Manly article from sportal.com.au - Sea Eagle hit for six.

WESTIE

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http://sportal.com.au/league-news-display/sea-eagles-hit-for-six-97633


Manly coach Des Hasler faces the prospect of being without up to six of his top line stars for their final round clash with the Bulldogs that will determine whether they qualify for the NRL finals.

That was the heavy toll suffered by the Sea Eagles from their bruising 30-14 loss to the Roosters in a sensational round 25 encounter at the SFS on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles looked to be cruising to victory and closing in on a possible top four berth as they raced to an early 14-0 lead but another second-half fadeout has them now clinging onto their spot in the top eight.

Manly, who are now in seventh spot, must beat the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval on Sunday or risk dropping out of the top eight if the Rabbitohs beat the Dragons later that night.

And Hasler may have to field somewhat of a spare-parts side after four of his players picked up injuries in a torrid 80 minutes against the Roosters, while a further two were placed on report.

Leading forwards Anthony Watmough and Jason King both picked up ankle injuries, while centre Steve Matai aggravated a shoulder problem and prop Brent Kite was heavily concussed.

Co-captain Jamie Lyon and back-rower Glenn Stewart, who appeared to catch Roosters skipper Braith Anasta with an elbow, will both be sweating on the outcome of the NRL's match review panel after they were placed on report in the second half.

The Sea Eagles have a seven-day turnaround to prepare for their do-or-die clash and Hasler admits they'll need every minute.

"We've got a good turnaround so they should be ok," a concerned Hasler said.

"You certainly don't want to be in (the position we're in)."

"But it's one we need to win and we'll regroup, turn up for next Sunday and get the job done."

"We'll put this one behind us."

Hasler refused to blame a contentious award of an eight-point try to the Roosters early in the second half - which brought the scores level - for his side's defeat, lamenting a number of missed opportunities in the first 40 minutes.

"The first half we were fairly dominant and we probably should have scored few more points," he said.

"We suffered a bit of monmentum change in the game and we just had to be better in second half and weren’t."

"We were a bit guilty of being sloppy in parts in that second half which we need to address."

It's not all bad news for Manly with prop Josh Perry (knee) and back William Hopoate (hamstring) both possibly available for selection for the vital Bulldogs clash as they continue their recovery from injury.
 
Interesting to read the comments from Hasler straight after reading a topic saying he does nothing but blames the refs and never puts it down to the players
 

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2 Raiders 14 11 0 3 96 24
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4 Storm 12 8 0 4 171 22
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6 Dolphins 14 7 0 7 146 16
7 Broncos 13 6 0 7 44 16
8 Roosters 13 6 0 7 -18 16
9 Panthers 13 5 1 7 -9 15
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11 Sea Eagles 14 6 0 8 22 14
12 Dragons 13 5 0 8 -59 14
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16 Eels 13 4 0 9 -105 12
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