By Dean Ritchie
August 30, 2007
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22329874-5006066,00.html
THEY have won 17 matches this season and will finish second on the NRL table, but former Australian and Parramatta lock Ray Price last night boldly predicted Manly would "choke" in this year's finals.
Price, who featured in legendary clashes against the Sea Eagles in his playing days, even went as far as to suggest Manly would fail to make the grand final.
IS RAY PRICE RIGHT? GO TO THE 'HAVE YOUR SAY' BOX
Manly players yesterday quickly refuted Price's contentious claim despite losing their past two games.
Price claimed Manly were the All Blacks of the NRL - chokers in big games.
"They will choke. I might be wrong but I don't think they'll even reach the grand final," Price said.
"They have a relatively young side and finals football is completely different to the rest of the season.
"I think the finals pressure might overpower them.
"The All Blacks do it every World Cup. They go in as favourites but cracks appear.
"It's the same as Manly. I just find it hard to tip Manly to win the comp.
"There's been a couple of games this year where they have been left wanting in one or two areas."
Sea Eagles players yesterday played down their successive losses to Souths and the Warriors - and also dismissed Price's comments.
"It means nothing to me. We're not worried about what Ray Price says," said hooker Michael Monaghan.
"I'm comfortable with where we're at. We had six guys out last week against a top-four side (Warriors) at their home and we were probably the better side for 60 minutes.
"There is still a long way to go."
Manly centre Jamie Lyon said the back-to-back defeats would actually help his side.
"A couple of losses has been a good reminder for us - it's a kick in the backside," Lyon said.
"It might be good for us.
"Everyone has an opinion but we are still second in the competition.
"Another comp starts next week and we're still confident that we can rectify a few small problems."
Second-rower Anthony Watmough stressed his team was only incurring "minor" problems.
"It's been a kick in the backside but we just have to learn to play a simple style of football," he said.
"We've only had six losses all year but if we do the basics right, we will go a long way to beating any team.
"Ray Price is a legend and he's entitled to his opinion.
"But the premiership is there for the taking."
Half Matt Orford added: "It's been basic errors and some lazy plays."
Manly coach Des Hasler pinpointed his side's attack as an area in need of improvement.
"We have to be more clinical in our execution," he said
