Bulldogs and Storm wary of wounded Manly

[Vlasnik]

Beware the wounded Sea Eagles - that's the message from the leading contenders to Manly's NRL crown.

Both Canterbury coach Des Hasler and Melbourne captain Cameron Smith say despite being hit hard by injury and suspension Manly remain more than capable of winning back-to-back premierships.

Canterbury and Melbourne enjoy week two of the finals off and are just one win away from the 2013 decider. And the leading figures at each club believe those dismissing Manly's premiership credentials after last week's qualifying loss to the Bulldogs are well off the mark.

Manly's 2011 premiership winning mentor Hasler said the club has traditionally managed its best performances under adversity.

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"Don't write Manly off, there are too many people out there saying that," Hasler told Sky Radio's The Big Sports Breakfast.

"The Cowboys would be very, very nervous about that ... the Cowboys coming off that game against Brisbane they didn't control. Manly coming off a dour, tight struggle from last Friday, that is when they are at their most dangerous."

Smith's Storm side will host their two-time grand final foes Manly in a preliminary final in Melbourne next week if the premiers can defeat North Queensland in Friday night's semi-final. The Australian captain said a Sea Eagles win would not surprise.

"The talk of the town at the moment is the Cowboys but you just can't write off the Sea Eagles," Smith said.

They are a good football side and they know how to win at this time of the year. They had a tough one last week against the minor premiers, they played really well the Dogs.

"Maybe injury and suspension might hurt the Manly side but I don't think they are going to lie down and say it's going to be tough because of injury and suspension, they will come out and throw everything at the Cowboys."

 

[Mr Invisible]

I doubt they'll be wary of them after Friday night. I reckon Cowboys will bring a real physical game knowing a few of Manlys players are carrying injuries into it.

Whare, Tafua, and Oldfield will be in for a LONG night I reckon.

 

[bLaQDoG..]

Imagine we had lost that game against Manly.

Pretty sure we'd be written off worse than Souths.

 

[dogie]

Imagine we had lost that game against Manly.

Pretty sure we'd be written off worse than Souths.

good point

 

[likeadoggy]

cows should pump manly- tamou looks like he wants to eat someone's head atm
him and Scott will make manlys front row look even more ordinary jmo

 

[Chicharito]

the cowboys should get the better of a wounded manly outfit...nothing would make me happier than see them get knocked out of the finals

 

[Guard Dog]

Dogs should be wary of any team that has got this far.Rabbitohs under estimated the Storm and got ambushed.

 

[RookieDog]

the cowboys should get the better of a wounded manly outfit...nothing would make me happier than see them get knocked out of the finals

... except for the Bulldogs winning the Grand Final!

 

[Woods]

I reckon Manly will beat the cowboys I sense an upset. They usually bounce back after a tough loss.

 

[mearsey]

Hmmm , they will have the crowd , will perform better being the underdogs but I like the cows , Manly knocked them out of the comp last 2 years in a row and be fired up , but Manlys highly illegal physical game might put them off ??

Feels good to be a doggie

 

[Bob dog]

We need to stick to the one week at a time tactic, any team is dangerous in September.
I'm more concerned about these Raiders.

 

[mearsey]

We need to stick to the one week at a time tactic, any team is dangerous in September.
I'm more concerned about these Raiders.

Really Bobby ? Watched the replay of the game we played against them yesterday and although Jono Wright had a shocker , an absolute shocker , we played pretty ordinary . Im sure if we play them again it will be a very different story ; plus they have lost one of their best players and goal kicker in Jarrad Croker for the year .
Souths will bounce back and make it hard for them sat night

 

[Papa Emeritus]

I want to see Bulldogs in full gear supporting the Cowboys in person!

 

[Chicharito]

... except for the Bulldogs winning the Grand Final!

this is true

 

[Bulldog_NJ]

I think Manly will feel demoralized after the loss to the Dogs. so much hype, so much talk, and so much physicality, for no result takes its toll. This, as well as the fact that Lyon and Matai are out doesnt make things any easier.

I think the cowboys will win by a 1-12 margin.

 

[Guardog]

cows should pump manly- tamou looks like he wants to eat someone's head atm
him and Scott will make manlys front row look even more ordinary jmo

The Dogs have taken a lot of sting out of them and the Cowboys forwards will benefit from it. The Cows then have to deal with the Storm. That should be a cracker and they should bash each other silly. The dogs will play Souths in my opinion. Canberra really rely upon Croker. The Bulldogs forwards will then ride roughshod over Souths. Dogs v Storm GF.

 

[mearsey]

The Dogs have taken a lot of sting out of them and the Cowboys forwards will benefit from it. The Cows then have to deal with the Storm. That should be a cracker and they should bash each other silly. The dogs will play Souths in my opinion. Canberra really rely upon Croker. The Bulldogs forwards will then ride roughshod over Souths. Dogs v Storm GF.

Is a good feeling watching the other sides go at it . Media is saying we ' won ugly '
against the Eagles . Fact is , we had to get down and dirty and there was mistakes because of that ; but what about our 2 long distance tries ? Were they ugly ......

Cherry - Evans puts a kick in down Perrets gob , which he catches on the 15m mark , passes to Barba , who passes to Wright , who then passes to Morris .....
Josh Morris puts the hammer down , sprints another 50m or so before offloading to Benny Barba TRY

If thats ugly , I'll be happy to watch

 

[likeadoggy]

The Dogs have taken a lot of sting out of them and the Cowboys forwards will benefit from it. The Cows then have to deal with the Storm. That should be a cracker and they should bash each other silly. The dogs will play Souths in my opinion. Canberra really rely upon Croker. The Bulldogs forwards will then ride roughshod over Souths. Dogs v Storm GF.

exactly how I see it panning out

 

[Book]

I still think Manly are favourites. Seems to be a lot of people either under-rating Manly or over-rating the Cowboys.

 

[Bonzo]

I still think Manly are favourites. Seems to be a lot of people either under-rating Manly or over-rating the Cowboys.

Well we will find out friday!