Wary Hasler saw Warriors coming long ago
Greg Prichard | September 22, 2008
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...coming-long-ago/2008/09/21/1221935451710.html
MANLY coach Des Hasler said it before the Sea Eagles played St George Illawarra in the first week of the finals series, when he dismissed his team's poor record against the Dragons as meaningless. Now, as the Sea Eagles prepare to play the Warriors, against whom they have mostly enjoyed success in recent years, he is saying it again. Hasler is nothing if not consistent.
The Dragons had won seven of their previous eight clashes with the Sea Eagles, but Hasler was adamant that didn't represent a negative for his team going into a finals match. Manly proved him right, winning 38-6. Now, having had the second weekend of the series off, Manly will play the Warriors at the SFS on Saturday. The Sea Eagles have won four of their past five against them. "The same rule applies," Hasler said. "We can't take anything for granted against the Warriors, the same as we didn't let our record against the Dragons affect our thinking. Finals footy is a totally different type of battle. The games earlier this year, the games last year, they don't mean anything now."
Strictly speaking, the fantastic run of form the Warriors are enjoying began in round 16, when they had a 28-26 away win over Wests Tigers. But significant improvement had actually been registered in the previous round, when they were very competitive in a 20-14 loss at home to Manly. The Warriors have won 10 of their past 12 games, to be among the last four teams standing, and Hasler has great respect for them.
"I've been watching them very closely over the last few weeks," he said last night. "They've got momentum, which is obviously very important at this end of the season. They've tightened up in defence - their attitude is clearly very good there - and they've got plenty of self-belief. [Ruben] Wiki, [Steve] Price and [Brent] Tate are very experienced players who are in great form, and their little men are all playing really well, particularly out of dummy half.
"[Wade] McKinnon will come back at fullback [after suspension] for them against us, and [Lance] Hohaia will probably go back to the bench. That's a very solid side, but the focus, for us, has still got to be on making sure we get our own game right."
Hasler went to Campbelltown Stadium yesterday to watch Manly's NSW Cup team play in a finals game against Balmain Ryde.
Second-rower Adam Cuthbertson was not named for Manly but played to get some game time in case Hasler wants to use him against the Warriors. Cuthbertson, who has played 21 first-grade games this term, was 18th man against the Dragons, so did not play at all that weekend.
"I wanted to have a look at a few guys, and Adam was one of those," Hasler said. "He needed to get out there and have a run. He played about 60 minutes and did well, so he'll come into calculations for the Warriors game. We'll weigh it all up during the week."
Michael Bani, who was a regular first-grader before being injured and losing his spot to David Williams, played at fullback in yesterday's game. He would have been the obvious replacement had either Williams or winger Michael Robertson been hurt at any stage of the finals series. But Bani himself was injured again yesterday.
"Bani hurt his shoulder. It looks like he's gone for the rest of the season," Hasler said. "He hasn't had much luck this year."
Hasler said he was confident Manly centre Steve Bell will overcome a calf injury in time to play the Warriors.
(i wonder when game 300 will be?)
