Post-Game Discussion Manly V Storm [Round 5, 2025]

[Michael Clare]

So this came down to a 5 min period in 1st half and a 10min period in 2nd. All on the back of penalties, 6 agains and a rubbish play the ball call against us. We were pathetic not to stop those rolls but it just shows how fu*ked the nrl is that so many games get decided by pedantic , subjective referee calls. Not an excuse for our weak efforts but so many games end up like this.

I am beginning to think that professional wrestling is less contrived than some of this refereeing! But our defence is simply embarrassing and has been for quite some time.

 

[Michael Clare]

Atkins acting like a school principal, all's thats missing is a ruler to rap players on the wrist.

Atkin's performance was as sub-standard as our defence.

 

[NREagle]

Consistency.

Wasn't that what they wanted to work on this year?

We are so far from that.

Guess the positive is we throw a great game in here and there. So we're not consistently bad, either.

Storm and eels win. What a weekend, hey.

 

[Eagle 1]

So this came down to a 5 min period in 1st half and a 10min period in 2nd. All on the back of penalties, 6 agains and a rubbish play the ball call against us. We were pathetic not to stop those rolls but it just shows how fu*ked the nrl is that so many games get decided by pedantic , subjective referee calls. Not an excuse for our weak efforts but so many games end up like this.

Agree, the ridiculous offside call on Garricks no try, case in point.

 

[eaglebuzz]

At least we were in good shape before this loss. But man we need to be way better than that.

 

[Phobia]

We cannot afford anyone besides geriatric middles, because of Jake and Tom's contracts that have not paid off. We will be too slow there until 2027.

In all fairness to Jake, I don't blame him. The rules changed against his game immediately after he re-signed, and it's the failure of the club to make our flagship middle a defensive middle... When we have no true attacking middles aside from Bullemor and Paseka.

Anyone blaming DCE today is kidding themselves. He went to headless chook mode because not a single piston was firing anywhere else. Backline players were good, although Faulalo is not a first grader. Remember the people saying we should flog off Garrick to keep Faulalo? Where are they now? Our backline is not our problem, although TT2 would be better.

We need to prioritise Navale, Bullemor and Paseka. Most of the other middles are too slow or past their prime. I do like Taukeiaho but he is not lasting the year.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Agree, the ridiculous offside call on Garricks no try, case in point.

Yeah, that wasn't good. And the call on Burbo for an incorrect play-the-ball (which was completely fine as far as I could see) killed us. But that's no excuse for giving up 48 points.

We are just terrible without the ball, and until that is addressed, (with apologies to @bob dylan) we ain't going nowhere. Middles were soft, with no lateral movement. Edges were soft, missing one-on-one tackles. Somehow, we are always back-pedalling in defence. We can't control the ruck and as a consequence get run over. It's hard to watch.

 

[Chunkytuna]

We cannot afford anyone besides geriatric middles, because of Jake and Tom's contracts that have not paid off. We will be too slow there until 2027.

In all fairness to Jake, I don't blame him. The rules changed against his game immediately after he re-signed, and it's the failure of the club to make our flagship middle a defensive middle... When we have no true attacking middles aside from Bullemor and Paseka.

Anyone blaming DCE today is kidding themselves. He went to headless chook mode because not a single piston was firing anywhere else. Backline players were good, although Faulalo is not a first grader. Remember the people saying we should flog off Garrick to keep Faulalo? Where are they now? Our backline is not our problem, although TT2 would be better.

We need to prioritise Navale, Bullemor and Paseka. Most of the other middles are too slow or past their prime. I do like Taukeiaho but he is not lasting the year.

The point is DCE is supposed to be our captain, our playmakers and the one to stand up when things are turning pear shaped. I’ve said for years, he’s hopeless when the chips are down. Pathetic. When things go our way he’s great. Inconsistent and ill be happy that we’re moving on from him next year.

 

[WAMF]

I've learnt that pre-game, if you hear Siebold say that he's happy with the teams preparation and it's been a great week, just know we're about to lose.

 

[Forster eagle]

We cannot afford anyone besides geriatric middles, because of Jake and Tom's contracts that have not paid off. We will be too slow there until 2027.

In all fairness to Jake, I don't blame him. The rules changed against his game immediately after he re-signed, and it's the failure of the club to make our flagship middle a defensive middle... When we have no true attacking middles aside from Bullemor and Paseka.

Anyone blaming DCE today is kidding themselves. He went to headless chook mode because not a single piston was firing anywhere else. Backline players were good, although Faulalo is not a first grader. Remember the people saying we should flog off Garrick to keep Faulalo? Where are they now? Our backline is not our problem, although TT2 would be better.

We need to prioritise Navale, Bullemor and Paseka. Most of the other middles are too slow or past their prime. I do like Taukeiaho but he is not lasting the year.

No no no no....all we ever talk about is how good a person is on the back of their attack. I would swap 2 fleet footed wingers and centres for people who can read defence and tackle. We must just find a way to stop teams scoring more than 20 every week. They're the teams that wins comps.

 

[hozza]

Same same from us. Probably finish anywhere from 6th-10th this year as usual.
Until D$E leaves, then the real rebuild/premiership window will open. Can’t wait…….

 

[skull61]

Well looks like Saab going to be out again so hopefully Tommy Talau is back next week

 

[Hertera]

It is tough being a Manly fan at the moment the only thing keeping a smile on my face is the Perth Bears falling over **** North Sydney and **** the bears

 

[Dion Johnson]

Well looks like Saab going to be out again so hopefully Tommy Talau is back next week

I missed the Saab injury, any details?

I would like to see big Nav get a shot in first grade if they can upgrade him to a developmental contract.

 

[Eagle 1]

Yeah, that wasn't good. And the call on Burbo for an incorrect play-the-ball (which was completely fine as far as I could see) killed us. But that's no excuse for giving up 48 points.

We are just terrible without the ball, and until that is addressed, (with apologies to @bob dylan) we ain't going nowhere. Middles were soft, with no lateral movement. Edges were soft, missing one-on-one tackles. Somehow, we are always back-pedalling in defence. We can't control the ruck and as a consequence get run over. It's hard to watch.

Just not getting enough in attack out of Sips, TKO, Jurbo, and this could be Brownie's last year in first grade.

 

[Waz13]

We cannot afford anyone besides geriatric middles, because of Jake and Tom's contracts that have not paid off. We will be too slow there until 2027.

In all fairness to Jake, I don't blame him. The rules changed against his game immediately after he re-signed, and it's the failure of the club to make our flagship middle a defensive middle... When we have no true attacking middles aside from Bullemor and Paseka.

Anyone blaming DCE today is kidding themselves. He went to headless chook mode because not a single piston was firing anywhere else. Backline players were good, although Faulalo is not a first grader. Remember the people saying we should flog off Garrick to keep Faulalo? Where are they now? Our backline is not our problem, although TT2 would be better.

We need to prioritise Navale, Bullemor and Paseka. Most of the other middles are too slow or past their prime. I do like Taukeiaho but he is not lasting the year.

I don’t agree on the DCE comment Phobia. I spotted multiple tines where all he needed to do was distribute to create opportunity. Like when he caught and passed for the lead up to Saabs try. He flipped into chook mode quite a bit today.

Agree with most other points.

 

[Eagle 1]

The big scary thing tho, imagine if Olacalatu didn't play today...yikes !!..

 

[Nordburg]

I see the usual blaming the ref lol.

It would appear some people have forgotten the Cows and Raiders games

 

[Nordburg]

I don’t agree on the DCE comment Phobia. I spotted multiple tines where all he needed to do was distribute to create opportunity. Like when he caught and passed for the lead up to Saabs try. He flipped into chook mode quite a bit today.

Agree with most other points.

“Chook mode”, quite appropriate

 

[Frogz]

Whatever we are paying the 3 T's...its way way way too much. None of them are million dollar men anymore and never will be again. Liabilities.