***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[James90]

FFS. Had money on there to be under 42.5 points in this game. Manly respond by scoring tries in the 64th, 67th, 75th and 80th minute to rob me of my bet with just 20 seconds left on the clock. And to that freak manouver too. Fuming.

 

[Son Of Coco]

The ref in the Titans vs Manly match made some pretty poor decisions tonight. Fortunately, they were made at both team's disadvantage. It'd help if he could work out what's a strip and when a player's lost control of the ball and not apply the rule differently on two identical situations within 2 minutes of each other.

The game was closer than the scoreline suggested, but Manly were too strong in the end.

 

[NUFAN]

Man Lyon looks so much better when he gets moved to the centres.
I guess everyone already knows this.

Really like Manly this year, they have a very good chance of winning the title.

 

[Johnners]

Reckon Manly have been almost as lucky as St George re: draw around State of Origin though. Have played Brisbane, the Roosters & Newcastle in the 3 leadup weekends to Origin, as well as a crippled Titans team after the 3rd. They're a good team, but not top 3 material for mine.

EDIT: Actually, looking at the teams they've beaten puts it into perspective really. In 10 wins, they've beaten the Warriors twice, Cowboys, Rabbits & Dogs once, depleted Roosters, Broncos, Titans and Knights teams, Parramatta and Canberra. Hardly as impressive as some would have you believe.

 

[Craig]

Just got back, 1st half was a bore in itself IMO, the handling was pathetic. Oh and how are Luke O'Dwyer and Brenton Bowen still playing NRL 1st grade? Not god enough for mine.

 

[chaminda_00]

TBH agree with Clapo, we are playing some decent football, but a long way off Top 4 football or even a premiership chance. Mind you we are getting better each week and if we can solve a couple issues could take our game to another level and be real premiership contenders. Always a good sign when you are winning matches and not playing that well. Even before the easy SOO run, we were doing that atleast.

 

[chaminda_00]

Just got back, 1st half was a bore in itself IMO, the handling was pathetic. Oh and how are Luke O'Dwyer and Brenton Bowen still playing NRL 1st grade? Not god enough for mine.

As much as the Titans have improved since last season, they still have quite a few players that aren't first grade standard and that is what holding them back. Injuries to key players haven't helped at times. But they still lack depth even in the first choice side. Until a few of their talented youngsters come through, it will always be like that for them.

 

[Prince EWS]

Just got back, 1st half was a bore in itself IMO, the handling was pathetic. Oh and how are Luke O'Dwyer and Brenton Bowen still playing NRL 1st grade? Not god enough for mine.

I haven't seen the game yet so I can't comment on O'Dwyer's performance this week, but he's a good first grade footballer IMO. Don't see your gripe.

 

[NUFAN]

Can't believe anyone could say that Manly aren't top 4 material.

Look at the team, the NRL isn't full of excellent teams or anything, I'd be interested in hearing 4 sides that are better..

 

[Prince EWS]

Can't believe anyone could say that Manly aren't top 4 material.

Look at the team, the NRL isn't full of excellent teams or anything, I'd be interested in hearing 4 sides that are better..

Well, AFAIC, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cronulla and Easts are all better. I can't see Manly actually missing the top four though; regardless of whether they're one of the best four teams in the comp, they have a head-start on a few.

 

[NUFAN]

Well, AFAIC, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cronulla and Easts are all better. I can't see Manly actually missing the top four though; regardless of whether they're one of the best four teams in the comp, they have a head-start on a few.

Not that suprised you'd say those 4 teams, but it's very debatable to say a side like Cronulla are better than Manly.

 

[Prince EWS]

Not that suprised you'd say those 4 teams, but it's very debatable to say a side like Cronulla are better than Manly.

Well it is, but it shouldn't get the reaction from you that it did when Clapo suggested it, IMO. It's not a ridiculous statement by any stretch given what Manly have actually done this year.

 

[chaminda_00]

Manly probably on par with Titans, Sharks, Knights and Dragons this season. Roosters, Broncos and Storm are probably a class above this season.

But tbf to Manly apart from Storm no side has really shown up Manly. Sharks and Knights caught a slow starting Manly side, but only beat them by six points and one point. The performance against the Dragons was probably our worst performance of the season.

So when if we play near our best, there is probably only three sides in the comp that I can see beating us.

 

[Prince EWS]

Manly probably on par with Titans, Sharks, Knights and Dragons this season. Roosters, Broncos and Storm are probably a class above this season.

But tbf to Manly apart from Storm no side has really shown up Manly. Sharks and Knights caught a slow starting Manly side, but only beat them by six points and one point. The performance against the Dragons was probably our worst performance of the season.

So when if we play near our best, there is probably only three sides in the comp that I can see beating us.

I'd put Manly on the same level as Cronulla, but I think those two teams are a league above Gold Coast, St George and Newcastle.

 

[sideshowtim]

Brett Stewart played his 100th FG game last night and scored his 80th try. A superb strike rate.

 

[chaminda_00]

I'd put Manly on the same level as Cronulla, but I think those two teams are a league above Gold Coast, St George and Newcastle.

If you look through their draw, they had a pretty easy draw thus far as well. Storm and Manly early, Broncos during the SOO series. The fact they have lost to teams like Tigers, Panthers and Bulldogs says a bit for mine. But really you could make similar arguements about Dragons, Titans and Manly. Newcastle have been hot and cold all season. But when they have been hot they have been better then those other sides.

Manly and Sharks have turned up more often then the other sides, but they aren't that much better.

 

[Craig]

Chase Stanley - try or not? No IMO. But geez Newcastle copped some shocking calls from the ref and the two touchies, had a try disallowed to James McManus, when the pass was not forward, who knows Gidley might have converted it and then it would of been anybodies guess as to what happened next.

Impressed with Gidley (Knights best) and Sailor while I thought Sword was pretty good out there as well.

 

[sideshowtim]

The Dragqueens' ridiculous luck continues...How bad was the ref to the Knights? Disgraceful.

 

[Craig]

What about Wendell Sailor's 70m run? In his prime he would of scored easily, the knights wouldn't have got a finger on him.

 

[Simon]

The Dragqueens' ridiculous luck continues...How bad was the ref to the Knights? Disgraceful.

Newcastle were robbed imo, that try to Stanley I think it was changed the game, no way should it have been given.