PRE-GAME - Round 21 - Manly Sea Eagles

[I bleed Maroon]

This is much more of a danger game for us than anything we've had in the past handful of rounds. Manly are coming into form and playing on the Central Coast, they'll have the crowd at their backs.

Having said that, on form and paper we should win by about 20.

 

[Super Freak]

It sounds like Manly will be missing Symonds and Burgess.

Matai will be monitored throughout the week. DCE's shoulder wouldn't be 100%.

I think the game will be closer than our previous meeting but I'm very confident Broncos can knock them off.

 

[AceAv]

We out class them in every department. But now begins the real test for us and our torrid run home.

I'm actually glad we get to play all these top teams but finally feel nervous that we could drop a couple games. Regardless we are likely to finish 2d place and a loss could be the best thing for us. Just please not against a dirty Manly side. I'll never hear the end of it from my father in law who still thinks Manly are a shot at the title....

 

[morganmorgan]

Keep oats on the wing to battle jorge taufua???

 

[JoeldTrafford]

Jusr got my tickets for this. Cant wait.

 

[Fozz]

Just hope their shitty ground doesn't injury any of our players.

 

[lynx000]

Just hope their shitty ground doesn't injury any of our players.

Mate it is being played on the Central Coast, the field is just about perfect.

 

[Fozz]

Mate it is being played on the Central Coast, the field is just about perfect.

Thank Lockyer for that!

#bulldozebrookvale

 

[badyon]

These next 6 rounds will see how well the broncs are really travelling in 2015. Need to win at least 3, and have one of those wins against the chooks, to be assured of top 2. Beating the manlygirls would be a great start.

 

[vertigo]

Stuff the danger game crap, just win ffs and 13+

 

[Rally Towel]

Manly may be playing themselves into form, but they've got a few injury concerns, and we've shown a fair measure of consistency this year.

Wayne will have us up to the task. 13+. Book it.

 

[tommy]

would love to be the team that puts the final nail in their 2015 coffin

 

[rnabokov]

This is much more of a danger game for us than anything we've had in the past handful of rounds. Manly are coming into form and playing on the Central Coast, they'll have the crowd at their backs.

Having said that, on form and paper we should win by about 20.

I agree mostly. With a spine as good as Manly's, and a 1st class backline, and playing for a spot in the final 8, one would be foolish to expect an easy win. Their weakness is their pack (although Mateo can pull rabbits out of hats) whereas our pack is a major major strength. Then of course, they have injuries to key players

On form and paper we can win by about 20 but I think it will be a very tough game.

.

 

[jarro65]

If Blair is suspended it'll be a major hurdle for us to overcome.

I still think we can win, but i'll be more comfortable knowing he's at starting prop.

 

[Harry Sack]

We'll cop a loss before our run at the finals but **** I hope it isn't this one.

 

[Big Pete]

It's been a long time since the Broncos have been a 'better' side than Manly. I'd say the last time was in 2006?

Even then, Manly were the type of team that could cause the odd boil-over the Broncos.

Don't believe me? Let's go back in time.

First off, the year was 2005. The Brisbane Broncos were head and shoulders the best team in the NRL that season and were looking like specials for the premiership. That was until they arrived at Brookvale and blew a commanding lead to lick their wounds, 20-21 following a drop goal to Michael Monaghan.

Rewind the clock back further to a similar situation in 2003. Very similar situation, except this time it was a miracle pass from Manly Sea Eagles halfback and former Cronulla Shark, Jason Ferris that sunk the Broncos in a rare highlight for the Sea Eagles in their first season back in the competition. The loss would send the Broncos spiralling into a slump (sorry Wayne) that they could never recover from, no matter how hard they tried.

Still not convinced?

What about 2000? Sure, it technically wasn't Manly, but the Northern Eagles were one of the few teams to beat a 'full-strength' Broncos side that season. According to Rugby League Project, it was Round 12 of the 2000 competition when Andrew King played one of his best games to give the Eagles one of their best victories in their short history. The Broncos would later exact their revenge in Round 23 at the old ANZ Stadium, the graveyard to many, but it was the Round 12 game that was cause for concern.

When should the Broncos feel confident against the Sea Eagles? Well if Round 24 1999 is anything to go by...never. It was 26-4 after 56 minutes, Brisbane looked like they were going to extend their record winning margin to 12 straight when Manly recovered and just about stole the game from Brisbane. However, a late shot at conversion from Brendon Reeves was waved away, giving Brisbane one important competition point.

Can history repeat itself? Who knows! It's just fun to look back and remember the history between both clubs. I'm sure that the game on Saturday will be a cracker and with any luck, Brisbane will avoid the boil over.

 

[vertigo]

Just call him Big Vossy, always a great read :takdir:

 

[Waynesaurus]

This will be a tough match, one that we can certainly win but I think we need to control the ball a bit better.

My biggest concern from the last two matches has been our errors and not completing our sets, while our defense has been holding teams at bay we've been giving the opposition far too many chances for my liking.

Broncos v Tigers, we completed 32/41 with 9 errors
Broncos v Titans, we completed 30/39 with 10 errors

This is something that could really cost us against the top teams.