Beating the Eels

[Mark from Brisbane]

Have total confidence in our forwards and halves.

Big worry for me is our defence out wide being able to contain French, radrarara, Jennings, takarangi et al.

If we don't leak too many points we can win

They've got the wood over us in the backs , that's for sure, but if we can hold their forwards or better still win the forward battle it I'll somewhat take their backs out of the picture.

 

[Woodsie]

They've got the wood over us in the backs , that's for sure, but if we can hold their forwards or better still win the forward battle it I'll somewhat take their backs out of the picture.

Their backs have too much individual ability and will beat a player one on one, and don't require sweeping plays. I don't think we can take them out of play by winning the forward battle but we would limit
their opportunities. ... they will stand up our boys a couple of times, but as long as it is only a couple of times we will kick their butts.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Pretty important to get our season off on the right foot. NRL this year looks harder than ever, with many strong outfits, and our Round 1 opponents are no exception.

Eels apparently were excellent in defence in their trial against the Panthers, as they usually were last year.

With Ma'u, Moeroa and Scott they have an excellent backrow, and are generally strong in the forwards, with Matagi adding some punch.

Norman is the key to their attack, he is dangerous, and with French, Radradra, Jennings and Co out back they have the ability to score points.

Not sure if they have a goal kicker, maybe Gutho?

The Manly players will have their confidence up, especially having toughed it out against a strong Chook outfit in the trial. We will be very determined and the difference may come down to home ground advantage. Sure hope so!

I see Manly are currently narrow favourites to win, not that that will count for anything. No ref blunders please (and how annoying is it, when contemplating a close game, that this idea pops into my thoughts 😡)

Manly by 2

Manly by 8

 

[robbiea]

Lawrence and Myles.We are missing alot of aggression from last year (Lussick & Vave ) Meehan was going to fill that void.None of these new blokes seem like aggressive forwards.
Unfortunately I think we will be out muscled until at least Lussick returns.

 

[brad]

Manly with confidence. Green , walker, tom and sirro are in great early form . Our backs may leak a couple but jeez we've got some potency in ours . We'll put the wind up alot in 17 dont worry about that.

 

[Wombat Legacy]

Manly to win this and start 2017 very strongly, maintaining it round by round with consistency will be the big question.

 

[BOZO]

Lawrence and Myles.We are missing alot of aggression from last year (Lussick & Vave ) Meehan was going to fill that void.None of these new blokes seem like aggressive forwards.
Unfortunately I think we will be out muscled until at least Lussick returns.

The same blokes that you think are missing aggression and muscle laid the platform for a good win as they dominated against a strong Rooster pack in the last trial game

 

[Andrew..]

I've got a feeling that this team believes in each other and that's whats going to make the difference.
Us by 8

 

[BOZO]

From what I have seen of the Manly boys I think the eels will lose at Lottoland .

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

We could also have a sushi stand set up on the day:

'Eating the Eels'.

What do you all think?

 

[KOMORI]

I'll be happy with the game, irregardless of the result, if we turn up and PLAY WELL. Getting beaten by a better team I can live with: playing badly and losing grinds my gears..

 

[Disco]

People talk up the eels but I dont see it, last year their spine was

1.Gordon
6. Foran
7. Norman
9. Peats

This year

1. French
6. Gutherson
7.Norman
9. IDG/Pritchard/King??

I think they will miss the 8 for sure.....

 

[maxta]

Gee I long for the days when players could move all around the field and not have to stay on the right or the left side. I'm even old enough to remember when one centre actually played inside the outside centre. Imagine that, one centre combining with the other!
No wonder there are so few players today, like Cliffy, Phil Blake and Fulton, who can play what is in front of them.
Rugby league has gone backwards because of over coaching and the influence of compartmentalising players like they do in American football.

Firstly would like to commend that long word @Who
Secondly could not agree more.
Coaching juniors in recent years at the delicate 14-15 years of age - they have already been brainwashed into thinking they need set plays to score tries.... and every set attempt to get to "THAT" move....
Do not know how to play whats in front or create something - the instinctive players are being turned into robots and not embracing their god given talents to become their own player....structures are good - but these new crop are taking it to the next level....I prefer using skills and taking opportunities within these structures.
Disappointing to see a young gun with massive potential, playing within themselves to meet the stats man's numbers and play overly safe.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Unfortunately I think they will get field position bomb our wingers and score. Then they will do it again and again and again!!!

 

[Woodsie]

Unfortunately I think they will get field position bomb our wingers and score. Then they will do it again and again and again!!!

And so will we and so will every team in the comp against every other team in the comp because every winger in the comp is susceptible to bombs.

 

[ManlyTragic]

And so will we and so will every team in the comp against every other team in the comp because every winger in the comp is susceptible to bombs.

Hope ya right Woodsie hope ya right!

 

[Woodsie]

Hope ya right Woodsie hope ya right!

I am sure both Jorge and Uate will spill their fair share ... but every week I watch other games and highlights and there is always as many wingers and fullbacks dropping kicks. It just seems more when it is your team and you're waiting for it. We do score a few tries from the other teams mistakes to.

 

[double hoops]

The Poms seemed to have that hunger on the weekend. When is the last time our team inflicted pain on someone other than us as spectators? All off season all we've heard is how our boys don't have any fight. Well aren't any good at the biff.

Now Eels certainly looked a one man band in the 9's. Turtle copped plenty of punishment last year.

Ohh that sweet excitement in Baz's voice, of how one of our boys, and the last bloke you would expect from 2016, was hurting the opposition, in a trial. It was music. Sweet Sweet beautiful music.

Dam I just want to see our boys hurt those Eels. Within the rules of course. Simple instructions. Corey Norman doesn't walk off that field. And the biggest Eel forward out there, he has to cop the same treatment too. And then their next biggest player and so on and so on too.

Win the battle in this one. I'm confident the result will then take care of itself.

 

[Harvies elbow]

They are very much like an under 7s side, the cheats, where they just chuck it to the biggest or fastest or both player and let them do the rest.
I can hear the parents on the sideline " give it to semi" or " give it to frenchy"so if we can chop off the supply chain to these blokes will help.
Not just chop it off but damage the thing time and again.

 

[madmax]

Sorry guys, however I'm surprised at how many in here think the Eels team has it over us??? Not taking into consideration injured players (current), I think we are on par if not stronger!! Looking at possible teams below how can anyone say they're stronger!!!!! With Lussick out, Lawrence takes his place & in comes L Perrett........I reckon those who think our team is inferior are in for a rude shock this year! Call me biased or optimistic but this team (if it gels) will kick lots of arse!
SEA EAGLES EELS
TOM T B FRENCH
J TAUFUA S RADRADRA
D WALKER M JENNINGS
B KELLY B TAKAIRANGI
A UATE J HOFFMAN
B GREEN C GUTHERSON
DCE C NORMAN
N MYLES T MANNAH
A KOROISAU I DE GOIS
D LUSSICK S MATAGI
M TAUPAU MANU MA’U
C SIRONEN T MOEROA
JAKE T B SCOTT

RES: RES:
AFB N BROWN
B LAWRENCE K EDWARDS
S LANE D ALVARO
J HASTINGS F PRITCHARD