Few Ruffled Feathers: Self confidence the wind beneath Sea Eagle wings

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bones

Bones Knows
Phil Gould
SMH

Well, it was entertaining. If you like plenty of ball movement and watching lots of tries being scored, then Sunday footy at Brookvale Oval was the match for you.
Manly scored eight tries to four in their 38-20 victory over the Gold Coast. The final scoreline gives the impression it was something of a thrashing. It kinda was and it kinda wasn't.
It would be unfair to the Titans to say the match was one-sided. They showed plenty of pluck to fight their way back from a 20-4 deficit, to trail by only eight points with 15 minutes left on the clock. They definitely had Manly's attention at this stage of the contest.
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Adding more merit to this spirited surge was the fact they were down to 12 men, courtesy of a sin-binning during this challenging period. They deserve some kudos.
However, never at any stage of the contest did I feel as though the home side was in danger of losing. Manly seemingly had the game in their keeping once. They then had to rally late to win it a second time over the concluding stages but they did so very professionally.
The Sea Eagles blitzed their rivals in the first 38 minutes with five beautifully worked tries. They tested the Titans to the left and the right, with playmakers Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran aiming Manly's attack at the edges of the field at some very indecisive Titans defenders.
Every time the Sea Eagles moved the ball out wide, the Titans were guilty of backing away from the play, allowing too much time and space for their opponents.
The incredible part was that the Titans' defenders were still back-pedalling when on their own try line, so Manly only had to run hard and fall over to score on a couple of occasions.
They will run second more often than not if they keep defending in this manner. I'm sure this point won't be lost on the Titans' coaching staff during match review.
Great football club, Manly. They are tough, resourceful and skillful. More importantly, though, this club and this team always seem to have an air of confidence about them. They have little regard for the reputations of others. They believe in themselves. They expect to win. They have the ability to back it up. These are great qualities to have in any side.
I know South Sydney and Sydney Roosters are high flying at the moment and Melbourne are always hard to beat. But, when the finals come around again this year, the Sea Eagles will be thinking they can win the premiership. That's half the battle. Cherry-Evans and Foran are so impressive and now so very experienced in big-match football.
Despite introducing a few new faces to the line-up at stages this season, Manly still maintain this core group of senior footballers who know nothing less than playing tough and winning.
Brent Kite is a warrior. Matt Ballin is a workhorse. Anthony Watmough is playing outstanding football this season. His footwork and energy really do trouble any opponents. Steve Matai is tough and uncompromising. He is famous for his bruising defence but, on Sunday, treated us to a brilliant individual try with a deft little grubber kick and regather.
The Stewart brothers are simply outstanding. Glenn is the best playmaking forward in the game. Rugby league needs more players like him. Brett is a marvel. He complements the skills of every other player in the team. He knows all their strengths and supports the play in exactly the right place at the right time.
Jamie Lyon is a wonderful leader and his combination with the Stewarts and his loyal wingman, David Williams, gives Manly the best right-side attack in the NRL.
They are quite brilliant. You take this core group of on-field leaders, surround them with talented youngsters and willing tradesmen and you have yourselves a genuine premiership contender.
The Titans are a mixture of the brilliant and the ridiculous. They can produce some amazing passages of play. In the next instance, they can bewilder you with the most ridiculous of errors. Through their errant ways and ill-discipline, they were their own worst enemy on Sunday. Manly's great play just compounded their misery.
The Titans don't look top-eight material at the moment. Manly? Only a fool would count them out of winning the main prize.
 
Saw that yesterday, good read.

A mate (Penrith supporter unfortunately), asked me a couple of weeks ago if anyone could beat Souths this year. I said that while Souths and Roosters were strong, well coached teams, the teams I'd want to be on at the business end were Manly and Melbourne. In pressure games, these two know how to win. The only times recently either has had a shocker in a big finals game is when they've played each other (Melbourne in 2011 GF and us in the prelim final last year). I don't think playing any other teams in a big semi final holds any fears for either team.
 
mosto said:
Saw that yesterday, good read.

A mate (Penrith supporter unfortunately), asked me a couple of weeks ago if anyone could beat Souths this year. I said that while Souths and Roosters were strong, well coached teams, the teams I'd want to be on at the business end were Manly and Melbourne. In pressure games, these two know how to win. The only times recently either has had a shocker in a big finals game is when they've played each other (Melbourne in 2011 GF and us in the prelim final last year). I don't think playing any other teams in a big semi final holds any fears for either team.

Melbourne in 2008 GF :p
 
saw a jealous-much piece of feedback on one of the news-rag websites the other day. Some tool calling our 40-Nil a 'hollow win' because
c-scum wasn't playing. I guess that idiot would have been happier to see the scum win another gf fielding an illegally over the cap team - idiots
 
bones said:
mosto said:
Saw that yesterday, good read.

A mate (Penrith supporter unfortunately), asked me a couple of weeks ago if anyone could beat Souths this year. I said that while Souths and Roosters were strong, well coached teams, the teams I'd want to be on at the business end were Manly and Melbourne. In pressure games, these two know how to win. The only times recently either has had a shocker in a big finals game is when they've played each other (Melbourne in 2011 GF and us in the prelim final last year). I don't think playing any other teams in a big semi final holds any fears for either team.

Melbourne in 2008 GF :p

When you win as many comps as us, it's easy to get them mixed up :D


MissKate said:
saw a jealous-much piece of feedback on one of the news-rag websites the other day. Some tool calling our 40-Nil a 'hollow win' because
c-scum wasn't playing. I guess that idiot would have been happier to see the scum win another gf fielding an illegally over the cap team - idiots

Sure it wasn't Warren Ryan? I've actually heard that tool say that we only won that game because Smith didn't play!!!
 
Glenn is the best playmaking forward in the game. Rugby league needs more players like him.
Yeah , 3 seasons ago !
 
Your logic is faulty.
3 seasons ago was 2010. 2 seasons ago was 2011 and he won the Clive Churchill Medal.
Therefore he was better in 2011 than in 2010.
Therefore he is improving with age :)
 
bones said:
Phil Gould
SMH

Well, it was entertaining. If you like plenty of ball movement and watching lots of tries being scored, then Sunday footy at Brookvale Oval was the match for you.
Manly scored eight tries to four in their 38-20 victory over the Gold Coast. The final scoreline gives the impression it was something of a thrashing. It kinda was and it kinda wasn't.
It would be unfair to the Titans to say the match was one-sided. They showed plenty of pluck to fight their way back from a 20-4 deficit, to trail by only eight points with 15 minutes left on the clock. They definitely had Manly's attention at this stage of the contest.
Advertisement


Adding more merit to this spirited surge was the fact they were down to 12 men, courtesy of a sin-binning during this challenging period. They deserve some kudos.
However, never at any stage of the contest did I feel as though the home side was in danger of losing. Manly seemingly had the game in their keeping once. They then had to rally late to win it a second time over the concluding stages but they did so very professionally.
The Sea Eagles blitzed their rivals in the first 38 minutes with five beautifully worked tries. They tested the Titans to the left and the right, with playmakers Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran aiming Manly's attack at the edges of the field at some very indecisive Titans defenders.
Every time the Sea Eagles moved the ball out wide, the Titans were guilty of backing away from the play, allowing too much time and space for their opponents.
The incredible part was that the Titans' defenders were still back-pedalling when on their own try line, so Manly only had to run hard and fall over to score on a couple of occasions.
They will run second more often than not if they keep defending in this manner. I'm sure this point won't be lost on the Titans' coaching staff during match review.
Great football club, Manly. They are tough, resourceful and skillful. More importantly, though, this club and this team always seem to have an air of confidence about them. They have little regard for the reputations of others. They believe in themselves. They expect to win. They have the ability to back it up. These are great qualities to have in any side.
I know South Sydney and Sydney Roosters are high flying at the moment and Melbourne are always hard to beat. But, when the finals come around again this year, the Sea Eagles will be thinking they can win the premiership. That's half the battle. Cherry-Evans and Foran are so impressive and now so very experienced in big-match football.
Despite introducing a few new faces to the line-up at stages this season, Manly still maintain this core group of senior footballers who know nothing less than playing tough and winning.
Brent Kite is a warrior. Matt Ballin is a workhorse. Anthony Watmough is playing outstanding football this season. His footwork and energy really do trouble any opponents. Steve Matai is tough and uncompromising. He is famous for his bruising defence but, on Sunday, treated us to a brilliant individual try with a deft little grubber kick and regather.
The Stewart brothers are simply outstanding. Glenn is the best playmaking forward in the game. Rugby league needs more players like him. Brett is a marvel. He complements the skills of every other player in the team. He knows all their strengths and supports the play in exactly the right place at the right time.
Jamie Lyon is a wonderful leader and his combination with the Stewarts and his loyal wingman, David Williams, gives Manly the best right-side attack in the NRL.
They are quite brilliant. You take this core group of on-field leaders, surround them with talented youngsters and willing tradesmen and you have yourselves a genuine premiership contender.
The Titans are a mixture of the brilliant and the ridiculous. They can produce some amazing passages of play. In the next instance, they can bewilder you with the most ridiculous of errors. Through their errant ways and ill-discipline, they were their own worst enemy on Sunday. Manly's great play just compounded their misery.
The Titans don't look top-eight material at the moment. Manly? Only a fool would count them out of winning the main prize.
Well said. Love the last line "only a fool"
etc etc.
 
Speaking of feathers......

I just got back from shopping, in the car park a lady was sitting in her car with an actual hawk on her arm!

Honest to goodness! Maybe she was a falconer (hawkoner?) but there it was. I should've taken a pic.

This country is crazy!
 
globaleagle said:
Speaking of feathers......

I just got back from shopping, in the car park a lady was sitting in her car with an actual hawk on her arm!

Honest to goodness! Maybe she was a falconer (hawkoner?) but there it was. I should've taken a pic.

This country is crazy!

So GE when are you importing a Sea Eagle?
 
Mals said:
globaleagle said:
Speaking of feathers......

I just got back from shopping, in the car park a lady was sitting in her car with an actual hawk on her arm!

Honest to goodness! Maybe she was a falconer (hawkoner?) but there it was. I should've taken a pic.

This country is crazy!

So GE when are you importing a Sea Eagle?

Bloody hawks eat them all!

Edit: Though most sea eagle 'players', 'supporters', 'staff', and I guess 'angels' are happily imported. No wolfie though, he gets people bad nicknames!
 
MissKate said:
saw a jealous-much piece of feedback on one of the news-rag websites the other day. Some tool calling our 40-Nil a 'hollow win' because
c-scum wasn't playing. I guess that idiot would have been happier to see the scum win another gf fielding an illegally over the cap team - idiots

Ha ha!

Poor scummy cheats only had Slater, Cry Baby Folau, Inglis and Cronk that day!
 
Nice write up from Gus. We are always a hard team to beat. Wouldn't like playing us in the finals. Just ask the Cowboys ; )
 
Brookie Brawler said:
MissKate said:
saw a jealous-much piece of feedback on one of the news-rag websites the other day. Some tool calling our 40-Nil a 'hollow win' because
c-scum wasn't playing. I guess that idiot would have been happier to see the scum win another gf fielding an illegally over the cap team - idiots

Ha ha!

Poor scummy cheats only had Slater, Cry Baby Folau, Inglis and Cronk that day!
Even without Smith and Hoffman that day, they still fielded 10 internationals plus another 5 with State of Origin experience. The poor deprived souls.
 
The funny thing that season we were just being written off every semi final. I was rewatching the 08 semis a week or so ago.

We play the dragons (traditionally at the time our bogey team), most 'experts' tipped the drags. We smashed them off the park, get the week off.

We play the Warriors in week 3. Only Wally Lewis among the experts tipped us. We smashed them off the park.

I don't recall too many experts tipping us to be the scum, even without Cam Smug.
 
Killer03 said:
The funny thing that season we were just being written off every semi final. I was rewatching the 08 semis a week or so ago.

We play the dragons (traditionally at the time our bogey team), most 'experts' tipped the drags. We smashed them off the park, get the week off.

We play the Warriors in week 3. Only Wally Lewis among the experts tipped us. We smashed them off the park.

I don't recall too many experts tipping us to be the scum, even without Cam Smug.

Same experts were saying Orford could never win a comp

Plenty of experts here said we couldn't win with Lyon at 6 as well
 
It was funny the criticism of Killer at 6. I remember that year he had a fair degree of criticism, and then he got injured in the last few rounds.....suddenly we all realized how much of a hole he left. And in the semis he was kicking more than Orford (which helped him out enormously) and won MofM against the Warriors with a scintillating 5/8 display.

Rewatching the GF the other day I couldn't believe how much Killer kicked in the GF. This undoubtedly moulded Killer into the complete centre, (because now his kicking game is superb).
 

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