Match Discussion: Round 14 vs Manly @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Apey]

I think last night was a good advertisement that the take that we can’t play attacking football because of our forwards is complete BS. In the second half we were making a heap of metres because we were throwing it around. In the first half when we were trying to play a grinding and physical game with Manly is when we couldn’t compete.

I thought some of the young blokes were fantastic under the circumstances. McEwan and ESL definitely didn’t look out of place, and there’s something special about Hunt. There’s been a lot of talk that we’re going to get destroyed next year due to lack of forward experience which is likely true, but I think the injection of youth last night was great for the squad. They didn’t get bogged down by previous results or form, they just played footy.

Definitely KPP’s best half of footy at the club. Such a shame he’s taken this long to show it as I reckon we would have been happy to match the 600k if he’d been showing this consistently.

Thought Brailey was great last night and I admit I’d written him off before the game. Crossland was immense defensively too.

To his credit, I don’t have much to say negatively about Cogger last night. He stayed out of the way and his game saving try saving tackle was immense.

Sharpe is just…special. There was a play where he went down the blind side on the last, he was held back and Schiller went the wrong play but it was the definition of eyes up footy. That play actually reminded me of Johns a bit. I thought he was a lot better on the right too which is helpful because Brown is better on the left.

Ponga’s obviously still not where we need him to be but I like that in the second half he wanted to be involved. Loved that he wanted the ball in his hands in GP and scoring that try must have felt really good for him after struggling for the Knights and QLD.

Gags was immense in that second 40. If he can maintain the second 40 form I reckon they’ll work a contract out.

On negatives the first half was horrible obviously. Some of our defence was horrible too. We can’t seem to put both attack and defence together. Also a bit concerned that all it took was a bit of booing for them to turn on. Why couldn’t they have a go without being booed?

Schiller was given a complete bath in the centres. Have to give credit to AOB for swapping them at half time and to Schiller’s credit he kept playing.

Anyway it was fun to actually enjoy a win like that. It’s been a while. Not taking anything from it though. I’m sure next week we’ll go straight back to trying to play grinding football with the Roosters despite having no forwards to do so.

Brailey changed the game for us when he came on imo. Must realise he needs to pick up his game immensely if he wants to ever see first grade in Canberra next year.

KPP was fantastic with ball in hand but he conceded a minimum of two line breaks with his lazy attempts. We all know he'll put it all together somewhere else.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

They need to watch that second half on repeat in the coming days. That is the blueprint for how this team needs to play from now on. We don’t have the forward to grind with the opposition, we basically need to get early ball to our backs and play some free flowing footy.

I don’t think we’re getting anywhere near the 8 this year but I just want to see us play that style of football for the rest of the season.

 

[Sans Souci Saint]

 

[The Axe of Druss]

KPP was fantastic with ball in hand but he conceded a minimum of two line breaks with his lazy attempts. We all know he'll put it all together somewhere else.

He made 47 and missed 1

 

[Zoidberg]

Let’s just hope this is the baseline for our performances from here. Learn what worked and stick with it.

 

[Apey]

He made 47 and missed 1

He is a good defender overall he just seems prone to some bad lapses. One of them probably didn't count because he didn't get a hand to him (Manly 16 all, linebreak with DCE getting tackled) but watching it again, it wasn't his fault initially because someone rushed out of the line, but still a lazy effort. Maybe too harsh since it was like 68 minutes in.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

By the way, I'm not sure if it's been posted in here yet but some little f**kwit sent a message to James Schiller's Insta after the game last night threatening his life... Some people are f**king pathetic

 

[Apey]

By the way, I'm not sure if it's been posted in here yet but some little f**kwit sent a message to James Schiller's Insta after the game last night threatening his life... Some people are f**king patheticView attachment 102789

A royal f**kwit but I'll give him some credit that last one was pretty creative.

 

[perverse]

Wow. Theres no excuse for that kind of direct and personal abuse. Talking about their playing ability is one thing, it's what we're all here to do, but wishing that kind of hate on someone over football is f**king unhinged.

 

[Apey]

Wow. Theres no excuse for that kind of direct and personal abuse. Talking about their playing ability is one thing, it's what we're all here to do, but wishing that kind of hate on someone over football is f**king unhinged.

The merkins ruined my bet and my tipping (used my joker) and calling them merkins in this sentence is the worst thing I've said!

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

The difference between the halved shows how we lack leadership on the field.
Blind Freddy could see what we were trying in the first half wasn't working but it took the half time talk to change tactics.
We need a leader on the field but I have no clue who is up to it.

 

[Woosh]

The difference between the halved shows how we lack leadership on the field.
Blind Freddy could see what we were trying in the first half wasn't working but it took the half time talk to change tactics.
We need a leader on the field but I have no clue who is up to it.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Crazy to think we now have as many wins on the board as the Dragons who are in 8th place

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Only posting in here because there's not a game thread for next week's game yet..

Toohey is reporting that Hastings will play first grade next week at halfback

 

[macavity]

Only posting in here because there's not a game thread for next week's game yet..

Toohey is reporting that Hastings will play first grade next week at halfback

Cogger injured?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Cogger injured?

I'm not sure. Someone asked Toohey if he was suspended though and he said no.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Cogger injured?

Unless Sharpe is moving back to fullback with KP being out for Origin

 

[Apey]

Christ, can't wait for all the commentary about 'another halves pairing'.

 

[macavity]

Unless Sharpe is moving back to fullback with KP being out for Origin

yeah didn’t think of that

guess gamble still isn’t good to go, thumbs take a while

 

[Woody90]

Unless Sharpe is moving back to fullback with KP being out for Origin

This would 100% be the case. If Ponga’s not picked for Origin Hastings won’t play.