Manly v Raiders Round 8 (Pre-Game Day Discussion)

Statistically these 2 teams are very evenly matched for this game. We create more opportunities than they do so this could be an interesting game if we can make our chances stick.

Raiders have had 3 games against top 8 sides and won 0.

We've had 5 for 3/2.

We actually match their pack for avg weight and height so if their monsters, so are we.
The only worry is making sure we control their outside backs. They are very very good at what they do so hopefully we have knuckled down on our l/h side defence. Wrapping them up early will be the key.

A very winnable game on paper.
The Sharks forwards dominated the Canberra pack back in round 2 I think - we need to do the same. They offloaded a lot and kicked well. That game should be played over and over again for our boys this week.
A very winnable game.
We needed to offload a lot last week too as everyone knows that's the only way to avoid the 3-4 man in Melbourne defence from turtling u every tackle. And I don't recall we did it much tbh. Remember how well the Dragons did the offloading in the forwards against us recently? It was incredible how often and how successfully they did it. But we don't have that confidence and after a few drop balls/turnovers and we'll probs go into our shells fearing the Raiders attack giving them too much ball. I think this game is an incredibly tough one for us to win so more fingers crossed than anything else from me.
 
I've tipped us despite that costing me my perfect round last week. We aren't going badly imo.....but please don't fail me again...

Last time I tipped against us we went on a 3 match winning streak though.... maybe its time again...
 
Looks like we will extend the contracts of Frank winterstein and Billy Bainbridge for another two years each. I think Frank is getting better every week he seems to be more comfortable now than last year hence the off loading in the game against storm. If the price is right I'm OK with it
 
Yep and better than what Sironen has been serving up lately.

I wouldn't agree that he is better than Sironen. I would argue that he is a better option off the bench than Brown though! I would love for him to be in rather than Winterstein for his run metres but with the left edge as horrible in defense as it has been the last thing that edge needs is an inept defender in Lane.

But yes, Lane should be in the side if Perrett is injured in place of Brown.
 
I know a lot on here have a love affair with Api but his service just not good enough. Green is also not a good defender on the edges. He needs forwards around him to help. Maybe moving him to defend in the middle of the pitch will help, plus his service and kicking game will be handy. I'd love to see this as the 17 this weekend:

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jorge Taufua
3. Dylan Walker
4. Brian Kelly
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jackson Hastings (gk)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Darcy Lussick
9. Blake Green
10. Martin Taupau
11. Frank Winterstein
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Brenton Lawrence
15. Addin Fonua-Blake
16. Nate Myles
17. Shaun Lane

Coverage in the Halves is with Green and Sironen
Coverage in the Centers with Sironen
Coverage at FB and Winger with Kelly and Walker
Coverage at Hooker with Sironen and Hastings
Coverage in the Front Row / Lock with the Bench
Coverage in the Second Row with Lane

We don't need a utility when you have players in the starting lineup that can play multiple positions. Go big and adjust for injuries IF they happen.
 
I know a lot on here have a love affair with Api but his service just not good enough. Green is also not a good defender on the edges. He needs forwards around him to help. Maybe moving him to defend in the middle of the pitch will help, plus his service and kicking game will be handy. I'd love to see this as the 17 this weekend:

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jorge Taufua
3. Dylan Walker
4. Brian Kelly
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jackson Hastings (gk)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Darcy Lussick
9. Blake Green
10. Martin Taupau
11. Frank Winterstein
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Brenton Lawrence
15. Addin Fonua-Blake
16. Nate Myles
17. Shaun Lane

Coverage in the Halves is with Green and Sironen
Coverage in the Centers with Sironen
Coverage at FB and Winger with Kelly and Walker
Coverage at Hooker with Sironen and Hastings
Coverage in the Front Row / Lock with the Bench
Coverage in the Second Row with Lane

We don't need a utility when you have players in the starting lineup that can play multiple positions. Go big and adjust for injuries IF they happen.
You reckon Green could do the Wallace Switch? I'd love it if it happened means we can have Hastings at 6 which improves the general play kicking and the goal kicking.
 
You reckon Green could do the Wallace Switch? I'd love it if it happened means we can have Hastings at 6 which improves the general play kicking and the goal kicking.

Honestly, the only thing I think that would prevent him from doing so is his defense. The issues I have noticed with his defense is not that he can't tackle, its that he seems to second guess himself and doesn't commit when sliding. This would occur much less frequently if defending in the middle. He would also have help from forwards.

At this point I would suggest it's worth a shot. Green isn't going anywhere and I would suggest we need to make room for Hastings. He has shown a lot of potential and if we can't give him a crack someone else will.

Oh, plus he has an 83.87% career success rate as a goal kicker!
 
You reckon Green could do the Wallace Switch? I'd love it if it happened means we can have Hastings at 6 which improves the general play kicking and the goal kicking.

I suggested that a couple of days ago and you said something to the tune of "Api's one of our best and people want to get rid of him"

I even had Api on the bench where @TagMonster moved him out all together for Shaun Lane.
 
I have no doubts about Hastings ability to play 5/8 but I'm a little more doubtful about Green's ability to cope with the defensive pressures of moving into hooker.

The pressure at hooker is more to do with workrate rather than ability to read the attacking structure. I think that is where Green struggles the most. I could be wrong but whats the harm in trying.

Another option would be Hastings at 9 and Cullen at 6 but I'm still not sold on Cullen as he hasn't really had much of a chance. Very unproven at any position.
 

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