Wasting Away

[HoldenV8]

We all knew this squad is below par. It will take a few years to remould it. In the mean time our forwards need to be better.

Some people expect miracles though and if we don't make the Finals, a lot will see it as a failure by Des.

We have the potential for a good squad, but right now Des and co. are stuck largely with the bits and pieces squad that Barrett (some say Bozo) had built. Even Matty Ballin said that it would take at least 3 years.

Give it time people, give it time.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Our kicking game must improve and the big errors - early turn over in our territory, silly penalties and bombed try’s must be eradicated otherwise its 2018 again. I personally think DCE needs to sit back a little and allow more play to go to the other side of the ruck as we are too predictable at present and he is rushed or shut down too easily.

 

[yokahontas]

Our wrestle and attempts to get opposition players on their backs in the tackle seems non existent which also allows the opposition to play the ball much quicker

Maybe they’re gun-shy because every time we’ve tried to get in on the wrestle/ruck control stuff over the last few years, the ref starts blowing the pea out of the whistle? It’s a real conundrum - some teams get a lot of leeway in that area, Manly generally get none whatsoever

 

[HoldenV8]

Our kicking game must improve and the big errors - early turn over in our territory, silly penalties and bombed try’s must be eradicated otherwise its 2018 again. I personally think DCE needs to sit back a little and allow more play to go to the other side of the ruck as we are too predictable at present and he is rushed or shut down too easily.

DCE and LG need to share the long kicking load. If we're going to use Cherry to do that most of the time it won't be hard for opposition coaches to work out ways to shut him down. If a side as pedestrian as the Tigpies can do it, then others like Melbourne, Chooks, Souffs etc will do it easily.

If your main kicker is someone like the fullback (e.g. when we had Matty Ridge kicking), they tend to stand a bit deeper and get their kicks away a bit more easy. But halves tend to be closer to the line, standing off to the side of the ruck rather than some ways behind it. And if only one of the halves is doing the kicking then it makes it that much easier to put pressure on the kicker because the defence know who is getting the ball. Having two kickers keeps them guessing.

 

[skull61]

On the subject of slow play the balls why don’t we do what others do and that is at the first touch go down and get up quickly instead of trying to eke out another 5 metres with opposition forwards hanging on who the peel off the tackled player slowly allowing the defensive line to set. I realise this may limit some off loads but are these offloads really effective.

 

[Snake]

He was actually saying that Des will struggle because he doesn’t have the roster , not that he’s a bad coach. And he did not mean pressure to keep his job, he meant pressure to get wins due to a weak playing group.I should have explained that better. Apologies.I agree he is under no pressure for his job. That’s crazy.Im one of his biggest fans.

I’m not sure what the clock says but if anyone watches our team play the last few years and Saturday and conclude they play the ball quickly or control the ruck in defense then they been watching a different team to me.

The reason they are gassed is generally because in attack the kicker or playmaker is rushed because we rarely have quick play the balls (and sides double team DCE as he often seems the only option) therefore 5th tackles kicks are made under duress leading to poor field position ,passes are pushed and errors occur under pressure. In defense we seem to lose the wrestle and fatigue and penalties flow.Hence we lose the possession and field position battle and it’s Groundhog Day.

Hopefully Des can change this as I’m sure he knows 100 per cent it’s an issue. But this sort of stuff comes mainly down to attitude of the individual , not coaching genius. Seems to me the players need to show more intensity off their own bats, not just turn up and expect it to happen.

Let’s hope the Roosters and our first home game bring out the fire.

Definitely agree that in years gone by, we were losing the ruck badly...it was a combination of poor defensive structures and the injury to API really opened up our middle last year...

Having watched rd.1, I thought the wrestle was much better, the edges looked more organised and when we retreated the 10m, you could see on the higher angle shots that the line was very well organised and straight. All good signs.

The kicking game, constant drop balls and the odd penalty really contributed to the Tigers players being more fresh, which in turn means better contact and generally better go forward with the ball.

I think when we have a lions share of possession and turn the opposition around with effective kicks, we’ll see the play-the-ball improve.

I can see your angle that the poor kicks are the result of slow play-the-balls and I’m not prepared to tell you that you are wrong. I reckon it is probably a combination of many things...let’s hope we see an improvement this weekend!

 

[Rynostradamus]

I reckon i liked what I saw of cade cust. More of the organising type and a threat.

Elfey defended stoutly.

Des said it best we were kicked off the park. It was wet and sloppy and they had the advantage of 3 players who can kick. One kicking option stands out like the proverbial pretty easy for first marker to just go at him.

It was wet but far too much one up off the ruck for my liking. Same goes put 3 or 4 in the tackle each time. Wasnt rocket science their game plan and they got the rub of the green.

Cracked up they didnt concede a penalty for 60 minutes of game time.

 

[Loobs]

DCE is a rare bird indeed - self aware. His thoughts on his performance:

"The spotlight will always be on halfbacks after a win or a loss so when you take the good times, you've got to accept the bad times," he said.

"I am my own harshest critic* so I have to take responsibility for my role in the loss. There are things I will go way and work on.

"There's a missed tackle I am really filthy on myself (for missing) and my kicking game was really poor and left us in some tricky situations.

"I will own those and make sure I improve this weekend."

* Um maybe don't come on Silvertails after a loss Daly

 

[HappilyManly]

MD today

Honest Daly says he let team down

Jon Geddes

THERE was no tricky footwork from Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans yesterday as he stepped up to accept his part in the side’s 20-6 first round loss to the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

“There was a missed tackle there that I am really filthy on myself about and my kicking game was really poor and left us with some pretty tricky situations on the field,” the star Manly No. 7 said

“I will own those this week and make sure I improve this weekend.”

That honest appraisal of his performance ahead of Saturday evening’s first home game against the Roosters at Lottoland was a clear indication of how Cherry-Evans has matured as the leader of the Sea Eagles team.

“On an individual level I certainly have to take responsibility for my role in the loss so there are certainly things I will go away and work on,” he said.

“I feel as though missing an important tackle in the game was certainly something that let our side down.

“Also with the ball, end of sets with our kicks can improve.”

Cherry-Evans said that he has always been his own harshest critic.

“I think what has helped me develop my game is understanding exactly what my role was and where I didn’t play well,” he said.

“Last weekend definitely wasn’t the start we were looking for, unfortunately we didn’t show a true reflection of how hard we have worked in the pre-season.

“We’ll change a few things this weekend and certainly a lot of us will want to improve and I’m very confident that will help us get a better result this weekend.

“We are still extremely confident in the squad we have got and the style of football we can play.”

 

[Snake]

@Sue +1 for Cam Murray....absolutely superstar player with the best play-the-ball in the game.

 

[R3]

I’ve said this so many times but I’ll say it again. DCE is an off the cuff, unstructured, ‘play what he see’ type 5/8th.
I’ve never understood why he wears the 7 on his back and not the 6.
Usually the general (7) steers their side around the park and distributes the ball out from first receiver. This contradicts anyone whose ever described DCE’s ability's and attributes.
I wish he was being payed accordingly and I wish we recruited a genuine 7 already.
The reason Blake Green gelled so well with DCE is because he didn’t care what number he had on his back, he knew he was the teams halfback. I hope Des doesn’t get stuck on the idea that he has to coach halfback traits into DCE when he can just be the number 6 that he’s always been so that we can get serious about developing a true Halfback.
If Elgey isn’t the guy then give Cust or even Metcalfe a crack at it..

Failing that, if DCE has to be the 7, see if Ryley Jacks wants a starting position for a different bottom of the ladder club.
He went well at the storm replacing Blake Green and he’s apparently behind AJ Brimson, Tyrone Peachey, Tyrone Roberts and Ash Taylor at the Titans so I’d be keen on his services if we’re to maintain the status quo by searching for a(nother) decent half