Plucky Ox back for fiery clash
Jason Avedissian
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2008/07/2...302_sports.html
26 July 2008
Manly captain Matt `Ox' Orford goes through the pain barrier at training this week.
Picture: ANNIKA ENDERBORG - PP170077
MANLY skipper Matt Orford has predicted "a brutal clash" against the desperate Roosters tomorrow after the Sea Eagles general was cleared to play last night.
Orford's availability has boosted Manly's hopes of securing their first minor premiership since 1997.
Manly coach Des Hasler cleared Orford late yesterday to play the Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium tomorrow.
The 30-year-old ran freely in a fitness test at Narrabeen yesterday morning.
Orford missed Manly's last-start win over Parramatta, pulling out with a groin complaint. Orford said he expects Brad Fittler's Roosters to seek revenge on Manly after the Sea Eagles thrashed the Bondi club 42-0 at Brookvale Oval on June 8.
"Freddy is a fairly passionate sort of coach and I'm sure he'll have these blokes right up come Sunday," Orford said. "He'll be reminding them of that game at Brookie.
"He'll be touching on that and I'm sure it will be a brutal clash."
But the Manly leader refused to speculate on the minor premiership. The Sea Eagles are favoured to collect the $100,000 bonus for finishing first past the post in the regular season, currently two points ahead of Melbourne on 30 competition points.
"Not once this year have we spoken about the minor premiership, not one player," Orford said. "We have worked very hard to get in the position we are at and want to give us the best chance come semi-final time."
Utility forward Luke Williamson drops off the six-man bench with a hamstring injury while half Jeff Robson will remain in the Sea Eagles NRL squad as 18th man.
Hasler said Orford proved his fitness at a session yesterday morning.
