Well Im another one to have to eat my words. I went to the game as I do all Sydney Bulldogs games and it was evident in the first 5 minutes compared to our efforts in the Brookvale game and Parra game that we had turned up tonight to hurt Manly in D. All our wins this year have been based around a solid defensive effort. D wins big games.
It was funny in the warm up, when the forwards went there way and the backs their way, it was evident that T Rex was going to play as the worlds biggest halfback, with Ennis as hooker and dummy half over with the forwards. T Rex and Jacko practised their kicking to the backs with T Rex putting up some monster spiralling bombs from 40 mtrs out. This wasnt to come out in the game though, but at least he and Jackson showed they can kick fairly well.
Again sitting in the members, I was surrounded by Manly supporters, which really ticked me off. Where the f**k are you all?
This leads me to ask the question. How many posters went to the game tonight? If not, why no.
When we got ahead at 16-10 off the back of following a simple game plan to the letter, I was feeling very confident, even though with Foran, Stewart and Lyons they still had plenty of attacking weapons to throw at us. Then of course Browne dropped the bomb on the goaline and Horo scores. I cast my 10 x 50's around the forwards who had worked themselves to a standstill only to see THIS happen and was distressed at the heads that went down. They regrouped behind the goaline as Jammer and Menace reminded them that we are up for this challenge. Lets put em away.
Even though Manly had some good quality ball down our end after this, they never looked like scoring really. Our D was too good. The captains try off the forward pass was icing on the cake.
So we beat the team that put the Rorters at full strength to bed last week. We played hard. Our D was uncompromising, our line speed in D was good nad our attack was good enough to get over the line.
We potentially have 6 players to come into this side - Hodko, Grub, JMoz, Stanley, Perrett and Klemmer. We are looking good. BUT surely, we have to find a spot for Inu on tonights performance. He was good in attack and D. Maybe Inu for Browne? Or if Perretts comeback stumbles why not JMoz at Fullback and Inu in centres. Browne is a strong runner but his overhead grabs for the ball are awful.
Finally again on the turnup. As an ANZ member, I can buy a ticket for anyone that wants to turnup. You can sit anywhere in the members section on Level 4. Simply pay for the ticket. So there is no excuse for the opposition outnumbering us in sections of the ANZ members section please Kennellers. Lets make ANZ the Dogs fortress!!!!