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Stars aligning for Sea Eagles

Sportal August 25, 2012, 7:48 am

Maybe Des Hasler has been right all along his Bulldogs are just a bunch of overachieving battlers still learning the ropes and Manly are the benchmark side in the NRL.

While Hasler's Bulldogs were getting pumped 34-6 by Canberra on Friday night, their first loss in 13 games, his old side issued another serious statement with a 16-6 victory over Brisbane.

Despite their loss the 'Dogs are still in the box seat to clinch the minor premiership, but Manly's fifth win on the trot makes them undeniable premiership favourites.

The Bulldogs have Ben Barba and South Sydney have Greg Inglis, but no other side in the comp has an attack as balanced as the Sea Eagles.

If it's not Daly Cherry-Evans flinging the ball out to the right edge for Jamie Lyon to dance his way to the tryline, it's Kieran Foran taking the ball to the line and hitting full-back Brett Stewart on the chest out on the left.

Manly can shred any defence - anywhere, anytime.

They scored three tries in 10 minutes in an ominous burst in Friday's clinical win over Brisbane.

The Sea Eagles moved to third with their latest victory and could be assured a top-four spot by Saturday night if Newcastle can beat North Queensland in Townsville.

If not they'll need to beat Gold Coast next Saturday night to guarantee themselves a second chance under the new NRL finals system.

Put simply, Manly have the best roster, they've been there and done that and they're in the best form of any team in the comp.

Anything can happen in rugby league, but after an injury-riddled start to the campaign, the stars appear to be aligning for the reigning premiers once again.

Things are getting interesting at the other end of the eight as well.

The Broncos are now a very real chance of missing the finals for just the second time in 21 years having slumped to their sixth straight loss.

Canberra have leapfrogged them into seventh spot while the Tigers can jump back into the eight with a win over the Roosters on Sunday.

Gold Coast and Newcastle cold both join Brisbane on 26 points with a win this weekend, however the Broncos have a superior for-and-against over both the Titans and Knights.

Strap yourselves in, things are about to get interesting.

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6 Comments

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Grant02:26pm Saturday 25th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse
Your a hard marker Andy, Manly were "ok" mate they showed brilliant attacking football in the first 40, and brilliant defensice drills in the second 40, sure Brizzy scored a nuffie try after the fulltime siren, but as anyone who watched the game (twice) will tell you Manly never looked like losing that game that was so important to Brizzy that they flew down and set a little camp SOO style so as to try and spring an ambush on Manly. Manly at present are by far the most superior team in the NRL.
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maximus02:25pm Saturday 25th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse
good luck to manly but again the old obstruction rule reared its ugly head ,no action and Archer didn't want to talk about it because its too confusing. The league has to get rid of Harrigan and raper , then put in some one who can relate and teach the younger ones. Once this is in place ,they need to re-write the rule in obstruction. At present harrigan puts clauses to cover his #$%$
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David02:14pm Saturday 25th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse
You make my heart proud, boys. Weather you do it pretty or ugly, the scoreboard is all that counts at the end of the game. No angst towards Des - I think these was more going on behind the scenes than we have been told - but I'm really pleased for Tooves and the boys. Keep it up fellas.
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Andy02:00pm Saturday 25th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse
Pffft Manly were "ok" in the first half, good enough to score a few tries, but were lame in the second. Their form was hardly remarkable against the Broncos, especially given that my cousins under 13's side could have repelled that woeful Brisbane attack. They still have a lot of work to do if they seriously want to defend their title.
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Lesley12:33pm Saturday 25th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse
Well done Manly. Born and bred Northern Beaches, retired to Qld, but will always have that peninsular blood in my veins. Manly all the way, can't wait to show that turncoat Hasler that the Manly boys are true Premiers with or without him. With all the cheering for the best men of football don't forget the job Toovey's doing also.
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