Round 19 Faither Five vs Manly Sea Eagles

The Manly Sea Eagles have certainly become a thorn in the side of the NZ Warriors and are undoubtedly the clubs bogey side with the club winning just 1 game from the last 12 meetings stretching back to 2010. While the Warriors continue to show plenty more pride in the jersey and a willingness to be able to compete for an entire game instead of switching off after 60 mins, it's 2 points that have gone begging and with plenty of teams fighting for those last few spots in the 8 it was a game that needed to be won and may come back to haunt them in their quest for finals footy this season.

Faither Five

1. Cappy doing it for a LOL(ohea)

As far as decisions that make no sense go, this one is right up there with the best of them. To start with, playing a back on the bench is a wasted bench spot as far as i am concerned. To make it even worse, when that player possesses the ability to bust a game open in the blink of an eye, leaving him to keep a seat warm for 80 minutes is ridiculous. Although the Warriors should have been able to close the game out without him on the field it's crazy that the rotation wasn't organised better as those wet conditions would have been hard work on all the players legs.

2. Tommy deserves more recognition

The hole that this man will leave in the Warriors squad when he departs at the end of the season is going to be far greater than most fans realise or are willing to admit. Another stand out performance from the little fella who punches well above his weight when it comes to his defensive duties and offers SJ the perfect amount of support in the halves. Calls for him to be dropped just because he is leaving at seasons end and to be replaced by Tui effective immediately are outrageous. He is by far and away our best option at 5/8 and we need our best combinations possible on the paddock as we fight for a spot in the finals at seasons end.

3. Sam Lisone - He's a half not a prop, just ask him 

Over the past month or so i have become increasingly frustrated at Lisone getting himself into dummy half or first/second receiver. I have literally seen him trying to push Issac Luke out of the way at dummy half so he can get in himself. It was absolutely no surprise to see him give the pass to SJ to put him under pressure as the 5th was looming with the game on the line and then proceed to get himself into position to take a snap at field goal. Seriously bro, get the fuck out of the way and let the halves/hooker do their jobs and you just worry about yours. 

4. Game over for The Beast?

Manu has offered great service over the years but is it time we look past him when selecting the side? With no disrespect intended, there comes a time in every players career where they need to have a long hard look at themselves in the mirror and decide whether it's time to move on. With the emergence of Fusitua and Maumalo, the return of RTS in 2017 and Loloheas ability to play on the flank, it seems we may have better options than relying on Manu. 

5. Bunty Brilliance

While it is still very much early days for Bunty, 2 games into his 1st Grade career and it looks like the Warriors have unearthed a real gem. His talent has been there for all to see while playing U/20's and Reserve Grade, but it's the ease in which he has stepped up into 1st Grade that is most impressive. 2 tries in his second game were well deserved and looks to have the ability to run good angles allowing him to hit the holes which is something our more experienced back rowers have struggled to achieve this season.

- Written by Geese

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