Just Making up the numbers?

[Disco]

Having said that ... we're in it with a punchers chance ... GO MaNLY

This is it for me.

Unlikely, Penrith and Storm looking good but and injury or two to other teams, a run of form at the right time....stranger things have happened.

To do it we'd need to nab that top 4 spot though

 

[eaglebuzz]

I agree that we need a better 9 but I think Simpkin is good enough to be that 9 if he works on his defense a bit. Tevaga might suprise too.

In my opinion our pack struggles because our dummy half service is so bad. But even so, the addition of Taukeiaho, and hopefully some improvement from Burbo, will help a lot.

 

[madmax]

Gus pours cold water over Manly's premiership hopes.

Source: YouTube
- YouTube

Better than Hommus!

 

[Rosko]

Our squad and our coaching staff are nowhere near top 4 standard.
(Prove me wrong. Please. But they won't).

 

[Ranga]

In my opinion the problem is that finals are played at a different level of intensity to the regular season... and I haven't yet seen evidence that we have the bandwidth to match the top teams across the park in this scenario.

Last year we could pick off any team during the regular season and this was an important progression from previous years (including 2021)... but without key acquisition/s I am not sure where that next level of improvement is going to come from.

I’d phrase it slightly different: The problem is that the finals are refereed to a different standard. The two finals we played last year should help with our guys knowing what to expect.

 

[Uk eagle]

Not one minute of the season has been played yet and people are locking in the GF teams???
Last year, before the season started, many people predicted the Broncos as the team to break the Panthers' stranglehold. Look how that turned out. Anything can happen between now and GF day. We have a squad of players good enough to worry anyone but so too do a number of other teams and it could be a pretty even competition. I'm not too sure this year will be the two horse race that many are predicting

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Until we achieve a level of power, patience and persistence with a mind set of not just getting in front but pushing hard for every minute of 80 minutes with a killer instinct we won’t be there at Penrith’s level. I hope we can achieve that in 2025.

 

[BOZO]

It has been proven time and time again that the All star team start favorites but finish on the wrong side of the scoreboard

One of the reasons is the opposition winning coach with less star players compromises brilliance with Resilience

A Resilient Inspired team never capitulate are always in the game and are capable of turning a close game in to a winning game

Any one can come up with excuses for losing
The Extra ordinary ones find solutions and Inspire Winning

Over to you Seibold

 

[Bloke on the hill]

Penrith or Melbourne - perhaps a team surprises & makes the GF?
Here's my thinking...
"The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet." ~Damon Ruynon

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Well I’m certainly just making up the numbers in the tipping comp , does that count?

 

[Rocky]

Gould isn't wrong. Regarding September/October football we are a long way off Melbourne, Penrith and even Cronulla.

Sadly we are missing a quality 9 and one or two other starting caliber forwards.

This will be the case until Jake and Tom's current deals roll off, unless some low-cost talent emerges quicker than expected.

 

[BOZO]

Well I’m certainly just making up the numbers in the tipping comp , does that count?

Your not alone feathered friend 🙂

 

[IQofalimabean]

Can't expect a big improvement, same coach and team equals similar result. Bringing in tevaga and taukeiaho might improve our forwards a bit but it wont be enough for a top 4 tilt. I would say top 8 is a good year for this team.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Can't expect a big improvement, same coach and team equals similar result. bringing in tevaga and taukeiaho might improve our forwards a bit but it wont be enough for a top 4 tilt.

So out of interest ( not having a go at you ) , and given you have a cap to work with , what are the steps you’d take to get a huge improvement.

And you obviously can’t say , buy Ivan & Nathan Cleary and their system , because that’s not realistic.

I’m just keen to see how you’d achieve that.

 

[IQofalimabean]

So out of interest ( not having a go at you ) , and given you have a cap to work with , what are the steps you’d take to get a huge improvement.

And you obviously can’t say , buy Ivan & Nathan Cleary and their system , because that’s not realistic.

I’m just keen to see how you’d achieve that.

Well given nearly every premiership coach Manly has ever had has been an ex Manly player might be a good place to start. If i couldn't convince any ex Manly players to coach i would try to bring in a coach from super league with a good win ratio.

In terms of players i would be poaching from broncos and Canberra

 

[BOZO]

Just Making up the Numbers Prophesy Perspective ....
Most NRL expects predicted that the raiders were wooden spoon favorites and would be just making up the Numbers
Rickies Raiders Rocked up at Vegas with a Resolute attitude and did a Number on everyone's game day favorite tip the Warriors
It is only game one But it very well may be more greater things to come for the Raiders

NRL FOX
In December, News Corp’s Michael Carayannis also predicted the Raiders would get the wooden spoon.
Last week, former Bulldogs and Dragons player James Graham predicted the Raiders would finish last on the NRL ladder, citing the squad’s inexperience.
“A lot of experience has gone out the door,” Graham said on The Bye Round podcast.
“It is a very young team.
“I feel as though this year for Canberra, with that young spine especially, it’s going to be a big learning season, get this first season in NRL working together as a spine unit.”
Graham did qualify his comments by saying that Stuart’s coaching was the No. 1 reason why Canberra might avoid the spoon.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Well given nearly every premiership coach Manly has ever had has been an ex Manly player might be a good place to start. If i couldn't convince any ex Manly players to coach i would try to bring in a coach from super league with a good win ratio.

In terms of players i would be poaching from broncos and Canberra

So basically what you are saying is sack everyone , the coach , the football department , the players and build from scratch ( poaching not developing ) ???

 

[IQofalimabean]

So basically what you are saying is sack everyone , the coach , the football department , the players and build from scratch ( poaching not developing ) ???

Poaching is how Manly won their first comp. At the moment if you look at the age and nrl experience of the squad we look like the nrl retirement village. But even with all that age and experience not too many premiership winners amongst the group either.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Poaching is how Manly won their first comp. At the moment if you look at the age and nrl experience of the squad we look like the nrl retirement village. But even with all that age and experience not too many premiership winners amongst the group either.

Okay fair enough , everyone is entitled to a view.

Personally I think we are building nicely , a good coach , but are short of 2-3 good players in some key positions.

Tearing the place down and starting again will put us back years, but each time their own I guess.

 

[davohan123]

So the way I view things

We on our day can match any team attacking wise and can score tries others can't but we just can't win ugly like 10-0 score and don't have the same systems storm or panthers play with.


This year I think we can play finals footy and probably get to same position as last year but can we go that next step I just don't know.

I want us so badly to make the GF and win this year but I just can't see it.

But just happy to have the footy back on.

Raiders look strong and could be a smokey for the 8.