Pre-Game Manly V Raiders [Round 3, 2025]

[Rafferty]

I'm not getting carried away with the Raiders first two weeks. They've always had the ability to tough out wins against quality opposition but they're a lot like us; inconsistent. There's every chance they come out flat and get flogged tonight.

Let’s hope so, the only difference I would add, is they have worked hard to speed their game up, something we don’t seem able to do….oh and forgot to mention they have a genuine DH

 

[Brocky]

No mental toughness in this lot to rise against adversity. Hasn't happened for a decade and won't till the culprits are gone. The leader's silence in all this bullsh*t contract talk is testimony to the attitude and culture in the place.

Have not have it since DCE signed that first contract

 

[LeonardCohen]

Let’s hope so, the only difference I would add, is they have worked hard to speed their game up, something we don’t seem able to do….oh and forgot to mention they have a genuine DH

It’s still the same team from last year and the same coach for the last 10.

 

[Rafferty]

It’s still the same team from last year and the same coach for the last 10.

The coach yes, but on the coach, at least he seems to understand the current game a little better and has the side playing the style of footy to compete.

On the players, the big difference in the first two games was Hosking, who they missed last year and will miss today, his a big out for us, Strange is no longer a rookie half, Savage is a better player than many give credit for, Sticky has stuck it to him in the harshest way, the kid has taken it all on board and is ready for a breakout year, Kris seems to be at the peek of his game, Young Nicholson is a new addition and seems to bring the right qualities, Smithies was used in several different ways last season that didn’t work out, trying to emulate Yeo as a ball playing middle, his now become more of a ball runner, way less ball work and that’s working for them, Hors has been a revelation, admitting he was fat and unfit last year, his admitted his off the piss and working hard, which shows, I mentioned in another post, I think he’ll go back to 13 today and Mooney possibly to start with Smithies off the pine, young Tamale looks like a good prospect and is a new addition, Kayo at fullback now settling in, not sold on his work as mentioned, think he and Savage will change positions before the years out, but his done nothing wrong.

They missed the 8 last year and that by their own assessment was a failure, one they have openly set a goal to change, then I know it’s only two games, but I think it’s pretty easy to see they aren’t the same side as last year and the coach has them playing a different brand of footy, they still love the grind, but you can see they are now looking to join the sides playing with line speed and controlling the tempo of the game, that’s the single biggest difference for me, anyways just my 20 cents worth and I’ll still be death riding them all game, we need this 2 points and the win more so, so I guess we’ll both be happy if they come out flat and our weapons are on this evening. Both sides are missing key players so that can’t be an excuse, it will be a very interesting game.

 

[niccipops]

A good win in the end. I thought they lacked a lot of confidence in the beginning. Predictable plays that the Raiders read very well. They were lying all over us though and got pinged for it.
With the guy in the bin Manly gained confidence, took more risks and then maintained it throughout the game.
Bombed a couple of tries too.
I would have liked one or two more tries.
For once we got the rub of the green from the ref but jeez Canberra like a lie in the ruck. They actually could have been penalised more. They like a forward pass too.
Nice to win for the little fella, Beau, and his family.
Congrats to daddy Ruebs. He was on fire today.

 

[LeonardCohen]

A good win in the end. I thought they lacked a lot of confidence in the beginning. Predictable plays that the Raiders read very well. They were lying all over us though and got pinged for it.
With the guy in the bin Manly gained confidence, took more risks and then maintained it throughout the game.
Bombed a couple of tries too.
I would have liked one or two more tries.
For once we got the rub of the green from the ref but jeez Canberra like a lie in the ruck. They actually could have been penalised more. They like a forward pass too.
Nice to win for the little fella, Beau, and his family.
Congrats to daddy Ruebs. He was on fire today.

I think the opening 20 had a lot to do with combinations. Tom helps direct the play a fair bit and reads the game probably better than anyone else in the NRL, bar Cleary.

 

[frank stokes]

A good win in the end. I thought they lacked a lot of confidence in the beginning. Predictable plays that the Raiders read very well. They were lying all over us though and got pinged for it.
With the guy in the bin Manly gained confidence, took more risks and then maintained it throughout the game.
Bombed a couple of tries too.
I would have liked one or two more tries.
For once we got the rub of the green from the ref but jeez Canberra like a lie in the ruck. They actually could have been penalised more. They like a forward pass too.
Nice to win for the little fella, Beau, and his family.
Congrats to daddy Ruebs. He was on fire today.

Yep I reckon Canberra got what they deserved.. Horsbrough tackle was a professional foul given his position offside next to the PTB so he can’t complain…

 

[niccipops]

Ricky’s presser was funny- Epic whinge- Exactly the same thing happened to us last week with 6 agains and penalties- It’s not unique Ricky.
Instead of complaining, tell your boys to stop having a sleep on top of tackled players.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Ricky’s presser was funny- Epic whinge- Exactly the same thing happened to us last week with 6 agains and penalties- It’s not unique Ricky.
Instead of complaining, tell your boys to stop having a sleep on top of tackled players.

I actually agreed with most of what he said. The crap that gets called a 6-again happens every single match without any ref intervention, and clubs lint the storm and Panthers so it routinely without being penalised.

And coaches not being able to publicly question the refs is ridiculous.