Manly?????

[Ray Stehr]

Grand final bound? Really, storm lapped them, we should've lapped them, I mean we bombed 4 or 5 tries plus they beat an ordinary Canterbury. They might make the 8 but gf bound. I can't see it. Same goes for Parra and Knights.

[player 1]

I like the way they play. In fact as pointed out by another member they copy us.

They've got some exciting players and they play positive footy. Would much rather them than the raiders who base their game around the "highly skilful" one on one strip. Mind you I feel for Ricky, he's not tasted GF success since our time together in 2002. That new English Half looks like he has a bit of the Todd Carney X factor about him - I suppose they could go alright. None of them have James Tedesco though.

[Seventy Five]

Agree to a point, hard to know exactly how it will all pan out, but find it interesting to see how the Raiders, Eels and Eagles amongst others, are almost wallowing in their early success.

It might be a shortened season but there is still a long, long way to go. Confident Trent will time our run and keep plenty of powder dry for when it is really needed.

[Rooster_6]

Missing a good dummy half after they released Korisau and the other one is facing charges. They also still haven't solved their 5/8 issue.

For mine they've got the best starting middle third in the comp, Fonua Blake is up there with SST and Taumalolo as the best middle in the world at the moment. Crazy that they're all playing for Tonga.

Tommy T is just an absolute freak, just such a heavy reliance on him for point creation.... unfortunately he is very injury prone.

I'd be surprised if they don't finish top 4 but really need to sort out their 5/8 and dummy half issues before I could see them winning a comp.

[Tommy Smith]

Maybe I'm biased but I wouldn't swap JWH/SST/Rads for Manly's middle 3.

I keep hearing a new name for game's best prop every week - well every name except JWH - who for me would be the first prop on my team sheet any day. And that's been the case for a while. His combo of aggression, leadership, brutal carries and ferocious defence make him a one of a kind prop these days.

And SST is nipping at his heels. World class at club level, and morphs into Taumalolo for Tonga. Should have been an easy choice for Golden Boot under the new criteria.

So as good as the Manly duo are - and they're great, powerful with tremendous 2nd phase - there's no way I'm swapping.

As for the locks well JakeT is 2nd only to Taumalolo; but Radley is by far the best ball playing no.13 in the game and suits us down to the ground. He's more important than ever, acting as a 2nd halfback to Flanagan. I could easily make a case for him being our most important forward.

So yeah, huge huge respect for Manly's middle. But as you said the dual loss of Api and the knife wielding churchie are a savage blow.

[Teddy]

Maybe I'm biased but I wouldn't swap JWH/SST/Rads for Manly's middle 3.

I keep hearing a new name for game's best prop every week - well every name except JWH - who for me would be the first prop on my team sheet any day. And that's been the case for a while. His combo of aggression, leadership, brutal carries and ferocious defence make him a one of a kind prop these days.

And SST is nipping at his heels. World class at club level, and morphs into Taumalolo for Tonga. Should have been an easy choice for Golden Boot under the new criteria.

So as good as the Manly duo are - and they're great, powerful with tremendous 2nd phase - there's no way I'm swapping.

As for the locks well JakeT is 2nd only to Taumalolo; but Radley is by far the best ball playing no.13 in the game and suits us down to the ground. He's more important than ever, acting as a 2nd halfback to Flanagan. I could easily make a case for him being our most important forward.

So yeah, huge huge respect for Manly's middle. But as you said the dual loss of Api and the knife wielding churchie are a savage blow.

“knife wielding churchie” that’s hilarious.

[The Sack]

Fark Manly too.

[The Brain]

They have the cattle to stir the pot .They dont have the depth if they cop a few injuries.
They are copying Easts thats a fact in every aspect of our play have they the brains to go another level with the new rules?I doubt it .

[zac]

manly are one of the dozen teams who can't be ruled out at this stage

[The Skeez]

I think Curtis Sironen is underrated. Their depth will test them

[dice]

IMO Manly would have gone close last year without injuries. Trying to judge them off the first two games is as foolish as all the people who wrote the Roosters off after two rounds. Manly have some of the best forwards in the comp, and a backline suited to the new rules. It will again come down to injuries for them.

[Tommy Smith]

IMO Manly would have gone close last year without injuries. Trying to judge them off the first two games is as foolish as all the people who wrote the Roosters off after two rounds. Manly have some of the best forwards in the comp, and a backline suited to the new rules. It will again come down to injuries for them.

If they had been fully fit they would have smashed Souffs in wk2 of the finals. And I would have backed them to beat a very nervous Raiders team in the Prelim who only scraped past that dogshit Scab side.

So no doubting Manly's talent. I don't buy into them being better in 2020 though due to the hooking situation. And as you said they have razor thin depth with some key players who are injury prone.

[Johnny Brass]

Manly are a very good team with a terrific pack of forwards a scheming half and a brilliant fullback.
I think there weakness is in the outside backs where Jorge has terrible hands catching balls under pressure and Brad Parker is solid but not spectacular, Suli is a damaging runner but can be found out in defence with his lack of stamina.
The Raiders are for mine our biggest threat as they have improved on last year's team with the addition of Williams at half and will be hungry to go one better.

[ROC181]

It's a shame that in this new draw we wont play them again to bring them back down to earth cause their win over us was not a true indication of who's the best.

[Johnny73]

I still despise them, have done since 1983.