The DES-urrection of Manly

[Eagles4Life]

You want to hope she doesn't sneak on here for a quick read.

You are 100% right on that one. I wouldnt need a blue pill if she was to read that. I am confident she already suspects/knows that anyway.

 

[Woodsie]

Really? How many selected Garrick Parker or Croker? I think if you check back to those earlier posts you'll find 'many of us' knew those players were never going to cut it in first grade!

Me ... and I would go back and quote the posts where I said so ... but you know I hate saying I told you so ...

 

[Kevinward777]

You are 100% right on that one. I wouldnt need a blue pill if she was to read that. I am confident she already suspects/knows that anyway.

Blue pill action seems to become less appealing with each passing year - for me at least.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Blue pill action seems to become less appealing with each passing year - for me at least.

Haven't got there yet but it was more about me losing an appendage, if she was to read my last comment on "being more excited by a Manly win than a date night with my wife" 🙁

 

[Kevinward777]

Haven't got there yet but it was more about me losing an appendage, if she was to read my last comment on "being more excited by a Manly win than a date night with my wife" 🙁

Manly Sea Eagle's first Eunuch.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Possibly. Though in recent times we have seen a number of team members, seemingly playing without any balls.

 

[Woodsie]

yes yes - that coaching team is hopeless. They have no idea at all - stupid morons they all are. Have you put your Coaching resume together yet? Maybe you and a few other "experts" on here could put together a dream team coaching team and get a gig at Manly or somewhere else?

Shane ... since the first game in 2020 until now, there have been 27 games ..

Dessies record for those 27 games is ..

When tom has played he has won 78%, the only 2 losses to ladder leaders Melb and Parra

When Tom hasn't played he has won just 16% ..

SO, if a coaches record goes from 78% to 16% based on the availability of one player ... I think any reasonable person would have doubts regarding the value of the coaching ...

Simple question ... who do you think is more important to our success, Tom or Dessie .. would love to keep both ... but on those figures it is not even a contest ..

 

[Tragic Eagle]

The defence has improved 10 fold from the first 4 rounds, and it had to! The attack has improved out of sight with Turbo back plus add Foran and Schuster hitting their straps in attack. Schuster and Big O in the second row has elevated our pack. Things are on the up. We will see where Des is at when players come back from injury such as Sirro, Suli and Walker. Please don't rush them back in Des!

 

[47MVEagle]

I think our seemingly rapid improvement from round 6 onwards is due to several factors:

-Turbo's return
-Harper grabbing his opportunity to replace Suli with both hands
-the close win over the Warriors boosting DCE's confidence
-the team finally gelling, resulting in combinations clicking & allowing us to execute a game plan.

The above in combination has boosted the whole team's confidence & it's no surprise that even Croker is starting to look like he knows what he's doing at hooker.

Yes, it's obvious that Turbo plays a large part in it but I don't think its solely him - any team missing their starting fullback & hooker & having to make do with replacements who aren't specialists in those positions would be as poor. Add in a new 5/8th & HB combination needing time to develop & you've essentially got a HB trying to do the whole spine's job in regards to playmaking & game management.

Anyway, it looks like everything is finally starting to click so hopefully its onwards & upwards from here on.

I really enjoyed watching us playing to an obvious plan vs Titans & Tigers, after we looked like headless chooks in our first 4 games & for most of our 5th game (vs Warriors).

 

[pjayz]

No, premature ejaculation has never been a concern of mine - I'm a delayed ejaculation kind of guy. You come across like an erectile dysfunction type - If Manly continues winning, I'll flick you a little blue tablet so we can celebrate in tandem.

Just keep them away from @Mark from Brisbane, he doesn’t need them apparently...

 

[Rafferty]

Shane ... since the first game in 2020 until now, there have been 27 games ..

Dessies record for those 27 games is ..

When tom has played he has won 78%, the only 2 losses to ladder leaders Melb and Parra

When Tom hasn't played he has won just 16% ..

SO, if a coaches record goes from 78% to 16% based on the availability of one player ... I think any reasonable person would have doubts regarding the value of the coaching ...

Simple question ... who do you think is more important to our success, Tom or Dessie .. would love to keep both ... but on those figures it is not even a contest ..

Thats a no brainer, without the stats. The way Tom goes about his footy, I’m sure he could captain, coach and still be a star, jokes aside, well apart from Tom, who is a star, the stats make alarming reading, i was one who was certainly questioning where we were headed and why we weren’t looking for improvement via team selection during that horrific period especially given we had talent that seemingly was being overlooked in terms of favouritism or loyalty if you prefer, talent that has since vindicated the fact changes could of and should of been made sooner and perhaps not via the forced hand of injury, poor form and losses can’t be excepted for such extended runs, given we had options and opportunities to look for improvement, I think most manly supporters were very frustrated at the lack of change or Des’s stubbornness to make change during that time, if we were only just losing games I would of understood myself, but we were getting towelled up and embarrassed repeatedly, team morale was pretty close to an all time low and changes weren’t forthcoming. There are still many elements of our game that need work, that goes without question, if you stop looking to improve, there’s not much point, Des is no different he needs to continually look for improvement in his own role, I‘ve noticed some subtle changes in Des over the last couple of weeks which are positive, hopefully everyone is regaining their mojo and we keep improving, winning is infectious, i hope it continues to spread through our group without prejudice.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Shane ... since the first game in 2020 until now, there have been 27 games ..

Dessies record for those 27 games is ..

When tom has played he has won 78%, the only 2 losses to ladder leaders Melb and Parra

When Tom hasn't played he has won just 16% ..

SO, if a coaches record goes from 78% to 16% based on the availability of one player ... I think any reasonable person would have doubts regarding the value of the coaching ...

Simple question ... who do you think is more important to our success, Tom or Dessie .. would love to keep both ... but on those figures it is not even a contest ..

Oh agreed - Tom is a once in a generation.... maybe lifetime player... he is that good. I also believe that Des and the club have not handled the Fainu situation well or the backup for Turbo. I still firmly believe we had a very very capable backup in Elliott - not brilliant but a salt of the earth give everything safe player. Many on here derided him.... gee we could have done with him for those first 4 games. I admit though and now I am certain it is all mental with the team that when Tom is out - they all collectively drop the bundle. That is not a skill thing, that isn't a coaching thing, that is a mental issue with the majority of players. Now if we had two quality halves with one a genuine organising and driving half which DCE is not then maybe at the end of last year we don't lose all those games - we lose some but not all. The Foran/DCE combination now just did not have time to settle in and Foran should have been the driving/organising half in those first 4 games leaving DCE to play off the cuff. But then again our forwards were not taking control and DCE really struggles behind a struggling pack. But to me the situation when Turbo is out is a complete mental meltdown and panic - it is that bad and not Des, or Bellamy, or Robinson I don't think can fix that now. It is ingrained - maybe a Sports Psychologist is required but again a big job trying to change the mental mindset of a whole side. I don't think there is an answer Woodsie - a very good 9 would help, a good backup 1 would help but the drop off between with and without Turbo is always going to be huge. I am just not sure how else Des or anyone can fix that drop off.

 

[Woodsie]

Oh agreed - Tom is a once in a generation.... maybe lifetime player... he is that good. I also believe that Des and the club have not handled the Fainu situation well or the backup for Turbo. I still firmly believe we had a very very capable backup in Elliott - not brilliant but a salt of the earth give everything safe player. Many on here derided him.... gee we could have done with him for those first 4 games. I admit though and now I am certain it is all mental with the team that when Tom is out - they all collectively drop the bundle. That is a skill thing, that isn't a coaching thing, that is a mental issue with the majority of players. Now if we had two quality halves with one a genuine organising and driving half which DCE is not then maybe at the end of last year we don't lose all those games - we lose some but not all. The Foran/DCE combination now just did not have time to settle in and Foran should have been the driving/organising half in those first 4 games kleaving DCE to play off the cuff. But then again our forwards were not taking control and DCE really struggles behind a struggling pack. But to me the situation when Turbo is out is a complete mental meltdown and panic - it is that bad and not Des, or Bellamy, or Robinson I don't think can fix that now. It is ingrained - maybe a Sports Psychologist is required but again a big job trying to change the mental mindset of a whole side. I don't think there is an answer Woodsie - a very good 9 would help, a good backup 1 would help but the drop off between with and without Turbo is always going to be huge. I am just not sure how else Des or anyone can fix that drop off.

let's agree, that given the difference in both form and results with and without Tom over the past 27 weeks ... it wouldn't have made any difference if we had Daffy Duck coaching the team ..

And there is the rub ... The entire team have played like busted bums for 15 games ... and suddenly back to stars in one week

All the points you mention I believe fall to the coach to fix or eliminate or drop to reserve grade ... but my biggest issue is the lack of a satisfactory fullback replacement (ignoring the hooker situation) ... since the days of Snake, and all the days of Tom, Dessie has known we fall off a cliff when they are missing, and this is his 3rd year in charge ... and we have done bumkiss about it ..

Perhaps he thought Funa, Harper, Garrick Walker or one of the kids would step up ... if he did, I think he gambled and lost ...

Anyway, enough worrying for one day ... for the time being Tommy and Manly are back ... but I find that I have an urgent urge to fold up into the fetal position every time I hear the word hamstring ..

 

[Waz13]

Having Turbo in the side has made a massive difference to the teams performance. He is clearly the most influential player in the game right now.
Our results speak for themselves when he is fit and playing well. Turbo is one of the most natural footballers I have seen in the modern era. A lot of what Turbo does isn't coachable. When he is at his explosive best, most defensive structures simply can't deal with him. Right now he is almost unstoppable. Clearly I put most of the credit for that individual performance to Turbo himself, and not the coach.

However, Des is coaching this seventeen very well. If we can maintain this side (more or less), and can demonstrate that we have the ability to compete with, and defeat the top five sides, I will be the first sausage roll eating, keyboard warrior (sometimes boiling and sometimes simmering) to congratulate him. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is Manly winning. Go Manly.

Well put re Tom. As much as I hate Ennis he was on the money with his assessment of Tom yesterday and on that evening show game day. An incredible player. Even my mate who’s a big league Broncs supporter was saying yesterday “how is it humanly possible for one player to make that much of a difference?”. I said it in other posts I’d judge this team when Tom came back. It’s why I don’t reference the 2020 season at all. Complete write off for a number of reasons.

re Des, his selections have frustrated me no end but I always maintain he knows best. And aside from a few here we only really see game day performance not what goes on behind the scenes at training etc. also Tge talk around him being forced to play guys, well that’s true for a few, but he didn’t need to select Harper (Funa or Tuipolotu could have come in) or keep Garrick and Parker. Or keep Croker starting as a primary 9, or rotate the bench the way he has with Marty and co, or game plan Nullifying Fafita etc. credit where it’s due. Despite the performances what I’m enjoying most is the improved attitude, desire and playing for your mate. How good was guaca Superman over Marty and nearly spear tackling himself! These guys are tight and playing for each other. Perhaps keeping some guys in the side when down on form helps this commradarie.

anyway big test sat v Penrith and I think they are prone for a loss.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

let's agree, that given the difference in both form and results with and without Tom over the past 27 weeks ... it wouldn't have made any difference if we had Daffy Duck coaching the team ..

And there is the rub ... The entire team have played like busted bums for 15 games ... and suddenly back to stars in one week

All the points you mention I believe fall to the coach to fix or eliminate or drop to reserve grade ... but my biggest issue is the lack of a satisfactory fullback replacement (ignoring the hooker situation) ... since the days of Snake, and all the days of Tom, Dessie has known we fall off a cliff when they are missing, and this is his 3rd year in charge ... and we have done bumkiss about it ..

Perhaps he thought Funa, Harper, Garrick Walker or one of the kids would step up ... if he did, I think he gambled and lost ...

Anyway, enough worrying for one day ... for the time being Tommy and Manly are back ... but I find that I have an urgent urge to fold up into the fetal position every time I hear the word hamstring ..

lol lol yes... I hold my breath every time he is involved. I think he also gambled and lost on thinking Fainu would be back once DBelin was found not guilty. That was poor. I am sure Des is not the perfect coach... but I know he sees things in players that we have no idea about and there is a method to his madness. I agree with the drop players for poor form approach but I also know loyalty breeds a successful club. A delicate balance though - too much loyalty - not enough etc. We also now have a forward pack blasting opposition packs - gee that helps. I also agree Harper is a super addition - think his defence still is a worry but gee he is elusive. Lots of positives plus the kids coming through as well and some changes at the end of the year and we really should be in for a special year next year. It all depends on Turbo's health though. With him healthy and the forward pack smashing teams - we make the 8 easily this year........ lets be boring though and just look towards this weekend and seeing a super competitive effort against Penrith. No good looking forward any further and let's all continue to have our fingers and toes crossed every week.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

All the points you mention I believe fall to the coach to fix or eliminate or drop to reserve grade ... but my biggest issue is the lack of a satisfactory fullback replacement (ignoring the hooker situation) ... since the days of Snake, and all the days of Tom, Dessie has known we fall off a cliff when they are missing, and this is his 3rd year in charge ... and we have done bumkiss about it ..

Please tell me that autocorrect changed "bupkis" to "bumkiss". That would make my day.

 

[The Who]

Oh agreed - Tom is a once in a generation.... maybe lifetime player... he is that good. I also believe that Des and the club have not handled the Fainu situation well or the backup for Turbo. I still firmly believe we had a very very capable backup in Elliott - not brilliant but a salt of the earth give everything safe player. Many on here derided him.... gee we could have done with him for those first 4 games.....

We had Harpo.
He was one of the few players who tackled in the trial capitulation to Wests. He played fullback and did a surprisingly good job. So who does DESpicable select for our season opener? Walker!
I look forward to reading how you can defend him for this selection; not just for week one but he kept picking Walker at fullback until injury forced DESpicable to select someone else.
Harpo has proven to be a very good backline player. He should be our No. 1 centre, but also our No. 1 back-up at fullback when Turbo is missing.
Almost universally on here members agree DESpicable's selections were single-minded and rewarding mediocracy. Changes had to be made, but none were done on form. That is our criticism of DESpicable. You showing blind loyalty to him is no different to him showing blind loyalty to underperforming players. If he didn't have the quality of players in the roster it would be understandable to pick-and-stick, but we know that our roster contains many excellent young players. And injuries to underperformers have given them their chance.

 

[Woodsie]

Please tell me that autocorrect changed "bupkis" to "bumkiss". That would make my day.

Are you saying bumkiss is wrong ? Damn!

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Are you saying bumkiss is wrong ? Damn!

Whatever you're into in the privacy of your own home, Woodsie. I pass no judgement. In fact, I'm led to believe there are entire web sites devoted to it.

Anyway, "bupkis" is not a very common word but I like it and I like seeing it used.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

We had Harpo.
He was one of the few players who tackled in the trial capitulation to Wests. He played fullback and did a surprisingly good job. So who does DESpicable select for our season opener? Walker!
I look forward to reading how you can defend him for this selection; not just for week one but he kept picking Walker at fullback until injury forced DESpicable to select someone else.
Harpo has proven to be a very good backline player. He should be our No. 1 centre, but also our No. 1 back-up at fullback when Turbo is missing.
Almost universally on here members agree DESpicable's selections were single-minded and rewarding mediocracy. Changes had to be made, but none were done on form. That is our criticism of DESpicable. You showing blind loyalty to him is no different to him showing blind loyalty to underperforming players. If he didn't have the quality of players in the roster it would be understandable to pick-and-stick, but we know that our roster contains many excellent young players. And injuries to underperformers have given them their chance.

I agree totally I could not believe why Des moved Walker from Centre - being our best Centre to FB weakening one area and not really improving FB at all. I couldn't understand that at all. I would have kept Harper there. I totally agree also that I believe Des has made mistakes. I also have been very critical of some players and wanted them dropped and replaced at years end. I also have said that my assessment of some of those players now was harsh and they are playing fabulously well and far above my belief of their talents. I am sure Des doesn't sit there and think... gee I will be stubborn just for the sake of it and to hell with winning. Again he sees things we have no idea about. Again I come back to my point... Des knows far far more about footy , this club and these players than the collective lot of us on ST know. I hated him when he went to the Bulldogs - despised him. I was not supportive at all of him coming back because of what he did to us when he left. But I do believe in his coaching abilities. I had no faith in Barrett - way out of his depth. Des is still a snake I think and all about him at the end of the day but I do believe he is an elite coach. Just my view.