Team v Manly

[Blair]

...Robson's main issue is plod defense, so maybe there is something they can do to ensure he has a bit more support outside and in - he tackles fine in the tight. Dunno. Definitely a plod.
But maybe he will come goodish.

Watching a replay of last weekends game I thought Robson came goodish in the second half.

He linked well, distributing the ball better than most, played most of the right plays at the right time and made most of his tackles. This included a crucial tackle on Nikorima at the death, where he was a good pass or a jink away from winning the game. Sure Nikorima ran straight at him, but still, drop off the tackle and it was likely game over.

Unfortunately, as agreed, Robson isn't very quick on his feet, but neither is TL, and I think Robson's a far better passer.

ps when was the last time we beat Manly? It's becoming a bit of a joke! Don't tell me it was at Brookie in '09, with Stacey and Denan Kemp promising great things for the season ahead.

 

[Evil_Mush]

The last time we beat Manly was in 2013. But the time before that was that 2009 game! And the time before that in 2007! And the time before that in 2005! So 3 times in 10 years (29% record against them overall).
Still not as bad as our Dragons record though (1 win in the past 10 years, back in 2007, the ONLY other 3 wins for our measly 17% winning record since they've been a joint-venture being in 99/01/03)...

As much as I'm supporting the boys to win, I might just put a sneaky tenner on Manly who last I checked were still the outsiders somehow!

 

[sup42]

Somebody just needs to tell Wright, he is actually big, strong and fast...I swear he does not get it...

We all know Robson doesn't run. His Kicking isn't the best.

But what are your thoughts about his dropping the ball at the moment....surely this is not Robsons regular Jam.

Surely he is out of form.

What about the terrible defence ? he is capable of better is he not?

We don't need a flash half at all.

I still believe if Robson gets back to where he was at the Sharks (I saw a reliable plodder with good organising) that he is the right man for the Job at the Warriors.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

What about the terrible defence ? he is capable of better is he not?

We don't need a flash half at all.

I still believe if Robson gets back to where he was at the Sharks (I saw a reliable plodder with good organising) that he is the right man for the Job at the Warriors.

Is he? I mean we all got chubbed up about his bootlace tackles over and again v us last year...and that's not the issue. He's getting skinned on his outside shoulder, which at 34 (?) should mean pace, and lack thereof (you'd hate to think defensive positioning). Kata has done really well outside him to not be consistently sucked in and exposed.

I agree wholeheartedly with the last paragraph and did upon his signing too. I still think he's doing enough well, with the distribution and TAs he is producing. The dropped ball will get sorted, he's better than that. I'm not so certain the defence will, and he'll be targeted by quick feet.

With TL, it's almost like Kon - leave him out of the side and if the incumbents don't do well, there's a groundswell of support that doesn't match what they got when they were in the side week to week.

 

[ozbash]

TL should see a couple of weeks in NSW Cup..

 

[Penrose Warrior]

TL should see a couple of weeks in NSW Cup..

Agree 100%. There is no reason to rush him in when Tevaga is doing a very decent job, and isn't being asked to play big minutes.

 

[Blair]

...As much as I'm supporting the boys to win, I might just put a sneaky tenner on Manly who last I checked were still the outsiders somehow!

Nah don't, bro. In the 80th minute, when we're leading 18-16 and desperately defending our line, you don't want that sneaky voice popping up saying "C'mon Manly!", even though the rest of you will say the opposite.

 

[JJ]

Agree 100%. There is no reason to rush him in when Tevaga is doing a very decent job, and isn't being asked to play big minutes.

Me too - Tevaga has been much better than I expected, I'd prefer he stays in the 17 and the #7 is betwee RObson and TL - who are both plodders imo... start of the season I thought Robson was the better option, he's doing a great job of making me seem wrong...

Despite all the solid man, leadership stuff around TL (Robson offers the same - and it's not like we're suddenly very good with TL on the field) I don't understand the necessity for him being I the 17 especially when he hasn't played for a year - and he's a very limited half as well

 

[Cold Roses]

Despite all the solid man, leadership stuff around TL (Robson offers the same - and it's not like we're suddenly very good with TL on the field) I don't understand the necessity for him being I the 17 especially when he hasn't played for a year - and he's a very limited half as well

I'm definitely not one of the 'Lolohea to half' will magically win us our first premiership brigade, but there was an interesting piece on NRL 360 last night.

Lolohea in an interview, said that any chance he gets, he trains with the spine. Apparently McFadden is the one pushing it.

It's good to know that if the need arises he might be ready for the move. Hopefully he's taking it seriously and doing plenty of extras with his kicking game.

 

[JJ]

I'm definitely not one of the 'Lolohea to half' will magically win us our first premiership brigade, but there was an interesting piece on NRL 360 last night.

Lolohea in an interview, said that any chance he gets, he trains with the spine. Apparently McFadden is the one pushing it.

It's good to know that if the need arises he might be ready for the move. Hopefully he's taking it seriously and doing plenty of extras with his kicking game.

Yeah - great that he's getting consistent 1st grade, I'd have preferred it closer to the action at centre...

Longer-term I'd see him at 6... problem is unless something changes I don't see how he and Johnson are compatible there - they really need what they hoped Robson could provide - a steady organiser at 7 - he's not been up to it yet, and as far as I am concerned RL has shown he's not...

 

[Blair]

...they really need what they hoped Robson could provide - a steady organiser at 7 - he's not been up to it yet...

It seems we've given our superstar 'spine' - new players Luke, Tuivasa-Sheck, and Johnson (returning from injury) - more time to settle in than Robson, a player of much lower natural talent and, therefore, expectation.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Agree 100%. There is no reason to rush him in when Tevaga is doing a very decent job, and isn't being asked to play big minutes.

Yep
It's an unnecessary change for me.
He's been out the best part of a year and doesn't even get a warm up game?
I'd see the logic if we didn't have another player filling that role, but as you've mentioned Tevaga is filling that, more than adequately.

 

[JJ]

It seems we've given our superstar 'spine' - new players Luke, Tuivasa-Sheck, and Johnson (returning from injury) - more time to settle in than Robson, a player of much lower natural talent and, therefore, expectation.

Very much so

 

[TheDMC]

Yep
It's an unnecessary change for me.
He's been out the best part of a year and doesn't even get a warm up game?
I'd see the logic if we didn't have another player filling that role, but as you've mentioned Tevaga is filling that, more than adequately.

Agreed. And a big reason why for me is that TL is not one of those rare players who comes back from injury and is straight back into the groove. He has been injured plenty and by memory pretty crap on return for awhile. Should be getting reserve grade action.

Cappy said no point reserve grade for him cause risk of reinjury the same. Last part is true but he is missing the point IMO, its not about injury its about ensuring he has some game fitness and form under his belt before coming back to first grade.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Reading between the lines that could mean that Cappy is just unhappy with Plodson.

 

[Meth]

It seems we've given our superstar 'spine' - new players Luke, Tuivasa-Sheck, and Johnson (returning from injury) - more time to settle in than Robson, a player of much lower natural talent and, therefore, expectation.

I think its because the value he adds to the spine is a little harder to read from the sideline, and his handling errors and missed tackles are obvious (and somewhat inexcusable)

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Did you get to see Manly's last game V Souths Meth ?

I did....I Always watch the team lined up to face the Warriors the following week....the Missus only lets me watch two games a round....so I chose oour next opponent.....have done since the year 1995....the good lady has stuck with me that long.

Manly...(after watching them) are red hot favorites to win this.

Watch the full game if you can folks...the highlights on sky are bollocks (same as the Warrior highlights....you could be forgiven for thinking the Warriors are the best team since sliced bread if you only had their highlights to go off).

Manly engineered more than forty tackles in the Rabbits redzone.....this is after conceding a sixteen nil scoreline.....can we imagine the score were Manly to have forty plus tackles in the Warriors redzone ?

Tapau shut Thom Burgess and Sam up....that's when Manly went up a gear.....Brett the Snake fullback fired them up in defence....they forced multiple turn overs from Souths with that classic Manly agressive line speed.

Koroisau started running and opened up souths D line with his stepping at will....they are a better side with him in there than they are with DCE.

I'm glad we get to face an opponent this week who arrive supremely confident that they know how to thrash us.

We need the test.

To my way of thinking...this game looms as the hardest of the entire season (based on Manly's desperation....historical confidence over us...and our relative weak points during our weakest part of a season proper).

The Chooks just comfortably beat the Rabbitohs, who got over Manly. I think our last weeks showing actually reflects pretty well on us in comparison to the Sea Eagles, I certainly wouldn't have them red hot favourites.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

The Chooks just comfortably beat the Rabbitohs, who got over Manly. I think our last weeks showing actually reflects pretty well on us in comparison to the Sea Eagles, I certainly wouldn't have them red hot favourites.

Don't you wish it was that easy.
Warriors > Roosters
Bunnies > Manly
Roosters > Bunnies
Must mean
Warriors > Manly.
It's in the bag!

 

[Matua]

Did you get to see Manly's last game V Souths Meth ?

I did....I Always watch the team lined up to face the Warriors the following week....the Missus only lets me watch two games a round....so I chose oour next opponent.....have done since the year 1995....the good lady has stuck with me that long.

Ok, two things stand out for me in this post.

She's a good lady who only lets you watch two games a week?

Why have you stuck with her that long?

;-)

Oh, and Manly are favourites definitely, for some reason the Warriors have an inability to better their style of game.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Don't you wish it was that easy.
Warriors > Roosters
Bunnies > Manly
Roosters > Bunnies
Must mean
Warriors > Manly.
It's in the bag!

Very true. my point was just there is actually very little between any of these teams on the day. The roosters aren't the complete numpties that their recent form might suggest. And the Rabbits aren't exactly premiership contenders right now.

In my opinion there's nothing between 12 of the 16 sides this year. The Broncos, Cowboys and Storm are out in front, and the Knights are near locks for the spoon (though even they have shown glimpses of form). Of the others anyone could beat anyone on the day.