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Manly will turn back the clock two years and dust off an old blueprint targeting defensive weak link James Maloney in Sunday's NRL Grand Final at ANZ Stadium.
The Roosters pivot can be a turnstile in defence and is averaging five missed tackles per game against the Sea Eagles this year alone - his worst tally against any side.
Maloney missed three tackles in the 2011 grand final when Manly's big forwards ran at him all day in a premeditated plan that delivered their side a 24-10 victory over the Warriors.
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The Sea Eagles forced the number six to make 23 tackles that day, seven clear of the next busiest back Shaun Johnson.
And Queensland also sent a huge volume of traffic Maloney's way in this year's State of Origin series, paving the way for an eighth successive win.
"James Maloney's been to the big dance and it was a nightmare for him," Manly official and premiership winning forward Peter Peters told Sportal's NRL Unleashed podcast.
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"He was what is termed 'the spot' for Manly two years ago and he'll be the spot again on Sunday.
"He didn't have a good defensive game (in 2011) and he'll have a target on his head.
"They (Manly) haven't said anything but it's a given that they'll go for him.
"He's up against a fine defensive player in Kieran Foran and those Manly forwards will be running at him as much as they can.
"Is he a better player now? Is he a better defensive player?
"He probably is but Queensland targeted him in this year's series.
"How he handles it on Sunday will decide the issue."
Queensland assistant coach Michael Hagan was reluctant to give too many trade secrets away but conceded Maloney and Roosters team-mate Michael Jennings were defensive targets during the Origin series.
He told Sportal: "Manly's right-edge attack will target Maloney and Jennings because they can both get turned in or miss a few.
"It helps that the Roosters' line speed is very aggressive in defence but there's no doubt those two will get plenty of work."
The Roosters pivot can be a turnstile in defence and is averaging five missed tackles per game against the Sea Eagles this year alone - his worst tally against any side.
Maloney missed three tackles in the 2011 grand final when Manly's big forwards ran at him all day in a premeditated plan that delivered their side a 24-10 victory over the Warriors.
MORE: Boyd Cordner not included in Roosters squad | No forgetting Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for Manly
The Sea Eagles forced the number six to make 23 tackles that day, seven clear of the next busiest back Shaun Johnson.
And Queensland also sent a huge volume of traffic Maloney's way in this year's State of Origin series, paving the way for an eighth successive win.
"James Maloney's been to the big dance and it was a nightmare for him," Manly official and premiership winning forward Peter Peters told Sportal's NRL Unleashed podcast.
MORE: David Gower, James Hasson vying for final spot | Anthony Watmough: Roosters deserve favourites tag
"He was what is termed 'the spot' for Manly two years ago and he'll be the spot again on Sunday.
"He didn't have a good defensive game (in 2011) and he'll have a target on his head.
"They (Manly) haven't said anything but it's a given that they'll go for him.
"He's up against a fine defensive player in Kieran Foran and those Manly forwards will be running at him as much as they can.
"Is he a better player now? Is he a better defensive player?
"He probably is but Queensland targeted him in this year's series.
"How he handles it on Sunday will decide the issue."
Queensland assistant coach Michael Hagan was reluctant to give too many trade secrets away but conceded Maloney and Roosters team-mate Michael Jennings were defensive targets during the Origin series.
He told Sportal: "Manly's right-edge attack will target Maloney and Jennings because they can both get turned in or miss a few.
"It helps that the Roosters' line speed is very aggressive in defence but there's no doubt those two will get plenty of work."
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