Pre-Game Raiders V Manly [Round 23, 2024]

[SeaEagleRock8]

Time to call a spade a spade.
We all love how tough Croker is and kudos to him for his heart, BUT, for the past 4 seasons most on here have spoken the blinding obvious truth that we needed a specialist 9... on so many occasions his service was slow and telegraphed. He would often make silly basic errors that top 9's do not make, a lot of the time when we were in excellent attacking position. Yep he's a great defender but that is just a part of the puzzle.
Simkin has been excellent. Our fast crisp ball has lit up the attack. Yes last match was tought but to drop him completely to put in a guy that hasn't really played a match in 3 months is ludicrous.
God I hope Seibold has this one right because it screams foolish to me.

Simpkins barely played NRL last year. He's come in and done well at Manly but after 6 straight games as starting 9 he looked like he could use a rest.
The fact this coincides with Croker's availability means the selection was no surprise, to me at least. Simpkins is signed for a few years and I'm sure we'll see more of him as he continues to improve.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Sometimes playing the safer option can bite you on the bum. Croker is better defensively but his service can be quite sloppy when he is fatigued, and he is only one game back after a long lay off. I hope this doesn't happen to Seibold this week. I understand his mind set as our ruck defence in the first 20 minutes against the Roosters last week was woeful but it wasn't only Simpkins. One of those tries came from Aloio falling of little Walker when trying top make a tackle. He should have crushed him and it was a poor effort. And lets not forget two of their first 4 tries came from lucky ricochets. We were not up for the first 20 minutes last week and can't afford to do that again this week.

We need to complete our sets and make them play out of their corners. Its a simple formula that has been used since the year dot. If we don't then it could be a tough day in the middle. Get it right boys its time to hit the "go" button. As far as officiating is concerns both sides often attract the ire of the referees and discipline will be key. The season is on the line for Canberra and if they are in an arm result late in the game they may well self implode with lack of discipline.

 

[danny-boy]

I understand his mind set as our ruck defence in the first 20 minutes against the Roosters last week was woeful but it wasn't only Simpkins. One of those tries came from Aloio falling of little Walker when trying top make a tackle. He should have crushed him and it was a poor effort.

Aloiai was on one leg I’m surprised he even got to the tackle. The poor effort came in the 2nd line of defence where both Waddell and Simpkin were arm grabbing. Both have been dropped for this game.

 

[IQofalimabean]

Best part of that list 9 Croker 10 Brown 11 Olakauatu makes that starting pack look a lot better shouldnt get rolled in the first half this week.

 

[bob dylan]

Unfortunately I think Simpkin played Croker back into the 9 with his lacklustre defensive effort against the Roosters. We got torn to shreds at the beginning of that match and it all started in the middle.

I'd have put him onto the bench but realistically GCKT is more suited to the 14 than Simpkin is.

I'm annoyed by this whole turn of events though because I think our attack is going to falter now.

Crocker is better anyway but yes Simpkin was poor vs Roosters.

 

[Mitch]

You can't underestimate the impact Croker and Jake have with regards to defense around the ruck. I think Croker is a really big inclusion for us.

We were killed around the ruck in the early stages against the Roosters, the inclusion of Croker should go along way to ensuring that doesn't happen this week.

 

[NYEagle]

We enter the home stretch for 2024 after two catastrophic failures over this period in 2022 and 2023.

How will it go?. Hard to say, but this year will provide a litmus test to the recruitment over the last 3 or 4 years and whether it is a success or failure. Coming off a bye, team virtually full strength, there are honestly no excuses. If we don't deliver from here and run at worst 5th I don't think we ever will.

But the honest assessment is this team is unproven in the big dance. I don't include a sloppy win over a depleted Easts in 2021 as big dance, and everything else has been a loss over the last 10 years.

Go Manly, we will all be watching.

NYEagle

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

How lucky to have the Canberra match at 3PM. And a balmy 17 degrees forecast to boot.
A fast track, a lively crowd, full strength side and plenty to play for.
Raiders are a good side, they'll be desperate, and also celebrating 300 for Papa.
Should be a high quality game and it's all right there for a great Manly win.

 

[The Wheel]

We have to earn it: Jason Saab

Jason Saab talks about the exciting challenge of fighting for a finals spot.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[mickqld]

That's the faders strongest lineup. We will miss Aloiai in the middle but jeez how many more injuries can we put up with him constantly being sidelined. Real test for us and I don't think we'll be able to match up to them, faders by 10.

 

[Ohgeez]

Hope Croker proves me wrong but I think we have been playing some of our best footy of the year with Simpkin, especially considering he didnt get a pre season with the rest of the spine. I will say since he got that sternum injury he hasn’t been at his best so maybe a break is a good thing

 

[Eagle 1]

Lot more pressure on the Faders tbh, one more loss for them and it's virtually all over. If we get off to a blistering start, I don't think there'd be much resolve left in the Faders camp.

 

[jbb/james]

Frogs missed a lot of footy. Some of the things he is best at will be natrually down a bit due to confidence and match fitness. It will be a watered down froggy to an extent but he has to start somewhere

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Frogs missed a lot of footy. Some of the things he is best at will be natrually down a bit due to confidence and match fitness. It will be a watered down froggy to an extent but he has to start somewhere

Frogs are amphibians, they love being watered down. So relax, he'll be fine

 

[The Who]

That's the faders strongest lineup. We will miss Aloiai in the middle but jeez how many more injuries can we put up with him constantly being sidelined.

... and yet we just signed him for a further two years.

 

[madmax]

That's the faders strongest lineup. We will miss Aloiai in the middle but jeez how many more injuries can we put up with him constantly being sidelined. Real test for us and I don't think we'll be able to match up to them, faders by 10.

Aloiai hasn’t missed any more matches than Paseka, Trbo, Sipley!!! In fact Aloiai & Brown have been our most resilient forwards this season. He played almost the whole last match with a crook leg. He’s been good on the field & quiet off it. Maybe time to give him a bit of support. I’m glad he’s signed up for 2 more years. We will miss his input against the raiders but we will get the points.

 

[Jethro]

Canberra Forecast - Bureau of Meteorology

Provides access to Canberra weather forecasts, warnings, observations and radar and satellite imagery provided by the Bureau of Meteorology

reg.bom.gov.au

 

[Ben]

Croker at 9, GCKT 14 and Simpkins out. I don't get it. Simpkins should be 14

My guess is that Crocker and Simpkins are too similar. We need to offset a stable 9 with a live wire off the bench.

 

[double hoops]

Lot more pressure on the Faders tbh, one more loss for them and it's virtually all over. If we get off to a blistering start, I don't think there'd be much resolve left in the Faders camp.

Team list suggest Seibs is thinking the same way you are. Can't afford to blow the start. I've watched a bit of the raiders this year. This game should have the feel of an elimination final come early. They are more resilient team then most despite the no of youth. This game is a great opportunity for our experienced and NRL hardened Manly Men to go up a gear and show how much they have learned, and how they want to play finals. Desire and belief go along way. It won't be easy. And it's rare that a finals game is. MIGOTY.

 

[The Wheel]

I've enjoyed my footy: Luke Brooks

Luke Brooks talks about the team's exciting run towards the finals over the next month

www.seaeagles.com.au