what needs fixing

[jbb/james]

Manly led 24 - 6 and looked to have the game in the bag. We all know what happened. But if we are honest it was individuals that basicly got our points. Just some players busting a gut from a nothing situation. But thats not really new

We dont craft tries, build pressure , with posession, pressure and work a team over. We can do the first two quite often but the cherry on top is rarely saeen after sustained pressure and field position

We have some seriouse defensive weakenss, both physical and psychological but our attack is woeful.
We need better leadership but its all about getting big men to fall over the line or hope that a palyers effort can beat a few tackles
We all just seem to say structure is poor whatever that means in the opp 20 but reality is we dont have **** in attack. Give it to tom and hope or get a big guy close enough and hope he falls over
A creative leader is what we need yet we want a sready half to pair with cherrys natural running game which he doesnt use. Go figure
But its all barretts fault

 

[niccipops]

What needs fixing is Manly!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

But its all barretts fault

You didn’t really need the first 3 paragraphs.
It’s obvious that teams near the bottom play badly and that proves they have bad coaches, as well as a bad culture. Nothing could be clearer, if we can all see this why can’t Penn? Yes, this proves he has an agenda, he wants Manly to struggle so the NRL will pay him to relocate the club. The fact he and Gorman don’t email all members to explain each loss is pretty much proof of this.
The only problem with this analysis is that it means it is futile for fans to constantly call for Barrett’s sacking. So why do we? We clearly are not stupid. This is the only part I haven’t figured out yet.

 

[bringbackbeaver]

That right side defence is terrible. Suli is a myth. Send him back to reggies to get fit as he's such a liability. Barrett has no clue how to pick a side and utilise the bench. Walker needs to be put in the centres for Suli. Trent H to 6 and plays 80. Have 3 forwards on the bench + a utility. Brown isn't amazing but he can do the job and give our young 9 a break. Alternatively, you could start brown at 9 and bring in the youngin' after 60 mins for a little spark. Why does Barrett play Kapow for 40 mins in a half? Why does he keep picking Frank/Trent and giving them 10-15 mins max. Why does he not rotate our props to give them 40-50 mins a game each.. Worst coach in our history

 

[Fluffy]

You didn’t really need the first 3 paragraphs.
It’s obvious that teams near the bottom play badly and that proves they have bad coaches, as well as a bad culture. Nothing could be clearer, if we can all see this why can’t Penn? Yes, this proves he has an agenda, he wants Manly to struggle so the NRL will pay him to relocate the club. The fact he and Gorman don’t email all members to explain each loss is pretty much proof of this.
The only problem with this analysis is that it means it is futile for fans to constantly call for Barrett’s sacking. So why do we? We clearly are not stupid. This is the only part I haven’t figured out yet.

Not sure you are right, plenty have been calling for Barretts head because he didn't pick an ineligible player in Anderson, sounds pretty stupid to me.

 

[hozza]

Many many things wrong with the club. But on field it’s more than obvious that we are poorly coached team in ALL aspects of the game. Need a hard headed coach(coaching staff) that brings structure, fitness, mental toughness. Barrett and co bring none of these, he’s the players friend, not the coach/boss.

Important thing to remember is that the team/club CAN be fixed. Correct steps just need to be taken..

 

[nightster]

we are playing with no anger, no desperation to own the ball, no depth in attack, and no good sliding line in defense, no set plays, a haphazard kicking game ,a coach that has nuthin'!!! ... and owners that run a football club like a cut price business ......

 

[The Who]

I can't seem to recall a post that praised Twenty for using Kapow off the bench. That was clever coaching yet he only cops criticism.
Some poster suggested we needed Poo back! Obviously not many posters watch reserve grade. He struggles there.
I've been saying that Suli is not a backline player. He's all brawn and no skill. Try him in the forwards in reserve grade. I'd also try Parker in the forwards for the Workers. I like Parker's intensity but, again, I don't see him having the required pace and skill to be in the backline. However, I think he has the tenacity to become a non-stop forward.

 

[The better Robbo]

You mentioned it, we need leaders! Walker and jake and probably throw in Thomoson are the only ones that really seem to play with mongrel. We need that watmough, G.stewart matai type leaders. A couple forward leaders and a 5/8 and a specialist winger. The forwards and 5/8 need to be talkers with a bit of heart and leadership. WE ARE LACKING LEADERS

 

[Captain Moondog]

The NRL have done a wonderful job, everybody says the game is fixed. Perhaps we could get someone from HQ to show us how to fix things.

 

[maxta]

No confidence - if Manly were winning games, would have held on comfortably.....almost finding ways to lose.
Look like a team who panic under pressure, which comes back to coaching and leadership on field.
Structures are poor and defensively the sad part is effort and want, these missed tackles and constantly getting rolled in the ruck with opposition controlling the tempo, is a massive thing to overcome.
Very little comradery - the enjoyment is not there....long faces and lack of respect for the proud history of the players who represented Manly in better times.

 

[Clay]

Quicker question might be what doesn't need fixing?

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Our defence out wide is awful. Just before the first try was scored young Kelly was running backwards in defence within 10 meters of his own goal line. It is a cardinal offence to run backwards at anytime let alone that close to your line. Suili's decision making in defence is very poor and we are being continually exploited down our right side. Brad Parker tries hard but he looks lost out on the wing in defence and he is not a winger. We are exploited week after week down our right edge but it doesn't seem to be improving at all and one wonders what they do at training. Finally after watching numerous replays of the last try scored by Penrith it is impossible not to see the Penrith hand that hit the football forward out of Turbo's arm. It doesn't matter whether it was a one on one tackle or not it was a knock on in clear view on the reply. What the hell is going on in the bunker.

 

[ricardo]

We are just a couple of backs away from a decent side. Anyone see Latrell, Fergo and Tedesco tear apart the Dragons? They did it with speed and power which is lacking in our backline.

Parker/Kelly/Suli have got to stand up or stand aside.

 

[joeboy]

Kelly is killing it at the
Moment and developing nicely Parker hasn't got It and never will. Suli need to go to the wing or out of theTeam, still far to raw and needs to work on theFiner points of the game

 

[Highflier]

Our defence out wide is awful. Just before the first try was scored young Kelly was running backwards in defence within 10 meters of his own goal line. It is a cardinal offence to run backwards at anytime let alone that close to your line. Suili's decision making in defence is very poor and we are being continually exploited down our right side. Brad Parker tries hard but he looks lost out on the wing in defence and he is not a winger. We are exploited week after week down our right edge but it doesn't seem to be improving at all and one wonders what they do at training. Finally after watching numerous replays of the last try scored by Penrith it is impossible not to see the Penrith hand that hit the football forward out of Turbo's arm. It doesn't matter whether it was a one on one tackle or not it was a knock on in clear view on the reply. What the hell is going on in the bunker.

isnt that a knock on everyday ? ,its the same when it gets knocked on by the defender as an attacking player is receiving a pass or throwing one

 

[Dinga]

Brad Parker will never tear a team apart with Speed and Power...For the 1st time ever he was in the clear on the weekend and for a brief second i though here we go lets see how fast he really is and guess what as i suspected he got caught with in 20 mtrs.

Let be honest Brad Parker is a Fringe 1st grader at Best !!

Kelly is a keeper and Suli is still a work in progress a full off season will do him a world of good he definitely has power.

 

[Ryan]

We need (to strengthen our squad when the findings are handed own):

1. A proper 5/8
2. Api / Curtis to return when healthy
3. Manase is an acceptable utility, but later (needs more time to develop)
4. Another bigger name backrower (needs to be a bigger name, quality type - but faster, and wide running)
5. A speedy wing replacement for Akuila (maybe Jade Anderson next season) - apparently has Ado-Carr speed
6. Bring back stability, defense, and proper utility in Jamie Buhrer
7. Go all out for Oates - wants to play backrow, but the Broncos want him on the wing)

01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jorge Taufua
03. Brian Kelly
04. Dylan Walker
05. Jade Anderson
06. Ryley Jacks or Kane Elgey
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Addin Fonua-Blake
09. Apisai Koroisou
10. Marty Taupau
11. Joel Thompson
12. Corey Oates
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jamie Buhrer
15. Kelepi Tanginoa
16. Taniela Paseka
17. Curtis Sironen

and depth to be (noting these players can't be in the first selected team - has to be depth):

18. Trent Hodkinson
19. Tom Wright
20. Lloyd Perrett
21. Frank Winterstein
22. Jack Gosiewski
23. Toafofoa Sipley


24. Brad Parker
25. Moses Suli
26. Matthew Wright
27. Tevita Funa
28. Manase Fainu
28. Promoted Player 1
29. Promoted Player 2
30. Promoted Player 3

My two targets for the backrow would be:
X Jamie Buhrer
X Corey Oates (that's where he wants to be)

My two targets for 5/8 would be:
X Kane Elgey
X Ryley Jacks

 

[joeboy]

Buhrer is dead set average theses days, lost his pace and explosiveness. Will tackle all day but lacks any real impact

Elegy has some skill but cannot tackle. Jacks is serviceable but I think mainly because he plays in the storm system, with us he would be Croker Mach 2
Oates is unproven and in fact, largely untested at 2nd row, expensive gamble to take, may pan out.

I don't know who we should target, but I don't think any of the above will strengthen us next year

 

[HoldenV8]

That right side defence is terrible. Suli is a myth. Send him back to reggies to get fit as he's such a liability. Barrett has no clue how to pick a side and utilise the bench. Walker needs to be put in the centres for Suli. Trent H to 6 and plays 80. Have 3 forwards on the bench + a utility. Brown isn't amazing but he can do the job and give our young 9 a break. Alternatively, you could start brown at 9 and bring in the youngin' after 60 mins for a little spark. Why does Barrett play Kapow for 40 mins in a half? Why does he keep picking Frank/Trent and giving them 10-15 mins max. Why does he not rotate our props to give them 40-50 mins a game each.. Worst coach in our history

A lot won't agree with playing Hodko at 5/8, or even at half and moving Cherry to pivot, but I do. With at least a half decent hooker giving service (Fainu) our attack with Hodko out there hasn't been half bad, if a little slow due to our general lack of fitness which is leading to arguably the slowest play the balls in the NRL.

That would allow Walks to go back to the centres where he is at his best. Problem is, do you drop Suli or move him to the wing and drop Parker? My preference would be to drop Parker who is flat out staying upright most times. And the advantage of playing/starting Hodko is also his more accurate goal kicking.

But Lewis Brown? Really?

In saying all that, I do think that at some stage we should be trying Brian Kelly at 5/8.

Personally, if I was picking the team for this weeks game at Endeavour, it would look something like:

T. Trbojevic, Taufua, Walker, Kelly, Suli, Cherry-Evans, Hodkinson, Fonua-Blake, Fainu, Taupau, Thompson, Lane, J. Trbojevic. Bench - T. Wright, Paseka, Sipley, Tanginoa.

 

[HoldenV8]

Our defence out wide is awful. Just before the first try was scored young Kelly was running backwards in defence within 10 meters of his own goal line. It is a cardinal offence to run backwards at anytime let alone that close to your line. Suili's decision making in defence is very poor and we are being continually exploited down our right side. Brad Parker tries hard but he looks lost out on the wing in defence and he is not a winger. We are exploited week after week down our right edge but it doesn't seem to be improving at all and one wonders what they do at training. Finally after watching numerous replays of the last try scored by Penrith it is impossible not to see the Penrith hand that hit the football forward out of Turbo's arm. It doesn't matter whether it was a one on one tackle or not it was a knock on in clear view on the reply. What the hell is going on in the bunker.

Actually, our right edge wasn't bad on Saturday.....until Barrett took Lane off and put Frank on. Suddenly it was back to how it was against the Chooks with Frank, Suli and Parker leaking like a sieve. Somewhat to his credit, Barrett actually seemed to realise his error and took Frank off and put Lane back on which stopped the bleeding. Unfortunately it was too late by then and Penrith had the lead.

100% it was a knock on. The ball was knocked out which the bunker actually said happened even if it wasn't played at. Yet the fact that it clearly went forward before Cleary got to it seemed to be either missed or (more likely IMO) just completely ignored. That of course doesn't excuse that it was a poor carry by Tom, but the wrong call was made.