DateJuly 24, 2012 - 7:
James MacSmith
Manly say they have the big game players, and the experience, capable of successfully defending their NRL premiership through a succession of sudden death games.
The Sea Eagles' aspirations of claiming back-to-back titles have been hit hard all season long by injuries and inconsistency but the team is convinced they will rise to the occasion when it matters most.
After successive losses to Newcastle and Canterbury, Manly need to string together several victories just to make the top eight let alone the top four, but prop Brent Kite said there remained a strong belief at Manly that they can win their third premiership in five years.
"We are not right up there in calculations with the bookies, but that doesn't worry us because we have shown in recent years we can win when it counts," Kite said.
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"We pride ourselves on getting things right at the right time of the year. Even in nine and 10 (2009 and 2010) we didn't go quietly.
"I think we know we can produce our best when it counts.
"As the regular season comes to an end, we would like to make it five from six or six from six. There is a great belief we can do it and that might just be the tonic."
Kite said Manly's strength was in talent across the park not the over reliance on one or two players.
"You look at some teams and they might have two or three very key players but we like to think we have a good spread of players in all positions," he said.
Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey said they would look to the Warriors' efforts of last season, who they defeated in the grand final, as inspiration if they failed to make the top four.
"The Warriors showed that last year, they finished down the bottom of the eight and all of a sudden they are in the grand final," Toovey said.
"All you need is a bit of luck and some good football and you can end up holding the trophy above your head.
"If you are in the eight you are a chance."
© 2012 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/we-can-win-from-anywhere-say-manly-20120724-22n8u.html
James MacSmith
Manly say they have the big game players, and the experience, capable of successfully defending their NRL premiership through a succession of sudden death games.
The Sea Eagles' aspirations of claiming back-to-back titles have been hit hard all season long by injuries and inconsistency but the team is convinced they will rise to the occasion when it matters most.
After successive losses to Newcastle and Canterbury, Manly need to string together several victories just to make the top eight let alone the top four, but prop Brent Kite said there remained a strong belief at Manly that they can win their third premiership in five years.
"We are not right up there in calculations with the bookies, but that doesn't worry us because we have shown in recent years we can win when it counts," Kite said.
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"We pride ourselves on getting things right at the right time of the year. Even in nine and 10 (2009 and 2010) we didn't go quietly.
"I think we know we can produce our best when it counts.
"As the regular season comes to an end, we would like to make it five from six or six from six. There is a great belief we can do it and that might just be the tonic."
Kite said Manly's strength was in talent across the park not the over reliance on one or two players.
"You look at some teams and they might have two or three very key players but we like to think we have a good spread of players in all positions," he said.
Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey said they would look to the Warriors' efforts of last season, who they defeated in the grand final, as inspiration if they failed to make the top four.
"The Warriors showed that last year, they finished down the bottom of the eight and all of a sudden they are in the grand final," Toovey said.
"All you need is a bit of luck and some good football and you can end up holding the trophy above your head.
"If you are in the eight you are a chance."
© 2012 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/we-can-win-from-anywhere-say-manly-20120724-22n8u.html