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Figures stack up for full-on finals assault

Joe Barton
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/09/08/6309_sports.html
08Sep07

HEAD Sea Eagles conditioner Don Singe has declared that Manly have prepared perfectly for an epic finals assault.

Singe's claims are backed up by SportsData statistics which reveal Manly are the competition's most effective side in the final 20 minutes of a match.

The fitness guru told fans not to worry about a dip in form over the past month where Manly have not outscored their opponent in the final quarter once, in stark contrast to their previous 21 rounds.

``There is nothing to worry about,'' Singe said.

``A lot of people will look at our form in the past three weeks and have particular concerns about being able to maintain our consistencies in the second half.

``But we have a target in mind, in very simplistic terms it's all about petrol tanks, and we need to make sure that the petrol tank is full for the finals.

``These men have been physically under the pump over the past month.

``Regardless of the results in the past three matches I assure you these men have been preparing for the next four weeks.''

During the week The Manly Daily uncovered data which confirms that Manly step up in the final quarter of each match.

Manly have been bettered only five times over the final quarter in matches this year - astonishing considering their past month.

Up until round 23, Manly's only lapses occurred in round four, a win over the New Zealand Warriors, and the round 15 loss to the Bulldogs.

Even premiership favourites the Melbourne Storm aren't as rock solid in the back end of a game - they've been outscored on eight occasions as the match winds down.

Singe puts it down to fitness work that the club have focused on all year.

``Our fitness is one of the definite factors in our defensive efforts and backing up in the second halves,'' he said.

``It's a fine line, and a genuine combination of our fitness and our game plans, which have a tremendous amount of work put into them.''

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Brothers' tale: from backyard to Brookie

John Greco

08Sep07
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/09/08/6313_sports.html
THEY grew up kicking the footy together in their Wollongong back yard before their talent saw them graduate to the rigours of the NRL and first grade at the Sea Eagles.

Rugby League has been a part of the lives of the Stewart brothers for as long as they can remember.

Tonight Brett and Glenn take the next step in their incredible journey when they take to the field in their first finals match together.

The Sea Eagles can go a long way to capturing their first premiership since 1996 if they can overcome the Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval tonight.

It's a scenario that excites hard-working backrower Glenn, especially with younger brother Brett by his side.

``Just playing together in first grade is special enough,'' the 23-year-old forward said.

``Now to be setting our sights on winning a premiership together is unreal.

``I suppose our goal growing up was to play (first grade) together and now the next step is winning together.''

Brett said tonight's historic first home semi-final for the club would hold extra significance for the Stewart boys with their parents to be among the packed Brookvale Oval crowd.

``Actually the whole family is coming up . . . they made sure they were the first to get tickets,'' the try-scoring whiz said.

``We're all really looking forward to it.

``It's going to be a full house and a really special night for everyone.''

Brett admitted Manly's loss to the Rabbitohs in round 23 was still ``in the back of their minds'' but insisted his team knew the areas where they needed to improve.

``We've got to cut out giving away penalties and our errors,'' Stewart, who is a big chance of being the Kangaroos fullback for the end of season Test, said.

``With the errors we've been making it seems that we like defending.

``The less defence we do the better for our attack and hopefully you will see that (tonight).

``We know what sort of football we can play and it's just a few key areas we've let ourselves down in lately.''

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Orford to the test

Jason Avedissian

08Sep07
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/09/08/6321_sports.html

MANLY half Matt Orford will be playing for a Test jumper over the coming month of NRL finals with a host of No 7s unavailable.

With Cowboys captain and dual Dally M winner Johnathan Thurston set to have shoulder surgery following the finals and Brett Kimmorley and Scott Prince not featuring in the finals, Orford is a strong contender.

``There's a great opportunity for Matt to show that he's up to it by performing well over the next month,'' ex-Manly and Kangaroo half John Gibbs said yesterday.

``Last impressions are the best impressions and if you are there when it counts and going well, you are giving yourself every opportunity and I'm sure he can do that.''

Gibbs said with both Prince and Kimmorley ``out of sight and out of mind'', the number seven jumper is likely to be a two-way tangle between Orford and Melbourne's Cooper Cronk.

``What would be perfect would be a Melbourne and Manly grand final,'' Gibbs said.

``It would be great to see those guys go head-to-head.''

The Sea Eagles are hoping the likes of Jamie Lyon, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough and Brett Stewart will be in contention for Australian jerseys should Manly go deep into the finals.

But it all starts tonight with the Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval.

``It's crunch time now and we want to get a win,'' Lyon said. ``It's probably going to be wet, probably going to be won up the middle but they're (Souths) going to be a tough team to beat no matter what. ``I hope I get plenty of ball and get a few chances out wide.''

Manly coach Des Hasler will settle on his final 17-man squad today with reserves Travis Burns, Vic Mauro and Michael Bani tipped to drop off the bench.

Prop Brent Kite trained last night at Brookvale Oval with a decision on his fitness to be made this morning.

The Sea Eagles prop is unlikely to play. Manly trained strongly last night with the players eager to secure a first-up finals victory after bombing out last year.

``This season has been a great journey for all of us but we haven't achieved anything yet,'' Orford said. The action kicks-off at 8.30pm tonight.

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King's long wait for the NRL crown

Jason Avedissian

08Sep07

WHEN the Sea Eagles were routinely qualifying for the finals during the mid 1990s, Jason King was there watching from the stands at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The all-seated Moore Park venue was where all finals matches were played in those days, ensuring each team a fair crack at premiership glory.

But over a decade on and the semi-finals are played in the suburbs, in King's backyard at Brookvale where he grew up idolising his beloved Sea Eagles.

``When I was growing up I had to go to the SFS, I went to all the games I could,'' he said this week.

``I never thought I'd be playing a semi at Brookie.

``But when I came into league (in 2001), I thought it would be awesome to get a home semi . . . we've never had the chance before.

``We came close last year, but now it's happening and I can't wait. Being a local junior makes it really special.

``We have worked so hard and this is a small step towards our dream.''

Clearly that dream is lifting the NRL title on the evening of September 30 at Telstra Stadium.

King knows it's a few weeks off yet, but he is confident under coach Des Hasler the club has the arsenal to go all the way.

``We've definitely got the fire power to do it,'' he said.

``We've got a few players here who are really high quality and been in the semis before. We've just got to keep playing the way we've played the majority of the year.''

The timing of Brent Kite's injury also gives King the chance to grab the number eight jumper and start up front.

The 26-year-old has played two matches off the bench since returning from a knee injury a fortnight ago.

He is now ready to lead the way against the Rabbitohs in the qualifying final at Brookvale Oval tonight.

``I'm feeling really good, feeling quite refreshed,'' King said.

``It was a little bit frustrating there for a while not playing, but I think it was good to give the body a rest.

``I'm excited about the opportunity and can't wait to start.''

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King's long wait for the NRL crown

Jason Avedissian

http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/09/08/6314_news_feature.html
08Sep07

WHEN the Sea Eagles were routinely qualifying for the finals during the mid 1990s, Jason King was there watching from the stands at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The all-seated Moore Park venue was where all finals matches were played in those days, ensuring each team a fair crack at premiership glory.

But over a decade on and the semi-finals are played in the suburbs, in King's backyard at Brookvale where he grew up idolising his beloved Sea Eagles.

``When I was growing up I had to go to the SFS, I went to all the games I could,'' he said this week.

``I never thought I'd be playing a semi at Brookie.

``But when I came into league (in 2001), I thought it would be awesome to get a home semi . . . we've never had the chance before.

``We came close last year, but now it's happening and I can't wait. Being a local junior makes it really special.

``We have worked so hard and this is a small step towards our dream.''

Clearly that dream is lifting the NRL title on the evening of September 30 at Telstra Stadium.

King knows it's a few weeks off yet, but he is confident under coach Des Hasler the club has the arsenal to go all the way.

``We've definitely got the fire power to do it,'' he said.

``We've got a few players here who are really high quality and been in the semis before. We've just got to keep playing the way we've played the majority of the year.''

The timing of Brent Kite's injury also gives King the chance to grab the number eight jumper and start up front.

The 26-year-old has played two matches off the bench since returning from a knee injury a fortnight ago.

He is now ready to lead the way against the Rabbitohs in the qualifying final at Brookvale Oval tonight.

``I'm feeling really good, feeling quite refreshed,'' King said.

``It was a little bit frustrating there for a while not playing, but I think it was good to give the body a rest.

``I'm excited about the opportunity and can't wait to start.''

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