Matabele's match report

  • We had an issue with background services between march 10th and 15th or there about. This meant the payment services were not linking to automatic upgrades. If you paid for premium membership and are still seeing ads please let me know and the email you used against PayPal and I cam manually verify and upgrade your account.

Matabele

Journey Man
Matabele's match report

Hopoate elbow overshadows Manly victory:

He has spent the last ten years living by the sword and surely on Wednesday night he will die by the sword of the judiciary. Controversial Manly player showed that his reputation is more than media hype after he callously cannoned into Sharks player Galloway with forearm cocked in the 30th minute of the Sea Eagles clash with Cronulla at Brookvale Oval today.

The incident came in the 30th minute with the Sea Eagles comfortably leading the Sharks 24-0 and threatened to turn the game on its head. Hopoate sprinted out of the defensive line, launched himself at Galloway with his elbow connecting with Galloway’s head. Galloway was carried from the field on a stretcher with his neck in a brace and Hopoate walked to the dressing sheds for hopefully the final time in his ill-fated career.

Surely even the staunchest of Hopoate advocates (and there’s not many of those left) will now welcome the final curtain on a pantomime that has included frequent sledging, many send-offs, bottom poking and a number of disgraceful acts which culminated in today’s final disgrace.

Up to that point Manly had played with a power and majesty not seen for many years. The game began with Cronulla conceding back to back penalties and Manly half back sliding through lazy defence to score in the fourth minute.

In the 13th minute Monaghan took a clever option, kicking on the 4th tackle for Anthony Watmough to collect and score. The try was referred to the video referee who adjudged that the timing of the kick was perfect, Watmough in line with the kick as it was put through.

Manly received the ball back and marched upfield again with the help of another penalty. Monaghan helped himself to another try by cutting through on the right hand side. The Brookvale crowd were in raptures again in the 22nd minute when Monaghan popped an offload to Brett Stewart despite the attention of four defenders. Stewart scorched his way to the tryline and Witt pilated his fourth conversion over the sticks for a 24-09 scoreline.

Manly’s cruise control and the Brookvale crowd volume were violently turned off by Hopoate’s madness. Aitken crossed in the 31st minute immediately after the send off to open the Shark’s account. In the 35th minute Sullivan put Luke Covell into space. He went close to the sideline and the put-down looked marginal but the video referee ruled that he had stayed in play and put the ball on the edge of the paint for the try. He was unable to convert his own try.

Seconds before half time the Sharks released Vagana down their right hand side for another try and the teams went to oranges with Manly leading 24-16 but with all of the momentum going the way of the visitors.

Early in the second half the Sea Eagles stormed their way up field off the back of another cheap Shark’s penalty, the drive culminating in Monaghan completing his hat trick after sliding through next to the posts in the 42nd minute.

In the 53rd minute referee Simpkins sent Ryan McGoldrick to the sin bin after losing patience with repeated tackle infringements by the Sharks. The Sharks were constantly looking to slow the Manly play the ball down, a sign that Manly had the upper hand with the go-forward of their pack. Cronulla captain Peachey was marched for back chat and Dunley made the most of the indiscretion by carving his way to the line. A Witt conversion made it 36-16 in favour of the Eagles.

Cronulla’s discipline deserted them completely. They were off-side from the kick off and gave Manly another shot at the line. The Eagles crossed again when a Menzies kick through was fumbled by David Peachey and dotted down by Anthony Watmough. The Cronulla skipper again exchanged pleasantries with the referee and was sent to the sin bin for his troubles. Witt converted as Peachey trudged from the field.

Manly again looked dangerous but a turnover saw the Sharks streak up field and Simmonds eventually crossing for a try. Sharp shooter Covell missed the conversion from a useful position.

In many respect the next try will be bittersweet for Manly fans. Brilliant captain Steven Menzies crossed for his 150th career try (right in front of the Jye Mullane Stand). However, what should have been a day of celebration for a man who has always personified professionalism, dignity and grace will more likely be remembered for the final act of a man who played much of his career alongside a champion in Menzies without learning any of what it was that makes him great.

Monaghan was the hero of the match, scoring three tries and setting up many of the others. However he limped off the field with fifteen minutes to go and there will be some concern that he recovers in time for next week’s blockbuster encounter with the other team on top of the table – the Melbourne Storm. Hill didn’t return in the second half after tearing his hamstring in the team warm-ups. There must also be some concern over the hands of Brent Kite. He made several knock ons – a throw back to the early part of his career where his ball handling was seen as a liability.

Perhaps the game was best personified by an the final few seconds. Dunley was put on report for an illegal tackle on David Peachey. Peachey lashed out at Dunley and an all-in brawl was only narrowly avoided. It was an unnecessary way to conclude an ugly afternoon. Manly ran out convincing victors 46-20 but all attention will now be on the fate of Hopoate. Hopefully it’s a case of good riddance, and no thanks for the memories.
 
Matabele's match report

Top write up. You know who I was very impressed with today, Shane Dunley. Dunley was great today. It was great to see him land one on Peachey as well. I thought Randall was alright as well today. But Man of the Match had to go to Monas, he was all class today :clap: .
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sun Mar 20 2005, 05:52PM ]</span>
 
Matabele's match report

Next weeks side going to look different.

Hill and Hoppa look out.. Dunley could get a suspension as well. Hicks and Alberts still out?

Monas. AWESOME. Thats origin form. Keep it up Monas. What a great player. The tackle he did on one of the players as well after a kick. Awesome.
 
Matabele's match report

BK was sensational today and didnt leave the field to the 73rd minute.

You forgot to put in our field goal shouts from the first minute.
 
Matabele's match report

That write-up should be in the paper. Well done Mata.

Dunna's has nothing to worry about, he won't even get sited.

And yes, Dunna's punch connected very very well :D
 
Matabele's match report

Dunley was one of the best on the field. I am now a huge fan of his, every time he runs from dummy half he is impressive and has an impact. Monas was man of the match

But Ben Kennedy was AWESOME in defense, he led the way, often he looked exasperated when manly werent putting the man with the ball down. He just jumped on them and tackled.
Has to be

1. Monas
2. BK
3. Dunley

With Watmough, B.Stewart and Hill pushing hard for top spots.

Kite was insirational in defense However He NEEDS to work on his hands....alot

Good write up mata
 
Matabele's match report

Heckenburg was great today I thought, a typical workhorse performance.
 
Matabele's match report

im still trying to see the stats - but im expecting BK and Hecks to top the metres.
 
Matabele's match report

When Covell converted a try from in front I heard a loud roar from somewhere and I thought "there's the JM stand".

Did you catch up with the other AE clowns Fluffy?
 
Matabele's match report

Mata - I have to sincerely disagree with you on the Hoppa ordeal mate. Last week, the ballboy WAS a little **** in my opinion. I'm sure if it was Price asking for the ball, the little Kiwi would have thrown it in. I know this has nothing to do with your review.

Onto this week, and your write up...

Hoppa was in motion & left his feet (not unlike a player challenging for a kicked high ball. At NO stage did he raise his hands above his own waste. The act of lifting the hands would have caused MORE damage than what had actually occurred. There was definately NO intention in Hoppas eyes except putting on a hard hit. If the same thing happenned, and the tackler was Andrew Johns, there would be little said over the accident. All the other players thought it was fine, and actually congratulated him on the effort. None of the Cronulla guys were too upset, until they saw there giant concussed thinking it fair game. If the player got up, laughed it off, and continued to play, the game wouldn't have even been halted...hence the video ref had to notify the on ground ref. What actually made the tackle so terrible, was that Galloway was unsited by Hoppa, and as such had no reaction time. Any reaction time & Galloway would have been in a position to possibly shake it off, and continue his momentum.

I would like to add that not only do I believe Hoppa should not be given time, like himself & his team mates, thought he shouldn't be sent off.

Calling for his career to come to a halt over an incident like this is a little too much !!!
 
Matabele's match report

Ryan, are you drunk?

Hoppa's elbow collected the bloke flush on the jaw so I don't know how you can think that his hands didn't go above waist level. It was the equal of the hit O'Donnell put on Monas two years ago - Galloway must just have a stronger jaw.

Hoppa is gone, for sure and certain, and good riddance to him. And I will add that's the prevailing opinion of the players. Creary is already getting fitted out for next week.
 
Matabele's match report

I hope Creary gets a run, he has deserved one for quite a while.
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sun Mar 20 2005, 10:21PM ]</span>
 
Matabele's match report


Ryan, please explain?


<img src='http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,428055,00.jpg' alt='' style='vertical-align:middle; border:0' />

<img src='http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/markgilham/hoppa4.jpg' alt='' style='vertical-align:middle; border:0' />
 
Matabele's match report

LoL- No, I'm not drunk....But I am on the site on the weekend for a 1st!!!!

I see what your saying, but Hoppa was airborne. Basically that's what the little fellas do to the big guys to make an effective tackle. My example is Lincoln Withers. Often he runs at a player, and launches himself into the air, to grab them around the shoulders, put on a massive hit, in order to dislodge the ball. It would be rare that Hoppa would have to jump to reach anybody, but Galloway is the sencond tallest player in the NRL. Another classic example was Allan Langer, until he started getting pinged on it, then he went to tripping...LoL.

Actually, Tooves used to do it a bit too.

I have watched the tackle maybe 3-4 times now, and have to say although Hoppa jumps, his arms aren't raised, and Hoppa physically could not have done anything else with his arms.
 
Matabele's match report

:roll: Ryan - look at the pictures. There is malicious intent in that tackle. You don't join hands, cock your elbow and launch yourself at a player unless you intend to take them out.

How much football have you played. I know you reach the knees of most players (and therefore have never run the risk of handing out a coathanger) but this is ridiculous.
 
Matabele's match report

Those photo's say a thousand words. His elbow is raised before he even leaves the ground, that makes it look intentional unless he is going in for a shoulder charge.

I recorded the tackle and have watched it a few times. From the angle in the film version I have it looks like his arms move and go up because he is trying to avoid hitting him another way. So mainly the problem seems to be in trying to avoid making it bad he made it worse.

The photos above though tell a different story. Hoppa needs to go intot eh judiciary and tell them that he was trying to avoid hitting him a different way and in the process caught him with the elbow. He doesnt have much chance though
 
Matabele's match report

I would say they won't put a grading on it to allow him an early guilty plea. It will be referred directly to the judiciary.
 
Matabele's match report

Actually Mata - I played school boy Rugby League against sides like St Greg's etc. I then went on to play for Mona Vale & Narrabeen in my later years. Yourself?

A differring opinion doesn't have to result in personal insult mate.

Almost reminds of other posters I know.
 

Members online

Latest posts

Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
Back
Top Bottom