Game Day: Raiders v Manly [Round 23, 2021]

[Dion Johnson]

Hoping Funa plays well and can earn himself a new deal with the club.

 

[Rafferty]

The benefits of winning out-weigh the cons of losing on balance.

If we beat a team like the Raiders now, when they are desperate for a win to keep their season alive, and without the Turbo-crutch, it could be crucial.

Whilst others might say 'yeah but the opposite applies - we lose without him and it will kill us' - I disagree that losing here will have as big a detriment to the team as winning without Turbo will have benefit.

This is the hardest match we have left all year looking at the table - Cowboys/Dogs could well be the bottom 2 for the season (Broncos don't look half bad of late!) - If we are going to rest Turbo ANY week and not have a win dulled by the quality of opposition, this is it.

I hope we will win tonight, and win well. And when we do, it will give the team that top-4 lift and the confidence to win week-1 and earn that week off. After last night, I don't think Melb week 1 is the sure-thing many may think.

The scum are cherry ripe for the picking

 

[manlyfan76]

Ok time to grab a kebab and get down to the ground.

.MMMAAANNNNLLLLYYYY

 

[The Royal Soup]

This is going to be a close one!!

 

[##fanboy88]

I hope Tom is running our FB's water tonight. Is that allowed?

 

[Will on the hill]

Ok time to grab a kebab and get down to the ground.

.MMMAAANNNNLLLLYYYY

So jealous... and you just made me hungry.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Nervous as!!

Not long now.

 

[Scorpio]

Funa was pretty solid at fullback last year. Not a game-breaker by any means, but pretty solid.

Tom is the best player in the competition. But having said that, in our last loss against the Raiders I think it was the lack of DCE that hurt us more than the lack of Tom. There was no fluency in game management from the halves, which was also the issue in our loss against Newcastle (where Tom played).

We should win this.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Hoping Funa plays well and can earn himself a new deal with the club.

Our depth for outside backs is not looking great for next year. We do have Topiluto and Koula (plus Burbo), but with Suli going to the Dragqueens, this is an ideal opportunity for Funa to show Des that he deserves a new deal. We still need to get a fullback/centre/winger for next season. A player like Tesi Nui would have been ideal (re-signed with the Broncos). Is Tualagi from the Cowboys worth having a close look at?

 

[Eagles4Life]

Our depth for outside backs is not looking great for next year. We do have Topiluto and Koula (plus Burbo), but with Suli going to the Dragqueens, this is an ideal opportunity for Funa to show Des that he deserves a new deal. We still need to get a fullback/centre/winger for next season. A player like Tesi Nui would have been ideal (re-signed with the Broncos). Is Tualagi from the Cowboys worth having a close look at?

Anyway it's time to focus on the Raiders. It's almost showtime. Go Manly. Manly by 5.

 

[TimmyQ]

Happy Tom's been given a rest tbh. And equally this is one game where I won't kick stones if we lose. This is one of those weird years where maybe coming 5th isn't such a bad thing. I'd rather we play a rubbish team that just snuck into the 8 then say the Storm first week in finals. Assuming we smash team 8 we then play a top 4 team that lost.. Seems like a winnable scenario to me. Anyways hope the boys aim up tonite. Go Manly

 

[Kevinward777]

The scum are cherry ripe for the picking

No way - they will ramp up big time over the next couple of weeks.

 

[HoldenV8]

Given that Tom is only likely to be out for one game at this stage, I wouldn't mind betting that Funa does actually play fullback tonight. But I'd expect him and Reubs to swap at times. Remember, Funa hasn't played for a while so he'd be short of match fitness so it would make sense to have Reubs take some of the kick returns.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Happy Tom's been given a rest tbh. And equally this is one game where I won't kick stones if we lose. This is one of those weird years where maybe coming 5th isn't such a bad thing. I'd rather we play a rubbish team that just snuck into the 8 then say the Storm first week in finals. Assuming we smash team 8 we then play a top 4 team that lost.. Seems like a winnable scenario to me. Anyways hope the boys aim up tonite. Go Manly

Yes the only advantage of 4th is a second chance , and we’d probably need it v the Drizzle!!

5th , win and face a losing side might in fact be the better option as you say !

 

[Marto1970]

Manly by 12

 

[mickqld]

Yes the only advantage of 4th is a second chance , and we’d probably need it v the Drizzle!!

5th , win and face a losing side might in fact be the better option as you say !

No way. We come 4th. Beat the purple scum. Have the week off and either Souffs or Penriff eliminate the scum.

 

[HoldenV8]

Manly by 12

I think we can at least double that, even without Turbo or Scorpio.

 

[QLDSeaeagle]

Iv'e been antsy all afternoon, The Child Bride has wisely left the building. As my dad said "when the flag drops the bull$hit stops" Sooo Goooo Manly.

 

[Captain Moondog]

I am reliably informed that @Captain Moondog keeps a couple of spare pairs of his existential undies for just an emergency like this ..

I don't mind sharing them, I've just got to find them.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Anyone surprised , Garrick at fullback ???