tookey
First Grader
Written by: Justin Davies
Nov 16, 2010 12:31pm
Des Hasler was watching his side, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles finish the season at their lowest point, a 28-0 loss to the eventual premiers, the Manly coach could only lament, what could have been in season 2010. The loss in round one, would set in motion a rollercoaster ride for Manly fans lasting the whole season and featuring many points where fans would ask to be let off but also times where they would scream from the rooftops about how this would be their year and no one could stop Manly Warringah.
Starting from a low ebb, Manly capitulated, leading 20-4 at halftime, they were overrun 26 points to 22 in a successful return for Lote Tuiqiri. Manly would make a habit, even an art form of building up first half leads and finding new ways to lose, the most spectacular being the second half demolition done on them by Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Todd Carney in round 25. There were some great high points for the Sea Eagles though, mostly occurring at their home ground fortress Brookvale including wins over the Dragons and the Storm ranking highly.
Besides the second half comebacks, Manly also struggled with injuries throughout 2010, none more than captain and chief playmaker Jamie Lyon constantly forced on and off the field with injuries even playing through them to help out his side. This injury dilemma combined with suspensions for Steve Matai prevented the Sea Eagles from having a genuine shot at the premiership trophy, before their qualifying final against St George Illawarra, Manly were without nine players and had three players (Watmough, Ballin and Kite) playing with niggles, the former being sent from the field for an incident late in Manly's final game of the season.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for Manly, after their round one loss they blooded a rookie halfback who ended up becoming an integral part of the team, Trent Hodkinson who provided the kicking game needed to steer the Eagles around the park, he also won them several games with winning field goals, notably two against the South Sydney Rabbitohs another side who couldn't finish off games in 2010. There was also Michael Oldfield who will be pushing for a starting spot in a star studded backline in 2011, he brought youth and speed into a Manly side much lacking in this department without Brett Stewart and David Williams.
Where they got it right… When Manly clicked into gear and brought their A game, not many sides could stay with the team from the Northern beaches, this was evident with the job they did on the eventual premiers St George Illawarra, defeating them 24-6 the day after City/Country and the ANZAC test with half a dozen players backing up, also the two wins over Melbourne both at home and away, showed Manly have the wood on Melbourne since the 2008 grand final.
Where things went wrong… The second half, it as mentioned already but they were a huge problem for the Sea Eagles and if they had won a few of the games they let slip away, maybe they would have had a home semi final and progressed further in the finals series. The losses that would have hurt the most being Parramatta coming from behind and winning 24-20, due to two dubious forward passes but Manly should have never let a 20 point lead slip, much like the loss to the Tigers the week before.
Where they can improve… Manly have made several steps in the right direction, getting rid of Chris Bailey who was a handbrake throughout 2010, also the return of Brett Stewart and David Williams will bring some much needed emphasis back into the backline for the Sea Eagles. One worry is Manly will be blooding a rookie halfback for the second season in a row, with Daly Cherry-Evans tipped to take Trent Hodkinson's spot. Ultimately, Manly will have to fix the jitters they got in 2010, otherwise 2011 will finish much like 2010 did.
Possible 2011 Line Up: 1. Brett Stewart 2. Michael Robertson 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jason King 9. Matt Ballin 10. Brent Kite 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Shane Rodney 13. Glenn Stewart 14. George Rose 15. Tony Williams 16. Joe Galuvao 17. Matt Cross
Acquired: Daniel Harrison - 2013 [Bulldogs], Tim Robinson - ? [Eels]
Released: Trent Hodkinson [Bulldogs], Josh Perry [ESL - St Helens], Lama Tasi [Roosters]
Re-signed: Jamie Lyon [2013], Anthony Watmough [2014], Daly Cherry-Evans [2013], Kieran Foran [2013]
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Nov 16, 2010 12:31pm
Des Hasler was watching his side, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles finish the season at their lowest point, a 28-0 loss to the eventual premiers, the Manly coach could only lament, what could have been in season 2010. The loss in round one, would set in motion a rollercoaster ride for Manly fans lasting the whole season and featuring many points where fans would ask to be let off but also times where they would scream from the rooftops about how this would be their year and no one could stop Manly Warringah.
Starting from a low ebb, Manly capitulated, leading 20-4 at halftime, they were overrun 26 points to 22 in a successful return for Lote Tuiqiri. Manly would make a habit, even an art form of building up first half leads and finding new ways to lose, the most spectacular being the second half demolition done on them by Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Todd Carney in round 25. There were some great high points for the Sea Eagles though, mostly occurring at their home ground fortress Brookvale including wins over the Dragons and the Storm ranking highly.
Besides the second half comebacks, Manly also struggled with injuries throughout 2010, none more than captain and chief playmaker Jamie Lyon constantly forced on and off the field with injuries even playing through them to help out his side. This injury dilemma combined with suspensions for Steve Matai prevented the Sea Eagles from having a genuine shot at the premiership trophy, before their qualifying final against St George Illawarra, Manly were without nine players and had three players (Watmough, Ballin and Kite) playing with niggles, the former being sent from the field for an incident late in Manly's final game of the season.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for Manly, after their round one loss they blooded a rookie halfback who ended up becoming an integral part of the team, Trent Hodkinson who provided the kicking game needed to steer the Eagles around the park, he also won them several games with winning field goals, notably two against the South Sydney Rabbitohs another side who couldn't finish off games in 2010. There was also Michael Oldfield who will be pushing for a starting spot in a star studded backline in 2011, he brought youth and speed into a Manly side much lacking in this department without Brett Stewart and David Williams.
Where they got it right… When Manly clicked into gear and brought their A game, not many sides could stay with the team from the Northern beaches, this was evident with the job they did on the eventual premiers St George Illawarra, defeating them 24-6 the day after City/Country and the ANZAC test with half a dozen players backing up, also the two wins over Melbourne both at home and away, showed Manly have the wood on Melbourne since the 2008 grand final.
Where things went wrong… The second half, it as mentioned already but they were a huge problem for the Sea Eagles and if they had won a few of the games they let slip away, maybe they would have had a home semi final and progressed further in the finals series. The losses that would have hurt the most being Parramatta coming from behind and winning 24-20, due to two dubious forward passes but Manly should have never let a 20 point lead slip, much like the loss to the Tigers the week before.
Where they can improve… Manly have made several steps in the right direction, getting rid of Chris Bailey who was a handbrake throughout 2010, also the return of Brett Stewart and David Williams will bring some much needed emphasis back into the backline for the Sea Eagles. One worry is Manly will be blooding a rookie halfback for the second season in a row, with Daly Cherry-Evans tipped to take Trent Hodkinson's spot. Ultimately, Manly will have to fix the jitters they got in 2010, otherwise 2011 will finish much like 2010 did.
Possible 2011 Line Up: 1. Brett Stewart 2. Michael Robertson 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jason King 9. Matt Ballin 10. Brent Kite 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Shane Rodney 13. Glenn Stewart 14. George Rose 15. Tony Williams 16. Joe Galuvao 17. Matt Cross
Acquired: Daniel Harrison - 2013 [Bulldogs], Tim Robinson - ? [Eels]
Released: Trent Hodkinson [Bulldogs], Josh Perry [ESL - St Helens], Lama Tasi [Roosters]
Re-signed: Jamie Lyon [2013], Anthony Watmough [2014], Daly Cherry-Evans [2013], Kieran Foran [2013]
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