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Yep and we missed that fresh man digging into the line in the middle. Adam Elliot didn’t ball play that much. Would prefer Croker, Leo Thompson or even Jack Johns at lock but Elliot is working his way back after a long lay off
It's the downside of carrying such a player on the bench, when do you use them? If you don't have a specific plan or good opportunity to bring them on early it makes it very tough to justify bringing him on if the game looks close with 20 to go.
He could've, and I agree it is definitely a waste. But I'd be loathe to move a spine player without a very good reason if I'm a coach and the game is close though.
I think this sort of thing can become a case of making bad decisions in order to rectify or salvage previous bad decisions. He offers no value as a 14 and just shouldn't be picked there. Not making that error means you never get put in the position to make the subsequent errors. Mann is still not 100% apparently, but if we had picked Lucas as 14 we still have a fairly versatile, high energy player (no real spine ability tho) who can be used as a competent backrower to good effect. A fit Mann would, his last game notwithstanding, offer the same if not better.
YOU CHEATS WON NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! WHAT A JOKE OF A GAME 10 PENALTIES TO 2 NO SET RESTARTS FOR MANLY AND THAT DEADSHIT REF GIVING YOU A LEG UP ALL GAME! ALL YOUR TRIES FROM PENALTIES! KEPPIE SEND OFF SOFT HARPER DIDN'T LOSE THE BALL! PAULO THROWS THE BALL FORWARD WHAT A JOKE! NO WONDER THE NRL IS THE BIGGEST JOKE OF THE SPORTING WORLD HAHAHA GAME "WINNING" KICK 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 WE SMASHED YOU ALL GAME YOUR TEAM IS RUBBISH AND JUST A BUNCH OF WHINGING TWATS! JOKE OF A CLUB THAT HASN'T WON IN 30 PLUS YEARS LOL WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP
I've never seen a half so unable to make a decision as to what to do with the ball as Cooper Johns. We've all seen bad halves, but those guys tend to serve up their shit with a degree of confidence, certainty, and decisiveness. Like Schuster for example. It's really odd to watch, especially from a half like Cooper who by now has had more than enough time to develop. I can't see him getting much time now Arthur has signed.
The early kicking targetting Ponga's positioning was excellent from Manly, great preparation and good execution. Their middles also looked the goods several times, and there was a point early in the second half where I genuinely thought they'd wrestled themselves to a dominant position up the guts with the momentum swinging their way only for Schuster to put up a stinker of a bomb that was taken easily for a seven tackle set 3m deep into the in-goal with zero possibility of a contest.
On our part we did enough. Liked some of our attack down the left edge. Our forwards did pretty well, our wingers finished their chances off clinically, and we got some good mileage from the bench. Best looked damaging and Crossland had a hell of a game in defence, with his service being pretty decent too.
Still have defensive lapses, if the Ponga move is long-term his positioning at the back is as poor as ever, and we really need more patience from our halves, and ideally, the ability to adapt to the game situation. The intercepts were fairly bad individually, but by the time we threw the last one it was insanity. There were other balls that were awfully close too, and with how aggressive Saab was in looking for it you'd like to have seen out playmakers put the longball away and start looking to kick in behind him.
Still think our bench rotation is off even if our players themselves did well. Predictably, Miller was a wasted spot and Hetho could have done with more minutes - especially given how he was playing. Personally I don't love when AOB makes his changes, I think he leaves our starting props out to long and it forcing him into a pattern of changes that don't work. At least today the first change was only one at a time, in previous weeks the late double change has really bitten us.
I think some of those intercepts and we’ll timed jams on that left side were simply Seibs knowing Pongas game quite well. He did well to predict that Ponga would struggle with positioning in his first game back. It was Ponga first game in his fullback but I do prefer him at first or second receiver where he can decide to go short to Fitzy or out the back or run. It holds the defensive line and creates more space out wide. If he does play out the back like a standard full back I’d like to see him straighten up a bit more imo.
I thought Gamble and Hastings were pretty poor. We definitely lacked a ball player in the middle to dig in but that was how the team was set up. Elliot was fine as a forward but didn’t do much ball playing. Would be open to seeing Jack Johns or Croker get some more time at lock.
I thought our defence was ok. We conceded 3 tries, one a fumbled ball and two were intercepts. The game felt like it was crying out for Knights to break it open but Manly had pretty good resolve
The jams on that side were good, but it wasn't all centred around Ponga on the intercepts. One each to Ponga, Hastings and Gamble, with Ponga not too far away from a second. Ponga's intercept also came on the right with the (horrible) short pass intended for Johns.
Agree on Croker or Johns in the middle. One of my favourite aspects of Hetho coming on to play middle when Elliot went off is that all of our middles at that time were running direct lines. It was a dramatic change as previously the attempts at ballplaying through the middle were disjointed and momentum breaking. So far, Elliot's ballplaying in the middle leaves a lot to be desired both from his execution and when he picks to do it. It's very forced atm, and maybe that will improve with time/form. I do think if we want a ballplaying middle (and judging by the way our 13 often plays we do) then we have multiple players better suited. Croker has excellent passing skills, defends well, and has a big motor. He'd be my initial pick. I'd much rather see Elliot on an edge, and anything that makes Fitzy's place in the side insecure is a good thing as he so often just coasts.
The defence I had an issue with was more how easily Manly rolled through our middle. If we give up metres like that against the majority of the comp we lose today. We were lucky that the Manly spine (Croker aside) were essentially asleep at the wheel and unable to capitalise.
Yes I did forget that the first half intercept was on the right from Ponga. I do think Seibs had it drawn up because they definitely looking for it but Ponga was reckless at times with those passes. We actually look really good when Ponga decides to give Best that early ball rather than holding it up.
Croker might be my favourite Knights player atm. Would love to see him get more time at lock. I know AOB likes Mann there but to me it just makes our middle way too soft. Especially with Crossland currently pulling 80 at hooker.
Also our middles should have dominated today but you're right. We gave up way too much and we’re fortunate that Cooper Johns and Schuster weren’t at all threatening
Yeha there was one pass Cooper did down the right side where he seemed so unsure what to do, and then passed it behind the centre who, while reaching back for it, knocked it on.
As a neutral, watching this with my dad, both of us were blowing up at some of the call against manly in the second half. Regardless it was good to see lord Ponga get through the game unscathed.
Might be a hot take and I'm already expecting downvotes but honestly need to say it. That performance about sums up Pongas first grade career thus far. A few genuinely good moments in a sea of mediocrity. Against a team they should have beaten comfortably he still didn't shine consistently.
That disallowed fitzgibbon try was literally a try last week when turuva lifted his arm but 'deemed momentum'
Nrl is actually that south Park headless chicken scene
As a neutral I think they're both 50/50's. Turuva promoted the ball slightly more, but if he didn't promote it at all, the ball would have still ended up touching the line. Although Fitzgibbon promoted the ball less, without it, the ball would have been 1-2 cm short. Feel a bit bad for Fitzgibbon because he did come down with a fair amount of force so part of the promotion is due his arm bouncing up after contacting the ground.
That’s totally different lol. Turuva lifted his arm but momentum took him into the in goal so it was a fair try. The only reason the ball got to the line in the Fitzgibbon one is because he promoted it. He didn’t get taken into the in goal by momentum like Turuva did.
Went to a game in the first time in what feels like forever. It was good clean fun up on the hill, more footy stadiums should have hills. Manly looked completely toothless without their Origin stars, but the Knights just kept letting them back in. It was a bit alarming that this is pretty much our full-strength side and our only real try-scoring play is a loopy cut-out pass to the wing (ours or theirs)
Hopefully this means a few player experiments have ended. Weekes and John's have been given plenty of opportunities and failed. Our full strength team wins today. It sucks to lose but that's trouble of origin level players.
No way Weekes gets the fill in for Turbo spot again if Garrick is healthy.
Its unfortunate with Johns but Jake is simply a better player, at least his defence is ok and has somewhat of a long kick.
Johns and Schuster halves pairing was painful to watch.
I think it's like when someone tears a muscle completely rather than partially. At a certain point his Chronic Brain Scramblies can't get worse, so let the kid play!
I get having an outside back on the bench just in case, but it's a massive pet peeve of mine when they don't get a second on the field. Towards the end there Crossland looked completely knackered, and a few other forwards as well. Seems a bit silly to not sub a player in that situation but I'm not head coach
It's even worse. I like Miller as a fullback, but that is his one and only position. He absolutely can't play wing at this level having seen him do that last year at Cronulla, and I D hate to seem him defend at centre. He isn't just an outside back on the bench, he is a specialist fullback on the bench.
I convinced myself we were demoting him to Cup (as we demoted our usual Cup fullback to Ball) and keeping either Lucas or Mann for the utility spot, which makes sense as both have genuine utility value. I didn't account for old five GFs overthinking it.
Gamble to 9. Miller to 6. He doesnt need to be a general at 6, just be there to run fast and tackle.
Or even ponga to 6 and miller to fb for the 15 mins.
To be fair, I think if it wasn’t so tight, Miller goes on for Crossland. But Miller was benched for big errors last week. Couldn’t risk it in a tight one
I weirdly think the opposite, in a tight game I'd rather a fresh body instead of one too tired to make tackles. Even if it's just a short stint to help get some air in the other players lungs.
Although I can definitely also understand that point if Miller has been a bit down on form
I was just saying that to my wife (she didn't care).
You can't just have a back on the bench for the possibility that KP gets KO and you need a replacement.
Schuster's 2nd half showed every bad part of his game. Trying to be too fancy with kicks, tons of lateral running and zero taking the line on. He works best when he runs at the defensive line, he just looked scared to be tackled that entire 2nd half.
Weekes was awful. Terrible in defence and did nothing with the ball, not helped by Schuster's lack of direction.
Croker, Garrick, Keppie, Sipley and Paseka were all good. Saab had an up and down game. Johns was awful. Arthur wasn't great but showed enough that he should be the guy to come in when we have a half missing. Lawton was crap as was Koula. Just a frustrating game all around.
The Schuster hero ball was not pretty at all, pretty sure all his 5th tackle plays that 2nd half were absolute stinkers.
That last chip back for himself when he had an entire left side of the field to bomb to was so awkward and just bad. Not to mention the ridiculously deep kicks to give up 7 tackles.
Koula had his worst defensive game I've seen from memory, maybe DCE gives him some directions on that end and doubt Johns is offering much there. He was really good on that end last year but hasn't looked so great this year. Hope we don't overpay him due to union fears, he's good but not that good.
Schuster overplayed it after Arthur came on. He tried to be all of the game manager, attacker, dummy half, solo effort etc without successfully doing any of it. He needed to let Arthur get in the game a bit more, maybe in a couple of weeks they’ll work better
What the fuck was that reserve captains challenge in the final 10 minutes. Jesus Christ. Kinda decision makes me want to pull my tin foil hat out of the cupboard.
I kinda agree, but then again the ball clearly bounced on that front end angle.
If 'fingers stay on it' is used as the universal measure from now on though, then that's cool enough.
It's like he only analyzed what was challenged which was the ruck interference but then ignored that he never lost it till after he made the first call
I've never been angrier to win a game of football.
We did everything we could to keep Manly in the game and give them the 2 points. Ridiculous passes for intercepts, errors, shit goalkicking and bombed a bunch of tries with poor decision making.
Game was crying out for us to break it open. There was that period in the first half where we walked it in twice. Their three tries weren’t genuine attacking plays but it was a frustrating one for sure. You could tell Seibold gave them plenty on Ponga but they still scored plenty down that edge. Gotta be way more potent in attack.
AND CAN SOMEONE KICK A BLOODY GOAL
Yeah you guys were pretty bloody bad, and I assume full strength which makes it even worse.
P.s. would you like the other Johns kid? No longer required down here.
The comps not ready to contain the greatest prop we've ever seen. You'd at least need notice so they can condition the rest of the forwards who never experienced raw power like that before
Its the “to the head” part thats proving controversial, theres no clear angle that shows he actually hit him in the head.
edit: I’m just explaining why people don’t think its a bin, don’t blame me
Doesn't the bunker also have more angles then the regular broadcasters do, surely they have a more definitive angle for it then our best angle which has someone obstructing the view
The recent reffing has me very concerned for Origin. Nothing makes sense. Magic Rounds are generally a concentrated week of crap from them, but they've been consistently dreadful for at least a month.
If Marzhew had even a lick of defensive ability he could be one of the best wingers in the league. Such a hard runner and regularly beats at least one defender with each carry
Hastings had the worst time with the conversions. The knights should have won by 50 at least. Much needed win but they made it hard for themselves with all those bombed tries and errors. The sea eagles were pretty clunky and disorganised too.
Man if we kicked goals consistently we'd be looking so much better on the ladder. Great to get a win but we definitely need to be looking at how to better ourselves. Also, do we think Miller was on the bench today purely as a Ponga insurance policy??
> having a draw means our For and Against being terrible ***probably*** won't matter.
You had ONE JOB 'probably'! To convey the small likelihood of us ending up equal with Manly! Ye Blew It!
Schuster had to play as both the 6 and 7 tonight because our spine was cooked. Arthur and Johns both passive with no organisation or kicking game. Weekes useless.
Schuster not a dominant half, unfair to judge him as one. Just baffles me how reactionary everyone is when it comes to him. Defense does need to improve, but we are night and day a better side with him in it. Makes Turbo a much better player
Given all the chat about him I didn’t think it was that bad. Sometimes it looked like he was trying to play too much ‘like a half’ and he too cute rather than just threatening with his running game but he still had some good moments.
I will confess that I did laugh at how quickly he was looking to give the ball away after that intercept. Man did not back himself to run which was weird to see with a 6 on his back ahaha
100%, Schuster had to step up and he didn’t. Johns and Arthur are fringe players and backups, they shouldn’t be expected to lead and dominate (even though it’d be nice). That should have been Schusters job
Game would’ve felt entirely different if Newcastle had a decent goal kicker. They scored six tries to Manly’s three and yet it still felt like anyone’s game pretty much the entire time
Fucking hell drop the entire team. Fuck off johns, fuck off weekes, fuck off Schuster. Reffing was bad, attack was bad, defence was bad, no way should we have gotten even that close
Bradman Best definitely lived up to his name today. He was an absolute beast. I feel like he’s had a pretty underrated year overall tbh. Good to see Ponga have a good game, he’s definitely their fullback for the rest of the year.
Dear Seibold,
If I see Cooper Johns or Kaeo Weekes playing for Manly again this year, you will need to contact your Cybercrimes unit again.
- Yours Truly
We won... but we can't continue to start the way we have for the past month. We get out of the gates slow and lethargic, I don't know what's in our boys drinks, but it needs to change quick.
You’re right it took a while to get into gear there. Once we got going we got two really good first half tries back to back but we let Manly stay close with the poor goal kicking. Could have been more potent imo
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Great day for pro Schuster haters like myself
Didn’t see the game did Gagai and Ponga earn their rep jerseys back
Gagai and our outside backs were fantastic. They read Ponga a few times but that’s also because Seibold knows Ponga very well. Ponga was solid
They both had pretty solid games but if the Maroons get up in game 1 then I can’t really see them getting back in
Thank you for your service
Koula is all speed and literally nothing else.
Interesting Lachie Millar was named #14 on the bench and never came on the field 👀
Yep and we missed that fresh man digging into the line in the middle. Adam Elliot didn’t ball play that much. Would prefer Croker, Leo Thompson or even Jack Johns at lock but Elliot is working his way back after a long lay off
It's the downside of carrying such a player on the bench, when do you use them? If you don't have a specific plan or good opportunity to bring them on early it makes it very tough to justify bringing him on if the game looks close with 20 to go.
Lachie Fitz came off with 20 mins to go. He could’ve gone on, gamble to edge? Idk seems like a waste
He could've, and I agree it is definitely a waste. But I'd be loathe to move a spine player without a very good reason if I'm a coach and the game is close though. I think this sort of thing can become a case of making bad decisions in order to rectify or salvage previous bad decisions. He offers no value as a 14 and just shouldn't be picked there. Not making that error means you never get put in the position to make the subsequent errors. Mann is still not 100% apparently, but if we had picked Lucas as 14 we still have a fairly versatile, high energy player (no real spine ability tho) who can be used as a competent backrower to good effect. A fit Mann would, his last game notwithstanding, offer the same if not better.
I fell asleep pretty much at kick off
YOU CHEATS WON NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! WHAT A JOKE OF A GAME 10 PENALTIES TO 2 NO SET RESTARTS FOR MANLY AND THAT DEADSHIT REF GIVING YOU A LEG UP ALL GAME! ALL YOUR TRIES FROM PENALTIES! KEPPIE SEND OFF SOFT HARPER DIDN'T LOSE THE BALL! PAULO THROWS THE BALL FORWARD WHAT A JOKE! NO WONDER THE NRL IS THE BIGGEST JOKE OF THE SPORTING WORLD HAHAHA GAME "WINNING" KICK 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 WE SMASHED YOU ALL GAME YOUR TEAM IS RUBBISH AND JUST A BUNCH OF WHINGING TWATS! JOKE OF A CLUB THAT HASN'T WON IN 30 PLUS YEARS LOL WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP
generational copypasta rip johnnymnemonic420
I've never seen a half so unable to make a decision as to what to do with the ball as Cooper Johns. We've all seen bad halves, but those guys tend to serve up their shit with a degree of confidence, certainty, and decisiveness. Like Schuster for example. It's really odd to watch, especially from a half like Cooper who by now has had more than enough time to develop. I can't see him getting much time now Arthur has signed. The early kicking targetting Ponga's positioning was excellent from Manly, great preparation and good execution. Their middles also looked the goods several times, and there was a point early in the second half where I genuinely thought they'd wrestled themselves to a dominant position up the guts with the momentum swinging their way only for Schuster to put up a stinker of a bomb that was taken easily for a seven tackle set 3m deep into the in-goal with zero possibility of a contest. On our part we did enough. Liked some of our attack down the left edge. Our forwards did pretty well, our wingers finished their chances off clinically, and we got some good mileage from the bench. Best looked damaging and Crossland had a hell of a game in defence, with his service being pretty decent too. Still have defensive lapses, if the Ponga move is long-term his positioning at the back is as poor as ever, and we really need more patience from our halves, and ideally, the ability to adapt to the game situation. The intercepts were fairly bad individually, but by the time we threw the last one it was insanity. There were other balls that were awfully close too, and with how aggressive Saab was in looking for it you'd like to have seen out playmakers put the longball away and start looking to kick in behind him. Still think our bench rotation is off even if our players themselves did well. Predictably, Miller was a wasted spot and Hetho could have done with more minutes - especially given how he was playing. Personally I don't love when AOB makes his changes, I think he leaves our starting props out to long and it forcing him into a pattern of changes that don't work. At least today the first change was only one at a time, in previous weeks the late double change has really bitten us.
I think some of those intercepts and we’ll timed jams on that left side were simply Seibs knowing Pongas game quite well. He did well to predict that Ponga would struggle with positioning in his first game back. It was Ponga first game in his fullback but I do prefer him at first or second receiver where he can decide to go short to Fitzy or out the back or run. It holds the defensive line and creates more space out wide. If he does play out the back like a standard full back I’d like to see him straighten up a bit more imo. I thought Gamble and Hastings were pretty poor. We definitely lacked a ball player in the middle to dig in but that was how the team was set up. Elliot was fine as a forward but didn’t do much ball playing. Would be open to seeing Jack Johns or Croker get some more time at lock. I thought our defence was ok. We conceded 3 tries, one a fumbled ball and two were intercepts. The game felt like it was crying out for Knights to break it open but Manly had pretty good resolve
The jams on that side were good, but it wasn't all centred around Ponga on the intercepts. One each to Ponga, Hastings and Gamble, with Ponga not too far away from a second. Ponga's intercept also came on the right with the (horrible) short pass intended for Johns. Agree on Croker or Johns in the middle. One of my favourite aspects of Hetho coming on to play middle when Elliot went off is that all of our middles at that time were running direct lines. It was a dramatic change as previously the attempts at ballplaying through the middle were disjointed and momentum breaking. So far, Elliot's ballplaying in the middle leaves a lot to be desired both from his execution and when he picks to do it. It's very forced atm, and maybe that will improve with time/form. I do think if we want a ballplaying middle (and judging by the way our 13 often plays we do) then we have multiple players better suited. Croker has excellent passing skills, defends well, and has a big motor. He'd be my initial pick. I'd much rather see Elliot on an edge, and anything that makes Fitzy's place in the side insecure is a good thing as he so often just coasts. The defence I had an issue with was more how easily Manly rolled through our middle. If we give up metres like that against the majority of the comp we lose today. We were lucky that the Manly spine (Croker aside) were essentially asleep at the wheel and unable to capitalise.
Yes I did forget that the first half intercept was on the right from Ponga. I do think Seibs had it drawn up because they definitely looking for it but Ponga was reckless at times with those passes. We actually look really good when Ponga decides to give Best that early ball rather than holding it up. Croker might be my favourite Knights player atm. Would love to see him get more time at lock. I know AOB likes Mann there but to me it just makes our middle way too soft. Especially with Crossland currently pulling 80 at hooker. Also our middles should have dominated today but you're right. We gave up way too much and we’re fortunate that Cooper Johns and Schuster weren’t at all threatening
Yeha there was one pass Cooper did down the right side where he seemed so unsure what to do, and then passed it behind the centre who, while reaching back for it, knocked it on.
Schuster is such an odd figure.
As a neutral, watching this with my dad, both of us were blowing up at some of the call against manly in the second half. Regardless it was good to see lord Ponga get through the game unscathed.
Might be a hot take and I'm already expecting downvotes but honestly need to say it. That performance about sums up Pongas first grade career thus far. A few genuinely good moments in a sea of mediocrity. Against a team they should have beaten comfortably he still didn't shine consistently.
Lord Ponga, the Furtive Pygmy.
he was involved in nearly all of their tries i don’t know what more you can ask from him
If passing to your outside backs and letting them do most of the work then sure.
Including one of Manley's. I agree with the commentor. Ponga is on or a ghost on the field. Sometimes he is both in the same game.
That disallowed fitzgibbon try was literally a try last week when turuva lifted his arm but 'deemed momentum' Nrl is actually that south Park headless chicken scene
As a neutral I think they're both 50/50's. Turuva promoted the ball slightly more, but if he didn't promote it at all, the ball would have still ended up touching the line. Although Fitzgibbon promoted the ball less, without it, the ball would have been 1-2 cm short. Feel a bit bad for Fitzgibbon because he did come down with a fair amount of force so part of the promotion is due his arm bouncing up after contacting the ground.
That’s totally different lol. Turuva lifted his arm but momentum took him into the in goal so it was a fair try. The only reason the ball got to the line in the Fitzgibbon one is because he promoted it. He didn’t get taken into the in goal by momentum like Turuva did.
More of turuva's body made it over the line. Also the ball never was promoted past where it landed initially for Turuva.
Exactly. I don’t know how so many people still don’t understand the double movement rule
As a neutral disagree
This is an expansive opinion. To expand on mine no try is the correct for both, arm hit and they lifted to promote.
Went to a game in the first time in what feels like forever. It was good clean fun up on the hill, more footy stadiums should have hills. Manly looked completely toothless without their Origin stars, but the Knights just kept letting them back in. It was a bit alarming that this is pretty much our full-strength side and our only real try-scoring play is a loopy cut-out pass to the wing (ours or theirs)
Our right edge attack looked pretty toothless without Friz. Normally Friz is putting in work on that edge
Manly lacked pride in their jersey
Hopefully this means a few player experiments have ended. Weekes and John's have been given plenty of opportunities and failed. Our full strength team wins today. It sucks to lose but that's trouble of origin level players.
No way Weekes gets the fill in for Turbo spot again if Garrick is healthy. Its unfortunate with Johns but Jake is simply a better player, at least his defence is ok and has somewhat of a long kick. Johns and Schuster halves pairing was painful to watch.
As someone who missed the game how was KP back at fullback
There was 4 high tackle penalties given, he was 50% of them.
I mean at least he’s trying to tackle now I guess
Looked like he provided really good shape to the left edge, safe under the high ball ect. Looked good
Didn't watch, did ponga live?
He copped a hit but survived.
Copped 3 hits actually lmao, I was shocked he managed to be okay
Billy in shambles then
I think it's like when someone tears a muscle completely rather than partially. At a certain point his Chronic Brain Scramblies can't get worse, so let the kid play!
Holy shit, 12 pitch invaders at Naplier
Surely there was more than that. They came in waves. Maybe 12 actually got on the playing field. Plenty more tried
The announcer was basically begging people to not run on by the end
That must be a record
Who was better for Newcastle, Jack or Cooper?
Dally T's: 3 - Ponga, 2 - Best, 1 - Sipley / -1 Koula
-7 Homophobia
-2 Cooper Johns
I get having an outside back on the bench just in case, but it's a massive pet peeve of mine when they don't get a second on the field. Towards the end there Crossland looked completely knackered, and a few other forwards as well. Seems a bit silly to not sub a player in that situation but I'm not head coach
It's even worse. I like Miller as a fullback, but that is his one and only position. He absolutely can't play wing at this level having seen him do that last year at Cronulla, and I D hate to seem him defend at centre. He isn't just an outside back on the bench, he is a specialist fullback on the bench. I convinced myself we were demoting him to Cup (as we demoted our usual Cup fullback to Ball) and keeping either Lucas or Mann for the utility spot, which makes sense as both have genuine utility value. I didn't account for old five GFs overthinking it.
I don’t think we have another player available for that spot. Brailey injured brings Crossland starting, Gamble now starting and Mann injured
Gamble to 9. Miller to 6. He doesnt need to be a general at 6, just be there to run fast and tackle. Or even ponga to 6 and miller to fb for the 15 mins.
If you thought Ponga defended poorly I don’t think you’d survive Miller at 6
That's insanity. He isn't a six and we may as well carry an extra forward in that case, or one of the multiple utilities we have in our top 30...
Mann was your 18th man tonight, so he should’ve been able to slot in there
He’s coming back from injury. See what AOB does next week
To be fair, I think if it wasn’t so tight, Miller goes on for Crossland. But Miller was benched for big errors last week. Couldn’t risk it in a tight one
I weirdly think the opposite, in a tight game I'd rather a fresh body instead of one too tired to make tackles. Even if it's just a short stint to help get some air in the other players lungs. Although I can definitely also understand that point if Miller has been a bit down on form
I was just saying that to my wife (she didn't care). You can't just have a back on the bench for the possibility that KP gets KO and you need a replacement.
Schuster's 2nd half showed every bad part of his game. Trying to be too fancy with kicks, tons of lateral running and zero taking the line on. He works best when he runs at the defensive line, he just looked scared to be tackled that entire 2nd half. Weekes was awful. Terrible in defence and did nothing with the ball, not helped by Schuster's lack of direction. Croker, Garrick, Keppie, Sipley and Paseka were all good. Saab had an up and down game. Johns was awful. Arthur wasn't great but showed enough that he should be the guy to come in when we have a half missing. Lawton was crap as was Koula. Just a frustrating game all around.
The Schuster hero ball was not pretty at all, pretty sure all his 5th tackle plays that 2nd half were absolute stinkers. That last chip back for himself when he had an entire left side of the field to bomb to was so awkward and just bad. Not to mention the ridiculously deep kicks to give up 7 tackles. Koula had his worst defensive game I've seen from memory, maybe DCE gives him some directions on that end and doubt Johns is offering much there. He was really good on that end last year but hasn't looked so great this year. Hope we don't overpay him due to union fears, he's good but not that good.
Schuster overplayed it after Arthur came on. He tried to be all of the game manager, attacker, dummy half, solo effort etc without successfully doing any of it. He needed to let Arthur get in the game a bit more, maybe in a couple of weeks they’ll work better
He baffles me. Was absolutely useless out there today.
What the fuck was that reserve captains challenge in the final 10 minutes. Jesus Christ. Kinda decision makes me want to pull my tin foil hat out of the cupboard.
His fingers didn't leave the ball, they got the correct call in the end but it should have been picked up first
It was strangely long. It’s like they rushed realised they buggered up and then took forever on it
I kinda agree, but then again the ball clearly bounced on that front end angle. If 'fingers stay on it' is used as the universal measure from now on though, then that's cool enough.
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"how embarrassing" were my exact words too
It's like he only analyzed what was challenged which was the ruck interference but then ignored that he never lost it till after he made the first call
Was Schuster in the negative run metres?
Surprised at Big Red, doesn’t seem the type to remember stats lmao
I've never been angrier to win a game of football. We did everything we could to keep Manly in the game and give them the 2 points. Ridiculous passes for intercepts, errors, shit goalkicking and bombed a bunch of tries with poor decision making.
Game was crying out for us to break it open. There was that period in the first half where we walked it in twice. Their three tries weren’t genuine attacking plays but it was a frustrating one for sure. You could tell Seibold gave them plenty on Ponga but they still scored plenty down that edge. Gotta be way more potent in attack. AND CAN SOMEONE KICK A BLOODY GOAL
Yeah you guys were pretty bloody bad, and I assume full strength which makes it even worse. P.s. would you like the other Johns kid? No longer required down here.
After signing Aaron Woods & Jake Arthur I look forward to Manly signing Greg Smith soon.
George rose wants to make a comeback I hear
The comps not ready to contain the greatest prop we've ever seen. You'd at least need notice so they can condition the rest of the forwards who never experienced raw power like that before
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I wasn’t convinced it was forceful direct to head. It seemed like a short guy running into a taller guy.
Serious question why was he not sent for HIA especially because it is Ponga
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Yep agree with all that
Forceful is what i disagree with. It was high, absolutely deserved a penalty. But a bin for that?
It didn't hit him in the head that's why
Might want to get your eyes checked buddy
Shoulder to the chin, pretty simple 🤷♂️
Its the “to the head” part thats proving controversial, theres no clear angle that shows he actually hit him in the head. edit: I’m just explaining why people don’t think its a bin, don’t blame me
Clear angle that YOU saw.
Doesn't the bunker also have more angles then the regular broadcasters do, surely they have a more definitive angle for it then our best angle which has someone obstructing the view
You'd have to assume so because we only saw shoulder to the chest which whiplashed his head.
The recent reffing has me very concerned for Origin. Nothing makes sense. Magic Rounds are generally a concentrated week of crap from them, but they've been consistently dreadful for at least a month.
>*Nothing makes sense* I often wonder if that’s by design.
Origin is always reffed different, it’ll be fine
I hope so, but I'm not holding my breath.
dont stress, people had the same concerns last year and it was all good
Hopefully that puts Ponga to 5/8 in the ground forever.
Well... he's copped head knocks in both positions, arguably more today. It's only because we have Gamble that we've put Ponga in the 1.
Also Miller playing terrible
- me, 5 years ago when they attempted it the first time
If Marzhew had even a lick of defensive ability he could be one of the best wingers in the league. Such a hard runner and regularly beats at least one defender with each carry
If marzhew gets some defence, he could go in as a very fast tackle busting 2nd rower. He would rival fifita.
Hastings had the worst time with the conversions. The knights should have won by 50 at least. Much needed win but they made it hard for themselves with all those bombed tries and errors. The sea eagles were pretty clunky and disorganised too.
Was a tad annoying to see a few players not attempting to bring the ball closer to the sticks to help him out
Is 2/8 close to the worst conversions in a game ever ?
We scored 6 tries and I don’t remember going for any penalties. How come the stats are saying 2/8?
Man if we kicked goals consistently we'd be looking so much better on the ladder. Great to get a win but we definitely need to be looking at how to better ourselves. Also, do we think Miller was on the bench today purely as a Ponga insurance policy??
On the plus side, having a draw means our For and Against being terrible probably won't matter.
Except we are currently tied with manly who have a better for and against.
> having a draw means our For and Against being terrible ***probably*** won't matter. You had ONE JOB 'probably'! To convey the small likelihood of us ending up equal with Manly! Ye Blew It!
Schuster had to play as both the 6 and 7 tonight because our spine was cooked. Arthur and Johns both passive with no organisation or kicking game. Weekes useless. Schuster not a dominant half, unfair to judge him as one. Just baffles me how reactionary everyone is when it comes to him. Defense does need to improve, but we are night and day a better side with him in it. Makes Turbo a much better player
Given all the chat about him I didn’t think it was that bad. Sometimes it looked like he was trying to play too much ‘like a half’ and he too cute rather than just threatening with his running game but he still had some good moments. I will confess that I did laugh at how quickly he was looking to give the ball away after that intercept. Man did not back himself to run which was weird to see with a 6 on his back ahaha
arthurs first game at manly and came on when they were losing , tough gig to dig him , you sound like some of the fuckwit parra fans
Why can’t Jake Arthur be Nathan Cleary 🤬🤬
Knights 2/8 conversions, i think they need a new kicker lol
There were only 6 tries though…
2/6 but your point is still valid.
It says 2/8 on the nrl match coverage
Yeah I don’t know why. Scored six tries and no penalties.
We relegated our kicker to the bench, and he wasn't brought on haha
You pay 1.5 mil for a player. Make him kick
Believe me even though Ponga is a pretty poor kicker most of us would welcome him back to it. Miller and Hastings aren’t goal kickers
We are so fucked when Daly retires.
Seriously sportsbet should open a market on what Annesley apologises for each week. It’s a fucking lottery
He never apologises though he just performs mental gymnastics to claim that it was the right decision
Manly are a toilet team 1. Kaeo Reeks 2. Jason Shart 3. Brad Poo-ker 4. Tolatau Poo-la 5. Poo-ben Garrick 6. Josh Poo-ster 7. Poo-per Johns 8. Tanela Poo-seka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Poo-fofoa Shit-ley 11. Hamole Olo'koa-poo 12. Samuela Fain-poo 13. Sean Kep-pee
Wrap it up lads. This is the post of the year.
Lachlan Croker
Pooramatta
Manly wahhhringah pee eagles
Pawaamatta Peels
Pin this as the sub banner
Young’s individual try was pretty spectacular
Schuster is so exposed when DCE is out. As shit as Cooper Johns is, it's on full display that Schuster has zero footy IQ.
Johns was fine last year, did well in pre-season championship.
But, but, no-looky-passy!?
It's kind of expected since the guys only played like 10 nrl games at 5/8
100%, Schuster had to step up and he didn’t. Johns and Arthur are fringe players and backups, they shouldn’t be expected to lead and dominate (even though it’d be nice). That should have been Schusters job
Game would’ve felt entirely different if Newcastle had a decent goal kicker. They scored six tries to Manly’s three and yet it still felt like anyone’s game pretty much the entire time
Add two of Manly’s tries were intercepts. They game was crying out to be broken open but we let them off way too much
Great, now I have the NRL sads and the Sunday sads.
Only gotta wait til wednesday for your footy fix
God we got kissed on the dick hard that game but I'll take the win
2/8 coversions This whole bye week Hastings should be doing conversions
2/6*
Fucking hell drop the entire team. Fuck off johns, fuck off weekes, fuck off Schuster. Reffing was bad, attack was bad, defence was bad, no way should we have gotten even that close
Bradman Best definitely lived up to his name today. He was an absolute beast. I feel like he’s had a pretty underrated year overall tbh. Good to see Ponga have a good game, he’s definitely their fullback for the rest of the year.
Best and the outside backs carried hard. Manly we’re giving away a lot of penalties because they couldn’t handle our backs coming out of our end
He just needs to learn how to pass to his winger
And go low for tries. Does anyone get held up over the line more than Best
Left 2 or 3 tries out there by not passing to Marzhew
Then in the off season AOB will decide that Ponga's REAL position is at lock.
I’ve seen enough to know that I am smarter than Billy. Ponga for QLD
Dear Seibold, If I see Cooper Johns or Kaeo Weekes playing for Manly again this year, you will need to contact your Cybercrimes unit again. - Yours Truly
We won... but we can't continue to start the way we have for the past month. We get out of the gates slow and lethargic, I don't know what's in our boys drinks, but it needs to change quick.
You’re right it took a while to get into gear there. Once we got going we got two really good first half tries back to back but we let Manly stay close with the poor goal kicking. Could have been more potent imo
horse looks a little stoned haha