Post-Game Discussion Manly V Cowboys [Round 1, 2025]

[SeaEagleRock8]

Burbo was good in the back row but the speed mismatch with Burns at the end of the match allowed for some cheap breaks

I thought Burbo was pretty good at second row, especially one big hit he came up with, also backing up Lehi to score a great try.

First game of the year, and none of the other forwards played 80m, so could take that into account in him getting beaten a couple of times by backs at the end of the game. Probably keeps the possibility of selecting a back on the bench as a live issue though.

 

[Chunkytuna]

About the only downer about Saturday night was the deadset farce that is the F&B arrangements at Brookvale Oval. Note to Manly operations - if it takes the punters a full half to grab 4 beers you have probably failed.

Also, a tip here, if you are relying on 5G to process payments at Brookvale, you have failed again, remember to leave on the wifi before you lock the office on Friday night…..

Despite that, it was an awesome atmosphere and I had a ball. Half time was great too!! Loved the potbeleez.

 

[Niallcc]

Criticism of Burb, I feel, is justified. 6 missed tackles is not good enough. Needs to pick up on his game. Criticism of Saab I feel is not justified. 171 mtrs gained, 5 tackle breaks, a try. Can't do more than that. Defence better than we've seen but as LC points out, there still needs to be improvement. I don't think the Cowboys are that good and didn't have them in my 8 despite what some judges were suggesting. I'm also a little concerned Manly may be unprepared for the Storm in Rd5 given they play Warriors, Raiders and Eels in next 3 rounds, and though they should easily defeat those teams (should) its not good preparation for one of the two major heavyweights. I have Panthers, Storm, Sharks and Bronks as the teams likely to keep Manly out of the four.

We fell off a couple in the last 8 or so minutes, and Chez too. Their last was particularly egregious. But round one etc etc. I think our attack is really our best defence - but we did defend well for 72 odd minutes. And Scott Drinkwater is class. I hope Ola being the first scorer for 2025 is a good portent for the season. The best thing about the game was Turbo’s unselfish assists. And the ‘mostly’ crispness and security of our handling. How good was Saab’s grubber for Reuben? We did miss him at the back end of last year. And Lehi got on with being Lehi.

 

[JakeyB789]

About the only downer about Saturday night was the deadset farce that is the F&B arrangements at Brookvale Oval. Note to Manly operations - if it takes the punters a full half to grab 4 beers you have probably failed.

Also, a tip here, if you are relying on 5G to process payments at Brookvale, you have failed again, remember to leave on the wifi before you lock the office on Friday night…..

It was diabolical, hopefully the club can sort something out because Brookie is selling out like that most weeks now and there’s just not enough bars/staff there to handle it

 

[ALinda]

What an awesome night at Brookie! Thankfully the weather stayed clear, Alfred behaved himself (could've been much worse) and Gough didn't crucify us for a change. The atmosphere was wonderful and it was so good to be back at the footy.

Very hard to single out players as they were all so good, however, I loved the first 15 minutes or so with Jazz at 9 and hope that continues. Tom was superb with his support play, Lehi is just amazing, Paseka, Sips, Jake, Bully down the middle lead the way, Saab used his height and speed to good effect, Brooks was on with his kicking and even Garrick surprisingly played well at centre. Although Burbo missed some tackles at centre, I thought he played really well at 12 and is being unfairly criticised here imo.

Nice blast from the past seeing Georgie Rose with the game ball at the start and my thrill of the night was getting a handshake from Cliffy as the legend came past me!

 

[Seagles68]

We blew them away early. But we did that a bit last year as well and then teams came to get us. We kept the foot down and went up a gear after halftime to ensure there was no comeback. That was pleasing.

I thought Paseka was gassed at the point you mention (first half about 15th go?). I was yelling at him to play it quicker. He clearly couldn’t. Might have gone off just after that.

I think the game in NZ will be interesting. They have had a long layoff from Vegas and I suspect we will be all the talk this week. We should take care of them then two very winnable games at home into Melb.

Yeah, Paseka was struggling and needed to be replaced at least 5 minutes before he actually was replaced. But I agree with @LeonardCohen , our line speed is always a concern. And given the big fellas we have, it'll always be a concern. Particularly against the Penriths etc. Losing TKO in the 2nd half didn't help.

Next will be interesting. I'm not so much worried about getting our heads up our bum coz of the win. More the race horse theory of second up from a spell not being as fresh as the first great run

 

[manlyfan76]

Tommy talau in for Waddell
Otherwise same team next week.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Tommy talau in for Waddell
Otherwise same team next week.

Definite option

 

[Dion Johnson]

Hard to change the team after an effort like yesterday, I hope they stay with the same team and put it on the players returning that reputation doesn’t earn you the right to be selected, Brown, Aloiai and Talau all come back through NSW Cup for me.

Players competing for positions is healthy and brings the best out of them.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Had the opportunity to watch the game again this morning and that right edge was electric with the ball, the most dominant edge out of the games I seen. Thought this was the best defensive edge for the Cowboys also with three international players in Bateman, Dearden and Murray, to dominate like that was terrific.

Middles were good, the combination of hard aggressive running from Tent, Sipley and Bully kept the roll on and the other contributions from both Jakes, Jazz and TKO was sound.

The left edge not as clinical with the ball as the right edge and some defensive work to be done but overall a dominant win against a good side.

 

[The Insomniac]

Bateman was very quiet I thought. Got rag dolled a couple of times. We dogded a bullet there I think.

 

[BOZO]

Hard to change the team after an effort like yesterday, I hope they stay with the same team and put it on the players returning that reputation doesn’t earn you the right to be selected, Brown, Aloiai and Talau all come back through NSW Cup for me.

Players competing for positions is healthy and brings the best out of them.

I dont think any one stepped high enough up in NSW cup to replace any one on the winning team

 

[BOZO]

Bateman was very quiet I thought. Got rag dolled a couple of times. We dogded a bullet there I think.

He is not the player he was at his peak thats for sure

 

[eaglebuzz]

Bateman was very quiet I thought. Got rag dolled a couple of times. We dogded a bullet there I think.

His line defense was excellent for most of the match. He stopped a lot of potential tries.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Hard to change the team after an effort like yesterday, I hope they stay with the same team and put it on the players returning that reputation doesn’t earn you the right to be selected, Brown, Aloiai and Talau all come back through NSW Cup for me.

Players competing for positions is healthy and brings the best out of them.

I don't agree about Brown and Aloiai. Waddell was pretty uninspired, one of them will be a walk up start to replace him.

 

[Dion Johnson]

I don't agree about Brown and Aloiai. Waddell was pretty uninspired, one of them will be a walk up start to replace him.

Maybe they will be, though I would stick with Waddell and run him in the middle he goes ok there from what I seen last season.

Didn’t get much of a chance yesterday as Tent, Sipley and Bully played good minutes.

If it ain’t broken don’t try and fix it is my thought.

 

[madmax]

After the effort he put in last season I think we find a place for Brown once he is pushing for first grade. I’d personally have him over Waddell. Especially with the flexibility Burbo offers.

Aloiai on the other hand has been given multiple opportunities if he doesn’t push for the first team immediately he isn’t a bad depth player to have in the ranks.

Brown onto the bench a must. Waddell backrow with Olakau’atu….unfortunately Brbo to NSW Cup.

 

[madmax]

One of Brown or Aloiai surely comes in on the bench for Waddell too

Waddell to back row, Brown bench, Brbo to NSW Cup.

 

[manlyfan76]

Waddell only played a few minutes so talau gives more cover.

 

[JEF]

Our play the 'speed the ball' in our attack was our big advantage. And we maintained it until the end of the game.

And our strategy to spread the ball wide to our speedsters was clever. And allowed our forwards to a
make big ground when needed.

Only question I have ...why Cory Waddell?
Nathan Brown injured? Aloui injured? Is Waddell the best we have?

Waddell was let go by Manly a couple of years ago. Then let go by the Bulldogs. Back to Manly. New contract to Manly for THREE YEARS I believe. His sister I think married our Jake. So he certainly has an incentive to maintain the family standards.