cf2 is back
Reserve Grader
THE GOOD:
Well what an awesome performance that was. We looked the better team in the first half yet due to a disgraceful penalty found ourselves down 10-4 at the break. That would have worried most teams but not the Manly of 2011. The first set of 6 in the 2nd half was very telling as we burst onto each pass with ferocity to charge down field. First a hard earned T Rex try, then the freakishly awesome leaping Lyon try to put us back into the lead.
This is where the match reached it's defining moment. At 16-10 with 20 minutes to go the next try was obviously the absolute key to the match. Our defence became even more bone jarring and our attack was starting to sizzle when DCE did what we've all been waiting for by finally backing himself with the ball. What a reward it was bursting through the gap, stepping of his left foot and wooshker he's under the posts. The disbelief on his face was nearly as good as the flood of praise from Gus who summed it up perfectly stating that try as the attacking confidence shot in the arm DCE'S been needing. How prophetic were those words when the confidence shot became a triple booster injection just minutes later as Brett took the diving catch, roll and simultaneous pass of the season to a flying DCE for his second try. As Gus said WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!
Just an awesome piece of football and in the blink of an eye the game was all over. Hoppa's brilliant dive in the corner sealed the perfect 30-0 second half. Once again an excellent defensive effort and you'd have to say a very very good one in attack. Yes yes I know they were missing Locker but I'm not sure he could have closed a 24 point gap on his own. A very good win and another valuable 2 points. Has anyone ever seen Dessie that relaxed in the box? Me thinks not!
Individually, and apologies for using the same words yet again in this report, but there was simply not a weak performance in the team. Brett's performance, purely for the wave of relief it gave us all that he really is physically ok, was absolutely a joy to watch. How much better are we with his wonderful attack (and how about that try saving 1st half tackle). Hoppa again was simply superb (Hoppa with the greatest of respect can't you can become a missionary for life when you turn 32?!). Wolfman was solid with limited ball, Matai and Lyon were superb, and DCE a joy to behold as mentioned.
In the forwards Kingy and George were obviously both hurt, but Kitey, Joe and Robinson all worked tirelessly up front. Watmough was outstanding with 15 runs for 142 metres and 29 crunching tackles, Glenn was hugely improved in attack, finally straightening his running lines and looking very dangerous as a result, and as always a brick wall in defence with some massively aggressive tackling. T Rex looked annoyingly dangerous with his usual bag of ponderously lazy runs peppered with one or two steamrollers. If only this guy could realise he's a runaway freight train that just needs to wind up full tilt and cause constant carnage.
And of course that brings us to the weekly man of the match. Once again Foran the incredible wowed us with his wonderful runs at the line, time and again sending deliciously timed passes to put runners though holes. I know I keep saying it but he just gets better and better and better every week. In fact it's scary thinking just how much better he's going to get. He is truly something special for us all to saviour, as echoed by the understandably gushing Gus in the box.
THE BAD:
Nothing. Ok I thought of something. Why was Buhrer, normally such a vital 50-60 minute player, held back until the 73rd minute? Anyone got a clue? I know it's hardly a "BAD" entry, but an odd one nonetheless.
THE UGLY:
Not being at Brookie tonight. Being a 20 year plus season ticket holder my 12 Brookie home games are like precious jewels so it pains me to just give one away. I can only hope the gate takings rewarded us as much as the fantastic 2 points tonight.
Well what an awesome performance that was. We looked the better team in the first half yet due to a disgraceful penalty found ourselves down 10-4 at the break. That would have worried most teams but not the Manly of 2011. The first set of 6 in the 2nd half was very telling as we burst onto each pass with ferocity to charge down field. First a hard earned T Rex try, then the freakishly awesome leaping Lyon try to put us back into the lead.
This is where the match reached it's defining moment. At 16-10 with 20 minutes to go the next try was obviously the absolute key to the match. Our defence became even more bone jarring and our attack was starting to sizzle when DCE did what we've all been waiting for by finally backing himself with the ball. What a reward it was bursting through the gap, stepping of his left foot and wooshker he's under the posts. The disbelief on his face was nearly as good as the flood of praise from Gus who summed it up perfectly stating that try as the attacking confidence shot in the arm DCE'S been needing. How prophetic were those words when the confidence shot became a triple booster injection just minutes later as Brett took the diving catch, roll and simultaneous pass of the season to a flying DCE for his second try. As Gus said WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!
Just an awesome piece of football and in the blink of an eye the game was all over. Hoppa's brilliant dive in the corner sealed the perfect 30-0 second half. Once again an excellent defensive effort and you'd have to say a very very good one in attack. Yes yes I know they were missing Locker but I'm not sure he could have closed a 24 point gap on his own. A very good win and another valuable 2 points. Has anyone ever seen Dessie that relaxed in the box? Me thinks not!
Individually, and apologies for using the same words yet again in this report, but there was simply not a weak performance in the team. Brett's performance, purely for the wave of relief it gave us all that he really is physically ok, was absolutely a joy to watch. How much better are we with his wonderful attack (and how about that try saving 1st half tackle). Hoppa again was simply superb (Hoppa with the greatest of respect can't you can become a missionary for life when you turn 32?!). Wolfman was solid with limited ball, Matai and Lyon were superb, and DCE a joy to behold as mentioned.
In the forwards Kingy and George were obviously both hurt, but Kitey, Joe and Robinson all worked tirelessly up front. Watmough was outstanding with 15 runs for 142 metres and 29 crunching tackles, Glenn was hugely improved in attack, finally straightening his running lines and looking very dangerous as a result, and as always a brick wall in defence with some massively aggressive tackling. T Rex looked annoyingly dangerous with his usual bag of ponderously lazy runs peppered with one or two steamrollers. If only this guy could realise he's a runaway freight train that just needs to wind up full tilt and cause constant carnage.
And of course that brings us to the weekly man of the match. Once again Foran the incredible wowed us with his wonderful runs at the line, time and again sending deliciously timed passes to put runners though holes. I know I keep saying it but he just gets better and better and better every week. In fact it's scary thinking just how much better he's going to get. He is truly something special for us all to saviour, as echoed by the understandably gushing Gus in the box.
THE BAD:
Nothing. Ok I thought of something. Why was Buhrer, normally such a vital 50-60 minute player, held back until the 73rd minute? Anyone got a clue? I know it's hardly a "BAD" entry, but an odd one nonetheless.
THE UGLY:
Not being at Brookie tonight. Being a 20 year plus season ticket holder my 12 Brookie home games are like precious jewels so it pains me to just give one away. I can only hope the gate takings rewarded us as much as the fantastic 2 points tonight.
