LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The decision by Manly to bring back an outdated tactic of kicking the ball away on the first tackle has come under scrutiny and has backfired in a brutal manner.
In the first half, Josh Schuster made the questionable choice to kick the ball after intercepting it and giving up possession instead of taking the tackle.
This move did not pay off for Manly.
In the second half, Rueben Garrick made a similar decision when he received a ball kicked by Penrith on their last tackle.
Instead of taking the hit-up, Garrick opted to kick the ball back downfield.
However, this tactic proved to be disastrous as Penrith capitalized on gaps in Manly's defensive line and scored a try through Sunia Turuva, giving the Panthers an 18-12 lead.
The decision to employ these outdated tactics raises questions about Anthony Seibold's coaching strategies and decision-making.
The use of such tactics, not seen in decades, indicates a lack of innovative and modern gameplay.
It also suggests a lack of trust in the team's ability to maintain possession and make effective tackles.
This move by Manly has clearly backfired and has put them at a disadvantage in the game.
It highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in rugby league and the potential consequences of deviating from commonly used tactics.
Seibold's role in implementing these tactics will undoubtedly be called into question as Manly faces the consequences of their failed attempts to gain an advantage.