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
bilbo
Guest
Or just bagging league
Clark
Guest
Yeah, don't know why you would want to go to that train week club. We'll with Manly winning we should see another Rothfield special in the next day or so either: bagging Manly, bagging Penrith or Bagging Wayne Bennett. Maybe he gets bored when the Sharks are doing poorly which is basically all of the time.
john badseed
Guest
I thought it was a Danny Weilder scoop.
Ben Southcombe
Roar Rookie
Manly appear to remain a tight knit group. I truly hope players do not start to walk away from the club. I think the core group will continue to stick together. And even if a few do leave, the club's culture remains intact.
james t
Guest
DCE just bought a new 1.4 mil house on the beaches, he is expecting a new born in November. The kid is going nowhere! Especially not parramatta.. he's too smart for that. DCE and foran manly for life!
james t
Guest
It seems Phil rothfield is on a personal mission to down manly or at least try. His articles if you can call them that are nothing more than speculation and rumors that he picks up from his forums he trolls. The best one was the 'Jamie Lyon signs with titans' for which he apologized for the next few days. Go manly 13+ tonight
S.L. Craven
Guest
I think its absurd to suggest there is any discord among the team at Brookie. You only have to watch them play. Their attitude reminds me of a bunch of mates playing in a high school footy team: all having fun and just enjoying playing the game. I don't know what they put in the water over there, but it works.