Pre-Game Storm V Manly [Round 20, 2025]

[Oligarch]

Hmmm feeling conflicted - looked at the Tigers pack - would probably take it for a direct swap for ours for this game…

 

[Jethro]

Storm v Sea Eagles: Paps still sidelined; Same 17 for Seibold

The latest chapter in one of the game's great modern-day rivalries will be written at AAMI Park on Saturday night when the Storm host the Sea Eagles.

www.nrl.com

 

[Buddy Love]

Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s close at half time then storm pull away in the second half. They’re a bit prone to doing that this year. We might even have a slender lead at the break.

I'm thinking the opposite. They come out the blocks hard, absolutely decimate us then take the foot off the pedal and cruise to victory.

38 - 16 drizzle 🌧

Or 42 - 12

Something like that

 

[manlyfan76]

We have A chance to win this one.
But for every chance we have, storm have 1000 chances.

Can't see melb being off. Most teams beat them through the middle, being fast, big and relentless.

 

[mickqld]

Looks like Munster might not be playing. Still at home with family for funeral.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Looks like Munster might not be playing. Still at home with family for funeral.

Every one out makes the job a little easier but to be honest we are hundreds to win this one.

But , I still like to see them have a crack.

 

[ALinda]

Wonder if Aloiai really has gone, as we could sure use him for this one and in the games to come. Surely a decision can be made to medically retire him or not, it's been months since he played.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Talau on the bench again... is he being transitioned into a utility? He's been pretty much a specialist winger at Manly, along with a few games as centre.
He's a good player and it means Burbo doesn't have to cover the backs - which is important!
But leaves the forwards looking light on, unless Talau is going to get put on in the forward rotation at some stage.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Talau on the bench again... is he being transitioned into a utility? He's been pretty much a specialist winger at Manly, along with a few games as centre.
He's a good player and it means Burbo doesn't have to cover the backs - which is important!
But leaves the forwards looking light on, unless Talau is going to get put on in the forward rotation at some stage.

They are damned if they do ( put a back on the bench ) and if they don’t , and there’s an injury they are damned if they don’t.

Burbo to the centres fails every time.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Wonder if Aloiai really has gone, as we could sure use him for this one and in the games to come. Surely a decision can be made to medically retire him or not, it's been months since he played.

Good point this !!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

They are damned if they do ( put a back on the bench ) and if they don’t , and there’s an injury they are damned if they don’t.

Burbo to the centres fails every time.

Agree about needing better cover for the backs because you never know when Saab or Turbo will get hurt.
Problem is our forwards are borderline at best. Presumably every player picked on the bench has to be ready for anything. Last game he wasn't used until late, when Saab got hurt.

 

[PONTIAN SEA EAGLE]

Just had a half time/fulltime double melb halftime lead manly to win at 9/1.Smacked $100 on it chez to kick a field goal I reckon or we just get up on a close game.

 

[Eagle 1]

Or the other scenario, Melb have an off day and we come out on fire with every play coming off.

 

[Highflier]

One of the better Manly wins I can remember from the past 20 years:

Wow what a great game and some stellar perfomances highlighted Scorpii, George Tom Walker DCE etc

 

[mave]

We need to go away from the last two weeks style imo....as much as I've advocated for a more grinding game for the last couple of years.

Back to early shifts, using our "weapons" game plan.

Storm do not like a lack of structure in games.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Agree about needing better cover for the backs because you never know when Saab or Turbo will get hurt.
Problem is our forwards are borderline at best. Presumably every player picked on the bench has to be ready for anything. Last game he wasn't used until late, when Saab got hurt.

The rationale is “ 4 big forwards , keep rotating through to win the middle “ HOWEVER doesn’t work when a back goes down and let’s face it we have two “ regulars “ so I get the footy department’s choice.

 

[manly al]

Yeah , i think it would be a better tactic to try and move the Storm "s defence around a bit but still try and maintain a high completion rate .
They are basically full strength in the middle and Turbo and Koula could well be a bit of an X factor to trouble them . Need to utilize Lehi a bit better also in attacking forays .
Probably still mainly going to come down also on how well the Manly defence can measure up to keep them in the contest

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yeah , i think it would be a better tactic to try and move the Storm "s defence around a bit but still try and maintain a high completion rate .
They are basically full strength in the middle and Turbo and Koula could well be a bit of an X factor to trouble them . Need to utilize Lehi a bit better also in attacking forays .
Probably still mainly going to come down also on how well the Manly defence can measure up to keep them in the contest

If I was coach I’d go with the “ let’s keep it really simple “ , try and hold the middle first and see what that brings.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Yeah , i think it would be a better tactic to try and move the Storm "s defence around a bit but still try and maintain a high completion rate .
They are basically full strength in the middle and Turbo and Koula could well be a bit of an X factor to trouble them . Need to utilize Lehi a bit better also in attacking forays .
Probably still mainly going to come down also on how well the Manly defence can measure up to keep them in the contest

Yep. Also The Villain (DCE, lol) and his long kicking game will be vital to keep them of our line.

 

[manly al]

Yep. Also The Villain (DCE, lol) and his long kicking game will be vital to keep them of our line.

Any advantage , however small , has certainly have to be worked on