Jado
Reserve Grader
This article is great, as it tells the underlying heroic efforts of Manly to win Monday's game, which the match summary articles failed to reveal. Again another surprise from News. Good to see.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ke-men-possessed/story-e6frexri-1226637149321
IT'S been rated as one of the gutsiest wins in Manly's proud history - and Fox Sports Stats show Monday night's thriller over the Dragons also equalled the record for the least possession of a winning team since 2007.
With only 39 per cent of possession for the game, Manly somehow held on to beat St George Illawarra 24-18 for what must be the NRL equivalent of the impossible win.
Manly led 18-0 midway through the first half before the Dragons hit back with four straight tries to level at 18-all.
At that point the Sea Eagles looked gone before a late try to Jorge Taufua got them home.
The previous record low possession percentage by a winning team was the Gold Coast's 39 in their win over Cronulla in 2011 - while five other games dating back to 2007 show teams winning with 41 per cent.
Yesterday Manly great Bob Fulton rated it one of the most courageous wins he'd seen by a Manly team while coach Geoff Toovey was last night still just as proud of his players as he was immediately after the game.
"It was tough, alright," he said. "It was definitely up there (with the best he has seen). Some of the forwards worked themselves to a standstill."T
oovey then rattled off the tackle counts with great pride.
Glenn Stewart finished with 42, Matt Ballin had 39, Anthony Watmough 38, Brent Kite 30, Brenton Lawrence 34 ... and on it went.
"And you remember we had some quality players missing so it was a very pleasing performance," the Manly coach said.
"We have some experienced heads and some youth and that is what you need."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ke-men-possessed/story-e6frexri-1226637149321
IT'S been rated as one of the gutsiest wins in Manly's proud history - and Fox Sports Stats show Monday night's thriller over the Dragons also equalled the record for the least possession of a winning team since 2007.
With only 39 per cent of possession for the game, Manly somehow held on to beat St George Illawarra 24-18 for what must be the NRL equivalent of the impossible win.
Manly led 18-0 midway through the first half before the Dragons hit back with four straight tries to level at 18-all.
At that point the Sea Eagles looked gone before a late try to Jorge Taufua got them home.
The previous record low possession percentage by a winning team was the Gold Coast's 39 in their win over Cronulla in 2011 - while five other games dating back to 2007 show teams winning with 41 per cent.
Yesterday Manly great Bob Fulton rated it one of the most courageous wins he'd seen by a Manly team while coach Geoff Toovey was last night still just as proud of his players as he was immediately after the game.
"It was tough, alright," he said. "It was definitely up there (with the best he has seen). Some of the forwards worked themselves to a standstill."T
oovey then rattled off the tackle counts with great pride.
Glenn Stewart finished with 42, Matt Ballin had 39, Anthony Watmough 38, Brent Kite 30, Brenton Lawrence 34 ... and on it went.
"And you remember we had some quality players missing so it was a very pleasing performance," the Manly coach said.
"We have some experienced heads and some youth and that is what you need."