Pre-Game Manly v Raiders [Round 4, 2022]

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

Anyone calling for young Hoppa clearly didn’t know football.

Well by that logic half the members on this board no nothing about football then?

 

[Ryan]

Me too to a point but I always ask who do we play instead? I just don't know if kool-aid is ready. He's close im sure but the raiders 3/4 line is fierce.

With Aloiai back, there a solid forward about to get dropped because of Des insistence of two utilities on the bench.

Swap Walker to centre. Use Tuipuloto or Koula ...anything is better , and then Aloiai slots in and no-one else is dropped but Harper

 

[globaleagle]

I would like to see Manly play a game without it pouring down rain. I haven't checked but I think the weather is holding for this weeks game?

Hoping Aloiai has a good a game that we're all hoping he does. No pressure!

 

[globaleagle]

The ref we have this week is the one who felt 'really bad' about not sending the tigers try up to the bunker.

So we'll see how 'decision-shy' he is this week.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I would like to see Manly play a game without it pouring down rain. I haven't checked but I think the weather is holding for this weeks game?

Hoping Aloiai has a good a game that we're all hoping he does. No pressure!

The weather is meant to be dry and 22 in Mudgee… fingers crossed it stays like that!

 

[Disco]

With Aloiai back, there a solid forward about to get dropped because of Des insistence of two utilities on the bench.

In the modern game with HIAs rampant I dont mind this strategy as Lawton is equal parts edge backrow as he is Hooker and Walker is playing lock.

Penrith have it with Kenny and Salmon on the bench, Sharks with McInnes and Trindall, Broncos with Hethrington and Walters. Heck Storm led the way with Smith and Hynes.

With the current bench we have all scenarios covered.

And whilst its easy to say our forward aren't aiming up add another big bopper the truth is 4 props should be plenty. The curent foreards just need to up their game.

I mean last week Marty played 40 minutes and Paseka and Bullemor 26 each......another big bopper not need just greater output from the big boppers picked

 

[madmax]

agreed - I wouldn't have Lawton this week

I’d replace Croker with Lawton!

 

[Eagle 1]

I would like to see Manly play a game without it pouring down rain. I haven't checked but I think the weather is holding for this weeks game?

Hoping Aloiai has a good a game that we're all hoping he does. No pressure!

He's on an extended bench, hoping Des picks him in the 13. Aloia's straight had runs will be needed against the Raiders forwards.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

In the modern game with HIAs rampant I dont mind this strategy as Lawton is equal parts edge backrow as he is Hooker and Walker is playing lock.

Penrith have it with Kenny and Salmon on the bench, Sharks with McInnes and Trindall, Broncos with Hethrington and Walters. Heck Storm led the way with Smith and Hynes.

With the current bench we have all scenarios covered.

And whilst its easy to say our forward aren't aiming up add another big bopper the truth is 4 props should be plenty. The curent foreards just need to up their game.

I mean last week Marty played 40 minutes and Paseka and Bullemor 26 each......another big bopper not need just greater output from the big boppers picked

The Forwards are where the majority of our problems lie.

They are about as intimidating as my little finger.

 

[double hoops]

In the modern game with HIAs rampant I dont mind this strategy as Lawton is equal parts edge backrow as he is Hooker and Walker is playing lock.

Penrith have it with Kenny and Salmon on the bench, Sharks with McInnes and Trindall, Broncos with Hethrington and Walters. Heck Storm led the way with Smith and Hynes.

With the current bench we have all scenarios covered.

And whilst its easy to say our forward aren't aiming up add another big bopper the truth is 4 props should be plenty. The curent foreards just need to up their game.

I mean last week Marty played 40 minutes and Paseka and Bullemor 26 each......another big bopper not need just greater output from the big boppers picked

And we count Jake as a prop. Walker is owning lock. And coming on earlier and earlier.

 

[Wombat64]

The Forwards are where the majority of our problems lie.

They are about as intimidating as my little finger.

Harper too

 

[Bomb Voyage]

And we count Jake as a prop. Walker is owning lock. And coming on earlier and earlier.

is that what happened last week? Walker came on and went Lock? Jake to prop?

 

[jbb/james]

In the modern game with HIAs rampant I dont mind this strategy as Lawton is equal parts edge backrow as he is Hooker and Walker is playing lock.

Penrith have it with Kenny and Salmon on the bench, Sharks with McInnes and Trindall, Broncos with Hethrington and Walters. Heck Storm led the way with Smith and Hynes.

With the current bench we have all scenarios covered.

And whilst its easy to say our forward aren't aiming up add another big bopper the truth is 4 props should be plenty. The curent foreards just need to up their game.

I mean last week Marty played 40 minutes and Paseka and Bullemor 26 each......another big bopper not need just greater output from the big boppers picked

walker and lawnton is good, if we dont have jake playing so much first receiver and his rotation can get can a bit of mongrel back in pack minutes, and when we dont play schuster in the back row for same reason .

frog can also rotate to keep the dynamic moving along as he is tidy in a few positions

our attacking options need to me more focussed and direct

 

[Eagle 1]

The Forwards are where the majority of our problems lie.

They are about as intimidating as my little finger.

Thought we went ok against a big Bulldogs pack, and defended the middle quite well. They scored from a fumble and long range grubber in the corner. Looking for further improvement on Sat, but you're right Mark, we need to up the ante...

 

[Ryan]

In the modern game with HIAs rampant I dont mind this strategy as Lawton is equal parts edge backrow as he is Hooker and Walker is playing lock.

Penrith have it with Kenny and Salmon on the bench, Sharks with McInnes and Trindall, Broncos with Hethrington and Walters. Heck Storm led the way with Smith and Hynes.

With the current bench we have all scenarios covered.

And whilst its easy to say our forward aren't aiming up add another big bopper the truth is 4 props should be plenty. The curent foreards just need to up their game.

I mean last week Marty played 40 minutes and Paseka and Bullemor 26 each......another big bopper not need just greater output from the big boppers picked

How's that working for us though?

 

[manly al]

Think that most of Manly "s games this season are going to be challenging , apart from the previous front runners , quite a few of the lower ranked sides from 2021 have improved or have better personal now . Not going to be easy against the Raiders , competitive side , strong forward line up and some very willing and capable backs . If Manly can not correct their previous and regular high mistake rate , can ;t see them getting the better of the Raiders . Koula did well against the Raiders in the trial and on any measure , really should have replaced Harper . Manly have shown that they can largely hang in there in defence , hopefully getting closer to clicking better in attack , especially on an expected dry track , just have to hang on to the pill and not put themselves under undue pressure and to built their own pressure accordingly . Still think that they can use Oloka - atu and naturally Turbo better , maybe Alioia if he is match fit can add a bit of starch to the pack . Walker proving a good X factor , Davey should get better . , Some players still need to lift but again if the cheap turn overs can "t be fixed , going to make it hard for themselves again .. .

 

[KaZa]

I'm amazed Sipley is so out of favour with Des. Makes more metres than anyone of our forwards. He hits hard with his defence (besides Keppie nobody does). Ok he has a few lateral defending issues but they all do really. The impact sippers provides rather than having two utilities is huge.

 

[Eagle 1]

No changes.

Expected i guess ..but still deserves a FFS!!

Ailoi and Sipley to the bench for mine...

 

[manly al]

I'm amazed Sipley is so out of favour with Des. Makes more metres than anyone of our forwards. He hits hard with his defence (besides Keppie nobody does). Ok he has a few lateral defending issues but they all do really. The impact sippers provides rather than having two utilities is huge.

Maybe carrying a slight injury but also to take into account that Jake is spending a fair bit of time as a prop now with Walker getting more on field time . . Just wonder if he could offer better impact then Marty , then Alioia back into contention now also .. Bullemor with a bit to offer also , Really should be doing better with the current forward pack depth , hopefully will fall into place quits soon .

 

[anthonyb1965]

It's like our team is playing in some form of "protective mode" meaning, we won't see any bash and barge till Des says so. It would be weird if this was true but we do have a Mad Professor 🙂