Manly have the BEST defensive halves in the NRL

[maxta]

The modern game has so many moments where opposition team are setting for certain play - to iscolate the opposition halves and send a Big backrower straight at em....often making a clean bust, scoring a try or at very least, bending the line to promote Massive attacking momentum....
Watching Manly's rise from the ashes since rd 4 and due to the stunning long range tries and cohesive attacking footy, I think a major part of the success overlooked, has been an improved defensive attitude and none more prominent than our halves - Foz and DCE who have made countless 1 on 1 tackles...many near the try line and are leaders in controlling defensive structures and communicating from the inside.
DCE is the best defensive half in the comp and Foz on old legs has only improved as the season grows, with a few head on tackles recently creating turnovers at vital times and often lead the kick chase.
The beauty of the halves defence in this section of the field, also minimises that deadly shift and 2nd man play in the modern game, as they are often winning the contact and controlling tempo which allows the defence time and positioning to shut down that next play or 2.
IF Manly are to challenge the Premiership, this will 100% be a key factor, as Manly have developed some solid middle defence that even Melbourne struggled to find a key, so if the halves are defending in sync and the opposition attacking momentum is stifled....we have the attack to have a serious shot.

 

[XV-1]

I think Hughes and Munster are quite a bit better as a defensive half's pair.

Foran's lack of lateral speed ensures he misses a lot more tackles than Munster ever would.

Hughes and DCE are both excellent in D, however DCE can come a little out of the line sometimes, however this is no longer a real issue since Guac and Harper replaced the defensive liabilities called Sirro and Suli.

 

[maxta]

I think Hughes and Munster are quite a bit better as a defensive half's pair.

Foran's lack of lateral speed ensures he misses a lot more tackles than Munster ever would.

Hughes and DCE are both excellent in D, however DCE can come a little out of the line sometimes, however this is no longer a real issue since Guac and Harper replaced the defensive liabilities called Sirro and Suli.

Respectfully no - especially Hughes
I reckon Hughes gets busted plenty and is saved by being in such a well designed Storm defensive line....Munster can be aggressive and a strong defender, but uses hands often and grabs and gets penalised often for not releasing.
Do agree Foran can be a liability in regards to lateral movement and speed, though both area's have improved and seen a few like Kennedy (Sharks) and Dufty (Illawarra) show this up, but his head on defence is better than any of them and hits like a backrower.
Also feel as you rightfully point out, that both Guoc and the Schu who have balance of speed and power are great body guards when the Manly halves become spot player targets.

 

[Eagles4Life]

The modern game has so many moments where opposition team are setting for certain play - to iscolate the opposition halves and send a Big backrower straight at em....often making a clean bust, scoring a try or at very least, bending the line to promote Massive attacking momentum....
Watching Manly's rise from the ashes since rd 4 and due to the stunning long range tries and cohesive attacking footy, I think a major part of the success overlooked, has been an improved defensive attitude and none more prominent than our halves - Foz and DCE who have made countless 1 on 1 tackles...many near the try line and are leaders in controlling defensive structures and communicating from the inside.
DCE is the best defensive half in the comp and Foz on old legs has only improved as the season grows, with a few head on tackles recently creating turnovers at vital times and often lead the kick chase.
The beauty of the halves defence in this section of the field, also minimises that deadly shift and 2nd man play in the modern game, as they are often winning the contact and controlling tempo which allows the defence time and positioning to shut down that next play or 2.
IF Manly are to challenge the Premiership, this will 100% be a key factor, as Manly have developed some solid middle defence that even Melbourne struggled to find a key, so if the halves are defending in sync and the opposition attacking momentum is stifled....we have the attack to have a serious shot.

Let's just say we have the best halves in the game and leave it at that. Perhaps I am biased but I wouldn't swap DCE and Foz for any of the other gun half pairings in the comp.

 

[maxta]

Let's just say we have the best halves in the game and leave it at that. Perhaps I am biased but I wouldn't swap DCE and Foz for any of the other gun half pairings in the comp.

Agree risk free Simmo, but the Storm boys are the yard stick...will get a serious chance to see in coming weeks mate, but I'm stickin by the defensive call all day

 

[nightster]

The modern game has so many moments where opposition team are setting for certain play - to iscolate the opposition halves and send a Big backrower straight at em....often making a clean bust, scoring a try or at very least, bending the line to promote Massive attacking momentum....
Watching Manly's rise from the ashes since rd 4 and due to the stunning long range tries and cohesive attacking footy, I think a major part of the success overlooked, has been an improved defensive attitude and none more prominent than our halves - Foz and DCE who have made countless 1 on 1 tackles...many near the try line and are leaders in controlling defensive structures and communicating from the inside.
DCE is the best defensive half in the comp and Foz on old legs has only improved as the season grows, with a few head on tackles recently creating turnovers at vital times and often lead the kick chase.
The beauty of the halves defence in this section of the field, also minimises that deadly shift and 2nd man play in the modern game, as they are often winning the contact and controlling tempo which allows the defence time and positioning to shut down that next play or 2.
IF Manly are to challenge the Premiership, this will 100% be a key factor, as Manly have developed some solid middle defence that even Melbourne struggled to find a key, so if the halves are defending in sync and the opposition attacking momentum is stifled....we have the attack to have a serious shot.

I agree ... but Croker can't be left out of talks around our middle defence ... he has been a rock ... a Matt Ballin

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Croker is a toiler. I wasn’t a fan of his in the halves and initially at Hooker either. But he has kept working hard and kept improving. He is still work in progress sometimes with distribution but he is now a very solid and reliable number 9. He contributes a great deal to our middle defence and he has my admiration and gratitude.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Croker is a toiler. I wasn’t a fan of his in the halves and initially at Hooker either. But he has kept working hard and kept improving. He is still work in progress sometimes with distribution but he is now a very solid and reliable number 9. He contributes a great deal to our middle defence and he has my admiration and gratitude.

Croker has worked extremely hard to become one of our most consistent players in 2021. He's had an awesome year for us.

 

[maxta]

I agree ... but Croker can't be left out of talks around our middle defence ... he has been a rock ... a Matt Ballin

In that middle....and I truly believe this, Croker is only behind Jake in tackle technique.
Not just a 3rd man hero either, often hits solo and wins the contact, been Massive.
Perhaps the most improved player in the NRL and that's without bias.

 

[manly al]

Thought that Cust may have had the edge on Croker to gain the 9 role for this season but Croker built on his reliable middle defence with some good and efficient distribution and general play as a 9 as well to more then earn the position . Certainly would not have said it after the initial stage of the season but D C E and Foz are right up there if not leading in effective defensive outcomes in their respective positions for Manly since those bleak times .

 

[Eagle 1]

Thought that Cust may have had the edge on Croker to gain the 9 role for this season but Croker built on his reliable middle defence with some good and efficient distribution and general play as a 9 as well to more then earn the position . Certainly would not have said it after the initial stage of the season but D C E and Foz are right up there if not leading in effective defensive outcomes in their respective positions for Manly since those bleak times .

Croker took his chance when Cust got injured, and hasn't looked back since.

 

[Shoe1]

Storm has the most offensive halves in the competition.

 

[mickqld]

Storm has the most offensive halves in the competition.

You mean is the most offensive club in the league.

 

[The Who]

I'm pleased that this post praises the defence of DCE, which is exceptional for a bloke of his size. When people argue about his worth they rarely take his defence into consideration, nor his toughness. DCE rarely misses a match, so on a pro-match rate his salary is good value for the club.
When you consider that Milford and Holmes are reported to be on $1-m per season contracts then it's not hard to appreciate why DCE is our highest paid player.

 

[Rocky]

I really noticed Foran's defence last weekend v Eels. I reckon 3 or 4 times i thought good tackle and it turned out to be Foran as the main or lone tackler.

 

[maxta]

I really noticed Foran's defence last weekend v Eels. I reckon 3 or 4 times i thought good tackle and it turned out to be Foran as the main or lone tackler.

For impact and power in the tackle as a defensive half, Foran can't be beaten....and DCE is often targetted, especially in the Red zone and usually comes up big...including 1 on 1 tackles

 

[The better Robbo]

They are both coming up and sliding and this is making a huge difference. Chez had a really bad habit of rushing up and in but his combo with Harper and likewise Foz and Parker is definitely working this year.

 

[Will on the hill]

Love Chezs Judo throws. He has perfected the art of bigger they are the harder they fall.

 

[Snake]

The modern game has so many moments where opposition team are setting for certain play - to iscolate the opposition halves and send a Big backrower straight at em....often making a clean bust, scoring a try or at very least, bending the line to promote Massive attacking momentum....
Watching Manly's rise from the ashes since rd 4 and due to the stunning long range tries and cohesive attacking footy, I think a major part of the success overlooked, has been an improved defensive attitude and none more prominent than our halves - Foz and DCE who have made countless 1 on 1 tackles...many near the try line and are leaders in controlling defensive structures and communicating from the inside.
DCE is the best defensive half in the comp and Foz on old legs has only improved as the season grows, with a few head on tackles recently creating turnovers at vital times and often lead the kick chase.
The beauty of the halves defence in this section of the field, also minimises that deadly shift and 2nd man play in the modern game, as they are often winning the contact and controlling tempo which allows the defence time and positioning to shut down that next play or 2.
IF Manly are to challenge the Premiership, this will 100% be a key factor, as Manly have developed some solid middle defence that even Melbourne struggled to find a key, so if the halves are defending in sync and the opposition attacking momentum is stifled....we have the attack to have a serious shot.

Daly's defence won QLD the third Origin game IMO.

 

[Ryan]

In the NHL they have goalie tandem's. My team has Darcy Kuemper and Pavel Francouz, and I honestly think that's the best tandem in that league (although I thought the same thing about Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz).

Same applies to my rugby league team. Our 6 & 7 as a tandem I wouldn't trade for any other in the league. Not a chance. Are they still the absolute best in their respective positions? Maybe, maybe not. As a duo though, they are ruthless, a well oiled machine. The word "chemistry" comes to mind.