We are up against it no doubt about it, and I think that makes us more dangerous than ever. From an outside view I can understand the view that Manly have no chance, and from those I've spoken to that is the common view. My view is:
1) Being written off galvanizes Manly like no other team
2) Souths just need to drop their focus and intensity and they will have the pocket picked like in 2013 PF.
It's only human nature for a team like Souths to think 'let's cruise past Manly, no need to dig deep into the well, then get the 2 weeks off and prepare for the GF run'.
GI is definitely not 100%, but I agree with the comment about Burgess, doesn't matter.
The other thing is that Keary has no finals experience, and Reynolds and Sutton have a propensity to choke in the bigger games.
I like Matai targeting George Burgess, this could also put Sam Burgess off his game as he does his usual 3rd man in tactics.
I expect an intensity from not only our forwards but our backs (in helping out the forwards) like we haven't fully seen this year. I expect JSL to come off the bench and hurtle himself at the defensive line like a bazooka, and Taufau, Hiku and Killer to all do 'Matai' style runs to get our sets going.
Foran tonight to step up having been named 'Players Player' and DCE to play his best game of the season.
And Watmough to go absolutely nuts. (in a good way)
), and we'll get 'em at the post.
