Joey Manu more ball please!

[The Lip]

A lot of negativity around here after two losses and against the Broncos we were really crap so i get the vibe is totally understandable. But what about Joeys form over the last 5 weeks. Its representative selection form i think. Tedesco and Manu are our two form players. Tedesco gets plenty of opportunity to have an impact - just would like to see more players hunt up in support for him whenever he runs the ball. We dont do that enough - should be cronks role but f#$k he just is too slow to keep up.

Manu gets less opportunity but wow almost every opportunity he has with the ball lately he has created something out of nothing. He has been immense IMO. We all call for more early ball to Latrell and understandably so. But he is getting heavily marked so i think Joey probably has a bit more space on his side as a result - not that he needs much space these days. He is big fast and strong - his fend is becoming a real weapon. He so elusive and gets back to top speed so quickly after pushing a defender off. I would love to Joey get more opportunity - if we go into the finals with getting him more ball im confident he will play a big part in any success we might have. It will also take some pressure off Latrell which will only help his space and game.

Would also love to see Joey and Latrell link up from time to time, I know that's hard as they play on opposite sides of the field - but imagine the defense indecision if we had them side by side every now and then. They would probably overmark Latrell and Joey would have room to work his magic. Two big strong centres with one or the other creating room for the other and both with the talent and skills to turn that space into points. Let them rove a bit more i say. Particularly in set plays where the set play is on one side of the field or the other. Tap restarts or scrums.

At the moment any space Latrell creates is just an opportunity for Toops to f$#ck it up. Which he has been amazing at doing lately.

Joey is at least one real bright spot in a disappointing last two weeks. Last week he created something out of nothing pretty much every time he got the ball.

On another note -whats happened to Isaac? I like this guy but every single time he got the ball on the weekend it died with him. He actually has a great catch and pass - where's it gone - bring it back from time time please Isaac and space will open up for him as well.

[Cockadoodledoo]

The simple problem is backrowers in the backline. Because they get involved almost everytime the ball is spread, the Centres and Wingers are forced too wide and left with no space. Additionally they aren't effective in spreading the ball quickly. It is clearly coached as they are not acting as decoys. They need to get out of the way to allow the Centres to get early ball.

[Thirteen]

Second rowers have always been positioned on the inside of the centres along with the half or five-eight.

Yes Manu has been brilliant. So good to see.

[Johnny Tobin]

I agree with Ennis. The Liu experiment at second row has to end. Matterson is no Wally Lewis but at least he has a pass. He should go back to second row and Isaac can be the second lock.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Second rowers have always been positioned on the inside of the centres along with the half or five-eight.

Yes Manu has been brilliant. So good to see.

Everyone knows where the second rowers stand, that's not the issue, the issue is on our backline plays, most teams will either use a second rower as a decoy or to get a quick pass away to the Centre who is running a different line. We do neither. Our second rowers catch the ball and more often than not, tuck it under their arm and run at the defensive line. They are neither effective at breaking the line or getting an offload away. On the odd occasion they pop the ball, the Centre is running on the same angle as the second rower and gets the ball, whilst jammed up near the sideline, giving them no space to work with and rendering the Winger useless.

It kills me when Issac Liu jumps in front of Manu to get the ball and seeing the play die. Likewise Cordner rarely looks to pass and again if he does, Mitchell catches the ball with the defence in his face and with no time or room to move. They need to effectively run a decoy line into space and allow the Centre to get the ball early, or position themselves slightly behind the Centre catching the ball. Alternatively, have the Centre cutting back to receive a pass on the inside but that requires a second rower with decent passing ability which neither Cordner or Liu possess. If you ever watch a game that doesn't involve the Roosters, you will see this sort of thing happen regularly.

[Cockadoodledoo]

I agree with Ennis. The Liu experiment at second row has to end. Matterson is no Wally Lewis but at least he has a pass. He should go back to second row and Isaac can be the second lock.

I agree, I don't get Liu on the edges, it doesn't work at all.

[QWERTY]

i really hate it when andew johns says pass it to latrell, like that is our only way of winning, as everyone seems to forget about Manu andFergusonss combo. Yes, i have been critical of Manuin recent times, but im glad he has proved me wrong and played outstanding for the second half of the year. best fend in the game

[Cockadoodledoo]

i really hate it when andew johns says pass it to latrell, like that is our only way of winning, as everyone seems to forget about Manu andFergusonss combo. Yes, i have been critical of Manuin recent times, but im glad he has proved me wrong and played outstanding for the second half of the year. best fend in the game

True but he isn't saying pass it to Liu or Cordner.. Getting the ball to either Centre would be of more benefit.

[Thirteen]

I agree, I don't get Liu on the edges, it doesn't work at all.

Should be the Napa replacement. Isaac up the middle straight and hard. Plus a strong defender. It’s a no brainer I reckon.

[Johnny Brass]

Manu has been killing them when given early ball but that has only happened when he has been given a direct pass from cronk, unfortunately once Liu gets his hands on it he isn't shifting it along the line and is dying with the ball.

[Rooster R]

I think you just swap Lui and Radley, Radley has an off load and Liu can be that third forward hitting it up the middle.

[Easts75]

Second rowers have always been positioned on the inside of the centres along with the half or five-eight.

Yes Manu has been brilliant. So good to see.

Yes they have , but nothing wrong with an early cut/face ball to Mitchell & Manu, the key being early not at the line

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Should we be blaming the individual players or....yes im going to use the C word...the Coach?

[The Lip]

Everyone knows where the second rowers stand, that's not the issue, the issue is on our backline plays, most teams will either use a second rower as a decoy or to get a quick pass away to the Centre who is running a different line. We do neither. Our second rowers catch the ball and more often than not, tuck it under their arm and run at the defensive line. They are neither effective at breaking the line or getting an offload away. On the odd occasion they pop the ball, the Centre is running on the same angle as the second rower and gets the ball, whilst jammed up near the sideline, giving them no space to work with and rendering the Winger useless.

It kills me when Issac Liu jumps in front of Manu to get the ball and seeing the play die. Likewise Cordner rarely looks to pass and again if he does, Mitchell catches the ball with the defence in his face and with no time or room to move. They need to effectively run a decoy line into space and allow the Centre to get the ball early, or position themselves slightly behind the Centre catching the ball. Alternatively, have the Centre cutting back to receive a pass on the inside but that requires a second rower with decent passing ability which neither Cordner or Liu possess. If you ever watch a game that doesn't involve the Roosters, you will see this sort of thing happen regularly.

Maybe that's our secret weapon? We were doing it for a little bit 4/5 or so weeks ago - since then its gone - maybe hopefully its been in the bag for the last few weeks to be unleashed in the finals!

[The Brain]

Last week we had two backrowers at stages of the game on the left been cordner and butcher and the ball stopped with them .it was driving me nuts..The team has regressed last few weeks in attack.Parra game is an opportunity to fix that.
King Wally is right though...Friend has to drop off in defence and let the others do more work.