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

[40 nil]

I wasn't too unhappy about today's result, even though we really should have won. Bad errors by Croker & DCE cost us in the first half. There was intensity & effort from the team. Des's bench rotation was more effective this week. Defence was resolute and some players improved their performances from last week. Garrick was sound at the back - maybe he could have been better placed for the Mann try, but it is difficult to defend some kicks. Paseka ripped in today in both defence & attack and Cust provided much needed spark.

Last year we won several games with a depleted roster - Turbo, DCE & Walker all out at the same time. The telling difference this year is no Api or Manase. There is little creativity around the ruck & few offloads. The top four teams this year all have skilful dummy halves and a lot of second phase play. It seems our attack is lacking in confidence with players being afraid to chance their arm. For this reason, Cust's input today was refreshing.

I don't think Jack has done anything noteworthy since returning to the team & really, I think it is time for him to be replaced either by Haumole or Schuster. Even a non match fit T-Rex could be more effective. If AFB is suspended, I guess he will be replaced by another prop.

Re the last play of the game, Funa did not have the speed to score the try. Garrick with the same pass probably wouldn't have been caught from behind. I am not sure if he would have beaten the cover defender, but he may have been able to bump him off.

I don't think it will take too much to turn the team around as defence was in order today. We just need to get our attack clicking. Des will probably work with the same roster next week, but it would be good if he decides to think outside the square & introduce one or two youngsters.

 

[madmax]

Well we will get to see if we are nothing without him, because he's going to get suspended for that outburst

Queef.....he’s our biggest meter eater & our main go forward. Hopefully others will step up. It’s stupid what he said but we’ve all said things exactly like that in the heat of the moment. Passion is one thing that makes us a great club. Hopefully just a fine but it’s the second time we’ve been dudded by the bloody refs!!!

 

[Christol74]

"NRL senior bunker official Jared Maxwell has been axed for the refereeing howler over Akuila Uate's match-sealing try for Manly over Newcastle"

So was Maxwell just squaring up the ledger today or is he just a complete 'fking retard' who's blatant incompetence continues to destroy the game of Rugby League. Will he be axed for the howler today or do they only wield the axe if the incompetence assists Manly?

 

[QueefRichards]

Queef.....he’s our biggest meter eater & our main go forward. Hopefully others will step up. It’s stupid what he said but we’ve all said things exactly like that in the heat of the moment. Passion is one thing that makes us a great club. Hopefully just a fine but it’s the second time we’ve been dudded by the bloody refs!!!

He will get at least a week. He should work on keeping his mouth shut, because there's nothing to gain and plenty to lose by mouthing off at the ref after the game's over.

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

"NRL senior bunker official Jared Maxwell has been axed for the refereeing howler over Akuila Uate's match-sealing try for Manly over Newcastle"

So was Maxwell just squaring up the ledger today or is he just a complete 'fking retard' who's blatant incompetence continues to destroy the game of Rugby League. Will he be axed for the howler today or do they only wield the axe if the incompetence assists Manly?

He screwed us again.. the guy has done so all his career. He will be applauded and probably get a bonus

 

[lulubelle]

I can't believe people are putting a positive spin on today's game. If we've got to the stage of being satisfied with today's performance we are accepting mediocrity.
Blaming referee's decisions is laughable.
Our attack is boring and predictable. There is no creativity or imagination.
Newcastle were very ordinary tonight. But we couldn't take advantage of it.
The only positive was Cusp's performance which added some energy , despite a terrible error.
On that performance we are not a top four side, or a top eight side.
Unless we make changes that will bring in some wonderful creative young players, that we have, as other clubs have done, we are in for a sad season.
But Des won't I fear.
Sorry folks but that's the reality.

 

[robbiea]

Yawn zzzzzzzzzzzz......there are 15 other teams you can support.

 

[Brocky]

I can't believe people are putting a positive spin on today's game. If we've got to the stage of being satisfied with today's performance we are accepting mediocrity.
Blaming referee's decisions is laughable.
Our attack is boring and predictable. There is no creativity or imagination.
Newcastle were very ordinary tonight. But we couldn't take advantage of it.
The only positive was Cusp's performance which added some energy , despite a terrible error.
On that performance we are not a top four side, or a top eight side.
Unless we make changes that will bring in some wonderful creative young players, that we have, as other clubs have done, we are in for a sad season.
But Des won't I fear.
Sorry folks but that's the reality.

Don’t kno w hat people see in Jake T

 

[40 years an eagle]

Don’t kno w hat people see in Jake T

He is a $M tackler that has zero effect in attack. Probably because he is spent from tackling most of the time.

In this current setup he is worth about 400k/year.

The turbo connection could end up being a far worse financial decision than DCE was.

 

[globaleagle]

So....

I guess we all sit around waiting for Annersley to yet again say that it was a mistake, should've been a penalty and sorry Manly. I'm sure we'd have the minor premiership wrapped up if points were given to teams screwed over at the death.

Guess that's why you gotta get into the lead and stay there. Like Jessie Owens at the Olympics, you can't leave the decisions up to the refs.

Cust played well I thought.

the very definition of 'full time' should mean that you can't get sent off. Refs look like the morons they are when they do it.

dce should have used the remaining captains challenge to specifically ask about that push so horsehead would have to again show either his incompetence of corruption. It's definitely one or the other, there's no way I believe he can look at that and rule no worries. cheat or incompetent - one or the other.

S'funny how the refs will scream last tackle 'just to let everyone know' but when there was a rare 5 man scrum and plenty of time, he doesn't bother to remind the second rowers that they can't pick the ball up.

 

[Budgie]

I can't believe people are putting a positive spin on today's game. If we've got to the stage of being satisfied with today's performance we are accepting mediocrity.
Blaming referee's decisions is laughable.
Our attack is boring and predictable. There is no creativity or imagination.
Newcastle were very ordinary tonight. But we couldn't take advantage of it.
The only positive was Cusp's performance which added some energy , despite a terrible error.
On that performance we are not a top four side, or a top eight side.
Unless we make changes that will bring in some wonderful creative young players, that we have, as other clubs have done, we are in for a sad season.
But Des won't I fear.
Sorry folks but that's the reality.

So glad you said this. I was at the game and when I read allthis I could only think we must look better on tv. We were frustratingly boring as bat****. A Many team who struggle to score, don't intimidate the opposition, and are forced to rely on the kindness of referees ... who are we? I agree Cust was the one shining light. I absolutely wish Dessie would give the younguns a go - better than a team of second grade journeymen.

 

[Tomay]

I'm a bit worried Jake is becoming our Gallen. I get that he has good hands for a middle but he shouldn't be playing first receiver on the back of quick play the balls. It stifles our attack at times and prevents the edge players getting early ball.This may be Levi's fault, I'm not sure. He gave away a crucial penalty today and his legs tackles in previous rounds have allowed too much ruck speed as he hasn't been putting much sting in them. Maybe he needs a bit of a rest during the games until we get further towards the end of the season. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player - i'd just like to see him go back to running and tackling hard with discipline.

 

[Wombat64]

I'm a bit worried Jake is becoming our Gallen. I get that he has good hands for a middle but he shouldn't be playing first receiver on the back of quick play the balls. It stifles our attack at times and prevents the edge players getting early ball.This may be Levi's fault, I'm not sure. He gave away a crucial penalty today and his legs tackles in previous rounds have allowed too much ruck speed as he hasn't been putting much sting in them. Maybe he needs a bit of a rest during the games until we get further towards the end of the season. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player - i'd just like to see him go back to running and tackling hard with discipline.

Who's better looking you or me?

 

[Simonmyers11]

I wasn't too unhappy about today's result, even though we really should have won. Bad errors by Croker & DCE cost us in the first half. There was intensity & effort from the team. Des's bench rotation was more effective this week. Defence was resolute and some players improved their performances from last week. Garrick was sound at the back - maybe he could have been better placed for the Mann try, but it is difficult to defend some kicks. Paseka ripped in today in both defence & attack and Cust provided much needed spark.

Last year we won several games with a depleted roster - Turbo, DCE & Walker all out at the same time. The telling difference this year is no Api or Manase. There is little creativity around the ruck & few offloads. The top four teams this year all have skilful dummy halves and a lot of second phase play. It seems our attack is lacking in confidence with players being afraid to chance their arm. For this reason, Cust's input today was refreshing.

I don't think Jack has done anything noteworthy since returning to the team & really, I think it is time for him to be replaced either by Haumole or Schuster. Even a non match fit T-Rex could be more effective. If AFB is suspended, I guess he will be replaced by another prop.

Re the last play of the game, Funa did not have the speed to score the try. Garrick with the same pass probably wouldn't have been caught from behind. I am not sure if he would have beaten the cover defender, but he may have been able to bump him off.

I don't think it will take too much to turn the team around as defence was in order today. We just need to get our attack clicking. Des will probably work with the same roster next week, but it would be good if he decides to think outside the square & introduce one or two youngsters.

It was a lot better than last week, in reality should of won that match even with a depleted side. Don't think we are going as bad as people think. We should of got the two points yesterday and against parra putting on 12 points outright 3rd only 2 points behind 1st.

I just want to see them build on that, as a few players started to play a lot better and this team can still get so much better, especially with Tom and Walker back.

DCE missed that clutch play, but we was still the best player on the park and the reason why we were dominating. Scored the first try, set the second try up, kicked great second half pinning them on their own 20m for most of the second half, plus great defence on Ponga, Pearce and Bradman. He doesn't play we would of never been in the game

 

[manly al]

Better team effort by Manly yesterday and had the Knights "s measure for a good part of the match but still seemed to stifle and limit their attacking opportunities with too much one off running and predictable attack . Knights are a willing side this season but definitely seemed to get some preferential treatment in the repeat sets run of play and the type of dour play that the game developed in to was never going to suit Manly . D C E played much better and credit for keeping Ponga quiet , Cust again bought some zest and eagerness and to break the monotony of some very limited attacking options . Garrick was solid at the back but has just not been used in any effective way in set plays . After last week"s wrong call on Siro and yesterday "s howler with Funa , can only assume that Maxwell is part of the blatant bias which still seems to linger at all levels of the game .

 

[manly al]

Better team effort by Manly yesterday and had the Knights "s measure for a good part of the match but still seemed to stifle and limit their attacking opportunities with too much one off running and predictable attack . Knights are a willing side this season but definitely seemed to get some preferential treatment in the repeat sets run of play and the type of dour play that the game developed in to was never going to suit Manly . D C E played much better and credit for keeping Ponga quiet , Cust again bought some zest and eagerness and to break the monotony of some very limited attacking options . Garrick was solid at the back but has just not been used in any effective way in set plays . After last week"s wrong call on Siro and yesterday "s howler with Funa , can only assume that Maxwell is part of the blatant bias which still seems to linger at all levels of the game .

Meant to stress blatant anti Manly bias

 

[Luke_m]

So frustrating nrl will suspend afb for 3-4 weeks but they won’t do anything to maxwell !!! Considering the circumstances and the fast we have been robbed twice afb should only get 1-2 weeks but it’s manly So no chance !!

Top 4 is pretty much gone Now competition is too close this year !! At seasons end 1st and 8th place will be separated by 4 points the exact amount we have been robbed

 

[ricardo]

someone made a rant

Nailed it

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

A good rant that one , hope his TV made it through unscathed.

 

[Cliffymagic]

With turbo fainu and walks out , we just gotta accept the attack isn't going to get much better unless a young one steps up. Cust was good I thought . That's a start.