I see Top 4 and expect it

[madmax]

will be the same old story. Tom stays fit and plays 17 plus games and we are always a big show. Like every year the fingers and toes are crossed he will.

I think we seriously need to look at a transition in the 9 this year.

I quite like the fact we’ve held a lot of stability in our main 17 this off season. Im confident we can improve.

Agree mate. Croker has been a legend for us but Simpkin needs to be our 9 this year!

 

[madmax]

I am in the "kind of agree with the opening post" category.

We have a window of opportunity for sure.

Can we we beat the Storm and Panthers highly doubtful without a lot of luck.

We needed Damien Cook at 9 and our 6 is also a question mark.

Defensively, teams like the Dogs and the Sharks were in a different league to us in 2024.

2025 is the best, and maybe the last, chance for a good few years of doing something.

Can we finish top 4. Yes for sure.

Do i expect to finish top 4, kind of.

Could we miss the 8, yes but that would be a blown season.

I think a par season would be 3rd 4th or 5th.

We beat both the Storm & Panthers last season so yes we can do it again. 9 is a problem that I think can be fixed with Simpkin starting. Brooks has played well since joining so 6 is not an issue. We have a good team…..they just need to gel better in defense. If they do then watch out NRL!

 

[madmax]

FYI - The Daily Telegraph had a prediction on where each team will be after 6 rounds. It had Broncos underfeated & Manly 3-3.

Lolololol……yeah ok!

 

[maxta]

FYI - The Daily Telegraph had a prediction on where each team will be after 6 rounds. It had Broncos underfeated & Manly 3-3.

It's all just opinion based with some like myself maybe 1 eyed and the majority of media are Manly haters, there are some that will have similar views to myself and others who have us outside the 8

 

[BOZO]

It's all just opinion based with some like myself maybe 1 eyed and the majority of media are Manly haters, there are some that will have similar views to myself and others who have us outside the 8

I dont think People Hate us any more feathered friend
I live on the other side of the bridge and I should know
I know what it was like in our Great Dynasty where we ruled Supreme and Manly Hatred was at it heights
These days in our mediocre ways People don't Envy us . Have nothing to be jealous of or hate us . They just don't take us seriously any more.
We have been all Talk and no Trophy

 

[LeonardCohen]

Fox had the semifinal win against the Dogs on replay this morning. The first 20 minutes were not pleasant viewing for the Garrick fans (of which I am one). He was all at sea. I am prepared to say that Garrick and DCE’s edge defence will be the determining factor in our top 4 hopes. Unless they miraculously stop leaking points, we will finish on the cusp of the 8.

 

[mave]

Fox had the semifinal win against the Dogs on replay this morning. The first 20 minutes were not pleasant viewing for the Garrick fans (of which I am one). He was all at sea. I am prepared to say that Garrick and DCE’s edge defence will be the determining factor in our top 4 hopes. Unless they miraculously stop leaking points, we will finish on the cusp of the 8.

I'm also a Garrick fan.....on the wing.

The way he finished last season defensively was diabolical, including the PMs game.

 

[joeboy]

I’m ever hopeful we improve and compete further in this year but I just can’t see where the improvement comes from

Croker will continue to do 1 stupid thing in exchange for one great thing. Likewise garrick

Dce will probably play origin and focus on that for a third of the season

Jake will be even slower and ineffectual in attack

Brookes will perpetuate his rocks and diamonds ratio into another year

Tom will be our best player but will continue to be good for a couple of injuries

Tent will have three good games but no compounding improvement, probably the same as koula, Saab, burbo and aloai

We need to get desperate, do the little things well and compete for the whole game

We need to cut out the dumb. Respect the opposition and the ball. Make our tacked and get some hard nosed ruthlessness

It’s our last chance at a grand final for awhile I reckon. Let’s see if we got the fortitude to seize it

 

[BOZO]

Fox had the semifinal win against the Dogs on replay this morning. The first 20 minutes were not pleasant viewing for the Garrick fans (of which I am one). He was all at sea. I am prepared to say that Garrick and DCE’s edge defence will be the determining factor in our top 4 hopes. Unless they miraculously stop leaking points, we will finish on the cusp of the 8.

We were lucky to get out of jail against the underdogs with a 2 point win
From what I remember is was more of team defensive deficiency than just a Garrick and DCE issue

The following week against the roosters our teams defensive structure was a disaster as we capitulated and were eliminated by 40 points .

 

[Seagles68]

I see critical weaknesses in several positions, and above all - defence.
Hope you're right and I'm wrong @maxta!

I agree. I really wanna say I think we can finish top 4 but we have too many ? over positions that will make it very tough. We have a ? over 9, a ? over a top line backrower to partner Haumole, a ? on the consistency of the front row and a ? over players like Brown, Taukeiaho and Turbo staying fit and Jazz actually adding something to the team. And a ? over some of our defence.

I wanna be feeling confident at the start of the season that we have all bases covered before thinking we can make top 4. I can't say I'm there yet. But like you Rosko, I hope I'm wrong and we start ticking off those issues over the first part of the season.

I'm starting with top 8 ambitions and work up from there 🤞

 

[BOZO]

I agree. I really wanna say I think we can finish top 4 but we have too many ? over positions that will make it very tough. We have a ? over 9, a ? over a top line backrower to partner Haumole, a ? on the consistency of the front row and a ? over players like Brown, Taukeiaho and Turbo staying fit and Jazz actually adding something to the team. And a ? over some of our defence.

Every team has ???marks
The Premiership Winning coaches have all the answers feathered friend

 

[Seagles68]

Every team has ???marks
The Premiership Winning coaches have all the answers feathered friend

And the right players and a reasonable dose of luck.

 

[Peter C]

This side not only has potential, but key players everywhere
This is gunna be a great season and I'm not usually game to come on here and claim it if not
Brace yourself for nothing less than a Top 4 finish
From Finals..... it's anyone's
But I reckon we are starting in a great position 💯 🙌

We really need a couple more damaging forwards apart from Haumole, unless Paseka has a breakout year, I think Sipley. Aloai and Brown have been around for ages and have reached their peak.

 

[BOZO]

And the right players and a reasonable dose of luck.

The right coach is also in the equation feathered friend
Because the right coach will assemble the right squad of players
and he will also be smart enough to make the right choices when he runs out of luck

 

[Rocky]

I think Melbourne, Penrith and Sharks are a lock for the top4.

That leaves one spot...

I see us in the same band as last year - somewhere between 5th and 7th.

 

[Seagles68]

The right coach is also in the equation feathered friend
Because the right coach will assemble the right squad of players
and he will also be smart enough to make the right choices when he runs out of luck

Are you saying we have that coach Bozo, or we don't have that coach? I don't think Siebs will be changing his approach dramatically from last year. So I'm not sure what you're saying. Do you think we're a top 4 chance or an also ran?

 

[BOZO]

I think Melbourne, Penrith and Sharks are a lock for the top4.

That leaves one spot...

I see us in the same band as last year - somewhere between 5th and 7th.

The Hungry Maguire is Bound to turn his Broncos into Carnivores and is salivating for top 4 spot
We Manly also need to turn things around and we are in with a chance
Turning things around means overachieving

 

[BOZO]

Are you saying we have that coach Bozo, or we don't have that coach? I don't think Siebs will be changing his approach dramatically from last year. So I'm not sure what you're saying. Do you think we're a top 4 chance or an also ran?

I think we have a capable top 4 team and when you go top 4 you can go all the way .
But I don't think we have a capable grand final winning coach

 

[Seagles68]

I think we have a capable top 4 team and when you go top 4 you can go all the way .
But I don't think we have a capable grand final winning coach

Fair enough. But I think if we've been good enough to make the top 4, the coach has done a pretty good job and it can't be all on the coach if they don't win the GF. Anywayz, looking forward to us starting the year well and then going from there.

 

[madmax]

I’m ever hopeful we improve and compete further in this year but I just can’t see where the improvement comes from

Croker will continue to do 1 stupid thing in exchange for one great thing. Likewise garrick

Dce will probably play origin and focus on that for a third of the season

Jake will be even slower and ineffectual in attack

Brookes will perpetuate his rocks and diamonds ratio into another year

Tom will be our best player but will continue to be good for a couple of injuries

Tent will have three good games but no compounding improvement, probably the same as koula, Saab, burbo and aloai

We need to get desperate, do the little things well and compete for the whole game

We need to cut out the dumb. Respect the opposition and the ball. Make our tacked and get some hard nosed ruthlessness

It’s our last chance at a grand final for awhile I reckon. Let’s see if we got the fortitude to seize it

Yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzz……come back when you have something new & sensible to say mate!