Pre-Game Bulldogs V Manly [Round 21, 2025]

[Brookie1973]

A lot of people pin that 1995 loss on the ref (and there were a few sketchy decisions), but no one seems to ask why the team was flat or nervous?

It doesn't make sense. That season was Bozo's 5th minor premiership and 4th Grand Final as coach, including the premiership in 1987. There were a few '87 players and other premiership winners in that squad too.

Unfortunately, scoring an average of nearly 32 points per game in a season means not much if you then turn around and score 4 points in a Grand Final...

Agree. Notwithstanding the ref leg ups, Dogs simply wanted it more than us that day. We just weren’t at our best. True champion teams find a way to win under the worst of circumstances. Very disappointing because we were clearly the best team all year, and deserved to win. In fact, we were the best team for 3 years but only came away with one comp - just shows how hard they are to win.

 

[Rosko]

Jake Simpkin was fined 1000 dollarydoos for a Careless High Tackle on Grant Anderson.

nrl.com

Not worth anything unless our appeal against concussion wins. Wait on 4.00pm, I guess...

 

[Phobia]

Haumole in at second row, Waddell to the bench, Talau to 18th man.

Yet again, I'm concerned about what occurs if one of our backs gets injured. We cannot have Ben in the centres again. It's just a near guaranteed loss against Stephen Crichton, if the injury is on the left side.

Simpkin or Waddell to three-in defender? Brooks or DCE to centre? I think those are better options.

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

Let’s go 🦅
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121 reactions · 13 comments | 👀👀 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

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[Mark from Brisbane]

Not worth anything unless our appeal against concussion wins. Wait on 4.00pm, I guess...

He’s been announced as playing but what does that really mean at this stage ??

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

He’s been announced as playing but what does that really mean at this stage ??

It means (1) Froggy is cactus (for now at least), and
(2) therefore we really want Simpkin to be cleared by NRL to play

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It means (1) Froggy is cactus (for now at least), and
(2) therefore we really want Simpkin to be cleared by NRL to play

I think both the Frog & AoA might be permanently cactus ( but that’s “ think “ not “ know “)

 

[CollaroyJo]

@TJ55 Not sure of your age but I was there for that game , an absolute travesty as the game was largely won by a try by you guys after a 7 tackle set.

That wasn’t the only score but it was a very very tight game until that point with the half time score being 6-4.

Andrew Ryan ( a young fella from Moree , whom I knew personally ) was playing centre for you guys and on the last tackle screamed down the right flank and almost made it.

Everyone thought it was the end of the set and a changeover , and as Andrew got up he saw Eddie Ward waving his arm for the last tackle so played the ball and one of your second rowers grabbed the ball and dived over , without a Manly player even attempting a tackle.

It really broke their hearts ( Manly ) and you went on to score again with Baa Baa Lamb also slotting a field goal at the end.

Of course back then , no bunker , no challenge.

One of the ones that sadly got away.

Funnily enough I saw Andrew years later at a Moree footy reunion and reminded him of it , he laughed and said “ Yep we got away with that one didn’t we “.

yes I was there too..... that 7 tackle set ended the game for Manly

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Surprised he wasn’t fined for a headbutt to Nelsons elbow.

Lucky that would have been 10k dollarydoos..

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Agree. Notwithstanding the ref leg ups, Dogs simply wanted it more than us that day. We just weren’t at our best. True champion teams find a way to win under the worst of circumstances. Very disappointing because we were clearly the best team all year, and deserved to win. In fact, we were the best team for 3 years but only came away with one comp - just shows how hard they are to win.

Wish we could have done it for Iron Roberts. What a player, one of my fav of all time and to be injured in 96 what luck. He was like a 6f 5in Rambo Gibbs, stand up for the boys tough as nails. I loved how he used to rake the ball back and win us play after play. Tireless effort every time he step on the field, just look at his achievement. I still got a picture of him and the Chief grabbing each other collars bout to throw a punch, and another one with Dowling.

What a gentlemen off the field, last man to get on the bus at Bruce stadium every game. Photos with everyone, sign everything with all the fans. Another MANLY LEGEND of the 90s, and we have many.

 

[Brookie1973]

Wish we could have done it for Iron Roberts. What a player, one of my fav of all time and to be injured in 96 what luck. He was like a 6f 5in Rambo Gibbs, stand up for the boys tough as nails. I loved how he used to rake the ball back and win us play after play. Tireless effort every time he step on the field, just look at his achievement. I still got a picture of him and the Chief grabbing each other collars bout to throw a punch, and another one with Dowling.

What a gentlemen off the field, last man to get on the bus at Bruce stadium every game. Photos with everyone, sign everything with all the fans. Another MANLY LEGEND of the 90s, and we have many.

Not to forget the other iconic image of him standing over mick potter after he had just flattened him.

 

[ALinda]

It means (1) Froggy is cactus (for now at least), and
(2) therefore we really want Simpkin to be cleared by NRL to play

It would've been helpful if Simpkin was mentioned in the team list notes as being cleared to play (but we're left to guess...) As he's listed, one has to assume he's playing.
I noticed in the training photos from today that his face looks surprisingly unbruised, which is amazing considering the elbow whack he got.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Not to forget the other iconic image of him standing over mick potter after he had just flattened him.

I'll never forget that and many more Brookie trust me. He was such a big man but tackle himself till he couldn't stand up. If the Super league ARL/NRL northern Eagles crap didn't start, who knows what might happened.

 

[eaglebuzz]

That's the best side we have named in the last two months. Basically the best side we can name until Paseka is back. I do wonder if Talau on the bench for Waddell or Sipley would be wiser but you're damned if you do and damned if you don't when it comes to naming backs on the bench.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

That's the best side we have named in the last two months. Basically the best side we can name until Paseka is back. I do wonder if Talau on the bench for Waddell or Sipley would be wiser but you're damned if you do and damned if you don't when it comes to naming backs on the bench.

If Simpkin is cleared to play , yes it’s a great side , not sure how they cover for him if he’s ruled out .

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Wish we could have done it for Iron Roberts.

Iron Roberts! Is he any relation to Iron Butterfly? Or I. Ron Hubbard?

Auto-correct throws up some beauties, doesn't it? He will always be Iron Roberts to me from now on.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

U been around Gibbsy what's wrong with ya?, Ironman Roberts what he was called in da days. U wouldn't want to get slap by him in an alley that's for sure champ.