Berkeley_Eagle
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Manly stars out to prove their NRL worth
Manly players claim their NRL premiership defence will be the perfect opportunity to prove they were just as vital to the club's success as departed coach Des Hasler.
Hasler was lauded for his role in guiding the Sea Eagles to grand final triumphs in 2008 and 2011 - the Sea Eagles defying the odds to achieve success without the starpower of some of their rivals.
But with Hasler now in the blue and white corner following his acrimonious shift to Canterbury, a Manly squad missing only a few players from last year's grand final winning outfit is determined to show they too are worthy of praise for their recent deeds.
"There is added motivation because Tooves (new coach Geoff Toovey) wants to go well," veteran prop Brent Kite said.
"The senior players and playing group that's been here, we want to show that we were a big part of the success that we've had in recent years.
"It might be a bit of extra motivation to do well."
Co-captain Jason King, who missed last year's grand final through injury, said the unwanted cleanout of the club's backroom staff had rejuvenated a club which has not missed the finals in eight years.
King said claims the Sea Eagles would struggle without Hasler to guide the ship would just act as an extra spur.
"As a group of men we're put in another situation where people are already seemingly giving us no chance of winning any games at all," King said.
"It's a fantastic challenge especially for the experienced guys.
"I think it's a little bit of a rejuvenation, you've got another target to work for and another little piece of motivation."
For Toovey, his first real test will come on Friday week when the Sea Eagles take on Super League champions Leeds in the World Club Challenge.
He put his squad through a tough session on a heavy field at Narrabeen on Tuesday - conditions likely to be replicated in Leeds.
While the rookie coach - who served his apprenticeship under Hasler - has put plenty of time into his first campaign, he said the 2012 version of the Sea Eagles would be similar to the one fans have become familiar with in recent years.
"The combinations are already there from the last two or three years - it makes it much easier for myself," Toovey said of his introduction to the head coaching role.
"You don't throw out a winning combination, a winning side, a winning formula, and that's what we have.
"We'll just tinker with things as the year goes by."
http://www.nrl.com/manly-stars-out-to-prove-their-nrl-worth/tabid/10874/newsid/65785/default.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Manly players claim their NRL premiership defence will be the perfect opportunity to prove they were just as vital to the club's success as departed coach Des Hasler.
Hasler was lauded for his role in guiding the Sea Eagles to grand final triumphs in 2008 and 2011 - the Sea Eagles defying the odds to achieve success without the starpower of some of their rivals.
But with Hasler now in the blue and white corner following his acrimonious shift to Canterbury, a Manly squad missing only a few players from last year's grand final winning outfit is determined to show they too are worthy of praise for their recent deeds.
"There is added motivation because Tooves (new coach Geoff Toovey) wants to go well," veteran prop Brent Kite said.
"The senior players and playing group that's been here, we want to show that we were a big part of the success that we've had in recent years.
"It might be a bit of extra motivation to do well."
Co-captain Jason King, who missed last year's grand final through injury, said the unwanted cleanout of the club's backroom staff had rejuvenated a club which has not missed the finals in eight years.
King said claims the Sea Eagles would struggle without Hasler to guide the ship would just act as an extra spur.
"As a group of men we're put in another situation where people are already seemingly giving us no chance of winning any games at all," King said.
"It's a fantastic challenge especially for the experienced guys.
"I think it's a little bit of a rejuvenation, you've got another target to work for and another little piece of motivation."
For Toovey, his first real test will come on Friday week when the Sea Eagles take on Super League champions Leeds in the World Club Challenge.
He put his squad through a tough session on a heavy field at Narrabeen on Tuesday - conditions likely to be replicated in Leeds.
While the rookie coach - who served his apprenticeship under Hasler - has put plenty of time into his first campaign, he said the 2012 version of the Sea Eagles would be similar to the one fans have become familiar with in recent years.
"The combinations are already there from the last two or three years - it makes it much easier for myself," Toovey said of his introduction to the head coaching role.
"You don't throw out a winning combination, a winning side, a winning formula, and that's what we have.
"We'll just tinker with things as the year goes by."
http://www.nrl.com/manly-stars-out-to-prove-their-nrl-worth/tabid/10874/newsid/65785/default.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
