WHILE most players don’t get a look in the at the representative scene until they have established themselves as a first grade starter, Parramatta Eels forward Tim Mannah has made a career out of the bench.
"I think I turned into a bit of a specialist benchy,” Mannah told sportsnewsfirst.com.au. “I do see myself as an impact player. “I’ve learned how to handle myself off the bench and taught myself to make as much impact as I can when I’m on. “In saying that I don’t want to be stuck on the bench for the rest of my career. “I think in the coming years I’d like to be a starting player eventually.”
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/02/03/mannah-becomes-a-bench-specialist/
I like this. It is a much under-rated part of any team to have front-rowers who can come off the bench and continue on the work from the starting players. You have to be very mentally strong, to get your head into the same zone as those players already on the field and make an immediate impact. I've seen Timmy run on and make a hitup within the first minute of being on the park. A lot of players have to work themselves into the game and by the time they did, their stint is pretty much over.
It's good to see Tim is mature enough, not to think 'I'm an Origin player now, I should be starting'. That's the kind of thing that is going to make Tim captain of the club - he always strikes as someone who would put the side's benefit ahead of his own ego.
If Carl Webb gets back to anyone near his best, I think Parramatta probably have the best bench forwards in the competition with Mannah, Webb and Horo/Shackleton/Matuia. If Anthony Mitchell can take his game to that next level and be that dynamic 14, then it really doesn't get any better. It also fits very well, with the club's strategy to play a more grinding game, becuase it's all very well to wear down the opposition but if you don't have a strong bench who can help you deliver those killer blows in the back end of the half then you just don't score enough points to win matches.
St George's bench never got mentioned in regards to their success last year, but they had a bloody good set of players they let the side do the job in those final 10 mins.
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The only worry is if the halves can capatilize on the big meters our forwards will make.
Just keep the big forwards rolling p o p.
Halves won't have too many worries if Mannah / Webb / Fui / Poore / Hindy / Smith / Horo etc just roll straight over the try line. lol
Forwards making "big" metres does take a lot of pressure off halves and generally gives them just that little bit longer to make the right decisions.
Get halves to copy the "MIlkman" and stand deeper on 5th tackle also helps.