Pre-Game Manly v Roosters [Round 2, 2024]

[Jethro]

@Jethro note the header for this thread says the game is at Leichhardt Oval on 12 March, and similarly the Game Day thread.

As always, many thanks for the games' threads and all the details you always provide in them are much appreciated.

Yep, I noticed that too when I was making each of the threads.It will be something that @Dan will have to fix up.

 

[40 nil]

Vaega and Paulo up against Dom Young and Suualli

It should be Young & Tupou on the wings (with Sua'ali'i & Manu in the centres). Young outplayed Garrick in both Knights games in 2023. Last year in Rd 23, the Roosters outside backs played all over ours. In that game Brown was sent off for his first tackle - a head shot on Burbo. In the two games v. Roosters (one win, one loss) we scored a total of six tries, including a try & two try assists by Schuster.

2023 Rd 18

2023 Rd 23

 

[manly al]

Promising signs that Manly were able to match the Roosters pack in the recent trial and minus a heap of i st selection backs .
Roosters in practical terms with a slight edge on the wings [ and with Saab likely out ] but that will not determine the outcome exclusively .
Manly a bit more starch and staying power in the pack if the effort against Souths is going to be the new norm . Maybe D C E can show a bit more then Sam Walker as the rest of the backlines pretty much counsel each other out though Koula and Garrick should have a bit of a speed edge on the Roosters pair . Koula in particular may get some better opportunities with a normal field size again
Hopefully Turbo can really turn it on , brooks to go real well again and a good supporting home crowd can also help swing things manly 's way
Can 't underestimate a hopefully ready to go Schuster coming on at whatever stages to provide a bit of an X factor

 

[Eagle 1]

The thing is this will be JWH final year so he will going out all guns blazing for his farewell tour and you can bet he will target Brown and Robinson will be pleading leniency for JWH if he does anything dirty saying ,give him a break, its his last year so yes it will be a huge game for Brown

Brown will know how to push Hargraves buttons, and draw penalties. Brown's just got to be smart about how he goes about it.

 

[manly al]

Brown will know how to push Hargraves buttons, and draw penalties. Brown's just got to be smart about how he goes about it.

Wouldn 't recommend it . Prefer to just let Brown focus on his own game and play tough and uncompromising minus any niggle
Otherwise might be inclined to revert back to his previous or occasional undisciplined manner of play
Sure that the whole Manly pack will be quire prepared and intent to take it up to the Roosters forwards including J W H in an aggressive and largely controlled way similar to the Bunnie's effort

 

[Dion Johnson]

Some really good matchups if all players are fit, hopefully both teams are near full strength.

Turbo up against Teddy, Koula on Manu are the ones I am looking forward too.

Expect the left attacking edge to give Sam Walker a tough time in defence, the combinations are early stages, however they looked pretty sharp against the Vermin.

Hoping Schuster is fit and selected, looking forward for his football to do the talking this season.

On Jaxon Paulo he has played the majority of his career on the right side, not making excuses for him but he needs to be given a fair crack at building his combinations with new teammates and the style of play Manly are aiming at.

 

[Eagle 1]

Wouldn 't recommend it . Prefer to just let Brown focus on his own game and play tough and uncompromising minus any niggle
Otherwise might be inclined to revert back to his previous or occasional undisciplined manner of play
Sure that the whole Manly pack will be quire prepared and intent to take it up to the Roosters forwards including J W H in an aggressive and largely controlled way similar to the Bunnie's effort

Come on Al, the hill would love Brown doing this, just got to be sneaky on how he implements it.

 

[manly al]

Come on Al, the hill would love Brown doing this, just got to be sneaky on how he implements it.

Think that J W H would be just too experienced and willy these days to be put of his game , might just work in reverse if Brown tried it .
Good hard footy without the niggle against the quite formidable Bunnies pack, Brown came out on top just like the rest of the Manly pack .
just like to see more of the same and fair chance for a good outcome again
Just sayin [ or has that expression got a copyright on it these days ]

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

We did ok v the Rorters in the trial , yes they had some out ( so did we ).

Tough game , at home , Manly by 4

 

[cc eagle]

We did ok v the Rorters in the trial , yes they had some out ( so did we ).

Tough game , at home , Manly by 4

I think you'll find Rorters were at full strength just about for 60mins Mark, we only had a handfull of 1st graders

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I think you'll find Rorters were at full strength just about for 60mins Mark, we only had a handfull of 1st graders

No Spencer no JWH from memory

 

[cc eagle]

No Spencer no JWH from memory

That's right, our pack looked ok, but the backs were all reggies

 

[eagleron]

Was a stupid thing to say, if it sticks his definitely gone. Sad part they have plenty of depth and won’t miss him. Unbelievable forward depth actually.

Agree with that, our forwards are going to have to turn up or they'll run riot against us

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Agree with that, our forwards are going to have to turn up or they'll run riot against us

Manly has a good pack this year. They stood up to Souths, who were widely thought to have one of the strongest packs, even without needing Sipley Lodge or Schuster.
Sure one or two clubs have more 'name' forwards but Manly will put a strong pack on the field every week in 2024.

 

[eagleron]

Manly has a good pack this year. They stood up to Souths, who were widely thought to have one of the strongest packs, even without needing Sipley Lodge or Schuster.
Sure one or two clubs have more 'name' forwards but Manly will put a strong pack on the field every week in 2024.

I agree with everything you say although in the past consistency has been the most frustrating aspect of our game for years now

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I agree with everything you say although in the past consistency has been the most frustrating aspect of our game for years now

Competition for spots every week should make a difference there.

 

[eagleron]

Competition for spots every week should make a difference there.

I like to think that too, let's hope it's a reality this season, I've got high hopes 👍

 

[The Royal Soup]

From the club:

- Lawton is out for an indefinite time with ankle injury

- Saab is out for 6+ weeks

- Garrick is good to go

Be interesting who comes in, Ray worries me with his defence and height against the high ball

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

From the club:

- Lawton is out for an indefinite time with ankle injury

- Saab is out for 6+ weeks

- Garrick is good to go

Be interesting who comes in, Ray worries me with his defence and height against the high ball

Bugger , didn’t take long did it

 

[LeonardCohen]

Shame for Lawton who is very injury prone.

Not surprised that Saab is facing 6 weeks.

If there is a better back five than Manly’s, it’s definitely the Chooks. They’ve got size and speed to burn as well. Losing Saab for this match up is a bummer!

The Chooks potential weakness is the halves…Keary and Walker are patchy. They can turn it on and turn it up in equal measure. If they have off days, we can come over the top. If they’re on, it’ll be tough going.