Manly v Storm Pre-game/PostGame

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Orford wary of Storm strike power
By Cameron Tomarchio
AAP
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52306

If Manly aren't 100 per cent on song, Matt Orford knows what the Melbourne Storm will do to them.

"We'll get our butts wiped," the Sea Eagles captain said ahead of Friday night's highly-anticipated NRL grand final rematch at Brookvale Oval.

Premiers Melbourne hold the wood over competition leaders Manly going into the top of the table clash, having won the last two meetings between the heavyweights, including the 2007 decider.

Orford was nonetheless confident the Sea Eagles knew exactly how to counter their all-star opponents.

"I don't think we've ever doubted that we can handle them," the halfback said.

"We've just been off our game. Against a team like Melbourne you can't be off ten or twenty per cent.

"You've really got to be there in every aspect of the game, individually and as a team.

"If you don't then they'll make you pay. It's really clear that we've got to prepare well."

The Sea Eagles will again be without inspirational second rower Anthony Watmough, who hasn't recovered from a knee injury, while Jamie Lyon (knee) and Jason King (ankle) are long-term casualties.

The Storm, meanwhile, have made only one change to the side that thrashed the Titans 44-4 last Friday night, with Queensland lock Dallas Johnson returning after a week's rest.

Manly coach Des Hasler was playing down the hype surrounding the clash, with some pundits labelling it the game of the season.

"This is round 22, it's a scheduled comp game," said Hasler.

"It's not a season-defining game for either side but it's certainly a game that we want to win ... in front of what I think will be one of the biggest crowds we'll see at Brooky for quite a while."

With a crowd of over 20,000 expected and the Roosters and the Sharks pressing for an all-important top two spot, some would argue there is a little bit riding on it.

Orford agreed.

"Everyone is aware of how important this game is," he said.

"It's a big clash. It's top of the table, it's on a Friday night and it's at Brookie. It doesn't get any bigger, really."

Manly go in with plenty of momentum, winning eight of their last nine, but Orford was calling for an improved display.

"We haven't been happy the last couple of weeks, we've been putting probably 50 or 60 minutes together but really lacking in the last 20. That's pretty much the main focus, to play the full 80," he said.

"I think against the Storm you've really got to be a disciplined footy team and you've got to be ready to grind it out."

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Storm team : Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Brett White, Michael Crocker, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Antonio Kaufusi

Coach: Ass Hole

Referee: Tony Archer
Video Referee: Steve Clark

Good work BE. 

Just like in a marriage, its the little things like that that matter but sometimes go unnoticed, but I spotted it  ;D !

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

[quote author=Berkeley_Eagle link=topic=178041.msg192105#msg192105 date=1217926592]
Storm team : Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Brett White, Michael Crocker, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Antonio Kaufusi

Coach: Ass Hole

Referee: Tony Archer
Video Referee: Steve Clark

Good work BE. 

Just like in a marriage, its the little things like that that matter but sometimes go unnoticed, but I spotted it  ;D !


[/quote]]


I was wondering if anyone picked it up
LOL

I was tempted with Archer and Clarke too

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Sea Eagles v Storm Preview
NRL.com
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52320

Brookvale Oval
Friday 7.35pm

THERE’S a lot at stake for both sides in this blockbuster top-of-the-table grand final rematch… and most of it has to do with attitude.

There’s no doubt both sides will be around deep into the semi-finals; most likely one will be minor premier.

So bragging rights and the massive boost to the psyche a win here would provide take on gargantuan proportions.

The Sea Eagles are desperate to show they have the outfit capable of toppling the defending premiers.

Having been swamped in last year’s decider (34-8) and copping a similar caning in round 5 (26-4), the Manly side can ill afford to slump to a third successive Storm defeat.

It won’t be curtains for their premiership assault but it will certainly sow the seeds of doubt about their 2008 credentials.

A win would be a huge boost to a side already playing confident football and it could really propel them towards a spectacular closing two months.

It’s a similar story for the Storm.

Sure they have spluttered on occasion, most recently falling 8-6 to the inconsistent Warriors, but when it’s mattered most they’ve stood up and been counted.

Another win over Manly here and Craig Bellamy knows it will be a long way back for Des Hasler’s boys should they meet them again in 2008. But a defeat… well, it would see them surrender their psychological advantage.

That said defeat would have more of a consequence on Manly’s plans going forward than it would for the Storm.

The one constant about the best teams in the comp is that they are relatively injury-free and able to field consistent combinations repeatedly; although Jamie Lyon (round 25) and Anthony Watmough (round 23) are still missing Manly have named the same side that ravaged the Panthers at Brookie last week, while the Storm have the same 17 that savaged the Titans at Olympic Park.

Watch out Sea Eagles: The Storm have firepower all around the park.

In particular though, Billy Slater remains the most elusive player in the comp with 18 line breaks – five more than the next best player.

He also averages more metres than any player on kick-returns – 13.7.

Also, Cooper Cronk – re-signed during the week through 2013 – leads the comp for try assists with 27 (just 3 ahead of his rival Matt Orford) and ranks second in the NRL for line-break assists with 14.

And then there’s the impossible-to-defend-against fend of Greg Inglis… their talent just goes on.

Watch out Storm: Brett Stewart + Brookvale Oval = tries!

The talented number one bagged his 13th four-pointer for the season last week (second in the NRL try-scorer’s list) and provided a wonderful try assist for winger Michael Robertson’s 80-metre run to the line.

Stewart has beautiful skills and makes things happen on the spur of the moment, even when nothing looks to be ‘on’.

One of the most instinctive players in the game, the Storm defence will need to get up on him quickly.

They should also pay particular attention to their former centre Steve Bell who appears to be flying under the radar – the veteran has 13 line breaks for the season, the second most by any player in the comp.

Where it will be won: The gameplan.

While that sounds a somewhat blunt appraisal these teams play such different styles that it really boils down to whether they turn up and play what’s expected, or whether they wander out of their comfort zone and take their opponents by surprise.

For example the Sea Eagles top the NRL for offloads, averaging 13.1 a game.

It’s crucial to their flowing, second-phase play that reaps a heap of points.

Conversely the Storm are misers with the pill, offloading just 6.6 times a game – the least number of any side in the comp.

But they still come across as flashy – that’s because they grind and frustrate their opponents in close to the ruck before spreading it wide to their dazzling backline talent.

That’s pretty much how these two sides have played the past two times they’ve met – but will that be the case on Friday?

Our gut feeling is we can expect a repeat again here, although last week the Storm parted with convention to make 13 offloads against the Titans.

That game was particularly interesting in that the Storm’s defence kept the Titans to just 2 offloads.

As for Manly, Des Hasler would be adopting an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality – although he may feel pressure to reveal a little more of what he’s got left up his sleeve in 2008 in order to notch an all-important win.

Expect the Sea Eagles to dazzle rather than wrestle.

The History: Played 12; Storm 7, Sea Eagles 5.

The honours are even at four games apiece over their past eight meetings – although the Storm hold a decisive 3-1 advantage over the past four.

But the outlook is brighter for the Sea Eagles with this game at Brookvale, where they have won five of six and the past three in succession including a nail-biting 13-12 win last season.

Conclusion: It all boils down to the match-ups around the park.

Brett Stewart v Billy Slater.

Steve Menzies v Greg Inglis.

Brent Kite v Jeff Lima (the affable Kite won’t bite the same way powderkeg Dragons prop Jason Ryles did three weeks ago).

Glenn Stewart v Dallas Johnson.

But in particular it revolves around the fluidity provided to both sides by their number sevens, Matt Orford and Cooper Cronk.

There’s not a struck match between the two halfbacks but Cronk is arguably a little more composed under pressure.

That means the Sea Eagles need to start dictating this game from the word go, or else risk having to chase after the two competition points.

As they’ve shown over the past fortnight, trailing by 18 after 20 minutes against the Roosters and leading by 18 after 20 minutes against the Panthers last week, they’re a better side from in front.

One thing’s for sure: they’ll have to work damn hard to get there here.

Match officials: Referee – Tony Archer; Sideline Officials – Steve Carrall & Steve Chiddy; Video ref – Steve Clark.

Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7.30pm (NSW & Qld); Delayed – Fox Sports 2 – 11.30pm.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Spud urges Manly to use Storm tactics


By Dean Ritchie

August 07, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24137503-5001023,00.html

MANLY players have been urged to "fight fire with fire" as fresh evidence emerged that Melbourne continue using niggling and unsavoury tackling techniques.

The revelation comes as Manly skipper Matt Orford claimed his side must be aggressive in tomorrow night's blockbuster at Brookvale.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained footage which shows Melbourne used their full array of defensive tricks in last Friday night's match against Gold Coast at Olympic Park.

It shows Melbourne players slowing down the play-the-ball by thrusting their knees into Titans players' hamstrings while also using the chicken wing and grapple.

But former Manly hard man Mark Carroll says the Sea Eagles must do what St George Illawarra did three weeks ago and not allow Melbourne to dominate at the ruck.

"If they used any of those tactics on me I'd get up and start throwing them," Carroll said.

"I think we should fight fire with fire. I think there'll be fireworks.

"They get three into every tackle. It's unbelievable. They might stop doing it for a week or so but it will come back again near the finals."

Orford said that referee Tony Archer would be closely monitoring the ruck area.

"It's (ruck tactics) been well documented over the last few weeks," Orford told The Daily Telegraph.

"Every teams works hard on the ruck and play-the-ball area.

"I'm sure the referee will be intent on watching the ruck area. They'll be keeping an eye on what tactics go on.

"We need to be aggressive and get on the front foot. There's no use being a passive team and letting them dictate terms.

"We can't let the Storm dictate the terms. We need to be aggressive in all parts of our game."

Manly players are aware of Melbourne's tactics but are reluctant to comment publicly.

"We're used to it," said Manly prop Josh Perry. "A lot of teams do it. We'll be ready for it. They do it pretty well."

Foward Anthony Watmough added: "They will step on your hand. My hand's been trodden on a hundred times over the years."

Hasler was coy when asked about Melbourne's tactics.

"It's something the referee has to adjudicate," he said.

"If he referees as he should, there won't be a problem."

NRL assistant referees coach Bill Harrigan will be watching the match intently.

"We're aware of the tactics of all the teams," Harrigan said.

Storm prop Brett White said his side would not be lured into any on-field flare-ups with Manly.

"Getting in a fight is not going to help you do that," White said.

But Storm CEO Brian Waldron said the match would be fierce.

"It will be on for young and old," he said.

Manly will start the match $2.20 outsiders with the Storm at $1.65.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

here is a avatar for those who want one that I found on LU