Game Day: Manly v Knights [Round 8, 2020]

[Mark from Brisbane]

Gotta follow the Cowboys gameplan from last week.
Keep Ponga out of the game with structured footy, and find the touch line on the last.

Ponga was unsighted last week, and then got fustrated, then the whole team imploded,and the Cows got the result.

If they are smart they’ll have noticed that !!

 

[The Wheel]

Sent: Sunday, July 5, 2020 10:07:48 AM
Subject:Time for Knights and Sea Eagles to stop flying under the radar


By Phil Gould, SMH
July 4, 2020 — 4.00pm

In typical Des Hasler style, this afternoon’s big match between the Manly Sea Eagles and Newcastle Knights has pretty much "flown under the radar" with most rugby league fans and commentators this weekend.
This is a big match for both clubs. A big match.
Rugby league is still basking in the glory of Thursday night's epic encounter between modern-day giants the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters. What a match. One of the greatest advertisements for our code that you could ever imagine. Such excitement and theatre.
The game is currently celebrating the fact the teams from the golden west Parramatta and Penrith are at the top of the premiership ladder and both are genuine competition title contenders. This is also wonderful for the game. Two exciting teams with plenty of upside. Their young legs just might outlast the two aforementioned heavyweights as we get to the end of this crazy and arduous season. This is not a two-horse race by any stretch.

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Anyway, back to the vital Sunday afternoonmatch-up.
Both these sides were terribly disappointing last weekend and that could lead to a highly charged afternoon of rugby league at Brookvale Oval as the coaches lift their respective troops for a bounce back performance.
Neither coach will want to see that side of their football teams again anytime soon.

With respect to Manly, I guess we can all cut them a little slack for a downer last weekend against in their loss to the Cronulla Sharks. They had genuine excuses.
The previous weekend they produced one of the greatest club victories I had ever witnessed in defeating the Canberra Raiders. They went into that match with key players unavailable. They suffered a terrible run of injuries during the match, including losing key playmakers Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker.
They showed tremendous grit and courage to defend their way to an outstanding win. They headed back to Manly after the match with a bus full of broken bodies, but with two very valuable competition points.
There is no doubt that the emotional and physical beating left them with little in the tank to take on the Sharks seven days later. They were understandably very flat last and just couldn’t raise the energy to play anywhere near their best.
It was interesting watching their coach Des Hasler during the match. Normally Des wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn’t accept mediocrity under any circumstances. However, he looked remarkably calm as he watched his players struggle through the afternoon’s drubbing. Des, more than anything else, is a footballer. He is a player’s coach. He’s been there before. He knows they are only human. They are not robots. He treats them with care and respect.
By halfway through the first half last weekend, his mind was already thinking about his preparation for this match back at their home ground today.
If I know anything about Des Hasler at all, the Sea Eagles will be ready to make amends with their effort levels this afternoon.
Meanwhile, first season Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien got a real taste of what coaching in the NRL competition is all about last week.
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NRL Highlights: Cowboys v Knights - Round 7

The struggling North Queensland Cowboys host the Newcastle Knights in round 7 of the 2020 NRL Premiership.
The Newcastle Knights had been traveling along so well prior to their trip to Townsville. They were playing a team that just the week before had conceded 34 points and scored none in a first half of football. Surely another victory for the Knights was well within their reach. Instead the Newcastle boys turned in their worst football of the season, to trail 26-0 themselves by half-time.
Just when you think you have this game sorted out and everything is going well, it can come back and bite you on the tail without warning.
The golden rule of coaching rugby league teams is as simple as A-B-C. Assume nothing. Believe nothing. Confirm everything.

The Knights were poor against the Cowboys last week - especially in the first half.CREDIT:GETTY
The moment you assume their heads are right, footballers find a way to shock you.
The Knights were terrible. Really disappointing. They were beaten on effort and application against a team that really didn’t expect such an easy afternoon’s work. I reckon the Cowboys were just as shocked as Knight’s coach O’Brien. When you then see the Cowboys flogged 42-4 by the Eels on Friday night, it makes you scratch your head even harder about how the Knights could let them get under their guard.
It would’ve been a very sombre flight home to Newcastle from Townsville post-match.
Now, can this promising rookie coach decipher what went wrong last weekend, and get them up for this assignment today?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Mmmm I’m still not convinced but let’s see

 

[Woodsie]

I have a dream ... I dream that one day our forward pack hit 'em hard and sit 'em on their arses rather than cuddle 'em to the ground and tuck 'em in .... going to be a long afternoon if we don't ..

 

[The better Robbo]

A loss today has us 4 from 8 with two of those wins being lucky escapes against Roosters and Broncos. We realistically could be 2 from 8. I fear a loss and no changes to the side next week just about spells the end of the season. Confidence and momentum is huge, a loss would be a massive set back

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

A loss today has us 4 from 8 with two of those wins being lucky escapes against Roosters and Broncos. We realistically could be 2 from 8. I fear a loss and no changes to the side next week just about spells the end of the season. Confidence and momentum is huge, a loss would be a massive set back

And slowly slipping to the bottom 4 instead.

A win to at least stay in touch is so incredibly important.

 

[Clint]

Generally speaking I am optimistic about our chances in any game, but looking at the respective squads I can help but feel we are up against it today. Won't stop me from cheering the boys on though. Go Manly!!

 

[TimmyQ]

A loss today has us 4 from 8 with two of those wins being lucky escapes against Roosters and Broncos. We realistically could be 2 from 8. I fear a loss and no changes to the side next week just about spells the end of the season. Confidence and momentum is huge, a loss would be a massive set back

Plus brother our for and against is ****e too - we need to jag not only a couple of wins over the next month but a few biggies. And that is a problem. We live in hope. Go Manly

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

if our boys turn up we can win in a close one.. this game has golden point written all over it!

Players we need to watch out for...
Poor Jorge is going to have a wretched afternoon with Edrick Lee trying to out jump him. Great option to have.....

Bradman best vs Suli. Im tipping our big boy to win this personal battle IF dce gives him early ball. Suli will be targeted by ponga and best hope he's upto it!

Ponga. Kids a weapon and will have an impact no matter what.. need to take him out of the game. kick for touch or in the corners and smash him and drag him back.. turn our Defence into attack like the hasler sides of old!

Pearce. Im expecting a big step up from him and he will run close to the line.. we can contain him for the most part. Pressure him on kicks hit him hard when he runs into the line.

 

[ALinda]

Could be our only game back home at Brookie - possibly for us members and maybe even the team (who knows in this kooky year) - so make the most of it and fire up Manly! Defence, discipline and no injuries please.

Can't wait to get to Brookie....Go Manly!!

 

[torana355]

I really would love to be positive about this game but I just can't, without Tommy and with DCE playing average at the moment I think we are in real trouble not to mention our number 9 providing nothing. Also Garrick at fullback is a recipe for disaster. Our only hope is our forward pack completely dominating which is at least a chance with how afb has been playing.

 

[globaleagle]

Something must have happened between Elliott & Des, think Elliott has told him to go and get ****ed.

Clearly not wanted any longer.

As I’ve said before he’s no superstar but at least he’s an adequate defender at fullback.

Something that Sandwich seems to be all at sea with.

I expect Ponga to run absolute riot today , the score could be anything.

If Elliott is heading to the esl, maybe Des wants Funa to get more game time and so with a full team there's kinda no room for someone who is leaving....?



edit: wtf is wrong with my typing? worse than usual.

Go Manly!

 

[Peter C]

if our boys turn up we can win in a close one.. this game has golden point written all over it!

Players we need to watch out for...
Poor Jorge is going to have a wretched afternoon with Edrick Lee trying to out jump him. Great option to have.....

Bradman best vs Suli. Im tipping our big boy to win this personal battle IF dce gives him early ball. Suli will be targeted by ponga and best hope he's upto it!

Ponga. Kids a weapon and will have an impact no matter what.. need to take him out of the game. kick for touch or in the corners and smash him and drag him back.. turn our Defence into attack like the hasler sides of old!

Pearce. Im expecting a big step up from him and he will run close to the line.. we can contain him for the most part. Pressure him on kicks hit him hard when he runs into the line.

If only the Knights had Levi and we still had Api, if only.

 

[Ranga]

There is AFB v Klemmer spoken about in another thread. But I want to see a big, big game from Marty today. He’s been strong in patches but time for him to dominate like he used to.

I’d also love to see Jake take what I think is the next step in his career: picking an opposition forward out and making the contest personal. Jake is tough as nails and gives his all (not to mention one of my all time favourite manly players already), but the very best forwards pick the best opposition player and make it their job to just dominate them. Belt ‘em all day long.

Rip in fellas!!

 

[davohan123]

Look I am one of the very few lucky ones who have Tickets for today.

So Excited to be back down at brookvale oval this afternoon.

being realistic Knights are deserving favourites and don’t like our chances this afternoon but still keen to see the boys run around.

if there was any game Levi should be up for should be against his old team,time will tell.

head says knights by 8
heart says us by 4 with suli match winning try.

any way brookvale oval sunny winters afternoon can’t beat it.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Look I am one of the very few lucky ones who have Tickets for today.

Have fun at the game, mate! Scream at the ref extra hard.

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

There is AFB v Klemmer spoken about in another thread. But I want to see a big, big game from Marty today. He’s been strong in patches but time for him to dominate like he used to.

I’d also love to see Jake take what I think is the next step in his career: picking an opposition forward out and making the contest personal. Jake is tough as nails and gives his all (not to mention one of my all time favourite manly players already), but the very best forwards pick the best opposition player and make it their job to just dominate them. Belt ‘em all day long.

Rip in fellas!!

Marty does need to step up.. aFb has overtaken him since last season. Time for the big fella to use that big frame to run harder and offload! I wouldn’t mind seeing a big hit for the guy... seriously his arms are like my torso but he never drills anyone. Probably scared he will cop a suspension

 

[davohan123]

not my image from the clubs twitter account.

that is my view waiting for me in about1 hours time.

 

[Woodsie]

A loss today has us 4 from 8 with two of those wins being lucky escapes against Roosters and Broncos. We realistically could be 2 from 8. I fear a loss and no changes to the side next week just about spells the end of the season. Confidence and momentum is huge, a loss would be a massive set back

You paint a dire forecast brother .... but a correct one .... I think the Dessie lovefest may have a few dents in it if we lose this week .... GoJetSki needs a big game to repay the faith Des has in him .... or I will lead the charge ...

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You paint a dire forecast brother .... but a correct one .... I think the Dessie lovefest may have a few dents in it if we lose this week .... GoJetSki needs a big game to repay the faith Des has in him .... or I will lead the charge ...

It’s hard NOT to have a dire forecast.

Normal season , full strength , at home , I’d have Eagles by 10.

Covid-19 season , lots of outs, still at home , it’s a wing and a prayer and if we were exceptionally lucky Manly by 2.

More likely, Knights by 15-20.