No ticker

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Matabele

Journey Man
If you want to understand why we’ve deservedly earned the reputation as flat-track bullies, incapable of beating sides worthy of a finals berth, the secret is out. When we play the better sides our forwards have consistently shown they lack ticker. DCE, Foz and Tom can’t work miracles when our pack are doing their best interpretation of shrinking violets, no wonder there’s so many muffed passes and ineffectual runs when there’s no platform laid.

Take a look at last night’s stats. The humiliation of our entire starting pack earning as many run metres as a washed up winger in a 2nd rower’s body, Oates who lacks pace and nearly had his career ended by Saab just 12 months ago. 6 forwards with less than 300 metres off the bench, and the bench adding nothing too. Compare our forwards with the Broncos, who rolled up their sleeves and rolled through our middle. Little wonder the Courier Mail concluded their match summary with this gem: “Brisbane’s line speed reeks of a hungry team that is breaking teams with their spirit in defence”. Every time Manly plays a better side out forwards look disinterested and listless. It’s not good enough.

Keppie: Has not provided anything to suggest he is first grade material. Struggles to hold onto the ball and provides no impetus in attack. Once a fortnight he provides a turnover with a good tackle, negated by dumb penalties and dropped ball. How many times do you see him falling off a goal line tackle to concede a try?

Crocker: Placed in an unenviable situation of interim hooker, he must be feeling his position is under threat from both Segeyaro and possibly a soon-to-be-cleared Fainu.

Aloiai: A disappointing signing, more off the field than on. Has his moments against weak sides but can’t reproduce it against quality opposition.

Olakau’atu: The one shining light in our pack at the moment. Probably playing above criticism at this stage, which is a credit given he’s one of the youngest there.

Bullemore: Proving to be something of a mystery. His highlight reel is great and he’s said to be intelligent. But drifts in and out of games and fails to seize initiative. Should have been fired up to prove the Broncos wrong last night, but went out with a whimper.

Jake: Another player hard to criticise, though it seems this year his primary inspiration is coming from long, ranty speeches, rather than leading from the front on the field.

Walker: It’s hard for a utility forward to impose themselves on the game when there is no platform laid, but as the season continues it’s hard to discern any commitment to the club he’s exiting.

Davey: A feel good story who has shown something on the field, but one wonders if he’s not better off starting because he adds little off the bench.

Taupau: Is there anyone out there who thinks he’s doing anything other than punching his paycheque each week now? Cost us the game against Souths with dumb penalities and errors at critical times, and ineffectual last night. Our so called enforcer is anything but against quality opposition.

Sipley: Given the amount he’s picked and minutes he’s played, doesn’t seem to have Des’ confidence. Another player prone to dumb errors and penalties. Looked good in the trials but perhaps doesn’t have the fitness to play appropriate minutes in first grade.

Only forwards to come back into this side are gentle-giant Paseka and Schuster, who admittedly looked good against Souths. But if this forward group don’t find any intensity or commitment over the next fortnight, we will be 5-7 and sitting at a point on the table which probably reflects our true position in this league, with this pack which shows no ticker. 10th to 12th.
 
If you want to understand why we’ve deservedly earned the reputation as flat-track bullies, incapable of beating sides worthy of a finals berth, the secret is out. When we play the better sides our forwards have consistently shown they lack ticker. DCE, Foz and Tom can’t work miracles when our pack are doing their best interpretation of shrinking violets, no wonder there’s so many muffed passes and ineffectual runs when there’s no platform laid.

Take a look at last night’s stats. The humiliation of our entire starting pack earning as many run metres as a washed up winger in a 2nd rower’s body, Oates who lacks pace and nearly had his career ended by Saab just 12 months ago. 6 forwards with less than 300 metres off the bench, and the bench adding nothing too. Compare our forwards with the Broncos, who rolled up their sleeves and rolled through our middle. Little wonder the Courier Mail concluded their match summary with this gem: “Brisbane’s line speed reeks of a hungry team that is breaking teams with their spirit in defence”. Every time Manly plays a better side out forwards look disinterested and listless. It’s not good enough.

Keppie: Has not provided anything to suggest he is first grade material. Struggles to hold onto the ball and provides no impetus in attack. Once a fortnight he provides a turnover with a good tackle, negated by dumb penalties and dropped ball. How many times do you see him falling off a goal line tackle to concede a try?

Crocker: Placed in an unenviable situation of interim hooker, he must be feeling his position is under threat from both Segeyaro and possibly a soon-to-be-cleared Fainu.

Aloiai: A disappointing signing, more off the field than on. Has his moments against weak sides but can’t reproduce it against quality opposition.

Olakau’atu: The one shining light in our pack at the moment. Probably playing above criticism at this stage, which is a credit given he’s one of the youngest there.

Bullemore: Proving to be something of a mystery. His highlight reel is great and he’s said to be intelligent. But drifts in and out of games and fails to seize initiative. Should have been fired up to prove the Broncos wrong last night, but went out with a whimper.

Jake: Another player hard to criticise, though it seems this year his primary inspiration is coming from long, ranty speeches, rather than leading from the front on the field.

Walker: It’s hard for a utility forward to impose themselves on the game when there is no platform laid, but as the season continues it’s hard to discern any commitment to the club he’s exiting.

Davey: A feel good story who has shown something on the field, but one wonders if he’s not better off starting because he adds little off the bench.

Taupau: Is there anyone out there who thinks he’s doing anything other than punching his paycheque each week now? Cost us the game against Souths with dumb penalities and errors at critical times, and ineffectual last night. Our so called enforcer is anything but against quality opposition.

Sipley: Given the amount he’s picked and minutes he’s played, doesn’t seem to have Des’ confidence. Another player prone to dumb errors and penalties. Looked good in the trials but perhaps doesn’t have the fitness to play appropriate minutes in first grade.

Only forwards to come back into this side are gentle-giant Paseka and Schuster, who admittedly looked good against Souths. But if this forward group don’t find any intensity or commitment over the next fortnight, we will be 5-7 and sitting at a point on the table which probably reflects our true position in this league, with this pack which shows no ticker. 10th to 12th.
To be fair to Bullemor,I think his best position is in the middle of the park but due to injuries,he’s mainly played in the back row and he’s not as agile or quick as others to play there.
 
If you want to understand why we’ve deservedly earned the reputation as flat-track bullies, incapable of beating sides worthy of a finals berth, the secret is out. When we play the better sides our forwards have consistently shown they lack ticker. DCE, Foz and Tom can’t work miracles when our pack are doing their best interpretation of shrinking violets, no wonder there’s so many muffed passes and ineffectual runs when there’s no platform laid.

Take a look at last night’s stats. The humiliation of our entire starting pack earning as many run metres as a washed up winger in a 2nd rower’s body, Oates who lacks pace and nearly had his career ended by Saab just 12 months ago. 6 forwards with less than 300 metres off the bench, and the bench adding nothing too. Compare our forwards with the Broncos, who rolled up their sleeves and rolled through our middle. Little wonder the Courier Mail concluded their match summary with this gem: “Brisbane’s line speed reeks of a hungry team that is breaking teams with their spirit in defence”. Every time Manly plays a better side out forwards look disinterested and listless. It’s not good enough.

Keppie: Has not provided anything to suggest he is first grade material. Struggles to hold onto the ball and provides no impetus in attack. Once a fortnight he provides a turnover with a good tackle, negated by dumb penalties and dropped ball. How many times do you see him falling off a goal line tackle to concede a try?

Crocker: Placed in an unenviable situation of interim hooker, he must be feeling his position is under threat from both Segeyaro and possibly a soon-to-be-cleared Fainu.

Aloiai: A disappointing signing, more off the field than on. Has his moments against weak sides but can’t reproduce it against quality opposition.

Olakau’atu: The one shining light in our pack at the moment. Probably playing above criticism at this stage, which is a credit given he’s one of the youngest there.

Bullemore: Proving to be something of a mystery. His highlight reel is great and he’s said to be intelligent. But drifts in and out of games and fails to seize initiative. Should have been fired up to prove the Broncos wrong last night, but went out with a whimper.

Jake: Another player hard to criticise, though it seems this year his primary inspiration is coming from long, ranty speeches, rather than leading from the front on the field.

Walker: It’s hard for a utility forward to impose themselves on the game when there is no platform laid, but as the season continues it’s hard to discern any commitment to the club he’s exiting.

Davey: A feel good story who has shown something on the field, but one wonders if he’s not better off starting because he adds little off the bench.

Taupau: Is there anyone out there who thinks he’s doing anything other than punching his paycheque each week now? Cost us the game against Souths with dumb penalities and errors at critical times, and ineffectual last night. Our so called enforcer is anything but against quality opposition.

Sipley: Given the amount he’s picked and minutes he’s played, doesn’t seem to have Des’ confidence. Another player prone to dumb errors and penalties. Looked good in the trials but perhaps doesn’t have the fitness to play appropriate minutes in first grade.

Only forwards to come back into this side are gentle-giant Paseka and Schuster, who admittedly looked good against Souths. But if this forward group don’t find any intensity or commitment over the next fortnight, we will be 5-7 and sitting at a point on the table which probably reflects our true position in this league, with this pack which shows no ticker. 10th to 12th.

Honestly a perfect representation of our forwards. What's disappointing, is that they have it in them (on their day) to be better.

Why the constant and habitual rocks and diamonds performances though? That for mine, is on Des.

We stand too flat in attack. Look at Penthers , deep and fast. We are so soft in defense (standing back, not putting their kickers under pressure). That's game system. Again - Des.

I actually consider our roster on paper (despite being unbalanced) 4th - 6th. BUT, with Des coaching, that erodes to 9th-14th.

Can't beat a top 4 (becoming top 8) team.

But how do we turn this around mate? That's the big question ?
 
I get annoyed at times at the constant berating of DCE.

The simple fact is when our forwards dominate , he dominates.

When our forwards are like custard slices he struggles.

I guarantee you 100% put Reynolds in a Manly jumper last night and DCE in a Bronco’s jumper and the result would have been exactly or almost , the same.

Yes our fullback was ordinary ( injured ) last night .

Yes our centres leak points.

BUT our halves cannot dominate when they are in the back foot!!!
 
We have ample opportunities close to the line and our halfs cant create tries. Its not just the forwards.
It must be hard to create near the line when half your pack are standing in your way with blank looks on their faces. And no forward shows intent to take a hard hit-up or a settler.
 
It must be hard to create near the line when half your pack are standing in your way with blank looks on their faces. And no forward shows intent to take a hard hit-up or a settler.
This is on your captain and half back to organise. He's too busy looking for his next hero play off the cuff (his own words) rather than organising the rabble next to him
 
I get annoyed at times at the constant berating of DCE.

The simple fact is when our forwards dominate , he dominates.

When our forwards are like custard slices he struggles.

I guarantee you 100% put Reynolds in a Manly jumper last night and DCE in a Bronco’s jumper and the result would have been exactly or almost , the same.

Yes our fullback was ordinary ( injured ) last night .

Yes our centres leak points.

BUT our halves cannot dominate when they are in the back foot!!!
Our Centres didn’t leak points last night. In fact Koula was one of three including Olakau’atu & Tuipulotu who can hold their heads high.
 
No aggression from anyone in our side. Remember the first game of the year against the Panthers..they absolutely dominated us with aggression and speed. Same thing happens whenever we play a team who play tough. Our guys don’t stand up to the challenge. We look like we’re now getting bullied by the by the big guys
 
No aggression from anyone in our side. Remember the first game of the year against the Panthers..they absolutely dominated us with aggression and speed. Same thing happens whenever we play a team who play tough. Our guys don’t stand up to the challenge. We look like we’re now getting bullied by the by the big guys
Look at tonight’s game either team would destroy us with there speed and aggression, both forward backs hunt together and tackle hard like we use to do many many years ago.
 
If you want to understand why we’ve deservedly earned the reputation as flat-track bullies, incapable of beating sides worthy of a finals berth, the secret is out. When we play the better sides our forwards have consistently shown they lack ticker. DCE, Foz and Tom can’t work miracles when our pack are doing their best interpretation of shrinking violets, no wonder there’s so many muffed passes and ineffectual runs when there’s no platform laid.

Take a look at last night’s stats. The humiliation of our entire starting pack earning as many run metres as a washed up winger in a 2nd rower’s body, Oates who lacks pace and nearly had his career ended by Saab just 12 months ago. 6 forwards with less than 300 metres off the bench, and the bench adding nothing too. Compare our forwards with the Broncos, who rolled up their sleeves and rolled through our middle. Little wonder the Courier Mail concluded their match summary with this gem: “Brisbane’s line speed reeks of a hungry team that is breaking teams with their spirit in defence”. Every time Manly plays a better side out forwards look disinterested and listless. It’s not good enough.

Keppie: Has not provided anything to suggest he is first grade material. Struggles to hold onto the ball and provides no impetus in attack. Once a fortnight he provides a turnover with a good tackle, negated by dumb penalties and dropped ball. How many times do you see him falling off a goal line tackle to concede a try?

Crocker: Placed in an unenviable situation of interim hooker, he must be feeling his position is under threat from both Segeyaro and possibly a soon-to-be-cleared Fainu.

Aloiai: A disappointing signing, more off the field than on. Has his moments against weak sides but can’t reproduce it against quality opposition.

Olakau’atu: The one shining light in our pack at the moment. Probably playing above criticism at this stage, which is a credit given he’s one of the youngest there.

Bullemore: Proving to be something of a mystery. His highlight reel is great and he’s said to be intelligent. But drifts in and out of games and fails to seize initiative. Should have been fired up to prove the Broncos wrong last night, but went out with a whimper.

Jake: Another player hard to criticise, though it seems this year his primary inspiration is coming from long, ranty speeches, rather than leading from the front on the field.

Walker: It’s hard for a utility forward to impose themselves on the game when there is no platform laid, but as the season continues it’s hard to discern any commitment to the club he’s exiting.

Davey: A feel good story who has shown something on the field, but one wonders if he’s not better off starting because he adds little off the bench.

Taupau: Is there anyone out there who thinks he’s doing anything other than punching his paycheque each week now? Cost us the game against Souths with dumb penalities and errors at critical times, and ineffectual last night. Our so called enforcer is anything but against quality opposition.

Sipley: Given the amount he’s picked and minutes he’s played, doesn’t seem to have Des’ confidence. Another player prone to dumb errors and penalties. Looked good in the trials but perhaps doesn’t have the fitness to play appropriate minutes in first grade.

Only forwards to come back into this side are gentle-giant Paseka and Schuster, who admittedly looked good against Souths. But if this forward group don’t find any intensity or commitment over the next fortnight, we will be 5-7 and sitting at a point on the table which probably reflects our true position in this league, with this pack which shows no ticker. 10th to 12th.
Great analysis and on the mark.

The prop part of it is the glaring problem. Paseka and Aloiai our best two but even these guys aren't standout NRL props. Marty is on the way out and playing that way. While Sipley and Keppie have had so many chances to nail down a spot and failed to do so. I'd give Bullemore a bench prop spot and let Marty, Sipley and Keppie wrestle for the remaining bench spot.

I've questioned whether the Schu can play the 13 due to defensive workload. but maybe its time to shake things up and find out

I'd run with the following and see what happens

8. Aloiai
9. Croker
10. Jake
11. Davey
12. Haumole
13. Schuster

Bench

Walker, Paseka, Bullemoor, Marty
 
If you want to understand why we’ve deservedly earned the reputation as flat-track bullies, incapable of beating sides worthy of a finals berth, the secret is out. When we play the better sides our forwards have consistently shown they lack ticker. DCE, Foz and Tom can’t work miracles when our pack are doing their best interpretation of shrinking violets, no wonder there’s so many muffed passes and ineffectual runs when there’s no platform laid.

Take a look at last night’s stats. The humiliation of our entire starting pack earning as many run metres as a washed up winger in a 2nd rower’s body, Oates who lacks pace and nearly had his career ended by Saab just 12 months ago. 6 forwards with less than 300 metres off the bench, and the bench adding nothing too. Compare our forwards with the Broncos, who rolled up their sleeves and rolled through our middle. Little wonder the Courier Mail concluded their match summary with this gem: “Brisbane’s line speed reeks of a hungry team that is breaking teams with their spirit in defence”. Every time Manly plays a better side out forwards look disinterested and listless. It’s not good enough.

Keppie: Has not provided anything to suggest he is first grade material. Struggles to hold onto the ball and provides no impetus in attack. Once a fortnight he provides a turnover with a good tackle, negated by dumb penalties and dropped ball. How many times do you see him falling off a goal line tackle to concede a try?

Crocker: Placed in an unenviable situation of interim hooker, he must be feeling his position is under threat from both Segeyaro and possibly a soon-to-be-cleared Fainu.

Aloiai: A disappointing signing, more off the field than on. Has his moments against weak sides but can’t reproduce it against quality opposition.

Olakau’atu: The one shining light in our pack at the moment. Probably playing above criticism at this stage, which is a credit given he’s one of the youngest there.

Bullemore: Proving to be something of a mystery. His highlight reel is great and he’s said to be intelligent. But drifts in and out of games and fails to seize initiative. Should have been fired up to prove the Broncos wrong last night, but went out with a whimper.

Jake: Another player hard to criticise, though it seems this year his primary inspiration is coming from long, ranty speeches, rather than leading from the front on the field.

Walker: It’s hard for a utility forward to impose themselves on the game when there is no platform laid, but as the season continues it’s hard to discern any commitment to the club he’s exiting.

Davey: A feel good story who has shown something on the field, but one wonders if he’s not better off starting because he adds little off the bench.

Taupau: Is there anyone out there who thinks he’s doing anything other than punching his paycheque each week now? Cost us the game against Souths with dumb penalities and errors at critical times, and ineffectual last night. Our so called enforcer is anything but against quality opposition.

Sipley: Given the amount he’s picked and minutes he’s played, doesn’t seem to have Des’ confidence. Another player prone to dumb errors and penalties. Looked good in the trials but perhaps doesn’t have the fitness to play appropriate minutes in first grade.

Only forwards to come back into this side are gentle-giant Paseka and Schuster, who admittedly looked good against Souths. But if this forward group don’t find any intensity or commitment over the next fortnight, we will be 5-7 and sitting at a point on the table which probably reflects our true position in this league, with this pack which shows no ticker. 10th to 12th.
agree with it all!!

i said it after round 2

our lack is piss weak and soft as butter and i was shot down

but yet here we are and what i said back then rings true
 
Our forwards/bench:
Aloioa 7 runs
Croker 1 run
Keppie 4 runs
Olakau-atu 8 runs
Bullemor 3 runs
Jake 7 runs
Walker 6 runs
Davey 3 runs
Taupau 7 runs
Sipley 3 runs

Not one of them over 100m, in fact only Ola in the 80's.

Yes we only had 40% possession but these numbers are beyond appalling.

By stark contrast Broncos pack:
Carrigan 18, Haas 17, Jensen 17, Flegler 16...all with HUGE metres

Not much our backs can do against that, especially with Turbo on one leg.

WHY DES WHY??
 
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Not saying they’re great stats,but both only played 35 minutes.I thought in the early rounds,the team looked unfit,but brushed it off based on it only being rds 1&2 and the fact they were getting belted,but they don’t seem to have improved in that area.I wonder if Des was hoping to build the team into the season so they’re fitness is at its peak towards the business end,unlike last year when many looked cooked come finals time
 
Not saying they’re great stats,but both only played 35 minutes.I thought in the early rounds,the team looked unfit,but brushed it off based on it only being rds 1&2 and the fact they were getting belted,but they don’t seem to have improved in that area.I wonder if Des was hoping to build the team into the season so they’re fitness is at its peak towards the business end,unlike last year when many looked cooked come finals time
Maybe, its a long season ,and he does have a history of that i.e getting the team to peak in September as opposed to some other teams like Sqeels and ST George who are always April or May Premiers .Even the Scum have a few times been pipped at the post even though they have dominated all year .Its a balancing act i guess
 
I think our pack needs an overhaul next year. As discussed on ST. Jake is on overs, and this seriously needs to be addressed. Whether he can take a paycut, maybe change of position to revive his career and get that bang for buck. Or.. as much as i don't want to see Jake playing for another club, for the money he is on and what he is bringing to the table maybe needs to be shopped around to test the waters. Keppie, needs to go I think. Far to inconsistent, and besides the few good shots here and there, doesn't add much. Far too many times we are getting eaten up in the middle. And it tends to be in the games he starts. Aloiai is a hold for now in my opinion, not an elite prop but the best we have on the roster, only downside, he is very injury prone. Paseka is the perfect interchange prop in my opinion, and on his day is destructive. Just needs more agro consistently. He is a keep for mine, along with haumole obviously. Bullemor will be here for another year, needs to play in the middle. See how he progresses. Croker, am a fan of his courage, but we are lacking flair in his position. Davey is getting on in age but still a hold on the cheap. Lawton will and should be our 14. Sipley?? I'm neither here or there on. Needs to get fitter. Could be a starter week in week out if he could play longer mins. Taupau, adios amigo! Along with the rest. We really need to look to the market.

8.Aloiai
9.
10.
11.Olakau'atu
12.Tuilagi
13.Schuster ?

14.Lawton
15.Paseka
16.
17.Bullemor
 

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