Kudos to those who have mentioned Griffin's use of the bench. He deadset just doesn't understand he has 10 changes in 80 minutes and that playing Thaiday, Gillett, Glenn, Parker, McGuire and Hannant all for over 60 minutes may not be in the teams best interest. Thaiday plays better with rests...
I have seen 4 minutes and I will reiterate my recent praise of this Manly side, they are fucking morals for the competition this year. Unless they get injuries to key positions no one can beat this side.
A big reason why they are unselfish is they have soany guys that follow these breaks, they have more guys that always pop up on either side of the runner.
If they stay fit I cannot see anyone beating Manly, they have as good a side as anyone plus the most experience (or tied most with the Storm). The way they have slotted Horo and Lawrence into there pack is incredible plus as said in the other thread I just think that backline is the best in this...
Stewart on a defence and offence basis (plus on a consistency basis) smashes Barba, Taufua is about 10 times the player Perrett is, Lyon is far better than Inu especially in terms of consistency, Matai is at least as good as Morris and Williams is as good as anyone on that wing.
Name 10 better current wingers better than Taufua. Outside of Brett Morris there aren't many who could be argued are better than him. Also there is no way Ferguson will be playing wing when he returns for Canberra.
I have not seen a backline as good as this one in a very long time. They have absolutely no weaknesses in attack or defence and they are just scary when they are all fit.
1. Stewart - Hate the guy but an amazing defensive player (second probably only to Slater) and in attack always knows where...
I reckon one of those will be there and a seasoned battle hardened finals specialist like Melbourne or Manly will punt the other. I am thinking a Rabbits vs Manly final, the Sea Eagles are cruising right now and are getting every back now and they are all starting to play really good footy.
If the Roosters didn't have such a big game flop in the 7 they would be morals for the title, I see them getting upset in the finals and I see Mitchell Pearce retiring with 0 premierships and 0 origin series to his name. That being said there side is incredible.
Good effort despite some poor refereeing and poor execution they were able to grind it out. We look instantly better with Thaiday in Glenn's spot! I also cannot understand how either of these two coaches still have a job, we had two forwards basically get 0 minutes for some unknown reason, it...
1. Slater 7 - Not his best as he clearly looks slower than even a year ago. But he used his wingers well and on a couple of occasions they combinesd for good metres, also made a break off some clever backing up through the middle.
2. Boyd 7 - Was quiet for a lot fo the night but was solid as...
Love how Laurie calls his team 'brave'.....you had the ball, territory and the penalties you just have a fucking terrible halfback and a gutless team! QLD it was just business as usual we just did the same thing we do year after year, fucking win!
What an appalling display from the referees. Absolute guts and execution won the day, I have had a gutful of NSW whinging and bullshit they can EAD and enjoy a decade of retardation in 2 years time.