Bryant puts in bid
ADAM LUCIUS
Manly Daily
12aug05
UNFASHIONABLE front-rower Mark Bryant will be playing for a new contract over the closing weeks of the season after making a surprise contribution to Manly's finals push.
The Sea Eagles purchased Bryant from Canberra at the end of last season as a back-up for their regular roster of props.
But given a chance through injury and suspension back in May, the no-frills forward has gone on to play 11 consecutive matches.
Now Manly have to decide if Bryant is worthy of a new deal and whether to make room for him under the salary cap.
``He was given a chance early in the season and has hardly put a foot wrong,'' coach Des Hasler said of Bryant. ``He has done everything asked of him and improves with each game.''
Bryant comes from Cootamundra where he played under Wests and Manly legend Les Boyd.
Boyd recommended the big prop to the Sea Eagles, who contacted Bryant while his holidaying in Vatican City during the last off- season.
``I knew I wouldn't walk straight into the side when I got here but all I was after was an opportunity and I've been given that,'' Bryant said. ``It's worked out well.''
Bryant is fighting it out with in-form back-rower Nathan Tutt for the final spot on the Manly bench for Sunday's massive clash with Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Hasler will delay a decision on his line- up until match day after taking his squad into camp in Newcastle tomorrow night.
The Sea Eagles are attempting to avoid the hype surrounding the match, which was sold out by Wednesday, but are expecting one of their toughest matches of the year.
Manly back-rower Ben Kennedy will make his first appearance at his old home ground since leaving the Knights and is preparing for a hostile reception.
Skipper Michael Monaghan has challenged his side to meet the benchmark set by Brisbane - the team the Sea Eagles beat last weekend.
``The good teams are the ones who turn up and play tough football every week, and come home with wins in those tough games,'' he said. ``What makes the Broncos so good is that every week you get a tough match out of them.
``That's the type of attitude and type of environment we need to develop here.
``If we can do that over the next four weeks and make sure we keep winning . . . we can hopefully make the top four.''
ADAM LUCIUS
Manly Daily
12aug05
UNFASHIONABLE front-rower Mark Bryant will be playing for a new contract over the closing weeks of the season after making a surprise contribution to Manly's finals push.
The Sea Eagles purchased Bryant from Canberra at the end of last season as a back-up for their regular roster of props.
But given a chance through injury and suspension back in May, the no-frills forward has gone on to play 11 consecutive matches.
Now Manly have to decide if Bryant is worthy of a new deal and whether to make room for him under the salary cap.
``He was given a chance early in the season and has hardly put a foot wrong,'' coach Des Hasler said of Bryant. ``He has done everything asked of him and improves with each game.''
Bryant comes from Cootamundra where he played under Wests and Manly legend Les Boyd.
Boyd recommended the big prop to the Sea Eagles, who contacted Bryant while his holidaying in Vatican City during the last off- season.
``I knew I wouldn't walk straight into the side when I got here but all I was after was an opportunity and I've been given that,'' Bryant said. ``It's worked out well.''
Bryant is fighting it out with in-form back-rower Nathan Tutt for the final spot on the Manly bench for Sunday's massive clash with Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Hasler will delay a decision on his line- up until match day after taking his squad into camp in Newcastle tomorrow night.
The Sea Eagles are attempting to avoid the hype surrounding the match, which was sold out by Wednesday, but are expecting one of their toughest matches of the year.
Manly back-rower Ben Kennedy will make his first appearance at his old home ground since leaving the Knights and is preparing for a hostile reception.
Skipper Michael Monaghan has challenged his side to meet the benchmark set by Brisbane - the team the Sea Eagles beat last weekend.
``The good teams are the ones who turn up and play tough football every week, and come home with wins in those tough games,'' he said. ``What makes the Broncos so good is that every week you get a tough match out of them.
``That's the type of attitude and type of environment we need to develop here.
``If we can do that over the next four weeks and make sure we keep winning . . . we can hopefully make the top four.''
