Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Gary Roberts RLCM - As the NRL competition continues into the second half of the season and with the representative series now over, the game progresses. The Finals are ten weeks away and the teams that are healthy, fit, and with little injury, will rise to the top.

The Manly Sea Eagles, although scratchy in their win over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night, showed that, with all players on deck, they should continue on their way and remain in the top section of the competition from now until the end of the minor premiership in September.

The Titans are at the other end of the scale. Losing five of their last six games and with key players out for the season, the future for the Titans in 2008 is opposite to that of Manly.

Unfortunately for the Titans, injury to key players is mainly to blame. They do not have the depth of quality players across the park to continue with their brilliant start to season 2008. Mark Minichiello, who left the field with an ankle injury late in the game on Saturday night, is the latest casualty.

The Titans really tried hard. Their forwards gave back what they received from the taller and heavier Manly pack.

It is constantly stated that, ‘forwards win games; backs assist in the winning' but on Friday some of the Titans' backs did not assist all that much.

Brad Davis, the fill in halfback, tries very hard but his playmaking is not going to foster the match winning ploys that the Titans' fans expected from Scott Prince. The two Titans wingers were very ordinary in the only facets of the game; Attack and Defence.

A problem that is starting to creep into the Titans' team is the lack of ‘player nous' that is needed in team and game situations by their flank men. Wingers must play a role in assisting the recipient of the kick, be in a position to receive a pass or to act as a decoy to put a doubt in the chaser's thoughts.

Preston Campbell was there by himself several times on Friday night.

On the other side of the coin, when a winger is a part of the chase team and becomes the first marker, he must understand what is required when in that position.

Manly winger, David Williams, ran 100m on the first play from dummy half in Set 26 - 2nd Half and scored, when marked by his opposite winger.

Commentators said that the above try was a turning point in the game, but maybe it might have been when the other Titans' winger, Brendon Bowen, did not drop back to assist Preston Campbell on Set 23 - Play 5 - 2nd Half.

Manly halfback, Orford, was quick to notice that he had not retreated. Orford attacked the short side, kicked the ball behind Bowen allowing Manly to regather and attack with three runners and only Preston Campbell in front of them.

With future Titan opposition being Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Storm, Knights, Cowboys, Broncos, Manly and West Tigers before the Finals Series, it is hard to recommend them as serious final contenders.

Fact: Unless the Titans' back three works together on Kick Reception and Plays 1 and the Titans' ball carriers gain faster ruck attack speed, positive field position will not be achieved by Play 5. The Titans will then continue to experience similar attacking raids and more tries will be scored against them like was witnessed in the second half of the game on Saturday night.

Click RLCMtv to view Titans coach John Cartwright and Preston Campbell.

Click RLCMtv to view Manly coach Des Hasler and Brett Stewart.

Manly 32 defeated Titans 14
Crowd 21,374
Skilled Park, Robina
Gold Coast