Canteen Worker
First Grader
Manly fan's had high expectations of instant success with the highly publicised signing of one of the reputed star half-backs of our code.
The two games so far have seen inconsistent form from the Sea Eagles and the form of the team has been anything but impressive, despite some brave defence against the Cowboys.
Is Orford no good? Have Manly wasted their coins for a big name signing that isn't up to the task? Already some fools on MSE are questioning the signing of our 'Great White Hope' and are clamouring for a return of the 'I can only pass one way' Michael Monaghan.
My conjecture is on two fronts:
1. Manly need to adjust their attacking style to the game that Orford plays best. The attacking structure looks confused at times and some time may pass until it happens best. A mixture of flat runners, inside balls, unders and overs, second man plays and Orford handling the ball at least three to four times in a set are essential. Runners need to learn to read him and have confidence in what he delivers. In other words Orford must become the Main Man!
2. We need a stable hooker and five-eighth. There reigns confusion with Monas or is it Burns or is it Dunley and all this chopping and changing. My belief is that Monaghan is stifling Orford and should either be dummy half or nothing - his attacking style is very different to Orford and the two of them get in the way of the other. I would prefer to see a traditional and skilled Hooker such asBallin at Hooker and Burns at 5/8, and give them time to develop the attacking style that will take them through the season together.
Orford can be the star that we want him to be - but he must be allowed to play his own game, develop understanding with the forward ball runners as well Stewart and co in the backs.
We must also be realistic that this not going to happen overnight (as said by Vegas) but will gradually develop. In the meantime we have to defend well, do the simple things right and graft out some wins through good ball control and solid football.
The two games so far have seen inconsistent form from the Sea Eagles and the form of the team has been anything but impressive, despite some brave defence against the Cowboys.
Is Orford no good? Have Manly wasted their coins for a big name signing that isn't up to the task? Already some fools on MSE are questioning the signing of our 'Great White Hope' and are clamouring for a return of the 'I can only pass one way' Michael Monaghan.
My conjecture is on two fronts:
1. Manly need to adjust their attacking style to the game that Orford plays best. The attacking structure looks confused at times and some time may pass until it happens best. A mixture of flat runners, inside balls, unders and overs, second man plays and Orford handling the ball at least three to four times in a set are essential. Runners need to learn to read him and have confidence in what he delivers. In other words Orford must become the Main Man!
2. We need a stable hooker and five-eighth. There reigns confusion with Monas or is it Burns or is it Dunley and all this chopping and changing. My belief is that Monaghan is stifling Orford and should either be dummy half or nothing - his attacking style is very different to Orford and the two of them get in the way of the other. I would prefer to see a traditional and skilled Hooker such asBallin at Hooker and Burns at 5/8, and give them time to develop the attacking style that will take them through the season together.
Orford can be the star that we want him to be - but he must be allowed to play his own game, develop understanding with the forward ball runners as well Stewart and co in the backs.
We must also be realistic that this not going to happen overnight (as said by Vegas) but will gradually develop. In the meantime we have to defend well, do the simple things right and graft out some wins through good ball control and solid football.
