The BIGgest defensive flaw

[maxta]

Manly have many defensive issues from line speed....allowing crazy momentum and quick play the balls....ridiculous amount of offloads and just simple hand grabs and arm tackles, but I feel the main contribution to all of the above comes from the first and most important / The initial Contact.
Just watching these heavyweight teams tonight, you see the initial contact and I mean shoulder contact, is full of intent and aggression, while the more average teams like Manly, are so passive in comparison
Then I was thinking about our last "successful " sides with the likes of Watmough, Kennedy , Matai....maybe an unfair comparison but the old saying "Goid defence wins games" is very accurate since I've been around footy.
This powerful contact does everything from create errors, stop momentum, force errors and also has the attackers put off their game.
Anyways, hoping the home game tomorrow can bring out some aggressive contact, because Fins maybe not a top 4 side, but if allowed to offload, which they will off soft contact, will rack up a big score

 

[Ranga]

Couldn’t agree more, Maxta. It’s why I am a huge fan of JFH as he leads the line speed and makes heavy first contact. Penrith’s line speed has been the catalyst for their success, as much as anything else.

 

[HK_Eagle]

My kingdom for a Cement Gillespie

 

[Brookie1973]

What is this line speed ye speak of? Some new fangled tactic? Will never catch on.

 

[maxta]

What is this line speed ye speak of? Some new fangled tactic? Will never catch on.

Getting your defensive line up quickly after the opposition plays the ball, cutting off the momentum stopping them getting any momentum, forcing errors, beating them into submission, also often leading to a poor kick and sets up good field position for us ....
Hey wait a sec, your taking the pi** 🧐
I get it Brookie1973 😅

 

[Brookie1973]

Getting your defensive line up quickly after the opposition plays the ball, cutting off the momentum stopping them getting any momentum, forcing errors, beating them into submission, also often leading to a poor kick and sets up good field position for us ....
Hey wait a sec, your taking the pi** 🧐
I get it Brookie1973 😅

It’s not the Manly Way. Just get the ball to our weapons. Who needs line speed.

 

[Ranga]

What is this line speed ye speak of? Some new fangled tactic? Will never catch on.

It’s not one of the weapons Seibs has stocked in the armoury. He should place an order.

 

[sheridanstand78]

They always say that defence is all about attitude and resilience and our current team folds like a cheap tent when attacked, this has to be a big focus in the off season!!

 

[manlyfan76]

Manly have many defensive issues from line speed....allowing crazy momentum and quick play the balls....ridiculous amount of offloads and just simple hand grabs and arm tackles, but I feel the main contribution to all of the above comes from the first and most important / The initial Contact.
Just watching these heavyweight teams tonight, you see the initial contact and I mean shoulder contact, is full of intent and aggression, while the more average teams like Manly, are so passive in comparison
Then I was thinking about our last "successful " sides with the likes of Watmough, Kennedy , Matai....maybe an unfair comparison but the old saying "Goid defence wins games" is very accurate since I've been around footy.
This powerful contact does everything from create errors, stop momentum, force errors and also has the attackers put off their game.
Anyways, hoping the home game tomorrow can bring out some aggressive contact, because Fins maybe not a top 4 side, but if allowed to offload, which they will off soft contact, will rack up a big score

Yup.
We have in defence.
Its got worse as season went along. Arm grabs are all we can muster.

Attitude is so poor and that's where defence starts.
Next year they will just be older and slower.

 

[HK_Eagle]

They always say that defence is all about attitude and resilience and our current team folds like a cheap tent when attacked, this has to be a big focus in the off season!!

Are we prepared to invest in a coach who is willing to set standards from the very first contact with the club?

 

[Phobia]

Our line speed since 2022 has statistically been the worst in the NRL.

This might have changed, but from 2022-2024 we also paired this with the least post-contact metres allowed, of any team.

I don't think that balance has worked. We're not willing to win the mental side of the game, the old simple "we're going to bash you".

Jakey adds a lot in this dimension IMO. People love their missed tackle stats, but one Jake T tackle is worth ten Jake Simpkin tackles IMO, for these reasons Maxta provided. We simply don't win the contact.