Pre-Game Storm v Manly [Finals 1, 2021]

[davohan123]

Injury or illness would definitely be the reason Croker is out. A big loss - his defence, organisation, support play & occasional kicking will be missed. Our markers will need to be awake whenever Smith or Grant run from dummy half. Wonder if it will be Sironen or Sipley actually in the seventeen?

That organisation and loss of team dynamics is now my biggest concern. He has been one of our better players this year..think this is the first game he may of missed with us this year.

Hope Lawton has a blinder and kills it for the full 80 at 9.

 

[Nordburg]

What disappoints me about Croker’s absence is not that we thought the club was about to finally play the business end of the season at full strength(Fainu aside) but once again that the club is playing cloak and dagger with injuries

 

[Ranga]

Next man up. Lawton will fire.

 

[Kalvin]

I remember specifically in last week's game he took a heavy knock which took him a while to get back up from/ get back in defensive line. Wouldn't be surprised if it's a rib injury or something

 

[davohan123]

What disappoints me about Croker’s absence is not that we thought the club was about to finally play the business end of the season at full strength(Fainu aside) but once again that the club is playing cloak and dagger with injuries

Agreed I rather know he was going to be out earlier in the week but I can see why des has done it this way as not to give the opposition as much time to work on plays for Lawton.

I agree with also I just don't like how the club has gone about playing cloak and dagger with injuries and not letting the full truth known

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Isn’t that what Walkers there for?

Not these days. He's been at his best in the pack for us. But yeah, he could also cover the outside backs.

Thing is, Des always likes to keep a reserve up his sleeve, and if we end up with three frontrowers on the bench, you can bet your life one of them won't see much game time. Better to let Suli warm the bench in that case.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Never thought I’d say this but we WILL miss Froggy.

His defence in the middle with Jake has been excellent.

Good luck to young Lawton.

 

[BOZO]

That's the big thing now I worry tomorrow while Croker is not the best number 9 out there he has been very solid and has built nice steady combinations as you said with DCE, make and Tom.

That team dynamic is now not there tomorrow night, Lawton better be on his game and know our plays.

Could be a masterstroke from Des or be the downfall for us , the 9 is so crucial these days.

Hello my passionate Manly feathered friend I hope you and your family are keeping well

You should not be concerned about our team dynamics lacking without Croker

as there is nothing that the talented Lawton cannot do that Crocker can .

IMO Lawton has much more in his armour

 

[Nordburg]

The positive out of Croker’s absence is that according to everyone that’s not a Manly fan,they’re just a one man team and that man is still playing

 

[BOZO]

Never thought I’d say this but we WILL miss Froggy.

His defence in the middle with Jake has been excellent.

Good luck to young Lawton.

Lawton will kill it !

 

[davohan123]

Never thought I’d say this but we WILL miss Froggy.

His defence in the middle with Jake has been excellent.

Good luck to young Lawton.

While not the most dynamic number 9 in the game he has fitted in at 9 perfectly for us this year...

While Lawton may have a blinder I just feel the team dynamics may suffer now tomorrow night from him being out.

Hope Lawton is switched on and plays the house down.

 

[Remy]

Lawton will kill it for sure, but fmd we just never been allowed to go into a finals series full strength.

 

[Rafferty]

It’s not ideal, while I’m sure Lawman will not let us down, it’s not the same, Frog‘s work in the middle is the combination of 25 rounds, his defensive work and combinations built over those 25 rounds is a big loss for us, has dinted my confidence somewhat, but champions rise above adversity and we just have to get on with it, we can still do the job, stay solid

 

[davohan123]

Hello my passionate Manly feathered friend I hope you and your family are keeping well

You should not be concerned about our team dynamics lacking without Croker

as there is nothing that the talented Lawton cannot do that Crocker can .

IMO Lawton has much more in his armour

Hope you are right

How exciting tomorrow night manly returns to its rightful place playing finals footy.

 

[Nordburg]

I just noticed that Klein is the video ref for tomorrow nights game and Atkins is video ref for Sunday’s game.So I assume that means for games at the non regular venues,in this case SC Stadium and Browne Park,they don’t have access to the Bunker

 

[HK_Eagle]

I’d speculate Croker may have some belief challenges to overcome. He has had too much “adversity” throughout his career to be mere coincidence. He’s finally had a season where it’s started coming together and low and behold, injured on the eve of a finals series. This guy has built a footy career fighting through adversity, I hope he can evolve into a real success mentality without the struggle and setbacks.

 

[Snake]

It’s a contact injury sustained early in the second half against Cows.
It’s also ****ing devastating loss. There goes our hope of controlling the middle of ruck. He is one of, if not the best defensive 9 in the comp. stops so many offloads. Faaarrkkk!!!!! Dessie is tearing his hair out.

 

[Rackets]

No real backup hooker on the bench and I reckon Bellyache will take advantage of that. He'll realise if Lawton goes down, our whole structure may suffer. Hope I'm wrong and we rip them a new one.

 

[davohan123]

It’s a contact injury sustained early in the second half against Cows.
It’s also ****ing devastating loss. There goes our hope of controlling the middle of ruck. He is one of, if not the best defensive 9 in the comp. stops so many offloads. Faaarrkkk!!!!! Dessie is tearing his hair out.

No real backup hooker on the bench and I reckon Bellyache will take advantage of that. He'll realise if Lawton goes down, our whole structure may suffer. Hope I'm wrong and we rip them a new one.

Agree on both counts you can bet bellyache will take advantage of this situation if Lawton goes down with a HIA or injury we are gone.

Croker has been very solid for us.

The only hope I have is that des has been training all week with Lawton at 9 and the boys feel comfortable with his plays.

Let's rip in boys .

Even with Croker out its still a 50/50 game in my opinion if turbo and DCE have a night out.

 

[ManlyTragic]

6 months ago we didn’t want Croker in the 13 now we are pissed he’s out!

are we a tad fickle

just sayin’