Anyone who thought Glenn Stewart being forced out of Manly at the end of the season was going to hurt their chances of winning the premiership doesn’t understand team sport.
It was never going to hurt their chances and it might even help them, given the basic nature of players to stick together even tighter if they think the team unit has been wronged.
Did anyone see anything to worry about in their performance against Canberra yesterday? Regardless of how poor the Raiders may have been, that first half from the Sea Eagles was the most electrifying 40 minutes of football I’ve seen for quite some time. It was a track bordering on the heavy side at Brookvale Oval, but Manly looked like they were hardly touching the ground, let alone sinking into it.
And when was the last time you saw one player as dominant in 40 minutes as Daly Cherry-Evans was for Manly? I’d have to go back to when Andrew Johns was still playing.
If Australia wasn’t so dominant in international football and Queensland didn’t keep winning the State of Origin series, Cherry-Evans would already be the Australian and Queensland halfback instead of a bench player for both teams. Representative coaches are big on loyalty – if the situation allows it. Cooper Cronk, who holds Cherry-Evans out of both rep sides, is a very good halfback, but Cherry-Evans is one of those truly great ones who don’t come along very often.
I tipped Sydney Roosters to win the premiership and I’m happy to stick with that. I’ve got no choice, anyway, since it was down in print. But if I was in a position to change tips then the only alternative I would consider at the moment is Manly. When they get it together, as they did yesterday, they look fantastic.
There were very good signs from the Roosters against St George Illawarra on Anzac Day. The big occasion seemed to draw a much-improved performance from them.
I also like what I see from Canterbury and South Sydney.
I don’t mind Gold Coast, although I don’t think they can win the comp. They are very good defensively. If you take out their one poor performance in losing 42-12 to Wests Tigers in Round 2, the Titans are conceding points at an average of just 11.25 per game.
But back to Manly and Glenn Stewart.
He and many of his teammates might be upset with the club’s management for not making more of an effort to re-sign him, but that is not going to affect either their relationship with coach Geoff Toovey or their form.
Players want to win, for themselves and their teammates more than anything. A club is essentially that – the players. The Manly players aren’t going to let a management decision on player retention stop them from trying to achieve their goals.
They can let it be known they’re unhappy with the decision, but at the same time they’ll get on with the job, because they know they’re going to hurt themselves the most if they don’t.
Also, in any club, if you’re good enough to win it doesn’t matter if some players don’t like some others. All of that stuff goes on the back-burner if you’ve got the ability to be a contender.
Do you like everyone you work with? If you don’t, you’re still expected to be professional and get the job done as a group. It’s no different for a football team.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Amen Mr badseed.
john badseed
Guest
A lack of one season wonders demanding top dollar and reneging on contracts helps the cause. Not to mention finding unwanted players and turning them into premiers instead of desperately buying has beens, never will bes and media stars. Please take note Lozza.
planko
Guest
I have taken the mick out of Dally M for years has meant little since Gavin Miller..
NSWelshman
Guest
Maybe you should have a look at the Daly M points board???
The eye
Guest
This is about this season and how he's supposedly played better than Cronk,..so Planko brings up Last years losing GF to prove that's not so...good stuff..
planko
Guest
Sorry mate you have not had a look at the Leagues clubs or Foorball clubs book. Not possible since Delmerge went broke quite literally no possible.
planko
Guest
Yes in the first half at Brookie (Love Hiku but he had terrible day with his hands in the second half.) , last year at brookie. Was critical in last years draw in melbourne against Melbourne. All over Cronk. DCE has a problem in big games. Did you not watch last years grand final MOM in LOOSING TEAM. The eye try opening them
Brucey
Guest
Have a look at the manly roster over the last 5-6 years. How has that team kept so many stars together for so long ? Don't tell me they all took pay cuts to stay under the cap? If you believe that you are really stupid. Something is up there. Surely the NRL must investigate.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
DCE best half in the world
The eye
Guest
Quick scan at the Dally M leaderboard as at last week has Cronk on 7 and Cherry on 6..so not only Renegade thinks that Cronk is going just as well..especially the close games when you really need him Cronk stands up.Put on a masterslass 1st game back after surgery to drop the field goal that sunk the Panthers,was in everything against the Knights and was the mom against the Dragons..Cherry was great against the 'embarrassment' yesterday and went well against the Sharks who have been deadset fodder until Gal came back..so as far as THIS season is concerned where has he stood up and over Cronk when his side were pleading for it?
planko
Guest
Maybe I am going "off early" on the Melbourne 3 but their best games have been played. I will have to agree to disagree with ya mate.
sham
Guest
DCE was first rate yesterday but he was playing against almost non-existent left edge defence from the Raiders. You can only play against what is in front of you but there was not much in front of him.
eagleJack
Guest
Understand what you are saying but the "Big 3" of Melbourne also cannabilise each other for votes. Loved Littlejohn yesterday. I made a comment in the live blog before the game that moving him into the halves was what I wanted the week before with DCE out. Less disruption. You can keep Lyon in the centres and put Hiku on the wing. Wolfman will struggle to get back into the team.
planko
Guest
EJ Team Dyanmics also play alot as well. Manly's team dynamic also mean that he get's little points. Melbourne's team dynamic make impossible for him not to get points if the win. Littlejohn liked his game though very impressive.
eagleJack
Guest
But when comparing 2 halfbacks the award is a fair judge.
planko
Guest
No watch every game. Cronk has done 2 things right all year kick and get away with Marginal passes. There is a way to stop these.
Renegade
Roar Guru
LOL planko don't tell me you're only using yesterday's game against Canberra as an example. That was probably the best performance by a halfback this year but he has played 7 other matches mate...
planko
Guest
Are you watching the games renegade ?
planko
Guest
djcooker the Dally M has not been a great judge MVP for many years. It is not the MVP it is one of the better halves playing in a winning team person. Last forward to win was best looking man in league. Gavin from the Sharkies back when they had jobs...
Renegade
Roar Guru
How does that mean i don't rate Cronk mate?? I've said he is below par this season and i was arguing as much with Scott Woodward yesterday.... the Big three look like they are frustrated with each other and the storm look like they need the weeks break. That said, I don't believe Cherry Evans is in as good a form as he was last year over the opening rounds this season either. You can't just hand out and take away green and gold jerseys like that.... Cronk was instrumental during the world cup and still deserves his spot through imcumbency and because his nearest challenger in DCE isn't outperforming him. Maybe a game in the Green and Gold will play the Big Three back into form... who knows? But they all still deserve their spot.