Round 15
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 8 l. Bulldogs 27

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Are the Bulldogs back or are Manly a myth?
Sun June 24, 2007
Friday's NRL match featuring the inform Manly and the out of form Bulldogs at Fortress Brookvale was expected to be a 13+ plus result, but not in the Bulldogs favour.

Manly have won the previous three encounters between the two sides including their Round 5 clash where the Sea Eagles with a spare parts side got the two points at Telstra Stadium.

The Bulldogs were gripped by a week of negative publicity where the club was gripped with internal and external problems. The form of several leading players left a lot to be desired and the old Dogs of War culture had been deserting the club all season except for their victory against Souths in Round 4.

On the other hand, everything at Fortress Brookvale had been smooth sailing for the high flying Sea Eagles where they were in equal top position with Melbourne and looked bound for their first Grand Final since 1996.

It was all business as usual for both sides in the opening stages with Anthony Watmough scoring to give Manly a 6-0 lead.

What happened after that moment defied the efforts of both Manly and the Bulldogs this season.

The Canterbury of old began to return with Corey Hughes getting the ball rolling with a fine 10m dash from dummy half in the tackle after Willie Mason was held up ingoal to level up the scores.

Manly regained the lead when Jamie Lyon landed a penalty goal, however their joy was short lived with Hughes finding Willie Tonga with a great pass close to the line. Why Tony Archer went to the video referee when it was a clear cut decision is a mystery.

Tonga crossed for his second try in the 32nd minute when he floated from the left hand side to the right side where he accepted a great offload from fellow centre Daryl Millard.

El Masri landed a penalty goal right on half-time as Steve Menzies was very unlucky not to be sent to the sin and the visitors against the odds and after a poor start went to the break leading 20-8.

The Sea Eagles had their opportunities in the second half to get back into the match, but victory was just about sealed when Nick Kouparitsas scored his maiden NRL try.

Ben Roberts put the result beyond all reasonable doubt with a 75th minute drop goal.

Hughes won the Channel Nine Man of the Match award and he had an outstanding game. Willie Tonga finally found form, coach Steve Folkes used Willie Mason for much more minutes than previously and halfback Brent Sherwin continues his fine season.

The Bulldogs were impressive, but they now need to back it up for more than just the one week. The true Canterbury when in form would be ruthless, focused and determined to cash in when the iron is hot. The current crop hasn't displayed that consistency and killer instinct since they won the premiership three years ago. Next week against the Roosters is their true test and whether the good culture of old is returning or the new culture of inconsistency is still around.

Manly were disappointing and coach Des Hasler found reasons to be highly critical of referee Tony Archer despite his side winning the penalty count and Menzies not being binned at a critical moment of the match. Wonder what Hasler would have been like if the Sea Eagles happened to lose the penalty count and Menzies was binned?

Halfback Matt Orford once again failed to fire in a pressure match where his presence was most needed and Lyon other than kick goals has been less than productive since returning to the NRL.

What did this result achieve .... Are the Bulldogs back? Are Manly a myth? Both? Neither?


ABC Grandstand interviews with O'Meley, Tonga and Patten
Sun June 24, 2007
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

ACB Grandstand spoke with Mark O'Meley, Willie Tonga and Luke Patten after the Bulldogs easily accounted for Manly (27-8 at Brookvale Oval).

ABC:
I'm with Mark O'Meley, mate a terrific performance tonight?

O'Meley:
Yeah, a boggy track, pretty slippery out here, slow game, but yeah it was a good win.

ABC:
The boys lift, a big game this week so obviously they would have trained with the view of having a big game against the front-runners Manly?

O'Meley:
Yeah, well we were four points out of the eight, we knew if we lost again we were going to drop way out so we knew coming in, big effort, get a win, get a good weekend off so we can freshen up for next Monday night's game.

ABC:
Were you a little concerned when they scored that first try early on?

O'Meley:
Oh, it just frustrated me with that marker rule, because I gave the penalty away and it sort of frustrated me, a lot of teams sometimes when they play the ball, they step to the side of you so your offside or they'll step into you, so I gave a cheap penalty away so it really frustrated me and then they scored on the end of it but we rectified that and worked well on the edges after that.

ABC:
What's the confidence like in the club at the moment mate, there's been a fair bit of focus on you guys?

O'Meley:
I've said it a fair bit, I think the problem is we were too cocky and too confident. We throw the ball around a lot, we try and play fancy footy instead of building it. Tonight we played a basic game and come up with the result.

ABC:
Mate we're you disappointed not to get selected in Origin two?

O'Meley:
Yeah, a little bit frustrated, I thought I'd be able to offer a lot more, offer a lot, not more but a lot. I thought if I got in there I'd be able to rip in and give that bit of impact they missed game one but you know, not to be.

ABC:
Your obviously hopeful of getting the call up for the last one?

O'Meley:
Yeah well it wouldn't surprise me if I didn't, it's just part of football now.

ABC:
We picked you mate, anyway great game tonight and best of luck for the rest of the season.

-----

ABC:
Willie Tonga, mate your best game of the season by far you think?

Tonga:
Yeah I think so, probably last week was something that needed to happen for me to get a bit of a rev up and it's good to come out with a win.

ABC:
I thought everyone focuses on your forward pack and how great they are but tonight your backs were outstanding?

Tonga:
Yeah they were and I think they go unnoticed a lot of the time because we've got players like O'Meley, Mason, Sonny Bill and players like that so the halves really done well and we're really happy.

ABC:
I talked to Ogre (Mark O'Meley) before and he thought you guys were probably too cocky this season and that's probably contributed to the way you guys have played?

Tonga:
Yeah I think so, definitely in the first couple of rounds with our star forward pack we used to go into every game thinking we were going to out-muscle them but that wasn't the case so we had to change things.

ABC:
Shifty (Brent Sherwin) seems to be getting back to his best, does that make a difference for you guys out wide?

Tonga:
Yeah for sure when Shifty's on his game then everyone's playing well and he's starting to do that and hopefully this can turn our season around.

ABC:
Mate I'll let you get inside, great game tonight and best of luck for the rest of the season.

-----

ABC:
Luke Patten, terrific match tonight mate, your back three were outstanding.

Patten:
Yeah, it's tough coming to Brooky, especially on a tough surface like this, greasy, with the good kicking game that they've got it was always going to be a tough night but I was pretty happy with the boys at the back.

ABC:
I just said to Willie Tonga that there is a lot of focus on your forwards but your backs were outstanding tonight?

Patten:
They were and he was as well. I think Willie Tonga on his day is up there with the best centres in the game and he showed that tonight with a couple of crucial tries so it's good to have him back and also Benny Roberts to get him back in the side, I think he had a good game too.

ABC:
What was the talk like after that first try Manly scored?

Patten:
Yeah it's always positive, we knew that they were going to come out 100 percent at us and we had to withstand that and come back at them and we started off a bit slow but we slowly got into the game and I think we finished really strong.

ABC:
You obviously take a lot of confidence out of a good win like that at here 'Fortress' Brookvale.

Patten:
Yeah we do. I said earlier in the week that we like these big games, coming over here where the crowd hates us and no-one gave us a chance. We had a good week at training, we were confident and we stuck to the game plan tonight so it's going to be a real loud team song I think.

ABC:
Mate thanks for talking to ABC, best of luck for the rest of the season.

News sent by: www.bulldogs.com.au

Tue June 19, 2007
• Tonga and Roberts return against Manly
  

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