North Queensland’s charge up the table has continued, while Manly might well done for the year following the Cowboys’ 19-8 win at 4 Pines Park.
Though the margin, in the end, was not overly large, the gulf between these sides was evident throughout and the result could not be argued. If anything, it should have been much more.
Last year, the Cowboys won this fixture in the most dramatic of circumstances, coming back from 26-12 down with eight minutes to play to win 28-26.
This year, it was a lot more emphatic. Manly regularly kicked from within their own 40m after copping a battering in defence, and when they did get into North Queensland’s end, they were repeatedly turned away.
The Sea Eagles have struggled against the better defences this year. Against the best defences in the comp, they average fewer than ten points per game. That was on full display tonight, with only kicks and one smart Josh Schuster pass able to open up the Cowboys.
The result leaves Manly needed to be almost perfect from here on out to make the finals, with seven games left and only seven wins on the board from the likely 13 that will be needed. It’s a tall order for Anthony Seibold’s men.
“We were just a little bit off with our detail,” said the coach. “We looked a little bit clunky in attack down there, so we need to be better than that. We need to maintain that effort, but we just need to be better with some of the detail.”
On the other side, Todd Payten will be steeling his side for September. After a horrible start, the Cowboys are now five unbeaten and up to ten wins, with three of their last six games in Townsville.
“We showed a fair bit of character at different moments,” he said. “I didn’t like the way we started the second half, some of our decisions put us under a fair bit of pressure. But then our (defence) held strong, so that’s pleasing.”
Manly were getting strangled long before the points tally reflected it. It was taking all that the Sea Eagles had to even stay in the game: the Cowboys made crucial errors late in sets that kept them from scoring, while both Daly Cherry-Evans and Lachlan Croker were kicking superbly to hand the ball over.
Even with that – and despite Manly opening the scoring thanks to debutant Dean Matterson – the stats suggested that the situation could not hold.
The Cowboys were averaging 40m a set to Manly’s 35m, which the commensurate effect that almost the entire game was played in the Sea Eagles’ end.
With field position assured, the points followed thanks to a break from Reuben Cotter, backing up a Val Holmes break, and Jeremiah Nanai after Tom Dearden had caught Josh Schuster ball-watching.
To have conceded just twice in the first half was a minor miracle for Manly.
North Queensland had squandered chances before the break, and were almost forced to pay for it. That they did not is testament to how much their defence has returned since that shellacking at Leichhardt Oval.
Manly had plenty of opportunity to go in front, but save one smart Schuster pass that got Brad Parker over, they were turned away. One shot from Holmes on Haumole Olakau’atu told the story, with the Maroons centre crunching the onrushing backrower as he strove for the line.
It’s a key distinction between the good teams and the bad, and indeed, the two units on display today.
Manly had, at times, some decent defence and were able to force mistakes from the Cowboys in the first half – even when under a huge weight of possession pressure.
But when they got their chance in attack, they were far too tired to do anything. At one point in the second half, they had a whole set of good ball but ended up not challenging the line before chipping to nobody.
When the Cowboys made their first second half foray into Manly’s red zone, they scored the softest of soft tries: Scott Drinkwater did his usual jink back against the line, with Aaron Woods was only able to watch on as he was bypassed.
By the 65th minute mark, the metres-per-set difference had blown out to 48-37 in favour of the Cowboys, which is as good an indicator as one could wish for to describe how in control North Queensland were, even though the scoreboard didn’t reflect it.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Payten has been asked that question before. He uses the same answer, " it's a long season, we're just building week to week" I wouldn't bet against him, looking forward to the finals. I'm tipping a lot of upsets.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
I reckon it's because Joey Johns blew him up so much in his first game this year when he set up a couple of tries. It was way over the top, and we love to chop down a tall poppy. His reported salary magnifies it.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yes mate.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I’ll second that.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I can't wait for Brooks to start at manly, along side DCE. No all of club pressure, no media blaming him. I feel sorry for all the fans who only got a few glimpses of his ability, including me.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Exactly. Sadly, the Cows should have put a pile on the Boys last night . Actually, it should have been well and truly over by half time. But, no killer discipline from the Cows, and plenty of courage under fire from the Boys. Does Manly even have an Assistant Coach at present?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
He’s a good boy. He hasn’t stopped growing yet. It’s funny that for a guy who is supposed to be a bum, just how many passes he makes to the man who crosses for a try.
NQR
Roar Rookie
The Cowboys haven’t had anywhere near their best players available until about 4 weeks ago? And that’s without Luki or Taumalolo being fit at present. Also they have had significant Origin commitments. I don’t know how you can make the assumption “they won’t trouble the more serious sides”. They appear to be very different brand to the first 14 rounds now with plenty of scope for improvement.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Cows were beaten 66 to 18 by the Western Tabbies. Plenty of punters have said that proves they aren't able to win the title this year. Maybe they should even try if that's the case. What do the bookies think?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Tom it’s all about Cap management. When the majority of your Cap is taken up by 3 players, you are going to have to make concessions elsewhere. Woods is on a tiny salary. You are basically paying him for his leadership and I hope him blocking Keppie puts a rocket under him to improve. Johns & Lodge are on train & trials meaning if they do make the Top 30, they shift to minimum wage or close to it. The Fainu’s are a package. I’m sure they’d love to keep Samuela. But they can’t afford to keep Latu, so it seems that both have to go. I still shake my head how unlucky Manly got keeping their other brother Manase over Koroisau. But sh it happens. Manly have a core group, at the start of their careers, locked in for the next few years. Paseka is an unbelievable talent, Olakau'atu is on the cusp of Origin, Koula, Saab, Garrick, Schuster, Tuilagi all talented and all young. Even Croker is developing into a handy 9, with a great kicking game and heart. I’m sure the powers that be would love to keep all these top youngsters. But if you look at who they have kept you can see a great core coming together. They’ll have to be thrifty filling other positions. And hopefully Turbo can stay on the park.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Jimmmy I understand your frustration however I think you’re admitting to expecting them to be a top 4 team. Sure they can’t afford to make 12 errors, complete 30 of 43 set and be on the end of a 1-7 penalty count and expect to win against the top teams. Then again it was at Manly at Brookvale and 5 players were backing up from Origin with 2 others in camp. I think we are happy to take it. Eels will be an important one. Just play the tape from last years semi and highlight what they did at home to the Tigers. LOL.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I don’t accept the attitude argument on the Fainus. Sami is aggressive and raw but far more talented than Woods, Aloai, Lawton, Sipley and Keppie to name a few. His being 19 also suggests that he could be fixed with a decent coach… granted this is a problem given our current leadership. As for Latu, evidently the previous administration saw the potential to lay out the bucks to ensure that we had someone post DCE. Were they right? Time will tell. If however both end up at the Dolphins and meet expectations, it’ll be a shame for us, if they go to the Tigers it’ll be a tragedy… mainly for them and their career. On Luke Brooks he is no doubt a talent, however how long will DCE at 34 be his halves partner and then will we will be replacing one number 6 who has already been through the exact same grinder before Schuster became the pinheads pinata. Manly in continuing to buy supposed ready made first graders like Woods, Johns, Arthur, Lodge, all of whom aren’t wanted elsewhere, whilst we block the pathway to first grade to talented youngsters is not a sustainable strategy unless it is the strategy to be developing players for other clubs whilst accepting 10th spot as a lofty aspiration
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Haumole seems to be taking on 3 or 4 players a lot of the time . I'd like to see him used as a strike when the opponents are in turmoil. Koula does threaten the defence and I like him as a player but once again he always seems to be taking on defences which are fairly well set. He needs to back up breaks and half breaks from others as well because he's got the speed and power to go on with it. Ultimately without Turbo and Schuster looking hampered , we were up against a team full of players who have just won the SOO series. It was a big ask.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Best way to score a try but only the very best players seem to do it.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Bullying is getting worse it seems. The Shoe had some very nice touches but I'd like to see players like Koula and Saab hit the gap off him now and again. It doesn't matter which side of the field a player lines up on. They all need to utilise the talents of Schuster.
kk
Roar Pro
Next season Shuster will become the highest paid spectator of all time.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Talau is a depth signing. Brooks is an exceptional talent who has been the scapegoat for years and years of Tigers failures. With the pressure off, and not expected to run the show, he can play his natural game. DCE will always be the dominant half. Fainu brothers have an attitude problem. Samuela got penalised in his debut game for trying to fight. How he stayed on in the u19s game after again looking to fight, is anybody’s guess. Latu was stupidly put on a huge contract at 16 years of age, so much so that in 2024, he would be one of the top paid players at the club. Having never played first grade. If he was on a small contract, he’d still be at the club. He’s a victim of having to manage the Cap. I personally quite like the look of the team for next year. The challenge for the rest of 2023, is to get the systems in place for them to build on in 2024. They aren’t losing anybody of note. That right edge of Olakau'atu, Koula, Saab could be anything. But they need to start throwing caution to the wind.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I can't believe Manly's thinking of extending Woods's contract. What does he bring to the Sea Eagles? It's certainly not fearsome defence nor blockbusting running. I couldn't believe Saints got 2 young Manly forwards in exchange for Woods--- what a bargain. Manly got the rough end of the pineapple there.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I don't know why you're so upset. Considering the team lists man 2 man and form guide a 10 point loss was always going to be your very best case scenario. Cows give Val more ball or put a few tricks on in your red zone, would've been considerably more. Wouldn't be under rating them with some of the top strike players in the NRL.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Roll on Mad Monday.. it beats Sad Fridays, Painful Saturday and Excruciating Sundays. This once great club is being run into the ground by amateurs. After watching the Fainu boys in U19 SoO, the mid season release of Fifita this year, players we’ve invested years in developing, whilst bringing in Arthur, Johns, Sharon bloody Woods.. it’s a joke. Now we’re meant to believe Brooks and Talau from that winning Tiger culture are the answer. The Penns need to sell because the office is broken