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

[Eagle 1]

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 .. .

Summed everything up well MA, no easy games in 22, you gota earn em now. Thought we went well in the forwards against a big Bulldogs pack, and defended the middle really well. Need Alioia on the bench, personally, I'd start him. Not sure why Sipley is out of favour with Des atm, who knows could be some late changes.

 

[jbb/james]

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 .. .

yeah we wont be giving the cows 20 start and running them down either id presume

i think the rules last year and the covid bubble had an affect on the comp some teams more.

this allowed us in many circumstances to play footy without earning the right. The manly i know has been like that for a fair while, usually relying on referee leg ups, poor handling by the opposition to get us rolling ,

freakish talent got us the rest really

 

[Mitch]

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.

He will 100% be in the 17. Not sure if he starts though.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

IMO constantly picking under performing players is bad for the squad morale. It not only affects the players that keep getting picked it also deflates those waiting for a chance. Its such a simple concept yet it is absolutely being ignored at present. The forwards don't look hungry and no wonder they are not playing to keep their starting spots. Watching Jake's interview after the game on Sunday its clear Des is hard on them after a loss. Perhaps he needs to look at himself and his rigid selection policies. He's not helping them whilst locked in the past. He takes too long to introduce young talent and will loose them to other clubs at this rate. Who could blame them or their families. Yes I know Des has won premierships but that was a long time ago and the game has changed significantly since then. Come on Des get with the times.

 

[Sheikheagle]

I don’t know why we are expecting massive changes. We are 1 from 3 not 0 from 5. Patience peoples.

 

[Pete the Eagle]

Sadly I don’t think a 1 point win against the Bulldogs ( whilst getting the 2 points ) has turned our season around.

Compared to most other teams we are still very VERY ordinary.

I’m expecting an arse whipping to be honest.

Hope they prove me wrong.

Mark I agree , after last week cant see any good this week , no team changes , same same for us .
I prey I'm wrong and Mudgee has been kind to us in the past but we didn't deserve to win last week and i really cant see us winning this week , but i will be happy to be proved wrong.

 

[Hotspur2014]

I don’t see 1 (Harper) or maybe 2 (Croker) as massive changes. Let’s be honest our performances in the last 4 games (plus the Melbourne thrashing) have been well below par. We got away with the points against the Bulldogs but gee we looked pedestrian and void of ideas. We need a winning mentality and Des is not delivering this at the moment.

 

[Ryan]

I don’t see 1 (Harper) or maybe 2 (Croker) as massive changes. Let’s be honest our performances in the last 4 games (plus the Melbourne thrashing) have been well below par. We got away with the points against the Bulldogs but gee we looked pedestrian and void of ideas. We need a winning mentality and Des is not delivering this at the moment.

In 2022 rugby league, a specialist hooker is possibly the most important player in any team in my opinion. Particularly for ruck speed and control. Everything else rolls off that.

Brandon Smith, Harry Grant, Apisai Koroisou, Damien Cooke etc etc. It's no wonder these teams are so consistently up the top. Look at The Chooks since Friend went down. Check their wins / losses.

 

[The Wheel]

Rd 4 Match Day Information: Sea Eagles in Mudgee

The mighty Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are returning to Mudgee on Saturday, April 2, for the round 4 Telstra Premiership match against the Canberra Raiders.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Eagle 1]

Mark I agree , after last week cant see any good this week , no team changes , same same for us .
I prey I'm wrong and Mudgee has been kind to us in the past but we didn't deserve to win last week and i really cant see us winning this week , but i will be happy to be proved wrong.

Why the despondency Pete, I can see us only improving from the Bulldogs game. They scored 2 tries, one a fumble over the line by us and the second a long range grubber into the cnr of the in goal. Our fwds defended well, but our 2nd half attack was very clunky, maybe put it down to a heavy track. Dry track by the looks of it at Mudgee, we can really kick start our season off the way it should be, and it all starts this Saturday.

 

[mickqld]

Marty ripping in !!!

Not sure what’s going on but he’s become a bit of a powder puff recently.

You’d think I with his career on the line he’s be busting his arse off.

But he’s not !

He's clearly got post football career business on his mind the way he is playing. The hunger to throw your body into the grind just doesn't seem to be there.

 

[mickqld]

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

And the point isn’t that Koula is the answer, the point is that Harper isn’t.

IIIIFFF Koula is going to be Turbos replacement in a couple of months, I don’t see how giving him game time now (when Harper is consistently putting out Ressie performances), is a bad thing.
Surely he can’t be any worse than what Morgan is dishing up.
Maybe it’s not Koula. Maybe it’s Tuipolotu. Or Jorge. Or Weekes. Who knows. But Harper is proving to everyone why he was released by the Dogs.

Harper hasn’t played well since the back end of last year. He’s down on confidence. In complete comparison, Parker is doing his job.

You can expect and hope that eventually 80mins of football will go your way against the top teams… but we’ve been trotting out the same players and performances for over 12 months and we haven’t looked close to beating the best teams - that’s because most other coaches drop players after poor performances and encourage competition for positions.

Or maybe contributing to Harper's poor form is also the result of the confused, hesistant, headless chook, running in circles service coming from the inside.....DCE.

 

[mickqld]

I see Ailoi is on the extended bench, wouldn't surprise me to see Des promote Ailoi. Ailoi's hard no nonsense straight runs are what's required to soften up the Can forwards.

I think it's spelt Aioli.......or is that the sauce with Maccas chips and nuggets ????

 

[Eagle 1]

I think it's spelt Aioli.......or is that the sauce with Maccas chips and nuggets ????

good one!! Aioli, lol...there's about 4 or 5 variations on how to spell is name.

 

[Eagle 1]

He's clearly got post football career business on his mind the way he is playing. The hunger to throw your body into the grind just doesn't seem to be there.

I think if the Cowboys tabled an offer for Marty to play now, think we'd probably take it, and as long as the subsidy payments aren't to high..

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

I’d replace Croker with Lawton!

yes - I wouldn't disagree with that - but we only need one of them.. not both is my view. Walker as the super sub and three forwards

 

[Brookie Bob]

Player Media: Andrew Davey

Hard working second-rower Andrew Davey talks about his role within the team.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Brookie Bob]

Idol chat: Schneider primed for DCE showdown in Mudgee

Rookie Raider Brad Schneider is ready for another 'pinch yourself' moment when he goes head to head with Daly Cherry-Evans in round four

www.nrl.com

 

[madmax]

yes - I wouldn't disagree with that - but we only need one of them.. not both is my view. Walker as the super sub and three forwards

Lawton has always been a hooker…..I just feel the forwards would benefit more with him at hooker. Nothing against Croker but Lawton has more speed & takes the line on more.

 

[Dee Why Eagle]

Lawton has always been a hooker…..I just feel the forwards would benefit more with him at hooker. Nothing against Croker but Lawton has more speed & takes the line on more.

Didn't we go backwards last year when Croker was out injured & Lawton came in?