Why the Manly Daily needs to start thinking about the **** it is spoon fed.

[Matabele]

Read this article of codswallop with the benefit of hindsight:

Keep in mind the following:

Kings vs Parra - 1 hit up for 7 metres.

The Manly Daily gets dacked by Zorba yet again!

HURT and stung into action by the most embarrassing performance of his career, Manly prop Jason King has vowed to make a difference when the Sea Eagles face off against Parramatta in Sunday's qualifying final.

King copped the brunt of criticism following Manly's record loss to Cronulla last month after statistics revealed his poor workrate in the match.

The 24-year-old front-rower only carted the ball up twice in his 43 minutes on the field for a total gain of just 13m.

But those damning stats brought about a change in attitude from the big front-rower, who has secretly played through injury for much of the season.

``I was devastated after that . . . I had a couple of things on my mind and as professional footballer it shouldn't have had an effect,'' he said.

``I've been working really hard on the mental side of the game since.

``I've turned the corner and I'm going into the game a lot more positive and really wanting to make a contribution.''

On the criticism he received, King shot back: ``If they want to have a dig at me they can have a dig at me.

``I'm open to criticism the same as everybody is.

``I've put that behind me and have moved on.''

Former international and Manly for wards coach Steve Roach believes King was unfairly targeted after the Sharks debacle but is now playing his best football of the year.

``Kingy was embarrassed by that performance but he's not Robinson Crusoe there,'' he said.

``The truth is he's played a lot of games injured but being a humble sort of bloke he hasn't carried on about it.

``He knows if you put yourself out there you cop what comes your way, but he's a tough kid and he's coming good at the right time of the season.''

Now King, who went to school across the road from Brookvale Oval, wants to play a leading role in helping Manly to an upset win over the Eels at Parramatta Stadium.

``It's unbelievable to finally get the opportunity to play in the finals,'' he said.

``Normally at this time of the year we've had Mad Monday and the season is over.

``There is a big buzz around the place. We'll go out there and have a big dig and see what happens from there.

``We've got a couple of awesome leaders in the pack and they're a big inspiration for us and the rest of us feed off that.''

Manly trained again yesterday, with winger Chris Hicks continuing to make a steady recovery from an ankle injury.

 

[byso]

Dessie put him in the side, instead of Bryant!

 

[Matabele]

Must be a very simple world when one scapegoat can be found for everything.

 

[c_eagle]

King overachieved this year

 

[Guest]

If he was devastated after the Cronulla game then he would be really crying in his spilt milk after sunday's game.

Looks like when he turned the corner he sideswiped a telegraph pole.

I think most of the team have a problem with the mental side of the game. They have not turned up ready to play on a number of occassions over the past 12 weeks. The coach must take some of the blame for this as well although the players should be playing for their own pride.

Their is no mongrel in their defence and they didn't look like they wantd to hurt Parra on sunday. Their first half effort was embarassing and like a jersey flegg team playing a first grade team.

I am sure Parra were laughing at how soft our blokes were. And as a supporter that hurts. I don't expect them win all the time or win the premiership this year. All I wanted was for them to go out and be competative for the whole game.

Its not too much to ask when you consider how much they are being paid.

 

[jamesie]

I love this quote

``It's unbelievable to finally get the opportunity to play in the finals,'' he said.

It certainly was unbelievable he made the team, considering the efforts the Princess put in.

Jamesie

 

[Ryan]

Jason should do what he does best, and drown his sorrows in The Manly Steyne Hotel.
In seriousness though guys Jason King made City / Country this year. What's doing there?

 

[Matabele]

CW and I watched a tape of the 96 Manly side. It was incredible how intense they were in defence - they sprinted in one solid line the whole time. A huge contrast to our boys who waltzed up in a zig zag all day!

I'm generally of the opinion that fitness and size of modern day players would result in current teams always beating past teams.

However, after watching the 1996 vintage I've no doubt that team would have lapped the current team by 60. Can you imagine Cliffy Lyons running at our nervous nellies?