Game Day: Manly v Cowboys [Round 3, 2017]

[HappilyManly]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...k/news-story/92b8d024a118e5ddf9c661d027039edd

Sea Eagles players hold truth session to get season on track
Jon Geddes, Manly Daily
March 15, 2017 6:30pm

SEA Eagles players held a truth session this week as they strive towards kick starting their premiership campaign against the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.

Last weekend’s “embarrassing” 38-18 loss to South Sydney at Lottoland has led the team to have a long hard look at their disappointing beginning to the season.

“There has been quite a bit of discussion, no crisis meetings or anything like that- but there has been a lot of positive talk and honest talk,” prop Nate Myles said.

..

Nate Myles says the Sea Eagles players have had some “honest talk”. Picture: Gregg Porteous
...
Myles said the performances in both opening games against Parramatta and the Rabbitohs have been very patchy.

“We haven’t put together a good solid half of football yet- I think if you take the best from both games it probably equals up to about 70, 80 minutes,” Myles said.

“We are just not stringing together a full 80 minutes.”
----------------------------
Mr Plod has gone to the GI School of Advanced Mathematics

 

[Ned]

The only thing he's good at is telling everybody how much he, and now the rest of the team suck....Dude, we already know that.

 

[brad]

If they have to sit and have a talk thats bull... , get out there show some pride in our colours , have a dig or fuch off.

 

[wombatgc]

Quite a bit of discussion, no crisis meetings or anything like that.......
When does the crisis meeting happen....0 and 6?

 

[ricardo]

The only thing he's good at is telling everybody how much he, and now the rest of the team suck....Dude, we already know that.

.

Don't go all Monica Seles on us Ned

 

[Ned]

Nope, that's all I have to say.

 

[HappilyManly]

Weather forecast 75% humidity and 28 degreen in TSV- possible rain

 

[The Who]

Our players can certainly talk a good game. Unfortunately, that's what they seem to be able to do best.
Naturally I omit my sarcasm from the two Turbos who prove themselves on the field every week.

 

[Hgbcds]

Our players can certainly talk a good game. Unfortunately, that's what they seem to be able to do best.
Naturally I omit my sarcasm from the two Turbos who prove themselves on the field every week.

Thought tom was very ordinary against parramatta

 

[Fibro Eagle]

Myles says that had a positive talk
Positive Talk Means Positive results
Well thats what Ive heard
On a positive note if they do compete for the full 80 mins i cant ask for more in this trying rebuild of the team

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Nope, that's all I have to say.

Ned, we require your input over in the Zorba threads.

 

[BOZO]

Cowboys v Sea Eagles: Schick Preview
Thu 16 Mar, 2017, 9:00am
By Dylan Morris‌‌, North Queensland Corrrespondent , NRL.com

The Cowboys will be under pressure in Round 3 of the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership, after losing a host of players to injury and suspension in Round 2.

The loss of Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo up front and Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein in the backs will be felt when they take on a young Manly forward pack led by Nate Myles.

Manly will be desperate for a win to stave off eight losses in a row, which would have them equal the club's record, and the recent criticism of coach Trent Barret will add fuel to that fire.
‌Why Cowboys can win: Despite missing the two biggest engines in their forward pack, the Cowboys still possess a dangerous group of big men, with the likes of Scott Bolton, Patrick Kaufusi, Gavin Cooper, Ethan Lowe and Coen Hess. The Cowboys are confident that their engine room can push them up the field, and so they should be after a win against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 2. If the forwards are successful, the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Jake Granville and Kalyn Ponga will be looking to seize any opportunities that come their way. They'll be similarly eager to maintain the excellent winning record that they've developed, having only lost five games at 1300SMILES Stadium in the last two years.

Why Manly can win: Desperation will be a powerful motivator for Manly, and any forward pack that boasts the likes of Myles and Jake Trbojevic is one to watch out for. If they can control the ball above 80 per cent for the first time this year they'll go a long way towards giving Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic the space they need to split the Cowboys through the middle. Fullback Tom has a strong combination with brother Jake, which was a key contributor to his 10 tries and 20 line breaks in 2016.

Key match-up: Kalyn Ponga and Tom Trbojevic. Trbojevic is an up-and-coming fullback who has proved his ability in 2016, while Ponga is tipped as one of the bright stars of the future. The new-comer's defence could be tested on the night if Trbojevic is able to split the Cowboys up the middle, and Cherry-Evans will be looking to pressure him with bombs and grubbers. The same could be said of Trbojevic, except he'll be facing Thurston's almost flawless kicking, and any mistake will likely see Manly punished, as the Broncos were last week. Ponga will also be eager to test his footwork off passes from Thurston and Morgan, and being able to engage anywhere on the field as he sees fit will see him active in the game more than in the finals last year.

The history: Played 27; Cowboys 12; Sea Eagles 15. The Cowboys have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last five since Round 26, 2014. Their last meeting came in Townsville in Round 16 last season with the home side prevailing 30-26.

What are the odds: Manly have been the more popular side with Sportsbet punters, but only in the handicap market where they're getting a rather large points start. It's a different story in the head-to-head market, and punters are including the Cowboys in their multis over the weekend. Latest odds at Sportsbet.com.au.

Match officials: Henry Perenara, Peter Gough. Sideline Officials: Rohan Best, Phil Henderson. Video Referees: Luke Patten, Jared Maxwell.

Televised: Fox League – Live coverage from 8pm (AEST).

How we see it: Even with a depleted forward pack the Cowboys will still have the discipline, patience and confidence only gained by experience. This is backed up by an 81 per cent average completion rate over two golden point games, compared to the Manly average of 70 per cent. It seems unlikely that Manly will have enough possession to get within striking range often enough to test the North Queensland defence. Cowboys by 10 points.
The Sea Eagles forwards have been dominated in the first two rounds, running for 2279 metres to the Cowboys' 3264. It's an unflattering statistic and one that Manly will be looking to improve in Townsville.

 

[Fluffy]

The Cowboys depleted forward pack missing 2.

No mention of Manly missing 4?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Any pack including Nate Myles....lol........are they on drugs or something ?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Nice to see on my Facebook feed this morning a heap of my most ardent and passionate MWTS members heading up to TSV to support the boys.

They are the ones that are there rain, hail or shine ( in a team sense).

Let's hope they come back happy!!

 

[pjayz]

To cheer people up a bit...NYC top of the table.
http://www.seaeagles.com.au/draw-results/ladder.html

 

[Mwseintville]

Weather forecast 75% humidity and 28 degreen in TSV- possible rain

I am born and bred in Townsville and I can tell you it is super hot at the moment and it won't be any better at 8.00 either they will struggle with the humidity. On an unrelated subject it is heartbreaking watching Gutherson killing it at the Eels, wow great decision to let him go.

 

[HappilyManly]

Gutho has to come home in a few years, just like Darcy did

 

[TWO DOGS]

Henry Perenara - oh oh

 

[Mitch]

For anyone that hasn't had the delight of listening to Kevin Walters calling a game involving a QLD team, you'll have that pleasure tomorrow night with the added bonus of Brent Tate.