The best teams have these sensational players who light up the field - Papenhasen, Munster, Tedesco, Mitchell, Cleary ect, but the most important reason these blokes are are allowed to play like stars, is the best teams have the competitive natures built into the teams...that Will to Win, fighting for every inch and advantage in both attack and defence.
Funny thing is, it's many of the unheralded players in their respective teams who bust their guts week in, week out in EVERY play....attack and defence who unlock the gates for the stars to shine.
That's what allows the stars to run amok and I can honestly say I have seen the best like Johns , Lockyer, THurston, yes even Cliffy look crap, in games the lessor lights arn't willing to cop some bruises and get into the dogfight for a bone....if the team is not willing to compete first and foremost, even the best will look ordinary.
These competitive teams will try win every contact physically in defence and make every play personal....also the energy levels grow contagiously to team mates and it will often look like these sides have more players on the field, even in support pushing up around the ball and extra's involved in tackles, yet are still to feet before the bloke with the ball.
This sums up Manly more so than any tactical issues and unless there is a willingness to roll up the sleeves and compete, these other attacking or defensive patterns will not register, as the effort is the horse and the skills/tactics are the cart that follow.
Watching Manly for many years I can honestly say, I have walked away from losses not happy, but proud if a gritty/gutsy performance with no white flag and an A for effort.
What I really find tough to watch is a Manly team getting out enthused, quiet as field mice, Bashed in the middle and the ugly scoreboard just ices the cake.
Give us a competitive side and we will see competitive results including more wins that losses, playing pretty won't get Manly out of this hole, need to compete first and win back that positive energy across the playing group by earning it.
Funny thing is, it's many of the unheralded players in their respective teams who bust their guts week in, week out in EVERY play....attack and defence who unlock the gates for the stars to shine.
That's what allows the stars to run amok and I can honestly say I have seen the best like Johns , Lockyer, THurston, yes even Cliffy look crap, in games the lessor lights arn't willing to cop some bruises and get into the dogfight for a bone....if the team is not willing to compete first and foremost, even the best will look ordinary.
These competitive teams will try win every contact physically in defence and make every play personal....also the energy levels grow contagiously to team mates and it will often look like these sides have more players on the field, even in support pushing up around the ball and extra's involved in tackles, yet are still to feet before the bloke with the ball.
This sums up Manly more so than any tactical issues and unless there is a willingness to roll up the sleeves and compete, these other attacking or defensive patterns will not register, as the effort is the horse and the skills/tactics are the cart that follow.
Watching Manly for many years I can honestly say, I have walked away from losses not happy, but proud if a gritty/gutsy performance with no white flag and an A for effort.
What I really find tough to watch is a Manly team getting out enthused, quiet as field mice, Bashed in the middle and the ugly scoreboard just ices the cake.
Give us a competitive side and we will see competitive results including more wins that losses, playing pretty won't get Manly out of this hole, need to compete first and win back that positive energy across the playing group by earning it.
