Not gunna leap off a cliff after 1 game with a long season ahead but the defence was a big issue for many reasons...
*Defence is a real indicator of attitude
*Not a Gould fan but his point on lack of communication was evident also
*The physical presence of the fowards was soft - this new rule of quick release can ONLY be beaten through solid contact - dominating the attacker, which WILL be rewarded by the refs as shown in the first 2 games
*Many occasions the Parra attack went wide off the back of speedy play the balls & the Manly defence went backwards looking awkward & uncomfortable- always a fan of pushing up & though its tough with 3 on 4 or even 2 on 3 which was often the case - had to jam in & make them throw the perfect 25 metre cutout pass which is the low percentage play leading to intercepts, foward passes ect & at least makes the attacker make a decision plus belting them tears up the invite for the next time.
*Almost every time the Eels started a set in the Manly half -they scored. Lucky there was so much dropped ball & the fact we had ALL the field position....
The attack was poor but fact is it comes back to lack of sting in the defence - this dictates the momentum in the modern game.
*Defence is a real indicator of attitude
*Not a Gould fan but his point on lack of communication was evident also
*The physical presence of the fowards was soft - this new rule of quick release can ONLY be beaten through solid contact - dominating the attacker, which WILL be rewarded by the refs as shown in the first 2 games
*Many occasions the Parra attack went wide off the back of speedy play the balls & the Manly defence went backwards looking awkward & uncomfortable- always a fan of pushing up & though its tough with 3 on 4 or even 2 on 3 which was often the case - had to jam in & make them throw the perfect 25 metre cutout pass which is the low percentage play leading to intercepts, foward passes ect & at least makes the attacker make a decision plus belting them tears up the invite for the next time.
*Almost every time the Eels started a set in the Manly half -they scored. Lucky there was so much dropped ball & the fact we had ALL the field position....
The attack was poor but fact is it comes back to lack of sting in the defence - this dictates the momentum in the modern game.