So there are a few "1 man teams"

[maxta]

Manly has copped plenty of press as a 1 man team and much has been fair criticism, but they are not alone.
Well Storm certainly look a different team without Munster...in actual fact if Munster was out the first time Manly played them, we may well have won that game also.
Also take out the 9 Harry Grant, like we lost a 9 in Fainu and lucky to be a Top 8 side based on the past 2 weeks.
Other teams look way different without their key players - including those gone since 2021
Eels - gutherson
South's - Reynolds and Mitchell
NZ - Sheck
Newcastle - Pearce and Ponga
The only side I've seen still turn up without their Star player, is Penrith without Cleary, but let's be honest - they have guns across the park and more strength in backups than any....
Manly have taken a while to adjust, but it puts things in perspective when missing key players
I always run the "well no excuses it's 17 on 17" which is a way to add accountability and expectations on the players who take the field, but in reality losing key players does have a massive effect and takes time to adjust

 

[nightster]

Munster, Grant & Kafusi is a lot of key weaponry to lose ...but I agree

 

[lsz]

Manly has copped plenty of press as a 1 man team and much has been fair criticism, but they are not alone.
Well Storm certainly look a different team without Munster...in actual fact if Munster was out the first time Manly played them, we may well have won that game also.
Also take out the 9 Harry Grant, like we lost a 9 in Fainu and lucky to be a Top 8 side based on the past 2 weeks.
Other teams look way different without their key players - including those gone since 2021
Eels - gutherson
South's - Reynolds and Mitchell
NZ - Sheck
Newcastle - Pearce and Ponga
The only side I've seen still turn up without their Star player, is Penrith without Cleary, but let's be honest - they have guns across the park and more strength in backups than any....
Manly have taken a while to adjust, but it puts things in perspective when missing key players
I always run the "well no excuses it's 17 on 17" which is a way to add accountability and expectations on the players who take the field, but in reality losing key players does have a massive effect and takes time to adjust

I would be interested if Cleary was out for a long period of time how they would adjust

 

[maxta]

I would be interested if Cleary was out for a long period of time how they would adjust

Great question as there's no way a team without" Cleary is nearly as good.....just they can compensate better than most in your average club game, due to the strength across the park, but come a tough finals game, would be very beatable imo.

 

[maxta]

Munster, Grant & Kafusi is a lot of key weaponry to lose ...but I agree

Very true Nightster, I think the Melbourne that played Manly, were far better having Grant than the side playing Sharks without him....apart from that ridiculous 7 minutes against Manly, they struggle to score points and last night were far worse.
Also have not seen Melbournes edges so vulnerable defensively, I think they'll be back to compete, but need their key players.
What I have really noticed that is unMelbourne like is the lack of energy
I think Manly took a long time to realise these Star players were not back in a long time, before adapting which I feel has only genuinely happened after 8 - 9 games without Tom in 2022 where they realise they only have each other to save the season and it's been great to see (apart from those 5 minute patches)

 

[Snake]

Personally, I wouldn’t call the Storm a one man team. In fact, I think they struggle more when Hughes is missing, as opposed to Munster. I find Munster is only effective when everything around him is humming.

The Storm are missing their best prop in Welch, their best yardage winger in Coates, another quality centre in Reimis Smith, their edge runner in Kaufusi, their dynamic dummy half in Grant, their creativity in Munster. That’s before you mention that Papy is running on one leg and clearly not healthy. They had Nick Meaney playing 6 last night?! They’re in the middle of an injury crisis...definitely not a one man team.

 

[47MVEagle]

So much for the Storm's "next man up" model.

It's good to see them struggling without key players like the rest of us.

 

[maxta]

Personally, I wouldn’t call the Storm a one man team. In fact, I think they struggle more when Hughes is missing, as opposed to Munster. I find Munster is only effective when everything around him is humming.

The Storm are missing their best prop in Welch, their best yardage winger in Coates, another quality centre in Reimis Smith, their edge runner in Kaufusi, their dynamic dummy half in Grant, their creativity in Munster. That’s before you mention that Papy is running on one leg and clearly not healthy. They had Nick Meaney playing 6 last night?! They’re in the middle of an injury crisis...definitely not a one man team.

Coates is their best their best winger by a way, but the man who does the best yardage carries easily is Olam, who is there.
Welsh is a white collar hard working front rower.
Grant was there against Manly and attack still looked flat...though agree he adds plenty and had an off night vs Manly and as my initial post stated, we would have far more thrust if Fainu was there also.
Good point Meaney at 6 not an answer, but that's the point - without Munster who else - Nikorima ?
Agreed Pap is at 50%, but hasn't Garrick been playing through similar at fullback for Manly recently?
I can't see Hughes being as important as he does not lift the players around him like Munster who gives the motivation and competes FAR harder and is far more involved, though Hughes is up with the best halves is very quiet when the side is not travelling well, as opposed to Munster who will get more involved and lift the intensity when the Storm are struggling.
All is good though Snake, I posted the thread to get contrasting opinions and respect yours.

 

[47MVEagle]

Also, I already thought Brandon Smith was a gobsh1te before he appeared on the Matty Johns show.

That only further confirmed it for me.

He's a complete w*nker IMO.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Hughes supposedly in the top 2 halfbacks but couldn’t do much without his forwards dominating. Similar to Cleary in Origin 1.

 

[eagleron]

Also, I already thought Brandon Smith was a gobsh1te before he appeared on the Matty Johns show.

That only further confirmed it for me.

He's a complete w*nker IMO.

Yes he'll fit right in at the rorters, he's got the perfect pedigree

 

[nightster]

Yes he'll fit right in at the rorters, he's got the perfect pedigree

Him and Lodge, there goes the neighbourhood 💩🤡

 

[Under the Sticks]

Him and Lodge, there goes the neighbourhood 💩🤡

But they did so well with the re-hab of Pearce and SKD!

They are also a one man team without Teddy

 

[Captain Moondog]

But they did so well with the re-hab of Pearce and SKD!

They are also a one man team without Teddy

Shayne Hayne was their best.

 

[Under the Sticks]

Shayne Hayne was their best.

I still have Hayne Payne from 2013 too！