Manly prop Brenton Lawrence has dismissed suggestions the Sea Eagles will be vulnerable up front after losing four of the NRL’s most experienced big men.
The 2013 grand finalists enter this year minus Brent Kite, Richie Fa’aoso, George Rose and Joe Galuvao, who between them have played over 840 first grade games.
While acknowledging the big loss of experience, Lawrence says a bunch of hungry frontrowers are ready to fill the gap.
Former Gold Coast forward Lawrence knows just how well players can respond to opportunity.
A fringe first grader before 2013, he emerged as one of the buys of last season as he played 27 games for Manly, including the finals series, earning a call-up to Mal Meninga’s emerging Queensland squad.
“We might not have (many) blokes that have played 50 or more games in the frontrow but there’s a lot of guys that are in a similar situation to myself last year and I think in a sense that’s probably more dangerous,” said Lawrence.
“All those blokes have got a point to prove, so every week they go out thinking they’ve got to play hard and not let anyone down.
“There’s probably no better position than frontrow to be able to go out there and really stick it to your opposition.”
The Sea Eagles lost Kite and Rose to Penrith and Melbourne due to salary cap pressure, while Galuvao retired and Fa’aoso was forced into premature retirement because of a neck injury, leaving the frontrow stocks seemingly threadbare.
But Lawrence said players like James Hasson (11 games for Manly), Brisbane recruit Dunamis Lui (27 NRL games), South Sydney recruit Josh Starling, Tyson Andrews (Mackay Cutters) and promising local junior Jake Trbojevic were ready to step up.
“They may not be well known to the general public and people might be saying we’re a bit light, but put all those guys into one pack and we’re certainly not light on frontrow forwards,” he said.
“They’ve all got something to prove. There’s two spots available so I don’t think they’re going to be going out there anything short of trying to prove themselves.”
john badseed
Guest
Kitey a weak link?
BA Sports
Guest
I think you could make the case that simply getting rid of Kite, Guluvao, Rose and Fa'aoso makes any team stronger. They were the weak links of that side. Trbojevic stepped up to NSW Cup a couple of times and looked right at home and he was a leading metre maker in Holden Cup, so he will progress pretty well and if Lawrence continues to improve, and they can find reasons to keep King off the field, they will be stronger up front than they were last year.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Well i know it's a boring prediction but I think it all depends on whether this ASADA thing ends or not. If the players can just focus on playing like they did in the second half of last year.... I expect the Sharks will go even better this season. They should be there come finals time but yes once again it all hinges on injuries and Carney in particular needs to be fit come the business end of the year. I suspect the playing group want to just get on with the football and i'm expecting a big showing from the Sharkies this weekend at the nines... they've named a strong squad. But yeah overall i'm just excited to see the footy again this weekend!
manlyman101
Guest
Manly to win it in 2014. If we are allowed.
eagleJack
Guest
If you take 13 wins as the cut-off for the 8 then I reckon Manly will be playing finals again. Like anything luck with injuries will play a huge part for them, as it does for most clubs. If DCE and Foran are on the field for the entire year then I don't see why they cant be Top 4. They have recruited quite well though, so there is cover for the halves as well as outside backs (if we had to shift Lyon to the halves). Depth in the forwards looks solid too. Interestingly of their last 3 Grand Final losses they have come back the following year to win twice (96 and 08). What does that mean? Who knows! But I guess it gives you an indication that the club has the ability to push aside the pain of the loss and come out firing the following year. Your thoughts on the Sharks? I'm really hoping Carney comes out of the blocks and kills it as would love for him to be the Blues 6.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah Bukuya is a huge loss, I can't believe the club let him and young Tyrone Peachey go.... they both stilll have their best football in front of them and Peachey has the potential to be a superstar. So what's your thoughts on the Eagles this year? My best mate is a massive Manly fan and he doesn't really know what to expect this season after getting so close last year..... as i said, I certainly won't be making any bold predictions haha.
Renegade
Roar Guru
eagleJack
Guest
Hey Rene, yeah I do rate the Cronulla backrow you named very highly. My only concern was when Lewis was due back, also whether Gallen will be playing more up front this year with only Fifita and Gibbs as recognised props. Also thought the loss of Bukuya was quite significant. But I'll concede if Gallen, Lewis, Graham and Tupou are in the matchday 17 then it is on par with the Broncos, and ahead of Manly.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah i'm certainly not going to make any of those type of statements on Manly this year.... they've proved me wrong too many times :P They are likely to be there come September. I tend to think this is a better back row than both of those though.... Gallen, Lewis, Graham, Tupou ;)
eagleJack
Guest
I really don't think there is anything to worry about. Every year there is a reason put forward why Manly will slide down the ladder. Rookie halves, ageing pack. This year it is that we are light up front. But I personally have never seen so much depth in the clubs front row stocks. King returning cancels out the loss of Kite. Galuvao was injured the entire year. Rose was told in April to look for another club before being thrown a lifeline due to injury. Fa'aoso is a loss, although we only had him for a year. Lui, Starling, Hasson, Trbojevic, Andrews are all quality players. Sure they lack experience but they will be thrown into a team bristling with experience. They will be given simple jobs. And I rate the backrow rotation of Watmough, Stewart, Horo, Buhrer and Symonds only behind the Broncos of Thaiday, Glenn, Parker, Gillett.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Manly have the best 1-7 in the comp (I'm a Storm fan) but I have this feeling they may suffer burn out in the forwards this year relying heavily on ballin, king and lawrence to lead all these young guys they will have to use. I won't write them off as manly are an awesome side, I just have a feeling that if one of those guys gets an injury they will struggle a little. Maybe I'm wrong, I'll eat my words if they do great, but it will be interesting to see how their rookies deal with week-in week-out nrl exposure.