Manly to fire up on adversity
DES Hasler’s backs-to-thewall mentality has returned to Manly, with the Sea Eagles coach declaring his side will draw spirit from the challenge of being without Tom Trbojevic for the finals.
Trbojevic had a successful surgery on his ruptured pectoral on Wednesday, as Brendan Elliot ramped up his preparations to take on the No.1 jersey against Parramatta.
The Kangaroos star’s absence has forced many pundits to write off the Sea Eagles, who have a 4-9 record without their fullback in the past two years.
But Hasler had no concerns over how that would affect his team psychologically, as they still had a top-four spot in their sights.
“Coupled with that challenge comes spirit,” Hasler said. “And no doubt there are plenty of experts out there who are predicting the fate that lies before this side over the next month. The great thing about it is we can control it. It will be a great thing if it arises.”
Manly have again been floated in the expansion debate as a possible option for relocation, a situation Hasler was adamant wouldn’t happen.
But on the field he warned no team should be written off in this year’s title race and joked the focus should be on Parramatta tonight at a nearcapacity Bankwest Stadium.
“I wouldn’t write anybody off. You can’t control the circumstances, can you?” he said.
“If anything the pressure is probably on Parramatta … we’ll start the mind games now. I just think the fact there is 26,000 or 27,000 people there (tonight) is a tremendous experience.”
Eels coach Brad Arthur said of Manly: “They’ve been at their best when they’ve had a few things go against them.”
over to AAMI Park and do a job on them,” he said.
“They’re playing some really good footy, but what we need to do is just continue what we’re doing – playing for each other, and putting our best foot forward.
“I think the last couple of weeks has really shown how well we can actually play when we’re switched on. It’s sad that it’s taken this long to sort of find that groove. Hopefully we can just continue that this weekend and continue it next year when we come back.”