Manly v Penrith Round 20, 2018 - Pre Game

[Oracle]

Give Funa a go ffs Barrett. Parker and Suli out. Walker to center Funa to wing. Throw Dogkinson back into 6. Tom Wright to bench.

You just don't get it

 

[brad]

i like this.

Even Anderson would be worth a shot on the wing. Walker back to centre. Suli is worse than parker

Mate really , Parker and Suli shouldn't be anywhere near first grade and wouldn't be at any other club . Under the circumstances we have no choice i suppose.

 

[Kevinward777]

.... I think that may be an old weight that hasn't been updated ... he certainly looks a bit more solid than when he debuted ....

.. Bear, I honestly don't know what his future holds ... he may end up one of those players that is always the 2nd or 3rd best at the club in any given position ... it is relevant to remember he is still only 21 .. with a career limiting injury record ...

.. either way ... my point was he is a good local kid trying to make his way in the hardest football comp in the world ... doesn't shirk it or drop his lollies ...

..and he certainly doesn't deserve to be disrespected .....

Mate, it goes without saying that he’s a better footballer than any of us have been or will ever be, and in that regard he will always be able to say he played for our great club. He can be proud of that. However, within any work environment I have been a part of during my life, there has always been noise coming from both the inside and outside in regards to whether people are up to the job. This noise comes in many different forms, depending upon how much of a connection the people making it have with the organisation, how the person they’re talking about is performing in their job, and how others have performed the same role in the past. This season has been the worst I can remember in a long time and other people obviously feel the same. Perhaps some of our posts might be considered a little over the top, perhaps not. Do you feel the same way about every single player that has ever pulled on our jumper? Or is it because you’re seeing something in Parker that plenty others on here just can’t see? It’s great that you are able to support the club and players the way you do, and if they happen to come on here to read these posts from time to time, I’m sure they would think that you’re a good bloke. But fans venting their frustrations at underperforming/average players is just part of the fabric of supporting a professional sports team, it’s been that way from the very start. That passion is what makes the game what it is. The biggest sporting event on the planet (Fifa World Cup) has achieved unrivalled success because of how passionate the fans are in supporting their team, and the many different ways they go about expressing it. Even Barrett came out this week and openly stated they played like boys, and that just because someone pulls on a first grade jersey, it doesn’t mean that they’re a first grade player. I guess some of us just feel the same way, and we express that differently.

 

[Kevinward777]

Mate really , Parker and Suli shouldn't be anywhere near first grade and wouldn't be at any other club . Under the circumstances we have no choice i suppose.

I agree...but considering that the season is done, we should be persisting with players who have obvious ability but lack experience and consistency. Tom Wright is a perfect example. The try he scored against the Dragons is a clear indication of what he has to offer. He’s still raw and will definitely make some mistakes, but he has a lot of potential and needs to build some confidence and gain some experience. Maybe play him on a wing for the rest of the year. At least it would provide us with some real speed... and it’s not like our wingers are playing good football anyway.

 

[Sheikheagle]

So Tom Wright went from starting to out of the extended squad?

Until he learns to put his body on the line he is not yet ready for first grade

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

WE'll win this.......because.....well why not.

The week is funner with blind optimism!!!

Not at all, it is an entirely rational prediction.
Our players will be on a high after all the rumours of Baz leaving.
Whereas the Panthers team will be morbidly depressed and morose after the rumours that Baz will be going to Penrith.

 

[brad]

I agree...but considering that the season is done, we should be persisting with players who have obvious ability but lack experience and consistency. Tom Wright is a perfect example. The try he scored against the Dragons is a clear indication of what he has to offer. He’s still raw and will definitely make some mistakes, but he has a lot of potential and needs to build some confidence and gain some experience. Maybe play him on a wing for the rest of the year. At least it would provide us with some real speed... and it’s not like our wingers are playing good football anyway.

I agree we probably need to persevere with them, but from what ive seen so far especially Parker and Suli and without a crystal ball cannot see them as regular first graders . Tom Wright maybe one day and the try he scored against saints was scintillating, but he is to me way off with some aspects of his game . Time will tell i suppose.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Time will tell i suppose.

That's the thing with young players. They often improve over time, as they learn and mature, physically and in other ways. Something lost on the Bearfax/Bozo faction who demand young players be picked because they will allegedly rise to the occasion. The entire recorded history of rugby league suggests otherwise, bar a few notable exceptions.

 

[Ryan]

Parker, M. Wright, Taufua and Suli in the backline. Forget line breaks. Forget long range tries.

These guys make Kelly look like Usain Bolt.

 

[brad]

When you have a close look at our backline and what we have lost the last few years , its probably no real surprise we are doing it tough. Lyon , Matai ,Stewart all gone leaves an irreplaceable hole to fill not to mention Foran and the wolf . Going back a few years i know but any team would struggle for years losing this calibre of players . Ive never doubted Manly but its going to take atleast another 2 years to rebuild and even at full strength next season ,an injury or 3 and it will be 18 all over again .

 

[Bearfax]

That's the thing with young players. They often improve over time, as they learn and mature, physically and in other ways. Something lost on the Bearfax/Bozo faction who demand young players be picked because they will allegedly rise to the occasion. The entire recorded history of rugby league suggests otherwise, bar a few notable exceptions.

SR8 I think you misinterpret the argument about bringing young players up even when not seemingly ready. Do you think Tom Wright has lost something coming into first grade, even though now dropped. He, and other young players on the rise, need to experience what they will have to face if and when they become first grade regulars. Leave them in reserves too long and they play reserve grade standard. Do you think Ponga suffered because he was brought up to first grade in North Queensland and played at best average games. If you don't blood them, they cant know what is expected of them. If they have to go back to reserves for a while, so be it, but they will always have gained from the experience, and it will also determine how hungry they are to make it.

 

[Rusty Cage]

The Peach is a super instinctive player, but at fullback could be a good target...not the biggest bloke and if Tom can challenge some high balls, could reap a few rewards.
Good to see Walker back also, a bit of spark out wide is long overdue....

Was thinking the same about Peach. Lane chasing the high ball close to the line will be a must - but who knows!?

 

[Kevinward777]

When you have a close look at our backline and what we have lost the last few years , its probably no real surprise we are doing it tough. Lyon , Matai ,Stewart all gone leaves an irreplaceable hole to fill not to mention Foran and the wolf . Going back a few years i know but any team would struggle for years losing this calibre of players . Ive never doubted Manly but its going to take atleast another 2 years to rebuild and even at full strength next season ,an injury or 3 and it will be 18 all over again .

Don’t forget Robbo... he was awesome on the wing.

 

[brad]

Don’t forget Robbo... he was awesome on the wing.

One of my favourites mate .

 

[NYEagle]

I agree...but considering that the season is done, we should be persisting with players who have obvious ability but lack experience and consistency. Tom Wright is a perfect example. The try he scored against the Dragons is a clear indication of what he has to offer. He’s still raw and will definitely make some mistakes, but he has a lot of potential and needs to build some confidence and gain some experience. Maybe play him on a wing for the rest of the year. At least it would provide us with some real speed... and it’s not like our wingers are playing good football anyway.

I can’t believe we are still talking about that try. It was one try many weeks ago against Saints. Are there relatives on here or something?. We need to move on!!.
It’s like that half we had some years ago that kicked one 40-20 against Canberra and did nothing else and people didn’t shut up about it for years. He went to the Tigers I can’t remember his name LOL.
We should be putting players together that gel as a team, not just based on Individual plays given the deep problems we have.
Goal and only goal is avoid wooden spoon.
NYEagle

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Does anyone on here give us ANY chance of a win??

Unlikely I know, but let’s not forget the Panfers also had 50 plus put on them last week!

 

[maxta]

Does anyone on here give us ANY chance of a win??

Unlikely I know, but let’s not forget the Panfers also had 50 plus put on them last week!

I can see a game with a promising start....unlike last week....and honestly see it being a fairly close game.
If Manly are level in possession will be right in it I think.
The tip Mark, is a Manly win 1-12 with a try to Shaun Lane at 12/1.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I can see a game with a promising start....unlike last week....and honestly see it being a fairly close game.
If Manly are level in possession will be right in it I think.
The tip Mark, is a Manly win 1-12 with a try to Shaun Lane at 12/1.

With Dylan and Jorge back, that’s possible.

It’s just wether their heads are in it or continue to be shoved up their arses!

 

[Wombat64]

Does anyone on here give us ANY chance of a win??

Unlikely I know, but let’s not forget the Panfers also had 50 plus put on them last week!

Oh, we're a chance but just not much of one.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Oh, we're a chance but just not much of one.

On their day the Panfers should swallow us up and spit us out BUT if @strone33 is “ the man” then the real reason the Panfers are running cold is to arsehole their coach , meaning we have,

Two sides who are running cold

Two sides who want to arsehole their coach

Two sides who could well be swapping coaches ( PS: just kidding on this one), but if Stroney’s prediction is right then the players will already know, so it could be “ who gives a rats arse”!!

So if “ the man” is right , who knows we might be facing the first 0-0 game played in the history of the NRL.


PSS: I actually don’t believe any of the above and think it might end up being a close game with a toss of a coin as to who wins!!