One of the great things about the NRL is the way different clubs go about their business.
One of the disappointing things is the sameness we sometimes see in the playing style employed by coaches, despite the obvious difference in the qualities of their players.
The current three teams on top of the NRL table offer great differences, and maybe that’s why they are there.
Manly plans for success with top-end payments to their long-serving stars.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
Penrith, on the other hand, runs a big squad of players, having moved some of their highly paid stars on, like Michael Jennings and Lachlan Coote.
The Bulldogs are in the middle of that player roster management style, with more depth than Manly but more stars than the Panthers.
How then does Manly maintain such consistently high standards with such a skinny squad? This season perhaps they have not been quite so consistent, but it’s a bit hard to knock whatever they have done when they remain on top of the comp!
Those top-end talents they are have are committed to each other and to getting the job done. We about some of them not getting on as people, but it doesn’t seem to cut across them performing as a team. All credit to the group and their coaching staff for remembering what matters most – winning.
The Eagles also do something special in how they pick up rejected players and turn them into first graders. However they do that, to get players to fulfil roles and not let the team down, is bloody fantastic. Most clubs do it with one or two guys, but the Eagles have a half a team of them.
They also play some of the most thrilling footy to watch. Shift plays from scrums in their own 20 to start the game off or scoring last-play tries on a regular basis shows just how differently they approach their way to win. These guys really back their skills and combinations.
How have Penrith managed to reach their lofty position with no real stars? They are new to each other in comparison to Manly and Canterbury, just a few remain from a couple of seasons ago, and there are a few first-grade rookies as well. Because they have the big squad approach they don’t lose a lot when injuries hit or rep teams are selected, although neither of those have been a great issue this season.
Ivan Cleary has done a good job in blending these guys together to form a confident team. It still remains to be seen whether this low budget group can meet the really big challenges when the stakes are high. It starts Friday night away to the wounded Roosters. In any case it’s hard not to acknowledge the achievements already made on the back of this different plan for success.
Likewise the Dogs have done it differently, though much credit has to go to the style of attack they have created, and perfected to the point that they have won matches with Josh Jackson and Tony Williams in their halves!
Like Manly, they are willing to play expansive, attacking footy and use their skills in many different ways to get the best out of their many talented individuals. They started their victory over Melbourne last weekend with a shift play from the kick-off reception! Some teams haven’t put a shift play on from their side of halfway all season!
I am not confident any of these teams are going on to win the comp, but they have done well to be where they are at this point.
And they have each done it their own way.
Blaze
Guest
I really don't understand, if there is an even amount of teams in this comp, why is it so hard to just play everyone twice and be done with it? So there's an extra few weeks if we take byes out... Big deal. It's fair.
Dufeyz
Guest
As a panther fan, im just going to put something out. Penrith arent affected by origin, due to no Origin stars. However, if your team has these stars in their squad, im sure that would cancel out no stars at all. The Cameron Smiths and Greg Inglises are fantastic players, and when they play vastly increase the chance of their team winning. My point is, Penrith don't have any 'stars', so how is that an advantage? As for the draw, i must concede we have had a prety easy one. We only got most of the top teams once last year also, which probably contributed to finishing one win out of the top 8. Predicting Penrith to win the Grand Final this year, is silly imo. 2015, 2016, 2017 hell yes. The junior stars are just entering the NRL side this year, by next year will be ready to perform, and they will become the origin 'stars'. Players like Peachy, Cartwright, Moylan etc. We haven't won a finals match since 2004, so we're definitely not getting ahead of ourselves. I'm just hoping penrith can beat the Roosters tomorrow afternoon. It will be their chance to say "hey, we're the real deal". It seems like impossible odds, but there have been many underdog wins so far this season...
Johnk
Guest
Agree with you there Scotty in regards to Peachy. Can punch holes in the oppositions defence and had incredible speed for a 2nd rower. Shame he's injured, would have loved to see what he can do come finals time.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
rod Sadly he is at his best on the right side. I can tell you that I have never seen anyone get on top of GI like he did when he marked as a right center. I dont think he is lazy just a big unit. He certainly should not be next to Soward, but he is a nightmare for opposition coaches as he has size, power, speed and the ability to offload. I want him in my team.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Lachlan I am not sure how many Panther games you have seen this year, so i will assume only a couple based on your response. I definitely would select him in front of Beau Scott and Luke Lewis and despite the fact that Hoffman had a blinder in game 1, there is no doubt that the 2014 for of Peachey is superior. I agree with Wade Graham and would have also had him in. Peachey has the amazing ability to beat his man and then bust a tackle and he is as fast as any back, just ask Will Hopoate and he can play long minutes and almost every position on the field. Shame he is gone for the season. Lachlan, I think Scott and Lewis had a poor Origin.
rod
Guest
Hi Scott, What do you see in Idris(yes he has plenty of potential). But unless he is commited to the cause, Ie get fit, kuckle down and focus on being a top level footballer. he does not deserve that chance yet. besides for every try he might create. He is a lazy defender, blokes like Hodges and Inglis will tear him apart
JayBob
Guest
Dogs have played top 8 teams 11 times this year(out of 16 games), Penrith have played them 4 times(also out of 16). In regards to the top 4 teams, Dogs have to play Manly, Roosters & Souths twice throughout the season, Penrith play each of them once. They also got to play Tigers without Farah and Woods, as well as Dragons without Merrin, Dugan & Morris. While maintaining a full strength squad over those Origin rounds. Whereas the Dogs had to play on all 3 Origin rounds, while missing key players, which is when they started to lose a few. Don't get me wrong I think Penrith are going well this year and I predicted them to improve a lot in the pre-season, but I just don't see them as a premiership threat. Plus I do think the draw has been ridiculous. If they beat the Roosters this weekend I will consider them a chance but it won't happen.
The eye
Guest
Rabbits couldn't beat the titans..roosters couldn't beat the sharks 'b' team so,please..watch the games,mate,they are deserving leaders..not saying they'll stay there,,kind draws is rubbish talk..
james t
Guest
The report states potter struggles to communicate with players. He won't be there next year. 100%
Parrafan
Guest
Sorry I meant as a head of football operations like many clubs now have. The head coach worries about coaching 1st grade, whilst the head of football operations/football manager looks after recruitment, and the administrative side of the football club.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
Tyrone Peachy in origin? Surely you're not serious? At whose expense would you play him? Would be behind half a dozen other backrowers including, but not limited to Wade Graham, Shaun Fensom, Dale Finucane, Tariq Sims and when fit Glenn Stewart
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Brian, I don't agree that the Panthers dont have any stars. IMO both Josh Mansour and Tyrone Peachey should have played Origin this year and Jamal Idris would not be out of place in any rep team and we really have no idea how good James Segeyaro is goi9ng to be. The mind boggles how the Cowboys let him go when they had no hookers. Prior the the season started I expected Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to oust Matt Moylan for the fullback job, but Moylan has just kept on improving every week that I have completely changed my opinion (and rating) of him. He is a genuine gun now and versatile enough to move to 6 to help his team out with injuries. I haven't got to Bryce Cartwright yet who will play for his country beyond doubt. I cant remember a young forward to come into first grade and have so much time, he is very special.
Clark
Guest
We get it, people are bitter that Penrith are going so well, you had the change to look at the draw at the start of the season and most would have had Penrith nowhere near the top. Why is it that you only comment on their draw because they are playing good football?
FrozenNorth
Guest
Penrith have won two games all year against teams currently in the top 8 and by a grand total of 3 points. The draw has been EXTREMELY kind.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
How about just get the guy you are paying to do that job?
rod
Guest
As a Souths Fan, you have to hand it to Manly. Just when you think there time in the sun is fading away. What Tooves has done at the club is remarkable. I don't think there is a clear favourite to win the comp, but certainly Manly a leading the race at the moment.
Parrafan
Guest
When you have so many good juniors coming through you can't hang onto them all. Agree though better junior talent spotting is needed at parra, but with Tepai Moeroa, Pauli Pauli, Kaysa Pritchard, Junior Paulo etc coming through it looks like recent talent spotting has been a bit better.
Parrafan
Guest
Maybe ask for 2 mil from the NRL and make a play for Bennett in that role...
The eye
Guest
The 'easy draw' argument is a myth..with the poor form of the roosters,rabbits and storm the comp is weaker and much more level than last year..Penrith are playing at their optimal ability as are the Warriors and for the last few weeks as are the Dogs...the table is a pretty good reflection of who the best sides are..right now,no excuses for the rest.
Rod
Guest
They have played the bunnies once.if you are talking top 4 teams. If I had a choice of who Souths would like to face in the QF Final, it would be the dogs, big forward packs cancel each other out, lateral attack such as manly gets our defence nervous. Dogs are more mechanical in attack than we are. So I think we match up well with a better back line .