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Prop Brent Kite has admitted Manly have demons to put to rest against Melbourne, saying an NRL grand final win over any other club would feel “hollow”.
The Sea Eagles have been gradually narrowing the gap on the Storm since copping a 34-8 hiding in last year’s decider, but still went down to the defending premiers in both encounters this year.
The Storm won convincingly 26-4 at Olympic Park in round five and narrowly 16-10 in a high quality match-up in round 22 at Brookvale Oval.
Kite, like most, believes the NRL’s two best sides will be in action at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
“I had a few family and friends crossing their fingers that Melbourne would get knocked out and I really think they deserve to be there,” he told reporters today.
“And personally I think we need to beat them to prove that, if we are to go on and win, that we were the best side this year.
“It would have been a bit hollow to walk away with the premiership not having put that demon to rest.”
The two sides have had to quickly develop a rivalry since being thrown into last year’s decider, a match which included a brutal early assault on Manly fullback Brett Stewart from Storm hardman Michael Crocker.
That physicality was also on show at Brookvale in August when the Sea Eagles game-plan looked to be to legally bash the Storm out of it.
Kite said the Manly pack were ready to deal with any fireworks that might be lit on Sunday.
“It’s grand final day, that goes without saying,” he said.
“But in terms of fighting or starting anything, no, we don’t sit down and think about that.
“When 17 blokes take on another 17 guys there’s a lot of emotion flying so there’s always a chance of things flaring up but we’re not looking to go out and start anything.”
Stewart said payback for the sickening Crocker hit was not on his mind.
“Fullbacks are under pressure in every game and if (Melbourne fullback Billy) Slater was in the same boat, I suppose we would have had a few blokes chasing him down as well,” the Manly custodian said.
“I think everyone will be playing hard in the grand final, not just Mick Crocker, our 17 will be playing just as hard.”
Devout Christian Kite, though, would prefer that no-one get hurt after revealing today that he prays before a game not for a win but for both sides to avoid serious injury.
“I find time to have a bit of a prayer before I go out there, it just seems to settle the nerves and just cross the fingers I don’t get hurt,” he said.
“I just ask for protection. I don’t really ask to win, I just ask that both sides come off the field with no major injuries and that he’ll bless me and help me to do well in my role.”
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