SEA Eagles coach Geoff Toovey is adamant his battered troops will fire this Friday night against the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval.
Kieran Foran limped off late in Sunday’s defeat against Brisbane
with an ankle complaint while Jason King is racing the clock with a rib injury.
Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans (knee) and backrower Anthony Watmough (bicep) both sat out the 36-10 defeat at Suncorp Stadium after a bruising Origin I but are tipped to return against Des Hasler’s in-form side.
“It is a short turnaround, but everyone is keen to play,” Toovey said.
“We flew home straight after the game, so everyone was home on Sunday night.
“The boys had Monday off, but it will be a normal week on the training paddock.”
Co-captain Jamie Lyon conceded a slow start up north was Manly’s undoing, and he expects a vastly different 80-minute performance against the NRL yardstick.
“We were slow out of the blocks and paid the price in the end,” Lyon said.
“We weren’t as enthusiastic as them and it’s one we want to forget and move on and build up for Friday night.
“We’ve got to have a look at a bit of tape and we’ve got a lot to work on during the week.”
Friday’s clash, which is tipped to be a sellout, pits Manly’s dynamic halves Foran and Cherry-Evans against NSW Blues pair Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, who made his NRL debut with the Sea Eagles in 2010.
When you throw in Manly premiership-winner Tony Williams, as well as Kelly Egan and Noel “Crusher” Cleal on the blue and white coaching staff, it is a fixture that will set tongues wagging.
Meanwhile, Jorge Taufua is firming as a replacement on the wing in Origin II for injured Dragon Brett Morris, who is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder.
Former Manly flyer Will Hopoate could also partner Michael Jennings in the centres at ANZ Stadium on June 18.
Andrew Prentice
Manly Daily
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/sea-eagles-gunning-for-bulldogs-on-home-turf/story-fngr8iii-1226940345520
