Manly brace themselves for Origin period

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Manly coach Geoff Toovey says it's vital the Sea Eagles embark on a winning streak before the NRL premiers are decimated during the State of Origin period.




Many's title defence has already suffered from the loss of key players to injury and suspension in the early rounds, resulting in the Sea Eagles yet to string more than two wins together this season.
And with as many as six players being touted for Origin call-ups, Toovey concedes it will be nigh on impossible for the team to cover that many losses in one go.
Such a prospect makes wins when the club is closer to full strength - like against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday - even more valuable.
When asked if he could manage to lose six players, Toovey responded: "Not really. Six is a big ask.
"We struggled along with missing four at the beginning of the season ... but you've got the good players in your team and they're going to go to those representative matches.
"That's the price you pay."
Brett Stewart is favoured to get the nod over Canberra's Josh Dugan for the NSW No.1 jumper, while it is understood Blues coach Ricky Stuart is toying with the idea of picking all four Manly back-rowers - Glenn Stewart, Tony Williams, Anthony Watmough and Jamie Buhrer - as part of a mobile pack.
Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, who was left on the bench by the Kangaroos in last month's mid-year Test, is also a chance of making his Origin debut for Queensland.
Toovey seemed unsure about whether 23-year-old Buhrer was ready for Origin, but said he had no concerns about the fitness levels of Williams, whose seven-week suspension for a lifting tackle finishes this weekend.
"Jamie's been playing some pretty good consistent football for us," Toovey said.
"I'd like to see him play a little bit more game time and get a bit more experience, but that's something for the selectors."
Victory over the Broncos would give the Sea Eagles three wins on the trot for the first time this year and Toovey is hopeful that even with five-eighth Kieran Foran still sidelined with a hamstring injury they can ditch their hot and cold form.
"It's important," he said.
"So we want to win a couple in a row and really cement ourselves in that top eight.
"To do that, you've got to beat quality sides like Brisbane this week.
"If we can get on a bit of a roll leading into the State of Origin, that would be great for us."
 

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