Manly are trying to play Parra for chumps. And they've picked an easy target.
Allgood was worried before the last match, or more accurately he is worried nearly every match. He said in the media that he was still thinking about the McGuire incident - and he still will be. As soon as an angry ant like Matai was in front of him he struck out, after he already had a bit of a brainsnap with his weird swinging arm. So we all know that Mitch is easily put off and lacks discipline.
Then we've got Ricky Stuart who is a firecracker. His gameplan and preparation are already s**t and it won't take much for him to wind his players up over a small thing like this. They need something to aspire too - the finals are gone and playing for contracts doesn't seem to be working. Expect his lack of focus to rub off on the team.
And that is where the problem lies - Parra have a young, weak team that is under pressure and has little to gain. They are easily distracted and vulnerable. Foran will spend the next week "talking it up" (his words) and half the young 'uns in the Parra squad won't be able to get their minds off the potential for the battle of brookie to kick start again. They know Allgood is thinking about it, they are going to hear it from Ricky, and they think that Manly are keen for it.
There will be no stink and Manly will put 30 on them while they've got their mind on other things. It's all a bit of hype and gamesmanship. There is no other way to sell tickets to this game or make any interest, so the media will jump on it. This is strictly s**ts and giggles.
