So far off the pace

[HoldenV8]

When Roosters can replace Brandon Smith with Connor Watson, then you can see how far off the mark we are. We don’t have 1 decent 9 in the club, let alone missing fit fast forwards.
Unfortunately the comp is geared to Penrith, Storm and Roosters, and we won’t compete unless we get an owner with deep pockets.
First live game I’ve been to, and also underline how much referee can favour one team, even if they were better than us.

We do have a decent hooker ... Jake Simpkin.

 

[HoldenV8]

Isn't his contract up in 27, 3yrs are better than 4 i guess.

You don't think the club will offer him another deal??

 

[Eagle 1]

You don't think the club will offer him another deal??

Maybe, but at half his current $950k I'd say.

 

[HoldenV8]

And please don't say brad Arthur.

He's gone from one blue and gold to another. Currently coaching Leeds in the SL.

 

[HoldenV8]

*The unbelievable system that the Storm have created ( with much help from News Ltd & the NRL)

And the NRL will never try to get the Storm to start building pathways in Melbourne for their own juniors, they will always allow them to have Qld Cup feeder clubs.

And why??

Because a successful NRL team in the heart of the AFL is "good for business". If the Storm had to rely mostly on their own home grown juniors ... they'd barely get out of the bottom 4 even with Bellyache as coach.

The most surprising thing about Melbourne and league ... is that Perth and Adelaide actually got teams before Melbourne did.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

I’m not entirely sold on Siebold and co either. I’m just not sure it’s worse than under Des, I think marginally better. But that’s just my opinion. Nrl is so close now week to week there’s not a lot between plenty of teams and that goes year after year as well. I had issues with Des and issues with Siebold as well. As put in another thread how Garrick is still the centre is beyond me and how Croker is still 9 I have no idea (at least as our primary 9). That said Siebold needs credit for bringing Lehi through. Never would have happened under Des.

I actually think the lack of movement with the two players mentioned speaks more to (what I’ve thought for a while) the senior players having too much say in the team makeup. Croker and Reubs I think are protected by dce and the Turbos. They are not the only ones either. See what 25 brings I guess.

I'm not sure players protect at all. everyone wants to WIN above having your mates in the side. Seibold just needs to make a clear call. GKCT was supposed to be the man but then SB brings in Simkins and starts him straight away. then all of a sudden Froggy is back throwing his poor service and the world is so happy. Like WTF.
Seibold needs to put Garrick back on the wing period. Talau and Koula is a great pairing with so much upside.
Oh and if DCE and the Tboys do have that much say then we need a leader that will shut that **** down ASAP.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

But what about 2022. Hasler was no messiah. He oversaw some shocking performances

he did yes. but if you remember we were tracking well (Without Turbo again) mid season after a pretty poor start until jersey gate destroyed our team. we would have made the 8 without the fiasco. that would have been 3 out of 4 seasons. not bad.

 

[Waz13]

Todd Payton?
North Queensland had more SOO representatives than any other squad and were one of the most disappointing teams of 2024.

My best mate is a die hard cows fan and still can’t believe they made the 8. Total frauds from his point of view.

 

[zfinkels]

And there lies the problem 🙄

Has anyone ever seen him angry? I used to always fear my best coaches….

 

[TJ55]

Seibold needs to be more of a hardarse, this is from a neutral perspective. He does tend to say “proud of the boys” a lot more than he should, the consistency lies with the coach in my view because Manly do have a good roster

 

[double hoops]

Isn't his contract up in 27, 3yrs are better than 4 i guess.

Jake will need to take up speed walking if he's still playing in even 2 years time

 

[maxta]

Has anyone ever seen him angry? I used to always fear my best coaches….

Felt Seibold has done a reasonable job, but this is a very good point....and over excuses or proud of after bad losses....Manly had a good season and Seibold done a good job, but there needs to be less mateship and nice guy after underwhelming efforts....after we competed better in 2024 hopefully he raises that expectancy bar for 2025.

 

[double hoops]

Have the club even extended Seibolds yet?

Common on, The first blokes to stab a coach in the back are the players. And the Senior players those used to being privileged stars and never held accountable are the worst.

I agree id like to see him rip and tear a little bit more, but in all honesty, any coach probably does need a little job security and a bit more of a clear backing from the board to be that man, especially with all our precious million dollar men.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

the consistency lies with the coach in my view because Manly do have a good roster

I think the idea that we have a "good roster" is a fallacy, partly spread by Scott Penn and co. Yes, we have some great individual players: Cherry, Turbo, Haumole, and some pace in the outside backs. But our forward pack is big and lumbering and not much else. They lack mobility and speed as well as stamina. And we haven't had a hooker for four years now. That's a roster with a lot of holes. It ain't getting close to a premiership.

 

[Brookie Bob]

Realistically, 15 out of the 17 teams are 'off the pace'.

The Roosters will find out that they are off the pace this weekend, as will the Sharks.

From there, it's an almost 50/50 as to which of the remaining flawlessly executing, wall of defense teams will win it.

What I'd like to see is a deep, detailed analysis of why the Panthers and Storm are so good; not just the endlessly trotted out 'Bellamy is a genius', or 'the Panthers have an endless supply of the best juniors'. Something a lot deeper than that. No conspiracy theories, just facts.

Once that's worked out, work out how to be even better.

One point - Frank Ponissi, the Storm's football manager, used to work for Manly. How did we let go such an obviously talented administrator? Success starts at the top.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

What I'd like to see is a deep, detailed analysis of why the Panthers and Storm are so good; not just the endlessly trotted out 'Bellamy is a genius', or 'the Panthers have an endless supply of the best juniors'. Something a lot deeper than that. No conspiracy theories, just facts.

Yep. It's not rocket science. What Ciraldo (correction, Ciraldo and Arthur Laundy) did in remodelling the Dog team brought instant results in the key area of defence.

One point - Frank Ponissi, the Storm's football manager, used to work for Manly. How did we let go such an obviously talented administrator? Success starts at the top.

Yep! Probably lured down there by money, it happens.

As for Manly "so far off the pace" - Manly finished with 5th best points differential, slightly ahead of Dogs and Cows. We seem to have elevated ourselves to the level of Not Quite Good Enough.

Since the demise of the 2007 - 2014 champion team Manly's problem has been one step forward one step backward. Seibold and Mestrov have now produced two (slight) improvements in a row and 2025 will be the test. If Manly improves for a 3rd year in a row then we are definitely embarking on a new happy era. But if we slip back yet again - despair will reign throughout the land and heads will roll!

 

[BOZO]

What a fuked day. How hollow is it when you blow out in an elimination final. 6 months till it kicks off again. Fu*ksake.

I know how you and many passionate Manly fans are feeling feathered friend
Its fcked , it sucks it hurts and it is such a melancholy feeling at the time when the final whistle blows and our once NRL Premier club is blown away once again and our season is over

This may be not the end of the world but it is the end of another season where we fail to live up to our Legendary clubs Benchmark Premiership winning high standards

Our Great passionate Manly feathered friend @maxta who started this "So far off the Pace thread" is 100% right
We are so far off the pace from the Great Manly Premiership Glorious Winning years

As the Panthers play their 5th Grand final in a row
all Manly people live off these days is the Glory of our Past Glorious Premiership Worthy Winners
who Glorified our once Mighty club and made us fans feel so happy and so proud of their extraordinary achievements

To all the Glorious Manly Premiership Winners that Glorified our Legendary club
We will Remember them
Lest We Forget

 

[Darren]

A fit and fast Turbo would make a huge difference ala 2021. at that level, he would open holes and make room for the speedsters. He drew defences in and that helped a lot. He doesn't do that much anymore. Garrick and DCE in defence is a major issue and teams know and capitalise on that. Our big forwards are all similar. Jake continually dies with the ball and gives away many penalties. Paseka has all the tools but hasn't stepped up. It feels like we have said this for a few years now. We have the slowest hooker that most of us have spoke about for a few years which makes our attack predictable. As I mentioned yesterday, the Storm ruck was lightning and blew me away. It made me realise how limited we are and have done well to make the top 4. A gun hooker would open up play for Ola etc. A really good squad but we need a few kids coming through to help us make another step.

 

[maxta]

Realistically, 15 out of the 17 teams are 'off the pace'.

The Roosters will find out that they are off the pace this weekend, as will the Sharks.

From there, it's an almost 50/50 as to which of the remaining flawlessly executing, wall of defense teams will win it.

What I'd like to see is a deep, detailed analysis of why the Panthers and Storm are so good; not just the endlessly trotted out 'Bellamy is a genius', or 'the Panthers have an endless supply of the best juniors'. Something a lot deeper than that. No conspiracy theories, just facts.

Once that's worked out, work out how to be even better.

One point - Frank Ponissi, the Storm's football manager, used to work for Manly. How did we let go such an obviously talented administrator? Success starts at the top.

Yes 15 of the 17 are "Off the pace", but i am only concerned with Manly and I hope the other 15 teams have a website, that has a similar thread or they are in denial.....but on Silvertails I prefer to discuss Manly being "off the pace" and have some logical discussions and opinions on why.....without ppl being offended, because it's a fact and only clearer after this weeks finals.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Its pretty clear that there are 3 tiers in our current competition. Penrith and Melbourne on tier 1. Cronulla and the Roosters in tier 2 and the rest on tier 3. We really were the best of the rest. I expect that all sides outside of the tier 1 are aware that they are way off the pace and need to change the way they are approaching the game particularly training, selections and retention / recruitment. We need to change and improve otherwise it will be the same outcome the next few years. Melbourne and Penrith have the best systems. The excuse that Penrith's junior league makes impossible to compete with them is countered by Melbourne's consistency and success.