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

[globaleagle]

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!

I appreciate the 'from the ground' reports seeing as I basically never get to a game.

~appreciates~



(I mean more than: Lines were long, pies were cold, beer was hot posts. lol)

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I though Burbo did enough in the backrow to earn selection against the warriors.

 

[rj90]

 

[ALinda]

I appreciate the 'from the ground' reports seeing as I basically never get to a game.

~appreciates~



(I mean more than: Lines were long, pies were cold, beer was hot posts. lol)

That's one main reason I do them. It's my pleasure, thanks GE.

 

[Disco]

I though Burbo did enough in the backrow to earn selection against the warriors.

Agreed, I thought he had a decent game.

I think we have some coiled springs here, just waiting for an error or missed tackle.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Agreed, I thought he had a decent game.

I think we have some coiled springs here, just waiting for an error or missed tackle.

He had a couple of bad misses but they were on the only cowboys player who looked dangerous, when he was defending out of position. When he was in the second row he looked fine.

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

He had a couple of bad misses but they were on the only cowboys player who looked dangerous, when he was defending out of position. When he was in the second row he looked fine.

I agree. And to be frank, Brbo really isn't a centre anymore. To me he looked bigger once again, he doesn't have the acceleration and lateral movement to compete as a back with the specialist backs. That is my feeling. Which means that if circumstances force us to play him at centre we shouldn't expect a lot more than we would from Waddell, for example. I wish it were different: I'd love it if he could be NRL standard backs cover but it's not on. I suspect that once Talau is fit we will have a specialist back on the bench regularly, that is how the sport seemed to move last year.

 

[Carl]

I agree. And to be frank, Brbo really isn't a centre anymore. To me he looked bigger once again, he doesn't have the acceleration and lateral movement to compete as a back with the specialist backs. That is my feeling. Which means that if circumstances force us to play him at centre we shouldn't expect a lot more than we would from Waddell, for example. I wish it were different: I'd love it if he could be NRL standard backs cover but it's not on. I suspect that once Talau is fit we will have a specialist back on the bench regularly, that is how the sport seemed to move last year.

I'm a bit surprised they dont do it anyway and play falaulo on the bench

 

[eaglebuzz]

I'm a bit surprised they dont do it anyway and play falaulo on the bench

I don't rate Fualalo that highly. He's a very good reserve grader but I don't think he will be spending all that much time in first grade unless we have two injuries in the backs. Talau is ahead of him.

 

[Eagle eye]

Not sure if this pic of Olakau'atu the destroyer has been uploaded, but I love it.

 

[Carl]

I don't rate Fualalo that highly. He's a very good reserve grader but I don't think he will be spending all that much time in first grade unless we have two injuries in the backs. Talau is ahead of him.

I agree that talau is ahead of him. I was suggesting that if we are short one of our six back fives, you could play falaulo on the bench instead of one of them. That way you still have cover if someone has to come off during the game and you don't have to switch burbo out wide.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Not sure if this pic of Olakau'atu the destroyer has been uploaded, but I love it.

View attachment 29504

What a frightening sight for any defender!

 

[Phobia]

Some cowboys fan on r/nrl, says he has an inside trustworthy source within the Cowboys that said that Todd has lost their dressing room. This loss might have planted the seeds to his sacking.

I think it was also after a loss to us that Brad Arthur was sacked. Let's hope we have more of these wins that are so good, the opposition coach gets sacked!

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Great win but those 12pts could come and bite us later on. DCEagles, Ola, Tom, Hoppa, Bully all played great can't wait till the Back-fence comes back. NO MERCY EAGLES

 

[HK_Eagle]

I though Burbo did enough in the backrow to earn selection against the warriors.

Agree. I was just as frustrated as many here to see their three quarter run around him a couple of times leading to tries… however, he was covering at centre. Can you imagine Ola or Waddle having to cover the centre position? 🤦‍♂️