Manly vs Dogs

[Kiwi Eagle]

I'd say that Des would think they have a better chance of being able to get around our Defence in the sunshine on a Sunday afternoon with a bit of extra ball movement

 

[HappilyManly]

Storm confirmed on ABC Radio that they are the early Saturday game.

Our Wingers will be their focus IF we allow them to have the ball.

Be Manly and win big Boys

 

[seaeagledave]

Great result to play the Dogs rather than Storm. Sydney game is a big plus even though we have been travelling well. Plus we know what to expect from the Dogs.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Betting open for Week 1 of #NRL Finals: @NRL_Bulldogs ($2.20) v @manlyseaeagles ($1.67) | @MelbStormRLC ($1.70) v @SSFCRABBITOHS ($2.15)

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Other Week 1 #NRL Finals: @nthqldcowboys ($1.45) v @brisbanebroncos ($2.75) | @RaidersCanberra ($1.60) v @Cronulla_Sharks ($2.35)

 

[torana355]

Wow that's good money for the Dogs, its a 50/50 game imo.

 

[Av8r]

The good thing about the match next week is that Brett Stewart is in form, and we are coming into the game on the back of a win instead of a big loss like last time.

Yeah 100% right, Snake will make a big difference.

 

[BOZO]

Des is an experienced coach but we have more players with finals
experience and thats why i am confident we will destroy des's dogs

 

[niccipops]

Can't wait. A very exciting game ahead. A win will give us a bit of a phychological edge and a healthly rest. A loss would be something we can learn from to change the game plan for when we meet again.
Seriously hope the refs give us a fair go. I think there's a new rule for them called dogstruction. Nobody else is allowed to do it but they score tries off it all the time.
It will be a big crowd for the doggies so please Sydney based Sea Eagle fans get to the stadium and make some noise for our champion team.
Go hard boys and hopefully no injuries.

 

[Jono]

Surely it will be Friday night. Just to make sure no one from the north side of the city is any hope of getting there.

Not all Manly fans come from the North side
No excuses for not attending, it will be as big as a GF

I agree. No excuses this time. Everyone get out there. The boys will need you. We know the Dogs will go in force. Turn up with 20,000 Manly supporters and it is on. We saw what a massive loud crowd can do at the Titans game. Lets take over ANZ this week as well.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Surely it will be Friday night. Just to make sure no one from the north side of the city is any hope of getting there.

Not all Manly fans come from the North side
No excuses for not attending, it will be as big as a GF

I agree. No excuses this time. Everyone get out there. The boys will need you. We know the Dogs will go in force. Turn up with 20,000 Manly supporters and it is on. We saw what a massive loud crowd can do at the Titans game. Lets take over ANZ this week as well.

I will be surprised if there isnt 70,000 there
biggest game of the year

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,



Buzz rothfields headline today for the Blog with Buzz today

Monday Buzz: How Dogs bred success
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/monday-buzz-how-dogs-bred-success/story-fn7r8vs2-1226463483927

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Hands up if you've got two bites at the Cherry

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/hands-up-if-youve-got-two-bites-at-the-cherry-20120902-258iu.html#ixzz25LcDZEXM


BRAD WALTER
Grand final: Manly v South Sydney
Winner: Manly
Do Canterbury have another gear to go to in the finals? That is the only real doubt over Des Hasler's tilt at history by becoming the first coach to win back-to-back premierships at different clubs. With 18 wins from their 24 regular season matches, including 12 in a row before last week's loss to Canberra, the Bulldogs are worthy minor premiers - a feat they achieved in all three grades. But the question now is whether they can get any better, because Melbourne, South Sydney and Manly are likely to. The Sea Eagles are the defending premiers and their players will want to show that they were the main reason the club won last year's grand final - not Hasler. The likes of Brett and Glenn Stewart, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Tony Williams, Jamie Lyon and Anthony Watmough proved last season they can lift in the finals. Victory will put the Sea Eagles in the box seat to become the first team to win back to back premierships since Brisbane in 1992-93. To do so, they will first have to overcome the Storm in week three before going on to meet South Sydney in the grand final. The Rabbitohs will have too much firepower for Melbourne and Canterbury, who I expect to beat North Queensland and the Raiders in week two of the finals.

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RICHARD HINDS

Grand final: Canterbury v Manly
Winner: Canterbury
This is how a finals series in the salary cap era is meant to be. A top four with four live chances — and, in the next rung, a couple of teams capable of shaking up the order when they get a crack at the defeated members of the big four in the second week. Melbourne have a major leg-up — home city advantage against South Sydney. Although, if the traditional reluctance of Manly fans to cross the bridge in September is anything to go by, ANZ Stadium is not merely a different suburb for the Sea Eagles, but a different planet. The first week could be telling — at least in deciding the eventual grand finalists. Direct inclusion in the preliminary finals, and a week to rest sore bodies, is a major advantage. Although, as the Storm’s defeat by the Warriors last year proved, inactivity can also cause ring rust. So, here’s how it goes: Canterbury edge Manly, Melbourne limp past Souths. But Manly bounce back instantly, beat the winner of the Queensland derby at home, earn the right to play the Storm in a preliminary final in Melbourne — and win. Souths have a tougher task getting through to the preliminary against Canberra or Cronulla. But, whoever Canterbury face of those three, they beat. Which leaves us back where we started, Des Hasler going for back-to-back titles against the team with which he celebrated last year. And getting it done.

GREG PRICHARD

Grand final: Canterbury v Manly
Winner: Canterbury
Canterbury versus Manly is a delicious match-up in the first week of the finals, given the fact Des Hasler took the Sea Eagles to two premierships before an unpleasant split with the club and is now coaching the Bulldogs — but that won’t be the end of it. They will meet again in the grand final, with the Bulldogs winning both times. Hasler got the Bulldogs back into gear against Sydney Roosters on the weekend. I wrote after their big loss to Canberra in the second-last round that we shouldn’t judge Canterbury until we saw what they did against the Roosters, and the evidence was clearly there that they were back. After the Bulldogs had won 12 in a row, the loss to Canberra took the spotlight off them and allowed them to refocus, and coming off a big win over the Roosters they will go into the finals feeling confident. It’s Canterbury, South Sydney, North Queensland and Canberra to win in the first week of the finals. The Rabbitohs should respect Melbourne, but they won’t be afraid of them. In their most recent home game, the Storm should have lost to Cronulla, but the Sharks dropped their intensity with a couple of minutes to go and paid the penalty. Manly to beat the Cowboys and Melbourne to beat the Raiders in week two, and then, for places in the grand final, the Bulldogs to beat the Storm and Manly to beat Souths. Then the Bulldogs to win it all.

MICHAEL CHAMMAS
Grand final: Manly v N Queensland
Winner: North Queensland
North Queensland are the only team outside of the top four capable of a red-hot crack at the title. They may not have a good track record in Sydney, but what they do have is one of the most complete football teams in the finals series. Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen get all the praise, but they’ve had some unsung heroes in Gavin Cooper, Kane Linnett and Ashley Graham, who’ve been instrumental for them. Manly have the big game experience, but don’t underestimate Melbourne. Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk thrive in the big moments, which is why the Storm will go very close. Canterbury and South Sydney will feed off excitement and expectation, but success may be another year away. When you look at their roster, the Bulldogs have overachieved this season. But the man behind the show – coach Des Hasler – is the master of getting his teams to fire at the right time. Overcoming Manly this week will be the biggest test of their premiership credentials. South Sydney will go close, but their inability to play for 80minutes on a regular basis could cost them. The Cowboys are as likely to bow out in week one as they are to win the premiership, but if they get it right, they’ll have plenty of teams hoping to avoid them on the road to the grand final. They’re the dark horse to win the title.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/hands-up-if-youve-got-two-bites-at-the-cherry-20120902-258iu.html#ixzz25Lc6OyLc

 

[Captain Moondog]

Good luck to Des but his turning into a dribbler like Brian Smith.

Has he said we're the benchmark yet?

 

[Chip and Chase]

Looks like they all agree on one thing. Manly will be in the grand final. I like that, if we get there injury free we are better than even money to win the big show.

 

[Mals]

It's Monday morning, the nerves & excitement of finals footy are kicking in already.

Carn Manly!!

 

[Captain Moondog]

How good is it to support a team that consistently reaches the finals and is a big chance of going B2B. This time of year must be terrible for fans of teams that perennially underachieve ( Parramatta I'm looking at you).

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

It's Monday morning, the nerves & excitement of finals footy are kicking in already.

Carn Manly!!

Lol you'll be a ****ing blubbering mess by Friday

 

[bones]

Brett Stewart + Glenn Stewart + Jamie Lyon + DCE + Kieran Foran + Steve Matai + Choc + Ballin = DYNASTY
Manly will win the GF in 2012 and it won't be these players last Premiership.

 

[barrack o barba]

Brett Stewart + Glenn Stewart + Jamie Lyon + DCE + Kieran Foran + Steve Matai + Choc + Ballin = DYNASTY
Manly will win the GF in 2012 and it won't be these players last Premiership.

Should be a cracker , you guys are deserveredly the favorites , that suits us . We are both hated teams but you guys should have the edge in that department , more so since you gave Tooves the coaching job .

 

[Phantar]

"deserveredly?"

Sounds like you've 'augmentated' the English language.

 

[barrack o barba]

The dogs have no finals experience but will lift

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

I am surprised the kennel doesn't have spellcheck for that illiterate inbred lot.