Exceeding expectations

[The Who]

And to show you how much I know about footy, I couldn't see us getting past about 12th, and possibly even a bit lower.

To be fair I also thought,

Penrith might play in the GF v the Raiders

Bulldogs to finish top 4

Newcastle to win no more than one game all year

Darius and Waynee Poo to have a massive fall out and the Donkeys to finish out of the 8

Which proves just like many on here I know absolute ****!!.......AND I don't need an old thread to admit to it.

When someone is so prolific at sharing their thoughts - Mark, you are nearing the 18,000 Mark - then you are bound to be wrong occasionally.

 

[Snake]

After the Eels game in Rd. 1, I expected the season to go the same way it did in 2016; waiting for something to click that never does.

Lo and behold, it did click and the win in Canberra, the win against the Chooks, and the thrashing against Souths really stand out to me. We beat the Raiders fair square on their home turf in nail biter, we beat the Chooks on their home turf in a nail biter and we put a team to the sword; three signs of a really good side on the up!

So yes, the team has definitely exceeded my personal expectation.

 

[anthonyb1965]

I was hoping for an improvement on last year and to watch some of our budding stars, start to shine.

Loving watching the start of our next decade of dominance!!

 

[Woodsie]

Did you draft it Woodsie?

Quilty

 

[Haliaeetus]

Some games I thought we'd lose, we won and vice versa. For me we are definitely in a better position than I predicted at the half way point of the comp - sitting equal 5th and 3 wins off the Storm. The thing thats most exciting for me - is the style and brand of footy we are playing, although we do have lapses in keeping it sustained. We have challenged the top teams and only really had an 80min bad performance at the game I so happily attended against the Dragons. The club approached me about this - and I have been restricted to Cowboys home games v Manly only.

Talking about the finals....
I did that NRL ladder predictor last night to confirm (my tipping skills are highly highly accurate although subject to change at any point) if we will make the finals or not.

I had the usual suspects - Storm, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Roosters in the top 8.

Then I had Panthers and Eels around the 6/7th mark.

Then I ended up with us, Raiders and the Cows all on 30 points battling for the 8th spot.... Points differential is what it came down to. Going to be a very close competition this year and to be jagging close games is very important. Winning ugly when things aren't going our way becomes a necessity and so does going for the jugular when the opportunity arises.

Well done boys so far - but still a lot of work to do.

you're definitely less one eyed a tipster than i am, i just tried and have them sitting clear at 34, with eels at 32 and cowboys at 30

I had panthers hot at the start of the year, but i think something is bad in the water out west, they just aren't playing like a team - as a result they follow through on their less than stellar start to end on 24

Canberra continue to battle the Ricky Stuart curse to finish on 26 in ninth. Overall much less of a logjam in the middle of the table than last year

No doubt we'll drop at least one or two of the games I'd have the Sea Eagles winning though.

Overall, yep, better than expected, although I was expecting bottom half of the 8. And as mentioned earlier, just thrilled with the style of football - not afraid to either muscle up in defence, or take some chances in attack. Good stuff

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

When someone is so prolific at sharing their thoughts - Mark, you are nearing the 18,000 Mark - then you are bound to be wrong occasionally.

Yes, very very often wrong, but such is life ( and yes not many off 18,000).

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I am happy TB has proved me wrong and has the squad playing for each other and towards their potential. Injuries, suspension and luck will play a part in determining our position on the table at the end of the year. I am very happy at this point and will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Loobs]

I always thought we'd win the comp. so not good enough so far. C+

I agree. They should have won it by now.

 

[Loobs]

I think Manly's performances have put to bed any suggestions that Barrett cant coach. Its quite obvious he has developed comradeship among the group of players he has, and is getting the best they can offer out of them. Step by step he is turning this club into a premiership force and though I still think 5-10 (I get the feeling 30-32 points by seasons end) will be our most likely result barring injury, I also think he is developing a side that next year could be serious premiership contenders, with only a few additions needed. With so many young players in the side, this year has a 2006 feel about it, with a 2007 potential next year.

Oh god no. The 2007 GF was the WORST. Can we just skip forward to 2008..?

 

[Bearfax]

Oh god no. The 2007 GF was the WORST. Can we just skip forward to 2008..?

Ah you're a hard marker Loobs. They played but lost the 2007 Grand Final. Yes a disaster of sorts but at least they were there. Your comment reminds me of what Steve Mortimer once said. It was something like...its not a question of how you play, its whether you win or lose.

Mind you it annoys me how nice Daley and Walters are being to each other in recent SOO discussions, patting each other and the opposition teams on the backs. Cut the crap. This is war, hard, bitter, take no prisoners, battle craft. They go on like its a pleasant Sunday afternoon stroll playing golf. Where's the passion in that?

 

[Garts]

We were always going to go ok if we did not get hammered with injuries. If we do not get any more major injuries we should make the 8. We win this week we will go to 20 points and have 11 games left. Lets hope they are up for the game.

 

[Loobs]

Ah you're a hard marker Loobs. They played but lost the 2007 Grand Final. Yes a disaster of sorts but at least they were there. Your comment reminds me of what Steve Mortimer once said. It was something like...its not a question of how you play, its whether you win or lose.

Mind you it annoys me how nice Daley and Walters are being to each other in recent SOO discussions, patting each other and the opposition teams on the backs. Cut the crap. This is war, hard, bitter, take no prisoners, battle craft. They go on like its a pleasant Sunday afternoon stroll playing golf. Where's the passion in that?

It was a good season and yes, 2007 made 2008 all the sweeter but that GF was a horrible experience for me anyway. Surrounded by idiot fans of every club other than Manly or Melbourne giving it to us (and we weren't even doing much other than watching in horror and wearing Manly jerseys). ****ty night but it continues to serve as a reminder to never buy GF tickets in the first round of member sales. Wait till the last one and the only people around you will be fans of the teams in the game...

 

[Garts]

I stormed out of the 2007 grand final having a tantrum. The warriors fan sitting next to me and my wife had to tell her I left. I had a few storm fans in front of me who were giving me grief. I am surprised I did not get punched by one as I pointed out a few times his lack of teeth!!!!

Horrible day. 2013 was not much better.

 

[globaleagle]

We will just have to treat you as a statistical anomaly or outrider and ignore you.

I was going to say that I had us as minor premiers.

But I don't wanna be ignored. 🙁

So I won't say it.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Oh god no. The 2007 GF was the WORST. Can we just skip forward to 2008..?

That was bad but even getting to the GF that year was so wonderful after where we'd been just a few years before.
In 1997, on the other hand, there was no consolation of any kind whatsoever. I had to go and write myself off with alcohol in rather shameful fashion. Prefer to wipe that day from memory altogether.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

That was bad but even getting to the GF that year was so wonderful after where we'd been just a few years before.
In 1997, on the other hand, there was no consolation of any kind whatsoever. I had to go and write myself off with alcohol in rather shameful fashion. Prefer to wipe that day from memory altogether.

Forever erased, never watched it again, never will!

 

[manly al]

I really would not feel to despondent about 2007 or 1997., as of course the Storm were under the cap in 2007- [ yeah sure ] / And apart from the split competition in 1997 , Newcastle were of course drug tested in the 1997 G F . [ Not ] So disappointing days , but not a level playing field , so to speak , for Manly"s best interests in any way.

 

[manly al]

I was actually quite optimistic at the start of last year but of coarse many factors conspired against the Sea eagle"s prospects in 2016 to harm their prospects. So this year , just more hopeful if anything , and under the full knowledge that still having snake"s and Steve Matai"s cap money was a disadvantage to contend with for the club . So certainly a dismaying start to this year ., then after convincingly beating the Cowboy"s in round three, and apart from the Dragons match , just mainly positive performances and results , and now an excellent opportunity to make the finals . And once there , even if not in the favorable top four , as the old saying still goes - then anything is possible /.

 

[dowdz]

I expect to win every year lol. Playing unders with my expectations. Hahahaha. Seriously though. I thought we have had a good team for this the now 2nd straight year. Just needed us to find our mojo.

 

[Bearfax]

I expect to win every year lol. Playing unders with my expectations. Hahahaha. Seriously though. I thought we have had a good team for this the now 2nd straight year. Just needed us ti find our mojo.

...and avoid excessive injuries especially to key players.