This Man deserves a Break!

[Briza]

Exhausted Manly skipper Ben Kennedy may have enforced leave over the closing stages of the season after leading his side to a 26-20 win over South Sydney on Saturday night.




This man deserves a break
ADAM LUCIUS
18jul06 EXHAUSTED Manly skipper Ben Kennedy may be given enforced leave over the closing stages of the season to ensure he is in prime condition for his last finals campaign.

Kennedy, who will retire at the end of the season, is starting to show the wear and tear of a long season as he carries the Sea Eagles towards the play-offs for the second successive year. The inspirational Sea Eagles captain limped out of his side's 26-20 win over South Sydney on Saturday night with corks to both legs. Kennedy and his teammates will receive a much-needed break with a bye looming in round 22.
But The Manly Daily can reveal the 32-year-old international may receive additional rest over the final four rounds if Manly's position on the table allows.
The round 24 home clash against the Rabbitohs or the final round match against Melbourne - if Manly's position on the table can't be altered - loom as possible rostered days off.
Kennedy has vowed to play out the season, declaring yesterday: "I'm tired and sore but I'll be there on Sunday (against Penrith). We've only got two more games before the bye, they're very important games for us.
"We set some personal goals and we're trying to achieve them - get to the bye and everyone have a rest, come back and then we get all our (injured) players back.
"So that will give us a big lift after the bye, we've just got to get there."
Manly coach Des Hasler refused to confirm whether there was a healthcare plan in place for his most valuable player.
"We are only thinking about our next game. I think you'd need a gun to stop Ben playing," he said.
Meanwhile, in-form fullback Brett Stewart was sent for x-rays last night after suffering a neck injury in the grafting win over Souths at Telstra Stadium.
Manly led the Bunnies 16-10 at half-time courtesy of three Michael Robertson tries.
Stewart stretched the lead to 12 points before Nathan Merritt replied for the hosts.
Luke Williamson appeared to wrap the match up with a controversial try in the 65th minute, but Merritt's second try four minutes later ensured the Sea Eagles some anxious moments in the dying stages.

 

[domdom]

worrying news about brett stewart. hope he pulls up okay.

i think it might be an idea to give BK less work, maybe put him on interchange leading up to the bye, throw him on to lift the boys when we start looking flat.

i'd hate to be des trying to convince BK to go on the interchange bench though! you'd need to be pretty persuasive.

 

[chileman]

BK is a legend and is going to be sorely missed next season!

 

[Sea Eagle Scuba]

Hopefully Jason Wells continues his good form this year and gets a start in first grade.

 

[Sea Eagle Scuba]

I hope we win enough games so that we can rest him for a week or two.

 

[lotti]

as much as we need him in our lead up to the finals we'll need him much more in the finals so if Dessie offers it or even forces him to take a break he should take one, afterall we do have to learn how to play the tough games without him.

 

[groggo]

bk you legend definately looks like he needs a rest

 

[Sea Eagle Scuba]

Yer thats true lotti. And when he takes a rest it'll be a good indication of what we can look forward to next year. :lol: I think its time to blood some young guns like Adam Cuthbertson, Mailangi Styles, Jason Wells and Matt Ballin.

 

[domdom]

it's a tricky situation, as we're knocking on the door for the top 4 (hey that rhymes!), and with the current injury woes we have, without BK leading the pack, we will lose alot of leadership and oomph up front.

we do have a bye and another match against the bunnies (at brookie). rest him in that game, we need him for the others. the last two (dogs and storm) i think will be really important to win. if we win those, it'll do wonders for our confidence going into the finals.