PRE-GAME DISCUSSION: Penrith v Manly [Round 8, 2021]

[Deleted member 26876]

I look at it to our advantage to have the tougher draw
As tough times build Tough Men

We make the most of what comes our way
No excuses . Just Brutal Executions

Also Im pretty sure our draw starts hard then eases up a bit then gets a little difficult toward the end again. I think that’s not a bad thing. Learnt some big lessons weeks 1-4. Starting to build now and can keep doing so gradually until finals (hopefully)

 

[Deleted member 26876]

I fully expect Marty to start.

I hope not. Taupau isn’t as explosive or confrontational as Aloiai atm. He seems better coming on off the bench and stabilising things a little (and occasionally providing some good runs)

 

[pjayz]

Guac and Marty have been named to start for the last 2 weeks and have been swapped for Keppie and Aloiai one hour before kickoff. Fully expect the same changes this week.

Agreed. Could someone smarter than I please tell me why Des continues to do this rather than just name the team that will run out at kick-off? It isn't as though it is casting doubt in anyone's mind. Every opponent knows what is going to happen. It is not necessarily a critique, more an enquiry.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Agreed. Could someone smarter than I please tell me why Des continues to do this rather than just name the team that will run out at kick-off? It isn't as though it is casting doubt in anyone's mind. Every opponent knows what is going to happen. It is not necessarily a critique, more an enquiry.

I think it is signalling to Olakautau that Des sees him as a starter soon but wants to ease him into first grade. (Or at least it signals it to the fans and reassures them of his eventual plans for Olakautau)

As for Taupau and Aloiai swapping late im pretty sure that’s just superstition hahah

 

[40 years an eagle]

Agreed. Could someone smarter than I please tell me why Des continues to do this rather than just name the team that will run out at kick-off? It isn't as though it is casting doubt in anyone's mind. Every opponent knows what is going to happen. It is not necessarily a critique, more an enquiry.

Maybe he has been building for this week and will leave it as numbered.

 

[Will on the hill]

I think it is signalling to Olakautau that Des sees him as a starter soon but wants to ease him into first grade. (Or at least it signals it to the fans and reassures them of his eventual plans for Olakautau)

As for Taupau and Aloiai swapping late im pretty sure that’s just superstition hahah

Maybe he has been building for this week and will leave it as numbered.

Definitely possible. However I think Des is putting the starting number on his preferred option in both positions and then playing them off the bench for impact. Keppie and Aloiai are there to soak up the "Softening up period" when everyone is fresh, then Guac and Marty are brought on to exploit the fatigued defence, has worked a treat for the last 2 weeks and I think it's a tactical choice by Des.

 

[Will on the hill]

Des tried this with Marty last year by splitting up AFB and Marty but it wasn't working so reverted to playing them together.

 

[madmax]

I hope not. Taupau isn’t as explosive or confrontational as Aloiai atm. He seems better coming on off the bench and stabilising things a little (and occasionally providing some good runs)

I think your spectacles need cleaning mate. Marty ‘occasionally providing some good runs’....lololol

 

[madmax]

Definitely possible. However I think Des is putting the starting number on his preferred option in both positions and then playing them off the bench for impact. Keppie and Aloiai are there to soak up the "Softening up period" when everyone is fresh, then Guac and Marty are brought on to exploit the fatigued defence, has worked a treat for the last 2 weeks and I think it's a tactical choice by Des.

Exactly! It’s working perfectly so why change what’s working!

 

[pjayz]

Exactly! It’s working perfectly so why change what’s working!

It isn't the tactic of bringing them off the bench which I am questioning, simply the naming of them in the run-on side when he intends to play them off the bench which everyone is aware of.

 

[jbb/james]

Agreed. Could someone smarter than I please tell me why Des continues to do this rather than just name the team that will run out at kick-off? It isn't as though it is casting doubt in anyone's mind. Every opponent knows what is going to happen. It is not necessarily a critique, more an enquiry.

he is just using the same cut and paste. pretty sure that why luke williamson never got dropped also. Des is known for his one finger typing and ive heard he was fined for naming UMMM and AAHHH in the squad a few years back

 

[Brissie Kid]

Agreed. Could someone smarter than I please tell me why Des continues to do this rather than just name the team that will run out at kick-off? It isn't as though it is casting doubt in anyone's mind. Every opponent knows what is going to happen. It is not necessarily a critique, more an enquiry.

'Cos Des saw Bozo do it a lot with success in the 1980s/90s? It was even more fun then because Cliffy, Dave Gillespie or Ian Roberts would be unexpectedly back in the team from injury & wearing #52. The opposition had only 90 minutes notice to deal with it.

1994 Series 1 Rugby League Card, no. 92, Cliff Lyons, Manly

Rugby League collectable shop, featuring Rugby League trading cards, magazines, and much more.

www.dansnrlcollectables.com

 

[ManlyTragic]

'Cos Des saw Bozo do it a lot with success in the 1980s/90s? It was even more fun then because Cliffy, Dave Gillespie or Ian Roberts would be unexpectedly back in the team from injury & wearing #52. The opposition had only 90 minutes notice to deal with it.

1994 Series 1 Rugby League Card, no. 92, Cliff Lyons, Manly

Rugby League collectable shop, featuring Rugby League trading cards, magazines, and much more.

www.dansnrlcollectables.com

I swear cliffy is about to pass it to Beaver!

 

[mickqld]

Manly 13+ is paying $14. Might just be well worth a lazy $100.

 

[simon64]

If you think we can win well, ......

As always, gamble responsibly. In the interests of disclosure, I didn't get on. Which, of course, means it's a moral to get up.

 

[Bearfax]

Manly 13+ is paying $14. Might just be well worth a lazy $100.

$100 is never lazy, at least in my bankbook

 

[Deleted member 26876]

I think your spectacles need cleaning mate. Marty ‘occasionally providing some good runs’....lololol

Sorry for rambling in advance

Taupau is more important in other areas now than his power game, like being a reliable, cool-headed leader off the bench to stabilise games. I still really rate and respect taupau.

What I said before that bit you quoted was that "Taupau isn’t as explosive or confrontational as Aloiai atm"

To me, Aloiai and Paseka make the early inroads. Taupau comes on and is reliable, making some good runs but usually not really bending the line as much as he used to (fair enough, he's getting older). Sipley comes on alongside him to be the confrontational one that gets the momentum up the middle with fast surges and he struggles in the play the ball. Taupau, however, tends to kind of submit in the tackle at times. He still has moments where he has a powerful surge, but it is a little thinly spread at the moment to warrant starting imo.

Stats don't always tell the picture but they kind of hint to it. I was interested so gave it a real look (at least Des would be proud...)
- Taupau averages 47 post-contact metres per game, over an avg of 13.7 hitups. (still makes solid overall metres with 133m though).

• Aloiai averages 60 with the same amount of hitups a game
• Sipley averages 28 with just 5.8 hitups a game (which if extended to 13.7 hitups a game, would be 66 post-contact metres).
• Paseka averages 48, although with 3 less hitups (10.7 compared to 13.7). If extended to 13.7, his would be 61m

Although it is a little unfair to extrapolate Paseka and Sipley's stats it does kind of gauge the effectiveness of the average hitup of each player (in making post contact metres). For 1 hitup, Taupau averages 3.4 post contact metres, Paseka and Aloiai average 4.5m, whereas Sipley (relatively small sample) averages nearly 5m. It makes sense to start Paseka and Aloiai, then to bring on Taupau and Sipley.

He is still very, very valuable to the team. Was fired up against Tigers as he always is against them but want to see it more often again

 

[Dion Johnson]

Get on top of Fisher Harris and Leota and we are a good chance, I figure this is our best chance up the middle. Panthers are very strong except their bench in the middle.

Tent was a bit quiet last week compared to the first few weeks, three offloads in the last two games compared to sixteen in the first five. Hopefully he is firing and we get good early ball.

 

[Dion Johnson]

From the NRL game preview, 45% of 4300 voters think we can upset them.

 

[Bearfax]

Sorry for rambling in advance

Taupau is more important in other areas now than his power game, like being a reliable, cool-headed leader off the bench to stabilise games. I still really rate and respect taupau.

What I said before that bit you quoted was that "Taupau isn’t as explosive or confrontational as Aloiai atm"

To me, Aloiai and Paseka make the early inroads. Taupau comes on and is reliable, making some good runs but usually not really bending the line as much as he used to (fair enough, he's getting older). Sipley comes on alongside him to be the confrontational one that gets the momentum up the middle with fast surges and he struggles in the play the ball. Taupau, however, tends to kind of submit in the tackle at times. He still has moments where he has a powerful surge, but it is a little thinly spread at the moment to warrant starting imo.

Stats don't always tell the picture but they kind of hint to it. I was interested so gave it a real look (at least Des would be proud...)
- Taupau averages 47 post-contact metres per game, over an avg of 13.7 hitups. (still makes solid overall metres with 133m though).

• Aloiai averages 60 with the same amount of hitups a game
• Sipley averages 28 with just 5.8 hitups a game (which if extended to 13.7 hitups a game, would be 66 post-contact metres).
• Paseka averages 48, although with 3 less hitups (10.7 compared to 13.7). If extended to 13.7, his would be 61m

Although it is a little unfair to extrapolate Paseka and Sipley's stats it does kind of gauge the effectiveness of the average hitup of each player (in making post contact metres). For 1 hitup, Taupau averages 3.4 post contact metres, Paseka and Aloiai average 4.5m, whereas Sipley (relatively small sample) averages nearly 5m. It makes sense to start Paseka and Aloiai, then to bring on Taupau and Sipley.

He is still very, very valuable to the team. Was fired up against Tigers as he always is against them but want to see it more often again

Yes its a bit of a ramble, Harry. But who am I to judge. However you present your material well and make some good arguments. Enjoyed the manner it was presented..