Pre-Game Manly v Dragons [Round 18, 2021]

[Mataiforever]

Give me a roast but this is where Anthony Milford would fill in perfectly for Manly when Tom is out. Apparently souths are courting him so they will be doing well with him as a 1 and 7 backup for their team. IMO his talent at bottom dollar contract would make it worth it.

 

[manly al]

Terrific attacking ability but would think that an adjustment for Sabb at full back would be a bit of a challenge any time soon . Still on a learning curve as a well rounded winger really despite some great attacking touches for Manly this season . Kolula is the one that i would like to see given the opportunity to play outside backs - full back [ when Tom is unavailable ] , maybe not this season but certainly from the beginning of next season .

 

[ManEagle]

I'm getting tired of Turbo being a protected species. I was hoping he would go to Des and demand to play. Obviously not so. DCE did twice the amount of work that Turbo did in the last State of Origin. Tackled his heart out.
Turbo's hamstring is either healed or not. Presumably it is.
So Turbo stop playing the prima donna.
Give something back to Manly for the amazing bucks you are earning.

I think I would rather have one of the most damaging players in the game on big bucks resting for 1 game 2 days after playing rep footy and having him fit and firing for the remaining rounds and the finals than letting him back up and missing him for far more important games to come. That's how he gives something back to Manly everytime he takes the field.
Or worse be playing against him.

Other players have to earn their keep more than turbo his.

 

[sheridanstand78]

Like most of you I am frustrated that Tom will be rested tonight. There is no doubt about the ongoing concern about his fitness and I think the club is playing the long game here. If you look at our season, we have a high chance of making the 8 and its imperative that everyone is fit in 8 weeks time. The club have already demonstrated this by not rushing back, Jake or Schuster as they are vital cogs to the team.

At least with DCE backing up there will be some steadiness in the halves an Schuster will be an extra pivot helping them out.

We must watch Hunt and Simms tonight as they are in amazing form and a big danger to our chances. Their strength is their kicking game. they get a lot of tries from that method so we must put heat on Norman and Hunt on the final tackle.

It will be a tight game tonight and I would hope the team will want to redeem themselves after their last performance. Beware the wounded Dragon, they are in a mess and often it unites a team.

The start is important tonight especially!

 

[manly al]

Give me a roast but this is where Anthony Milford would fill in perfectly for Manly when Tom is out. Apparently souths are courting him so they will be doing well with him as a 1 and 7 backup for their team. IMO his talent at bottom dollar contract would make it worth it.

Think that we are well serviced with back up full backs and halves for next season at least , rather fast track young talents like that Fainu - Mathews grade ? pivot then chase dubious performers and not that cheap options like Milford

 

[AlxFromNthNarra]

Dear Manly,

You are playing a reviled team tonight.

A team of (some) players who feel they are bigger than the game, who feel they are entitled to a special set of rules, a team who - through their own selfish actions - raised a middle-finger to the rest of the NRL teams, players and fans. Including their own.

Can you please FIRE THE **** UP and bury these pricks in 15-feet of shame, and set the blueprint for other teams to rise and keep this mob of arrogant morons out of our finals series for jeopardising the game.

With more and more states reverting to lockdowns and a protectionist mentality, NRL players' complacency may yet kill off the finals series (as justified as that complacency may seem with the NRL seemingly getting special treatment from State Govts).

Make a statement, lift and destroy the Dragons - as the NRL seemingly isn't willing to adequately punish this team. Their soft-as-fk punishment 'resting' players over 4 weeks is hardly befitting of the brand damage this team has inflicted.

Yes, i'm angry. And I hope the Manly players are too.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

they get a lot of tries from that method so we must put heat on Norman and Hunt on the final tackle.

Manly rarely pressure the opposition kickers, with one or two exceptions. It is so noticeable I've almost wondered at times if it is deliberate! Or am I imagining things?
In terms of one per-centers you'd almost have to count kick pressure as a one-point-five or even a two per-center?

 

[Shoe1]

So what happens when the girls are outed, and the Manly players have just played a whole game worth of contact against the non-bubble Saints?

 

[Shnorky]

Give me a roast but this is where Anthony Milford would fill in perfectly for Manly when Tom is out. Apparently souths are courting him so they will be doing well with him as a 1 and 7 backup for their team. IMO his talent at bottom dollar contract would make it worth it.

Lamb, beef or chicken?

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

So what happens when the girls are outed, and the Manly players have just played a whole game worth of contact against the non-bubble Saints?

The Manly players will be sent home from bubble, have to isolate for 14 days, then have to quarantine for a further 14 days on re-entry to Qld.
And Manly club will be fined $100,000 for each week we are unable to field a team.
Obviously!!

 

[jbb/james]

On a footy show, some journo said tommy doesnt run 2 days after game as a hammy precaution. It was in reference to origin and that des had told freddie that tom didn't train on those days in origin camp

with origin the other night and us playing that makes one , two bingo

 

[Jay Eagle]

If Tommy is out and looks like he is then Des please keep it simple.
Garrick to FB and Suli to the wing..
Do not split the centres...

 

[pjayz]

Are you saying we'll lose because of a winger? No offence to wingers, but I think that is stretching their importance just a little.

Actually, under these rules and the momentum shifts, one weak link in the chain that lets in a try can shift momentum on a dime. If that same winger can’t finish off a try (like we saw with Parker last week) it can kill off a momentum change. Games like last week can come down to these moments.

I think the return of DCE and Schuster will help us considerably. Hopefully, they will see us a little more effective in attack.

 

[Rafferty]

Give me a roast but this is where Anthony Milford would fill in perfectly for Manly when Tom is out. Apparently souths are courting him so they will be doing well with him as a 1 and 7 backup for their team. IMO his talent at bottom dollar contract would make it worth it.

I agree and made mention of it a while back and got whipped for it, not that I care.
I think he would come of age without the pressure to run the side, definitely not a dumb idea IMO and seemingly ok with souths

 

[sheridanstand78]

Manly rarely pressure the opposition kickers, with one or two exceptions. It is so noticeable I've almost wondered at times if it is deliberate! Or am I imagining things?
In terms of one per-centers you'd almost have to count kick pressure as a one-point-five or even a two per-center?

It is most certainly one of the teams shortcomings in that we do not do enough in pressuring opposition kickers.

 

[pt73]

Give me a roast but this is where Anthony Milford would fill in perfectly for Manly when Tom is out. Apparently souths are courting him so they will be doing well with him as a 1 and 7 backup for their team. IMO his talent at bottom dollar contract would make it worth it.

True but over the last few years he's gone missing in more than a few games.

Do we really need that regardless of the price ?

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Garrick needs to play with courage tonight and own every kick in his vicinity. His tentativeness was disturbing last week. The side needs to play with better discipline and respect of the football tonight. I expect we will perform far better without Walker in the halves and hopefully our outside backs will get some early ball in space tonight unlike last week. Go Manly we need this win!

 

[47MVEagle]

Garrick needs to play with courage tonight and own every kick in his vicinity. His tentativeness was disturbing last week. The side needs to play with better discipline and respect of the football tonight. I expect we will perform far better without Walker in the halves and hopefully our outside backs will get some early ball in space tonight unlike last week. Go Manly we need this win!

Garrick is very much a confidence player so he has to attack the first bomb sent his way to assert himself tonight!

 

[HoldenV8]

Like most of you I am frustrated that Tom will be rested tonight. There is no doubt about the ongoing concern about his fitness and I think the club is playing the long game here. If you look at our season, we have a high chance of making the 8 and its imperative that everyone is fit in 8 weeks time. The club have already demonstrated this by not rushing back, Jake or Schuster as they are vital cogs to the team.

At least with DCE backing up there will be some steadiness in the halves an Schuster will be an extra pivot helping them out.

We must watch Hunt and Simms tonight as they are in amazing form and a big danger to our chances. Their strength is their kicking game. they get a lot of tries from that method so we must put heat on Norman and Hunt on the final tackle.

It will be a tight game tonight and I would hope the team will want to redeem themselves after their last performance. Beware the wounded Dragon, they are in a mess and often it unites a team.

The start is important tonight especially!

The only thing that worries me with Schuster's return is that without Turbo there to take his no-look passes, I'm worried that any balls that go to ground like they did in the rounds before Tom's return in Rd.6 will be pounced upon by a St Merge player. If he starts throwing those no-lookers I hope Reubs is on the ball.

I'm pleased DCE is backing up. Our right edge was starved of quality ball last week because of Walker's no passing unless under extreme pressure policy. Foz tried his best to cover for Walks, but even when Cust came on and Walks moved to lock, nothing really changed (which is part of why I think Cust has fallen from favor with Des and is only used as an injury or Origin replacement). Having Cherry there will make the right a lot better.

 

[Mataiforever]

One game mate, but boy, what a game! It's just that everything went that right that game. In all the other matches I've seen him play there, I've always thought, surely we have better backup.

Regarding Lawton versus Croker starting. Games going to be won up the middle. Lawton is crisper and more dynamic in both attach and defense. He's played a learnt Hooker. Dragons have a big pack.

Lachy is the perfect utility. He can now play both halves and hooking positions. It also allows Walker to not be wasted on the bench. You want him on the park. That said, your bench looks great. Not gonna lie, your whole team make-up looks really good.

I’d be happy to have walker to centres if it meant not suli and cust to 14. That would work decently

Suli needs to be given 80 minutes at wing or centre... not a rotation.

Rotating attack & defensive positioning is something that only the highest footy IQ players can do and that definitely is not suli and parker, although parker does read a game quite well.