SEA EAGLES coach Des Hasler has sent an ominous warning to the NRL's high-flyers, declaring not only do Manly deserve to be in the finals but they can ruffle some feathers once they're there.

Needing a win against the Bulldogs this afternoon to cement seventh position - or at the very least for Souths to lose to the Dragons tonight to ensure they claim eighth position - the Manly side has so far failed to deliver on its potential.

But Hasler and skipper Jamie Lyon are adamant an attitude adjustment and finals berth can help the side overcome its impatience.

''I think we deserve to be in the finals, definitely,'' Hasler insisted. ''We've played some really good footy this year. But at the same time, we've been terribly inconsistent and we're paying for that penalty now.

''There are lots of different reasons we lose our way in the second half sometimes. If you look at the stats, obviously a few calls haven't gone our way but we've got to learn to overcome those things. Sometimes we lose our way a bit.''

Lyon admitted it was a case of frustration getting the better of his young side and said tolerance and patience was the key to the Sea Eagles not just claiming a finals berth, but going on into the first weekend of October.

''Of course we deserve to be in the finals - we've got the players,'' Lyon said. ''And we've showed glimpses of what we can do but we need to be able to do it for a longer period.

''When calls go against you we just have to learn to move on and try and put it out of the back of our minds. Especially the younger guys, who probably haven't played as much, tend to dwell on it a little bit - but I suppose probably the older players do too.

''But we need to realise you can't change decisions by getting frustrated, and just move on straight away.

''We'd love to be able to recreate the first 39 minutes against the Roosters [last week] for the full 80 minutes [this week]. And it's not going to be an easy game with the Dogs sending off Brett Kimmorley and Luke Patten.

''We're looking forward to getting back to Brookie and if we can get that hill full, hopefully we can put on a show for them.''

Hasler is confident utility forward Chris Bailey can fill suspended lock Glenn Stewart's boots and said his side's destiny was in its own hands.

''We don't want to be sweating on the Souths result,'' Hasler said. ''Our destiny is well within our control and we've got plenty to play for.

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