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Eyes on top six spot
ADAM LUCIUS
28feb06
MANLY coach Des Hasler concedes that anything less than a top six finish this year will be seen as a failure.
He made the observation after his team rounded off their pre-season campaign with a resounding win over premiers Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles overcame an early 6-0 deficit to run in eight tries, smashing a rusty Tigers outfit to send a clear signal that Manly will be a different proposition in 2006.
With Steve Bell and Matt Orford on board - joining a team that finished eighth last year - Hasler admitted the benchmark for success would be set a lot higher.
``Given where we finished last year, we've got to go up from there,'' he said.
``I'm not going to start making predictions about the top four or where we might finish, but we've got to aim higher (than last year).''
Skipper Ben Kennedy added: ``I'd be very disappointed if we didn't go better than last year.''
The optimism is understandable given the way the Sea Eagles dismantled the Tigers.
The premiers enjoyed plenty of ball early but could only come up with the solitary try as they struggled to find a way around Manly's swarming defence.
Anthony Watmough levelled for the home side and then put on a stink with Scott Prince which resulted in the Manly second-rower being sent to the sin bin.
Kylie Leuluai scored minutes later to put his side in front and the Sea Eagles weren't headed from there.
Steve Matai (2), Paul Stephenson, J.P. Cherry and Chris Hicks all finished with tries.
``What you saw out there you have to like a little bit given it was our first proper hit-out,'' Hasler said.
``The way we competed with their defence, they had a large share of the ball early but we were patient, we stuck solid and were able to hold them out.
``We've got two weeks to consolidate and there's going to be a few headaches for the selectors.''
Watmough, who laughed off his blue with Prince as a ``misunderstanding'', said the Sea Eagles didn't want to look too far ahead after just two trial matches.
``I don't want to say we're going to make the top four, we just want to make the top eight at this stage,'' he said.
``Halfway through the year we will reassess things but at the moment we just want to put a dent in the competition without worrying about where we will finish.''
Manly will enjoy next weekend off before opening the season against Canberra at Brookvale Oval on Saturday week, March 11.
Manly 42 Wests Tigers 18
ADAM LUCIUS
28feb06
MANLY coach Des Hasler concedes that anything less than a top six finish this year will be seen as a failure.
He made the observation after his team rounded off their pre-season campaign with a resounding win over premiers Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles overcame an early 6-0 deficit to run in eight tries, smashing a rusty Tigers outfit to send a clear signal that Manly will be a different proposition in 2006.
With Steve Bell and Matt Orford on board - joining a team that finished eighth last year - Hasler admitted the benchmark for success would be set a lot higher.
``Given where we finished last year, we've got to go up from there,'' he said.
``I'm not going to start making predictions about the top four or where we might finish, but we've got to aim higher (than last year).''
Skipper Ben Kennedy added: ``I'd be very disappointed if we didn't go better than last year.''
The optimism is understandable given the way the Sea Eagles dismantled the Tigers.
The premiers enjoyed plenty of ball early but could only come up with the solitary try as they struggled to find a way around Manly's swarming defence.
Anthony Watmough levelled for the home side and then put on a stink with Scott Prince which resulted in the Manly second-rower being sent to the sin bin.
Kylie Leuluai scored minutes later to put his side in front and the Sea Eagles weren't headed from there.
Steve Matai (2), Paul Stephenson, J.P. Cherry and Chris Hicks all finished with tries.
``What you saw out there you have to like a little bit given it was our first proper hit-out,'' Hasler said.
``The way we competed with their defence, they had a large share of the ball early but we were patient, we stuck solid and were able to hold them out.
``We've got two weeks to consolidate and there's going to be a few headaches for the selectors.''
Watmough, who laughed off his blue with Prince as a ``misunderstanding'', said the Sea Eagles didn't want to look too far ahead after just two trial matches.
``I don't want to say we're going to make the top four, we just want to make the top eight at this stage,'' he said.
``Halfway through the year we will reassess things but at the moment we just want to put a dent in the competition without worrying about where we will finish.''
Manly will enjoy next weekend off before opening the season against Canberra at Brookvale Oval on Saturday week, March 11.
Manly 42 Wests Tigers 18
