I thought we were a better team.

[Bigchook]

Geez there are some fickle flops in this thread. If you expect perfect, mistake free footy for 80 minutes for 26 weeks then you're watching the wrong sport because it ain't going to happen. We are second on the ladder and have a few of our guns injured. Half of you sound like you would neck yourself if you supported any other team than Melbourne.

[Johnny Tobin]

Mate we haven't strung more than 40 good minutes of footy together all year. How many times have you thought "how did we win that one?" or had to pull out the "its better to win ugly" after we somehow scrapped home? You could change maybe 5 single plays last year and this year, and we'd be almost exactly swapped on the ladder.

We are benefiting immensely from what surely must be one of the weakest comps in years. I can't honestly think of another year where it was so clear this far out who was going to take it all out. We've also had, all things considered, a reasonably easy draw up to this point as we still have games against the 2 best teams in the comp to come in the last few weeks before the finals.

We'll be knocked out of the finals whenever we come up against the Storm or Sharks. If things fall our way then we might be looking at another GF loss this year

We came second last last season. Now you are contemplating a possible GF.

How is that even close to "not much difference"?

[Tommy Smith]

We absolutely haven't had an easy draw this year.

Storm twice
Sharks twice
Broncos twice
Sea Eagles twice
2 games minus Origin stars

Who's had a tougher draw than that? Look to the Dragons, Eels and Panthers for incredibly soft draws.

[Tommy Smith]

I can't remember a season with such a standout favourite all season.

If we are second best it's truly scary.

Probably the 2000 or 1998 Broncos.

So it's been 17-19 years where it's been this obvious who will win the comp.

[Half time]

Geez there are some fickle flops in this thread. If you expect perfect, mistake free footy for 80 minutes for 26 weeks then you're watching the wrong sport because it ain't going to happen. We are second on the ladder and have a few of our guns injured. Half of you sound like you would neck yourself if you supported any other team than Melbourne.

Excellent post, I agree with you 100%.

[Maxy Walker]

Storm are no sure things. Doesn't matter how good you are you still have to win two sudden death games at the end.

We were $3 favourites this time 2 years ago and didn't even play in the GF. Anything can happen.

[crikey chris]

It was the massive kick up the arse and reality check we needed. It seems some of the team were reading all the press of how we are 2nd favourites for the comp. Yes injuries have not been too kind recently, but apart from the storm, the rest of the current top eight are of similar standard. On any given day each can beat another team. Yes yesterday was highly disappointing, but getting smashed can be a turning point. Or am I being too optimistic?

[Guest]

It was the massive kick up the arse and reality check we needed. It seems some of the team were reading all the press of how we are 2nd favourites for the comp. Yes injuries have not been too kind recently, but apart from the storm, the rest of the current top eight are of similar standard. On any given day each can beat another team. Yes yesterday was highly disappointing, but getting smashed can be a turning point. Or am I being too optimistic?

By Jeez by Crikey a tad optimistic but I like it.

[Guest]

Probably the 2000 or 1998 Broncos.

So it's been 17-19 years where it's been this obvious who will win the comp.

Roosters 2003
Parra 2001
Manly 1997

Were near certs about 1 month before the semis.

[eddie]

Roosters 2003
Parra 2001
Manly 1997
.

Vermin 1969
Easts 1981
Balmain 1989

[4 the all in brawl]

Notable exceptions before injuries crueled their seasons.

Raiders 2003
Roosters 2015

[milanja]

We absolutely haven't had an easy draw this year.

Storm twice
Sharks twice
Broncos twice
Sea Eagles twice
2 games minus Origin stars

Who's had a tougher draw than that? Look to the Dragons, Eels and Panthers for incredibly soft draws.

At the start of the year, nobody rated manly to even be a top 12 spot. Up until 4 days ago, many still didn't rate manly. So bit rich to say they were the tough part of our draw.They would have been down there with playing, tigers,titans and knights twice, that's a pretty good draw.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

It was the massive kick up the arse and reality check we needed. It seems some of the team were reading all the press of how we are 2nd favourites for the comp. Yes injuries have not been too kind recently, but apart from the storm, the rest of the current top eight are of similar standard. On any given day each can beat another team. Yes yesterday was highly disappointing, but getting smashed can be a turning point. Or am I being too optimistic?

And throw in the big differential in defensive work from the first half. We just didn't have the energy to repel their enthusiasm in the 2nd half ..day game warmer weather.

Not excuses...but factors.

[Headless Chook]

At the start of the year, nobody rated manly to even be a top 12 spot. Up until 4 days ago, many still didn't rate manly. So bit rich to say they were the tough part of our draw.They would have been down there with playing, tigers,titans and knights twice, that's a pretty good draw.

Go back through history, we have a terrible record against Manly especially at Brookie so Manly is always a tough part of our draw much like the Sharks in recent years. I had this pencilled in as a loss and had Manly in my multi....just didn't think Saints and Sharks would cost me!

[milanja]

Go back through history, we have a terrible record against Manly especially at Brookie so Manly is always a tough part of our draw much like the Sharks in recent years. I had this pencilled in as a loss and had Manly in my multi....just didn't think Saints and Sharks would cost me!

I have always said manly are tough to beat regardless of where they sit, but we struggle against sharks and warriors most years too. I just don't think manly would of been in most people's mind as harder than playing cowboys twice. And realistically, the better teams should play each other a couple times, no test in playing minnows every week and then turning to crap playing better teams when finals come along.

it can't work the best until everybody plays each other twice, but the top 9 teams from each year should play each other twice and then play the other 6 teams once to make up 24 rounds, even that isn't a great solution because teams can get better the following year from player movements, but I think it would be a pretty good indication.