Manly insist they are a united team as they prepare to rack up a rare win at WIN Jubilee Oval.
The Sea Eagles travel to meet St George Illawarra at Kogarah on Monday night with speculation still festering there’s disharmony within the NRL club.
The rumours swirling include chat that centre Steve Matai, in his 10th season with Manly, is seeking a release to join the Warriors.
It’s all news to prop James Hasson, who on Sunday insisted they are a tight-knit bunch and if anything, the Sea Eagles have been galvanised by the ongoing reports.
“We’re all mates here and everyone is getting on as well as I’ve ever seen over the last two years,” said Hasson.
“I’ve got no idea (where the talk comes from).”
Manly can go clear at the top of the table with a win after Canterbury and Penrith suffered weekend losses.
And in a big boost, NSW backrower Anthony Watmough returns following a four-match suspension for a dangerous throw in Origin II.
“The boys have been going really well without him, but it is massive to have Choc back,” said Hasson.
“He just holds up our middle and does all the hard stuff for us.”
However, Manly have only won once in six attempts at WIN Jubilee Oval, which came in Hasson’s NRL debut in round eight last year.
Even though NSW forward Trent Merrin remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Dragons received a post-Origin lift on Sunday when Brett Morris was declared fit.
The Blues winger has been out since Origin I when he bravely played on with a fractured shoulder suffered while scoring a memorable NSW try.
AAP wk/rw
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