KEY POINTS:
I can't the life of me, explain what happened to the Warriors.
For a team that had showed so much getting to this game, they showed little last night. Only early in the second half did they look like they might be going somewhere, with all the little guys starting to run.
But it was a false dawn and the Warriors just didn't do what they have done later in the season - mark up on defence. They gave Manly a head start and got themselves behind the eight ball before halftime.
They gave Manly too much space - there was an early break out of dummy half by Steve Matai which looked ominous. It was.
They struggled to go forward. They looked like they were waiting for someone to spark them - and it just didn't happen. I wouldn't say it was stage fright because they had too many experienced players for that. But that's what it looked like.
Manly were clever. They kicked to Manu Vatuvei early and tackled well, tiring him and blunting his power.
They kept kicking the ball away from Wade McKinnon, drawing his teeth as well and when he did get the ball, they had plenty of chasers there.
I just can't explain why the Warriors were like that - and I bet Ivan Cleary can't explain it either.
Their kicking game was poor. They didn't get any field position whatsoever and their kicking was predictable. They kicked into the in-goal area on only a coupe of occasions; the rest were bombs that Manly dealt with easily. Crazy.
You knew Manly were going to start like a house on fire and they did - no suprises there. But the Warriors just didn't respond.
The missed tackle count was 11-3 against the Warriors at halftime and that was that, really. Michael Witt was pulled out of position twice and Manly twice went past him with an inside ball.
Our halves just didn't fire. Meanwhile, for Manly, Matt Orford was his usual busy and strong self and they allowed Jamie Lyons to put on a fine display; as did Brett Stewart.
This will be counted a good season by the Warriors club and the fans; and so it was. But they will be wishing they had finished better than that.
Meanwhile, I have no axe to grind and have no vested interest in commenting about tackling technique of teams and in particular the furore over Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith, which I think has been overplayed in the media.
There has been a complete over-reaction to the latter and the tackle that has seen him suspended for two matches. First, the specific tackle against Brisbane's Sam Thaiday was not a good look but, importantly it was not a grapple tackle. The grapple is a hold that locks the head to restrict the individual's movement, giving the tackler control. It was obvious that Smith did not have Thaiday's head locked in any position but his hand was around his throat.
If it was a grapple, he would have been charged with a dangerous or reckless tackle of a specific grade and, because it wasn't, he was charged with contrary conduct.
The media and public have latched onto an awkward-looking tackle and cried foul - claiming a grapple tackle which has sent everyone into a frenzy. Because it is Melbourne, every tackle is scrutinised and if there is any evidence of contact around the neck or head, players 'milk' things for a penalty and the crowd scream for the referee to award one.
Then television replays repeat the vision looking for any contentious action. Because Melbourne have previously been guilty of unsavoury tackles, pressure is placed on the referee to act.
Watching the Storm-Sharks game on Friday evening, I counted 11 tackles from the Sharks which could easily have been claimed a grapple. But Cronulla do not have a history for such technique. So they get away with it and not one mention of it by commentators.
The techniques around the tackle have advanced over the years and introducing new methods is part and parcel of development. If there are dangerous aspects of the techniques employed, then ban them outright or get on with playing.
If there is a hint of a dangerous tackle involving these techniques, then penalties should ensue. But to suspend someone after the fact is not the way to handle it.
Prevention is better than cure. Ban it and referee it out of the game but do not let it continue unabated and then penalise when players infringe. If there is a risk a player can be seriously injured, then act before a player receives a broken neck.
Players need to get on with playing the game and stop whinging and milking matters, looking for a penalty - which just exacerbates the situation, especially if the referee does not act on their bleating.
Exaggerating the contact in the face/neck area and faking injury because of a hint of a grapple needs to stop. If it continues, the image of the game will soon head in the direction of soccer and the faking of injuries to attract penalties.
Actors you are not - so just get on with playing football.
