I'm really not a fan of excusing losing, just because other teams have. What you forget to mention, is there are teams that have also dealt with injury very well
@jbb/james , like The Panthers, who got within one game of the GF, with a deplorable season injury wise.
The Warriors took 6 first graders out, and still won.
And it's not the losing that people take offense to, it's HOW we are losing. Some games we look completely out enthused. We lack effort, heart, discipline. We go in with a losers mentality (hey, we have all these injuries, we can't beat The Broncos, may as well just embrace this loss).
Make no mistake, Barrett felt they mailed it in as well. He said they were embarrassed with the effort. It's not just me, whingeing.
We are better than that. I don't care how injured we have been, on paper, I feel we field a very competitive team.
To say 'well The Cowboys / Broncos lost because they had players out, so we should as well', is accepting mediocrity, and that sir, is not Manly.
I will then counter with, the losses to The Sharks and Eels were easier to take, because the effort and energy was there.
All I ask is that regardless of who runs on the field, rips in for us, the club, each other, and themselves.
In my opinion, we have had a group of players, that have faded in and out of games, and have been (at times) lazy, and even look disinterested. Some being key players like Stewart, Myles, Taupau, Walker (even Jake/Tom at times this season), and they say so themselves game day, so don't shoot the messenger.
Nah mate, Manly - BE BETTER !! You're shaming the jersey. We aren't a fortress at Brooky anymore. We are gimme wins for opposition teams now. Lift.