Time to dump Round 7 and move on to the next clash as we take on Manly in a bumper Friday night clash this week. This game was always going to be huge. We're playing one of our traditional rivals, one of our biggest rivals in the Sea Eagles and it's a rivalry that stretches back nearly 80 years now. In that time, there's been some bumper clashes. Grand Finals, Preliminary Finals, other Finals games and some belter Regular Season contests. Plenty of feeling in this one, it's no secret we don't like Manly and I think they feel exactly the same way about us so I'm expecting there to be feeling again in this one. So yea, this was always going to be a big clash but after what happened last week, the enormity of the occasion has been multiplied 100 times! This now becomes a HUGE game, a game we simply must win. No two ways about it, no if's or but's, we have to bounce back and win.
That's certainly going to be easier said than done. The Sea Eagles had a bit of a shaky start to the Season but before last week, they'd really found their groove and were looking in good shape. They're a quality side on their day and I genuinely believe that they are capable of beating anyone in this competition when they get things right. Just like us, last week was terrible for them so the bounce-back factor is going to be there for them too and that can be super dangerous. They'll be desperate. It's a huge week for us but it's an equally big week for Manly. In terms of strike, Manly have it in spades, and any side that contains the likes of Garrick, Saab, DCE, Foran, Taupau and Trbojevic is going to be very hard to contain. As it mostly is, the forward battle will be the key. Win that battle and against their big pack and it makes things so much easier.
As I said, super, super important week for us as we just have to bounce-back and win. I said Manly will be desperate, well we should be equally just as desperate. I'm sure we will be, the boys looked shattered in the sheds after the game and I have no doubt they'll be doing everything they can to turn it around this week. It's going to take a massive improvement if we want to do it, I think everyone is aware of that, but I know we have it in us. I still genuinely believe we can make top four if we sort our game out, I genuinely believe that. it needs to start this week. The first port of call is a no-brainer, cut out those bloody errors!! We are the worst in the comp on that area and we can't expect to beat Manly if that trend continues, they'll walk all over us. There's been three games now we've dropped directly because of our errors and we just cannot make it a fourth. The one game this year we have completed well was Round 3, and look what happened. That's the blueprint. So hold that bloody ball boys!!! I also haven't been happy with the defence the past two weeks. Through the middle we look fine but it's on the edges where we're looking a bit shaky. That needs to be fixed. All in all, I just want to see our strike and swagger back! some new additions to the backline should help with that hopefully, they'll have a big chance to show what they can do against quality opposition.
So this week is just win, win, win at all costs!! I don't care how, just please win! That would be super sweet against one of our biggest rivals and it would make a bit of a statement. I know we can do it!! Do the boys believe? I'm fired up this week! Bring on Friday night!!
That's certainly going to be easier said than done. The Sea Eagles had a bit of a shaky start to the Season but before last week, they'd really found their groove and were looking in good shape. They're a quality side on their day and I genuinely believe that they are capable of beating anyone in this competition when they get things right. Just like us, last week was terrible for them so the bounce-back factor is going to be there for them too and that can be super dangerous. They'll be desperate. It's a huge week for us but it's an equally big week for Manly. In terms of strike, Manly have it in spades, and any side that contains the likes of Garrick, Saab, DCE, Foran, Taupau and Trbojevic is going to be very hard to contain. As it mostly is, the forward battle will be the key. Win that battle and against their big pack and it makes things so much easier.
As I said, super, super important week for us as we just have to bounce-back and win. I said Manly will be desperate, well we should be equally just as desperate. I'm sure we will be, the boys looked shattered in the sheds after the game and I have no doubt they'll be doing everything they can to turn it around this week. It's going to take a massive improvement if we want to do it, I think everyone is aware of that, but I know we have it in us. I still genuinely believe we can make top four if we sort our game out, I genuinely believe that. it needs to start this week. The first port of call is a no-brainer, cut out those bloody errors!! We are the worst in the comp on that area and we can't expect to beat Manly if that trend continues, they'll walk all over us. There's been three games now we've dropped directly because of our errors and we just cannot make it a fourth. The one game this year we have completed well was Round 3, and look what happened. That's the blueprint. So hold that bloody ball boys!!! I also haven't been happy with the defence the past two weeks. Through the middle we look fine but it's on the edges where we're looking a bit shaky. That needs to be fixed. All in all, I just want to see our strike and swagger back! some new additions to the backline should help with that hopefully, they'll have a big chance to show what they can do against quality opposition.
So this week is just win, win, win at all costs!! I don't care how, just please win! That would be super sweet against one of our biggest rivals and it would make a bit of a statement. I know we can do it!! Do the boys believe? I'm fired up this week! Bring on Friday night!!
