Olakau'atu vs Dogs

[LeonardCohen]

A number of you raved about his performance yesterday and I thought he had a fine game.

On closer inspection, he was better than fine, he was enormous. There were two massive plays from Ola that went a long way to defining our victory.

The first involves a massive run where he made Burton look like a NSW Cup player, shrugging him off and lumbering others over half way, before Burton came again around the legs. That run and subsequent quick play-the-ball were the catalyst for DCE putting in the midfield bomb that led to Hoppa and Bulle's magic. Without that run, we kick for yardage.

Then, late in the game with a slim 2 point lead, the Dogs made a big charge down the left flank with Garrick struggling to manage Kikau and Xerri was put into space. A super pass was thrown back inside to support, and Ola was back there to make an incredible legs tackle to thwart the danger; it was timed to perfection. From there, the Dogs had to scramble to get a field goal opportunity from half way that feel short. Without that tackle, there's potential for the Dogs to at worst score, and at best, kick a field goal from 40m out to level the scores.

Honestly, the tackle is a thing of beauty and well worth going back to have a look; it was in the last 2 minutes of the match.

Without a couple of massive efforts from our beast, we lose.

 

[Dion Johnson]

He put a solid hit on Tracey there in the last 15 minutes also, out of all the forwards on the ground he had the most post contact meters to go along with 11 tackle busts.

 

[LeonardCohen]

He put a solid hit on Tracey there in the last 15 minutes also, out of all the forwards on the ground he had the most post contact meters to go along with 11 tackle busts.

Yeah and Tracey was arguably the Dogs best with Kikau and Crichton. He was stopped dead in his tracks 😎

 

[Dion Johnson]

I thought Kikau was good and not to discredit Kikaus performance I thought Guaca played better for the full 80 minutes,

Kikau had 7 runs for 69 meters and 7 missed tackles, Guaca made almost double the meters and missed 3 tackles statistically, watching the game live I thought the presence and performance of Guaca was outstanding, best on ground for me.

 

[MissKate]

Yes and unlike kikau he doesn’t spend most of the game running at the smallest opposition players. JWH will be doing that on Sat no doubt

 

[NREagle]

Haumole is my favourite player. His tackle breaking runs are so good to watch and always put our attack on the front foot.

His match fitness has improved massively the past couple of seasons and he is regularly one the players that makes those effort plays off the ball that don't get enough credit (Jake is another one that does this).

His defence is brutal. Doesn't get it right all the time, but gosh I wouldn't want to be hit in a tackle by him!

And just watch the way he looks out for DCE (in general, not speaking about this game in particular).....I love the respect he shows our captain.

I was a very happy Manly fan when we extended his contract.

So not going to get any arguments from me in this thread 🙂

 

[LeonardCohen]

Haumole is my favourite player. His tackle breaking runs are so good to watch and always put our attack in the front foot.

His match fitness has improved massively the past couple of seasons and he is regularly one the players that makes those effort plays off the ball that don't get enough credit (Jake is another one that does this).

His defence is brutal. Doesn't get it right all the time, but gosh I wouldn't want to be hit in a tackle by him!

And just watch the way he looks out for DCE (in general, not speaking about this game in particular).....I love the respect he shows our captain.

I was a very happy Manly fan when we extended his contract.

So not going to get any arguments from me in this thread 🙂

Fantastic post and agree on all counts. I’ve noticed the way he is with Chez and you’re right, he shows him a heap of respect.

 

[Uk eagle]

A number of you raved about his performance yesterday and I thought he had a fine game.

On closer inspection, he was better than fine, he was enormous. There were two massive plays from Ola that went a long way to defining our victory.

The first involves a massive run where he made Burton look like a NSW Cup player, shrugging him off and lumbering others over half way, before Burton came again around the legs. That run and subsequent quick play-the-ball were the catalyst for DCE putting in the midfield bomb that led to Hoppa and Bulle's magic. Without that run, we kick for yardage.

Then, late in the game with a slim 2 point lead, the Dogs made a big charge down the left flank with Garrick struggling to manage Kikau and Xerri was put into space. A super pass was thrown back inside to support, and Ola was back there to make an incredible legs tackle to thwart the danger; it was timed to perfection. From there, the Dogs had to scramble to get a field goal opportunity from half way that feel short. Without that tackle, there's potential for the Dogs to at worst score, and at best, kick a field goal from 40m out to level the scores.

Honestly, the tackle is a thing of beauty and well worth going back to have a look; it was in the last 2 minutes of the match.

Without a couple of massive efforts from our beast, we lose.

On that first run I was screaming out for a six again. So glad it wasn't because we scored on the next tackle

 

[LeonardCohen]

On that first run I was screaming out for a six again. So glad it wasn't because we scored on the next tackle

Yes, wouldn't that have put a spanner in the works?!

 

[Bomb Voyage]

just wish hed run onto the ball and run hard into the line instead of stop and start into it

 

[Technical Coach]

Been disappointing this year and should only be playing 60mins.(and I'm a fan of his obvious potential but not a fan how he is used and technically how he goes about his style of play)

Many things to elaborate on but not the time or place of year to do so, plus it will just get twisted or taken the wrong way anyway.

Just enjoy what he does well and hope Manly can keep stretching the year further even with our ineffective excruciating to watch predictable go forward sets.

 

[ricardo]

It was one of the finest games I've seen from Ola and that's saying something. The bloke is special.

 

[Heckenberg]

Been disappointing this year and should only be playing 60mins.(and I'm a fan of his obvious potential but not a fan how he is used and technically how he goes about his style of play)

Many things to elaborate on but not the time or place of year to do so, plus it will just get twisted or taken the wrong way anyway.

Just enjoy what he does well and hope Manly can keep stretching the year further even with our ineffective excruciating to watch predictable go forward sets.

Maybe you should get a job coaching the club and help with your expertise?

 

[Ranga]

Ola’s performance is why you want guys playing Origin. Sure his Origin performances were not as we (or he) had hoped for, but I don’t think he would have played like he did yesterday without the Origin experience.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Been disappointing this year and should only be playing 60mins.(and I'm a fan of his obvious potential but not a fan how he is used and technically how he goes about his style of play)

Many things to elaborate on but not the time or place of year to do so, plus it will just get twisted or taken the wrong way anyway.

Just enjoy what he does well and hope Manly can keep stretching the year further even with our ineffective excruciating to watch predictable go forward sets.

🤦‍♂️

 

[Tragic Eagle]

My favourite forward! A bet opposition players wonder where he is in the defensive line. I'd hate to get crunched by him.

 

[Lansim]

Been disappointing this year and should only be playing 60mins.(and I'm a fan of his obvious potential but not a fan how he is used and technically how he goes about his style of play)

Many things to elaborate on but not the time or place of year to do so, plus it will just get twisted or taken the wrong way anyway.

Just enjoy what he does well and hope Manly can keep stretching the year further even with our ineffective excruciating to watch predictable go forward sets.

Been disappointing this year and should only be playing 60mins.(and I'm a fan of his obvious potential but not a fan how he is used and technically how he goes about his style of play)

Many things to elaborate on but not the time or place of year to do so, plus it will just get twisted or taken the wrong way anyway.

Just enjoy what he does well and hope Manly can keep stretching the year further even with our ineffective excruciating to watch predictable go forward sets.

Call your self anything you want however you are just grand standing he was outstanding and been one of our best all year, for you to come on here eve of another final and speak poorly of one of our best players you are seeking attention and have no clue, look at his 1% efforts, that is the massive change in his game, try going to a game and watch him live and you will see what a good play his has become

 

[JenEagle]

Yep agree. He was outstanding. Whenever he plays the dogs he put plays kikau.

That tackle we absolutely superb and agree was a match winner.

 

[maxta]

The performance against Dogs was Top shelf and needed to be.
His game a week before against Sharks was very poor, with 2 direct missed tackles leading to tries.
Oka is a fan fave and I reckon is the best backrower in the comp, or thereabouts.
IF Manly are to move forward in the final series, Oka is as important as anyone including Turbo to make an impact and he has every attribute to do that.
As for his performances in 2024, been up with Manly's best player and 1 of the most dynamic player's in the NRL......I'm sure every opposition player would agree, which is what counts most.

 

[Dan]

A number of you raved about his performance yesterday and I thought he had a fine game.

On closer inspection, he was better than fine, he was enormous. There were two massive plays from Ola that went a long way to defining our victory.

The first involves a massive run where he made Burton look like a NSW Cup player, shrugging him off and lumbering others over half way, before Burton came again around the legs. That run and subsequent quick play-the-ball were the catalyst for DCE putting in the midfield bomb that led to Hoppa and Bulle's magic. Without that run, we kick for yardage.

Then, late in the game with a slim 2 point lead, the Dogs made a big charge down the left flank with Garrick struggling to manage Kikau and Xerri was put into space. A super pass was thrown back inside to support, and Ola was back there to make an incredible legs tackle to thwart the danger; it was timed to perfection. From there, the Dogs had to scramble to get a field goal opportunity from half way that feel short. Without that tackle, there's potential for the Dogs to at worst score, and at best, kick a field goal from 40m out to level the scores.

Honestly, the tackle is a thing of beauty and well worth going back to have a look; it was in the last 2 minutes of the match.

Without a couple of massive efforts from our beast, we lose.

The latter of those, the winger for the dogs threw his arms up trying to milk a penalty for being tackled early.

I think the thing that really sets this manly team apart however is actually the support play, all year its been one of our biggest things that my wife always mentions and what is slowly converting her over to a manly fan (She even wears a Manly Hoody now).
Everytime a break is made even if its the speedsters there are always 2 - 3 Manly players right there in support.

Even if you look at the Koula try, Chez runs from the other side of the field to be in support, and doesn't over play it just runs a line that would make him available if needed and not get in the way, same as Talou just ran his line and gave koula space.

I mean what an effort from a big unit like Bully to be in support play to be in a position to get the ball and score when the bomb was from halfway.

Ola is the same always there in support.