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

[Terry Zarsoff]

No captain today

Luke Brooks appeared to be auditioning for the role.

The Jawbone? Well he drifted in and out of the game in his inimitable style. Plus he chucked in one or two of his signature donut manoeuvres for good measure.

 

[Stevo]

I have been massive fans of all of these players. But im not now. This game was the kicker for me not the defining moment.

We are spending $3m on 3 players. The first one is a player that on average plays barely half of the season. And his brother who honestly adds not much. He might have a motor, but as a middle he never breaks a tackle, and he is struggling laterally massively. And then we have the captain. I don't care what anyone says. He is a cock. He could have kept his dealings quiet and brought it up when either we were going to miss the finals or made the finals and then he could have played it that he walked out a champion Sea Eagle.

The only player we can not afford to lose from this side is Olakuatu. That's it.

And then you see young players busting their arse and coming up with massive plays by themselves like Bullmore, Hopoate, and Fauololo.

I guess my question is if we put aside the so called hearts of the club and we had $3m to spend on other players, what could this team actually do?

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Our pack is bigger in size than theirs and is no where near as athletic or mobile, we really need to address weaknesses we have, we got smashed around the ruck, our defence was quite passive and the fundamental errors such as playing the ball correctly cost us dearly.

I agree this is the crux of the problem.

Our forwards even at full strength are barely mobile and aggressive enough, and with Croker Aloiai and Paseka missing we lost 'the physical battle' as Seibs put it. Not fit, fast or agile enough to close gaps or slow the ruck. Storm had the attacking aces to take full toll.

We need a couple of Navale-types to better balance the pack.

Problem is this week we face the Sharks who have a huge pack so we might go with a similar lineup (?)

 

[eaglebuzz]

I have been massive fans of all of these players. But im not now. This game was the kicker for me not the defining moment.

We are spending $3m on 3 players. The first one is a player that on average plays barely half of the season. And his brother who honestly adds not much. He might have a motor, but as a middle he never breaks a tackle, and he is struggling laterally massively. And then we have the captain. I don't care what anyone says. He is a cock. He could have kept his dealings quiet and brought it up when either we were going to miss the finals or made the finals and then he could have played it that he walked out a champion Sea Eagle.

The only player we can not afford to lose from this side is Olakuatu. That's it.

And then you see young players busting their arse and coming up with massive plays by themselves like Bullmore, Hopoate, and Fauololo.

I guess my question is if we put aside the so called hearts of the club and we had $3m to spend on other players, what could this team actually do?

I am ready to see the back of DCE, for the reasons you listed. I don't want to lose Jake and Tom, they just need to take large pay cuts.

 

[BOZO]

Croker will add very little imo not like a Harry Grant.

The Hooker Evolution at Manly
After 3 years as Head coach Seibold we have evolved with Croker and Tevaga
Seibold has persisted with a makeshift half hooker and has evolved with a retiring makeshift forward hooker
The younger number 9s are on his bench or playing NSW cup
Thats The Manly Way these days
We need to to change that
We need a Proactive Change

 

[The '47ers]

Manly’s next $1m time bomb exposed; refs’ ‘mind boggling’ Latrell blunder — Crawls

Manly’s next $1m time bomb exposed; refs’ ‘mind boggling’ Latrell blunder — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[manly al]

Guess that the main priority after yesterday 's disappointment and being generally outplayed has to be ,what can be realistically fixed as soon as possible.
Alioia has shown improvement in the early stages this season so hopefully is available again to start , Taukeiaho maybe better off the bench if yesterday is any indication ,and clearly Bully should be getting much more game time
Would be even more inclined to start with Waddell as a prop for a bit more mobility .
Someone mentioned Manly "s reserve grade did well and if Navale and Patolo are continuing to improve , may have to come into serious consideration if available soon .
just not going to be able to go with the better packs especially with Sipps , Brown , Jake and to a lesser extent Taukeiaho on the field together at any one time .
Faulalo can attack but looks like very inexperienced with wing defence and did cost Manly yesterday .
Probably the suggestion to include Ray Ray had some merit , at least if he did leave his wing to try and shut down an attack , probably would have been much more effective .apart from stronger ball carries
Storm , a very good side when they are allowed to dictate play and particularly when naturally dominating possession .
No question Manly have the attacking ability in quite a few areas and illustrated again yesterday but obviously also just have to find a way with some much better agility and reactive technique defensively especially against the better drilled and ruthless sides .
Just also hope that Manly can lock down Koula on a much longer extended deal like they already have with Haumole , Tent and Sabb .
Undoubted downer again yesterday , some bright spots when they were able to get their act together in attack, but just have to find that extra resilience somehow when under adversity and self harm pressure defensively

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Our Achilles heel is our pack. We need Jake moved back into the front rotation quick smart. We need another second rower to partner Big O and a lock. Big slow forwards just don’t cut it in the modern game. We need real consistent line speed in defence. The first two tries yesterday were embarrassing.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Faulalo can attack but looks like very inexperienced with wing defence and did cost Manly yesterda

I might have missed it but didn't think he cost us? From memory dropped a bomb or two under huge pressure which can happen to any winger. The try (or tries) down his wing were not his fault I thought, though I haven't re-watched them.
He's a bit light for yardage but I can see a future for him in NRL, either at Manly or elsewhere. Has some footy talent for sure.

 

[Eagle 1]

I agree this is the crux of the problem.

Our forwards even at full strength are barely mobile and aggressive enough, and with Croker Aloiai and Paseka missing we lost 'the physical battle' as Seibs put it. Not fit, fast or agile enough to close gaps or slow the ruck. Storm had the attacking aces to take full toll.

We need a couple of Navale-types to better balance the pack.

Problem is this week we face the Sharks who have a huge pack so we might go with a similar lineup (?)

Yeah, agree with what you say SER, unfortunately are worst fears are now being realized. It's just so glaringly obvious. Attacking wise we're just getting nothing out of Jake, Brown,TKO and the nowhere man Sipley. The leg speed of Paseka and Alioi were sorely missed yesterday, Ola can't do it all by himself, Ben's still on his apprenticeship as a lock, and hoping he'll bare some fruit in the coming months ahead. Looking to next week. Sharks are smelling blood in the water, could be carnage again, hope not. Possible return of Ailoi and Croker, Ailoi will be needed, not sure about Croker tho, I fear for his long term health. Toss up between him and Jazz for that bench spot.

 

[manly al]

I might have missed it but didn't think he cost us? From memory dropped a bomb or two under huge pressure which can happen to any winger. The try (or tries) down his wing were not his fault I thought, though I haven't re-watched them.
He's a bit light for yardage but I can see a future for him in NRL, either at Manly or elsewhere. Has some footy talent for sure.

Pretty sure at least twice left his wing as a wrong option and on another occasion a bit slow to react defensively near the line ,
Still has good attacking ability and think his best position is at full back by far but of course already have some very capable players to cover there

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

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

Seibold said last night that Talau is not due back until Round 7.

 

[Chunkytuna]

I am ready to see the back of DCE, for the reasons you listed. I don't want to lose Jake and Tom, they just need to take large pay cuts.

And they will be next time their contract comes up. At least they are Manly men at heart and would do that for the good of the club. Tom has already even offered to give money back !!!

 

[Chunkytuna]

I might have missed it but didn't think he cost us? From memory dropped a bomb or two under huge pressure which can happen to any winger. The try (or tries) down his wing were not his fault I thought, though I haven't re-watched them.
He's a bit light for yardage but I can see a future for him in NRL, either at Manly or elsewhere. Has some footy talent for sure.

I think he cost as dearly yesterday. In attack he was ok but defensively he got found out badly. He’s a good footy player but everything I’ve seen from him in FG suggests to me he’s not quite at that standard.

 

[Seagles68]

Good to get back Talau, Croker not sure. Simpkin has been great, between Jazz and Croker for the bench spot.

At least Croker would add some starch in defence in the ruck.

 

[Nambawan]

First time we’ve played an actual good team this year and sure enough we got rolled.

Finding it pretty hard to support the team this year with the clown show coming from the captain but I do at least enjoy watching the likes of Haumole, Lehi and Koula who were our best 3 players yesterday. D$E leaving is a start but I think we’ll have to wait another year for Tom & Jake to take pay cuts before we can build a decent roster again.

Interesting reading we can’t play Lodge/Navale because they aren’t on top 30 deals, but Joey Walsh who is still only playing Flegg and apparently 2 years away from being ready is? James and Matterson in there too and I doubt we’ll see them in first grade this year. A lot said about our poor roster management but little things like this add up especially with the injuries we have.

Navale can't yet be picked in the Firsts - is that correct? I did hear Siebold say that about Lodge, but I don't think he mentioned Navale.

 

[eaglebuzz]

At least Croker would add some starch in defence in the ruck.

Yeah I think we are a stronger side with Croker at 9, Simpkin at 14, and Tevaga for Waddell

 

[Eagle 1]

Navale can't yet be picked in the Firsts - is that correct? I did hear Siebold say that about Lodge, but I don't think he mentioned Navale.

Rd 11 can't come fast enough.