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If you are looking for some sort of measure of the effects of Origin footy, Friday night’s match at Brookvale should show plenty.
The general level of anticipation and expectation seems to be lacking for a clash that deserves an intense build-up.
Then we hear stories of players battling injuries or fatigue from rep games, which lowers the tone and in some matches lowers the standard of play too.
Inside their camps, the Roosters and Eagles are getting ready and even the Origin guys would be starting to think back to their recent clashes, especially last season’s huge grand final. The coaches will certainly be on their toes, gauging which guys are really up for it – maybe the younger fellas – and who might still be battling the post-rep game blues.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
What about the possible match-ups from the veteran number 1s, or the halfbacks, with Daly Cherry-Evans trying to regain full fitness, while Mitchell Pearce tries to regain respect and the attention of Laurie Daley.
The hookers is another great battle, with two of the toughest, hard-working, almost totally error-free players in the NRL. The physical madness of both forward packs is scary. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s slippery feet versus giant Jorge Taufua is a classic mismatch both ways.
Wouldn’t it be great to see them all fit and firing? Everyone involved deserves better than this sort of stuttered preparation. Most of all, the NRL competition deserves better than this period of disruption which is just unfair in so many ways.
I know Origin is bigger than Texas and it generates huge numbers for ratings, which converts to advertising dollars, which sets up a great payday for our game. But what we don’t know and haven’t known now for decades is just how much better the NRL competition could be without this massive disruption.
Wouldn’t you like to what levels our crowds might get to, how intense the midseason matches could be with every player – including the best in our sport – focussed totally on making the playoffs, top four, getting to the grand final, and winning the comp?
Regardless, I love watching these two teams play as they are both so physical. Manly has a core of ruthless campaigners who can really turn up the intensity. The Roosters can go with that on the back of the many super athletes in their line-up. The tri-colours might shade their opposites for speed, but Manly showed they can play a style of footy the Roosters are uncomfortable matching in the two teams’ Round 4 clash.
The stats from that 8-0 victory showed just how much simple but effective passing unsettled the Roosters’ defensive line. The Eagles first set of possession started from their own 20 with a scrum. They shifted the ball three passes wide immediately, and also included another shift play in that set. So it went for the match.
Manly had many little plays with two or three passes throughout the 80 minutes, continuing to make metres quite easily. They found shift plays made that awesome pack dressed in red, white and blue move sideways and backwards plenty and they couldn’t then get on the front foot as they love to do.
The Roosters’ numbers show thy have started to find a little more enterprise in their attack, even in their own half, as the season has progressed. Perhaps they will try the same tactic against the skilful Eagles?
Have you noticed Melbourne has made a massive change in attacking style since they worked out what best suits this particular Storm team? Smart coaching.
I can’t wait for Friday night’s Brookvale blockbuster. It could be so much bigger in a promotional sense if we had a different schedule, but our players and coaches are so professional we might still get an extraordinary game of footy.
Ironically, Manly’s home field might work against them. Brooky is easily the worst surface in NRL these days and with a bit of winter dew, as well as heavy, uneven ground, that might just suit those Roosters.
But who cares if they really rip in and turn it on – it will be a beauty!
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