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Hasler: we were bad, but referee did us no favours
Greg Prichard | August 21, 2007
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...ea-eagles-giant/2007/08/20/1187462178432.html
The challenge for Manly coach Des Hasler last night after his Sea Eagles were grounded was to find the balance between his disappointment at Sean Hampstead's refereeing and the need to fix where his team went wrong in going down to South Sydney. He had pretty much achieved that before he left Telstra Stadium.
"It was a tough night," Hasler said. "Some of it was self-inflicted and some of it wasn't. We had our chance to win and if you're leading 18-6, you shouldn't lose football games from there. But I've got to say - without taking anything away from the South Sydney victory - that I've got some questions for the ref about some of the decisions in the second half.
"The 50-50 calls went against us. They got penalised for a high shot, which was fair enough, but then [Manly fullback] Brett Stewart cops a high shot but because he gets up, we don't get the penalty. There were some inconsistencies in Sean Hampstead's game."
Hasler said he didn't think Hampstead was a bad referee, but that inadequacies in his officiating should be highlighted. "I think he has had some good games," he said. "But I'll talk to [referees' boss] Mr Finch about it tonight and it'll be the touchie's fault. The penalties were two-all at half-time, but Souths got the next four and we didn't get another one until the 74th minute."
Hasler was also upset that Hampstead ruled a knock-on from Manly forward Jack Afamasaga six minutes into the match. Replays showed the ball had been stripped from Afamasaga's grasp by Souths prop Roy Asotasi, in a two-man tackle. The Sea Eagles led 6-0 at that stage, but the Rabbitohs scored from the ensuing set to level matters.
Manly led 18-6 at half-time, but not before having to defend six straight sets from Souths approaching the 30-minute mark. The Sea Eagles finished the half well, but weren't the same team in the second period. That defensive effort had taken plenty out of them. They might have been able to hang on with an even share of possession after the interval, but they couldn't get that.
A combination of mistakes and the run of penalties against them made sure of that.
"Our game wasn't as good as it should have been," Hasler said. "Our kicking game let us down at times and we made other mistakes that we shouldn't have. We've got to fix that, because we're spending too much energy in defence. The loss isn't a disaster, but you don't want things halting your momentum at this stage of the season."
Souths could smell the vulnerability in Manly during the second half. They came back to lock the game up at 18-18 and after that, just kept making for quick play-the-balls and running at the defence while it was still on the back foot. The Rabbitohs knew exactly what to do and they were doing it well as the game moved into the last 20 minutes.
The game was looking for one of two things to turn on - a big mistake or a moment of brilliance. Manly halfback Michael Monaghan kept torpedo-bombing Souths fullback Nathan Merritt, who kept catching the ball.
Finally, Souths lock Ben Rogers chip-kicked early in the tackle count and winger Fetuli Talanoa chased and scored. Fortune favoured the brave.
Now Manly have to get ready to play the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday. Hasler said halfback Matt Orford would be back for that game after missing last night's match with a thigh injury.
Greg Prichard | August 21, 2007
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...ea-eagles-giant/2007/08/20/1187462178432.html
The challenge for Manly coach Des Hasler last night after his Sea Eagles were grounded was to find the balance between his disappointment at Sean Hampstead's refereeing and the need to fix where his team went wrong in going down to South Sydney. He had pretty much achieved that before he left Telstra Stadium.
"It was a tough night," Hasler said. "Some of it was self-inflicted and some of it wasn't. We had our chance to win and if you're leading 18-6, you shouldn't lose football games from there. But I've got to say - without taking anything away from the South Sydney victory - that I've got some questions for the ref about some of the decisions in the second half.
"The 50-50 calls went against us. They got penalised for a high shot, which was fair enough, but then [Manly fullback] Brett Stewart cops a high shot but because he gets up, we don't get the penalty. There were some inconsistencies in Sean Hampstead's game."
Hasler said he didn't think Hampstead was a bad referee, but that inadequacies in his officiating should be highlighted. "I think he has had some good games," he said. "But I'll talk to [referees' boss] Mr Finch about it tonight and it'll be the touchie's fault. The penalties were two-all at half-time, but Souths got the next four and we didn't get another one until the 74th minute."
Hasler was also upset that Hampstead ruled a knock-on from Manly forward Jack Afamasaga six minutes into the match. Replays showed the ball had been stripped from Afamasaga's grasp by Souths prop Roy Asotasi, in a two-man tackle. The Sea Eagles led 6-0 at that stage, but the Rabbitohs scored from the ensuing set to level matters.
Manly led 18-6 at half-time, but not before having to defend six straight sets from Souths approaching the 30-minute mark. The Sea Eagles finished the half well, but weren't the same team in the second period. That defensive effort had taken plenty out of them. They might have been able to hang on with an even share of possession after the interval, but they couldn't get that.
A combination of mistakes and the run of penalties against them made sure of that.
"Our game wasn't as good as it should have been," Hasler said. "Our kicking game let us down at times and we made other mistakes that we shouldn't have. We've got to fix that, because we're spending too much energy in defence. The loss isn't a disaster, but you don't want things halting your momentum at this stage of the season."
Souths could smell the vulnerability in Manly during the second half. They came back to lock the game up at 18-18 and after that, just kept making for quick play-the-balls and running at the defence while it was still on the back foot. The Rabbitohs knew exactly what to do and they were doing it well as the game moved into the last 20 minutes.
The game was looking for one of two things to turn on - a big mistake or a moment of brilliance. Manly halfback Michael Monaghan kept torpedo-bombing Souths fullback Nathan Merritt, who kept catching the ball.
Finally, Souths lock Ben Rogers chip-kicked early in the tackle count and winger Fetuli Talanoa chased and scored. Fortune favoured the brave.
Now Manly have to get ready to play the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday. Hasler said halfback Matt Orford would be back for that game after missing last night's match with a thigh injury.
