores to win....which won't be good enough against the Better sides.
More threat from dummy half
No running threat and just as big an issue- other's like Grant, Cook, Api, Bradley ect can engage a defender and have their support players push into space through a hole creating line breaks or at very least - Momentum
Be interested to see Tong or even Weekes have a shot, ppl will rightfully say it's tough defensively, but I will add....if your attack wins tempo and sets the opposition backwards - defence becomes far easier.
In reality not gunna happen so - Next which leads to point 2 - the MAIN area of concern - defence.
The illusion of poor defence out wide, is actually manufactured from the middle - not to excuse Harper, as he simply looked scared and lost last week, but he certainly had minimal help from his mates and it starts with opposition winning speed in the ruck.
Not to be an armchair critic, as this is simply a preference like what beer you like
Des likes 2 players in a tackle - well it appears this way every game Ive seen Manly the last 2 - 3 seasons and often there is only 1....making the release almost touch footy like and in the modern game, this puts pressure on from the inside out
Here is the scenario say against South's Cook or Penrith's Api
After having to release quickly with only 1 or 2 in the tackle, Cook scoops and takes off like a bullet - you are 6 meters back and need to make up 4 metres still backpedaling, players outside are confused as stay, shift, come in and there is support runners pushing into space....this is in the ruck, so the flow on effect is a lottery for the outside defenders simply having to react to the inside defenders who are all out of sync
Then watch Storm, Penrith tackle in bunches and slow the play ball and in turn are all communicating and coming up , rather than still getting onside, with line speed that dominates and swarms the opposition attack
Even allows an easy slide and shut when short on defensive numbers , as defending coming forward is far easier than on the back foot....
I am starting to wonder about the Manly side lacking the athletic and mobile middles to carry out the modern day defensive duties, but regardless....if the time is not slowed by extra numbers or somehow, will keep allowing big scores and rely on shootout scores to win....which won't be good enough against the Better sides.
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