Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,098
- 25,716
- Thread starter
- #19
What's going to be interesting to see is whether they adhere to the standard they set during Origin. Obviously they let a few hits go that could have easily been penalties if not sin-bins but it almost seemed like Sutton wanted to extend some mercy to the Maroons.
It could definitely have a bearing in this Manly/North Queensland game which is a really tough game to tip. The loss of Turbo is huge and the omissions of Schuster and Keppie are both telling. Keppie had a poor game against Newcastle, but that was playing on an edge. When he's been in the middle, he's been one of the Sea Eagles best players. Olakau'atu is really the only positive addition to the Sea Eagles line-up.
A lot of it will come down to how Dearden performs for the Cowboys. Clifford has been one of their better performers in recent weeks and while he isn't irreplaceable the Cowboys are going to notice a difference. Dearden was rated as one of the best halves prospects to come through in sometime before the calamity at the Broncos, whether that rings true in a new environment remains to be seen but he'll be a focal point of the match.
As will the tandem of Robson and Granville. If there is one area where Manly can be exploited, it's around the ruck and both dummy halves are among the best runners in their position. I expect if the Cowboys are to get up, Robson will be close to the best player on the ground.
For Manly, I think it will be how well they set up opportunities for Saab. The Cowboys middle third is weak and you can easily isolate Tabuai-Fidow who is a defensive liability at this stage of his career. That edge of Harper/Saab is one of the form pairings of the competition currently so the goal should be to give them good early ball. With Turbo it would be stating the obvious, with Walker unfortunately you could run into trouble because he likes to really over-play his hand.
I've gone Manly on home field advantage but the closer we get to kick-off the more opportunities I see for the Cowboys.
It could definitely have a bearing in this Manly/North Queensland game which is a really tough game to tip. The loss of Turbo is huge and the omissions of Schuster and Keppie are both telling. Keppie had a poor game against Newcastle, but that was playing on an edge. When he's been in the middle, he's been one of the Sea Eagles best players. Olakau'atu is really the only positive addition to the Sea Eagles line-up.
A lot of it will come down to how Dearden performs for the Cowboys. Clifford has been one of their better performers in recent weeks and while he isn't irreplaceable the Cowboys are going to notice a difference. Dearden was rated as one of the best halves prospects to come through in sometime before the calamity at the Broncos, whether that rings true in a new environment remains to be seen but he'll be a focal point of the match.
As will the tandem of Robson and Granville. If there is one area where Manly can be exploited, it's around the ruck and both dummy halves are among the best runners in their position. I expect if the Cowboys are to get up, Robson will be close to the best player on the ground.
For Manly, I think it will be how well they set up opportunities for Saab. The Cowboys middle third is weak and you can easily isolate Tabuai-Fidow who is a defensive liability at this stage of his career. That edge of Harper/Saab is one of the form pairings of the competition currently so the goal should be to give them good early ball. With Turbo it would be stating the obvious, with Walker unfortunately you could run into trouble because he likes to really over-play his hand.
I've gone Manly on home field advantage but the closer we get to kick-off the more opportunities I see for the Cowboys.
