Match Discussion: Round 14 vs Sea Eagles @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Knight Vision]

We don't have a killer instinct or something (I don't want to say desire) to be an elite team.

this

Very hesitant and nervous team that lacks the confidence and swagger of a top team. We chase quite well but fail to lead well.

 

[mozza91]

Was uglier than a grog bog but still a very important win.

I feel like it gets said after every win but we don’t win that game a few years back. Great stuff from Ponga and Tuala coming up with the clutch play.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Just following up on a comment I made early in the game. That was the best game that Fitz has had in a while, definitely this season at least. Looked dangerous running the ball and hit hard in defence too. I would like to see him play that way consistently.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I got my time wrong on this one. I caught the half time score late and tuned in to watch the last 3 minutes.
Based on that a win is a win.
According to the comments here we have a lot to work on. I like that in contrast to when we can't fault the team. Maybe not finding much fault last week and with Manly having more players out lead to complacency?

 

[Silent Knight]

this

Very hesitant and nervous team that lacks the confidence and swagger of a top team. We chase quite well but fail to lead well.

Whereas under Brown last year it was the complete opposite. If we scored early we would usually go on with it. But if the opposition scored early we’d hang our heads and let them run right over us.

I would definitely prefer this year’s team where we fight irrespective of being behind. First and foremost we need to have a crack, which we did today.

 

[PhilGould]

Mann throwing his body onto that loose ball at the end epitomises how important he's been for the team this whole season

 

[Zoidberg]

Mann throwing his body onto that loose ball at the end epitomises how important he's been for the team this whole season

Big play

 

[Alex28]

Anyone else feel upset like we lost?

I don't care how hard Manly tried, we should've been good enough to win by 3 tries today.

I think at the end with the Pearce intercept sums our team up well. We get the intercept and then a team like the Storm or Roosters will be looking to put you to the sword, instead our mentality is slow it down so we don't make a mistake.

We don't have a killer instinct or something (I don't want to say desire) to be an elite team.

If winning makes you feel like this, perhaps you need to spend your two hours differently...

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Mann throwing his body onto that loose ball at the end epitomises how important he's been for the team this whole season

I thought the same when I saw that. He seemed to pick up a sternum injury earlier and then threw himself on that loose ball without any self preservation to snuff out any chance for Manly. The bloke is just a footballer. Hard to find an obvious position for him but he’s just the kind of player you find a spot for in the 17 and let him play.

 

[Knight Vision]

Just looking at the stats and wow they killed us in the kicking game.

We managed only 374 mtrs !!! I cant recall a lower kick mtr.( they had 594 kick mtrs ) We also failed to defuse their kicks ( only 56%) and they had far more attacking kicks.

Big factor for mine.

 

[AusKnightRKO]

I thought the same when I saw that. He seemed to pick up a sternum injury earlier and then threw himself on that loose ball without any self preservation to snuff out any chance for Manly. The bloke is just a footballer. Hard to find an obvious position for him but he’s just the kind of player you find a spot for in the 17 and let him play.

Kurt Mann is very much like the Lleyton Hewitt of league, lacks a lot of skill needed to play the positions he does, but just makes up for it with an amount of effort and never say die attitude that a very very small group of players in the entire game could match.

 

[Silent Knight]

Anyone else feel upset like we lost?

I don't care how hard Manly tried, we should've been good enough to win by 3 tries today.

I think at the end with the Pearce intercept sums our team up well. We get the intercept and then a team like the Storm or Roosters will be looking to put you to the sword, instead our mentality is slow it down so we don't make a mistake.

We don't have a killer instinct or something (I don't want to say desire) to be an elite team.

I just feel relieved because every win goes towards ending our finals drought. I just want our boys to be there in September, they’ve worked hard and deserve it.

 

[Knight Vision]

I just feel relieved because every win goes towards ending our finals drought. I just want our boys to be there in September, they’ve worked hard and deserve it.

we're a work in progress, certainly headed in the right direction and will be better across the board going into next season,

Frustrating to watch at times but if we click at the pointy end of this year we'll worry a few teams

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Kurt Mann is very much like the Lleyton Hewitt of league, lacks a lot of skill needed to play the positions he does, but just makes up for it with an amount of effort and never say die attitude that a very very small group of players in the entire game could match.

Bear in mind Lleyton Hewitt was world no.1 for quite some time. I don’t think Mann will ever be considered as one of the NRL’s best players but I get what you’re saying haha.

Funny that you say that actually, I’m a big tennis fan and Hewitt is one of my favourite all time players for that reason, massively over-achieved in his career based on his natural ability but always had a dig and had a habit of winning when he has no right to.

Mann could very well end up being a 150-200 game NRL player which really highlights how tough he is.

 

[Silent Knight]

we're a work in progress, certainly headed in the right direction and will be better across the board going into next season,

Frustrating to watch at times but if we click at the pointy end of this year we'll worry a few teams

I don’t think it can be overstated the impact that a fully fit Jayden Brailey and Tyson Frizell will have on our 2021 squad, knock on wood fingers crossed they stay injury-free. Next year is our window I think, provided we extend Blake Green.

 

[Apey]

Pearce maybe did 1 good kick with how windy it was all game.

Ponga needs to go back to picking his passes. Complete rocks or diamonds with his passing game today. Surprised he didn't throw an intercept honestly.

We won and that's the important thing. Shit game all up from us.

 

[Allstar Knights]

Anyone feel that Crossland isn't that good from dummy half? Hooker isn't his natural position and it shows. He just looks a bit lost at times and he's not really adding anything to the table so far.

I would give the rookie a spell and go with a straight swap for Randall next week. He's looked comfortable in FG when given an opportunity and hooker is his primary position. The guy will tackle his backside off too.

 

[perverse]

Anyone feel that Crossland isn't that good from dummy half? Hooker isn't his natural position and it shows. He just looks a bit lost at times and he's not really adding anything to the table so far.

I would go with a straight swap for Randall next week. He's looked comfortable in FG when given an opportunity and hooker is his primary position. The guy will tackle his backside off too.

I haven't seen anything from Crossland to suggest he's more than a reserve grader at this point. Yet to be convinced. Randall showed more in one game, for sure.

 

[Allstar Knights]

I haven't seen anything from Crossland to suggest he's more than a reserve grader at this point. Yet to be convinced. Randall showed more in one game, for sure.

I feel like he might cost us at a crucial stage of the match.

Randall just seems a better and safer option

 

[slotmachine]

Barnett is our second best forward after klem. Change my mind