Manly coach Geoff Toovey believes the NRL doesn’t sufficiently reward the team that emerges from a gruelling 26-game campaign on top of the ladder.
The Sea Eagles reclaimed top spot on Sunday with a gritty 15-12 win over Gold Coast, putting them back in the box seat for this year’s minor premiership with three games remaining.
After being outplayed by South Sydney’s forward pack the week beforehand, the Sea Eagles bounced back against a never-say-die Titans outfit, with a late field goal and penalty enough to get the competition points.
Earlier tries to Kieran Foran and Brett Stewart had appeared to have put the game to bed, but a late Kalifa Faifai Loa try ensured the Sea Eagles were made to battle to the end against the lowly Titans.
Toovey said that effort was a reflection of how hard it is to come out on top in the NRL.
He feels the current reward of $100,000 and a possible week off in the finals is hardly an adequate recompense for what’s required to take out the minor premiership.
“It’s a pretty hard thing to achieve,” Toovey said.
“It’s one of the toughest competitions in the world, in any sport in the world because of that: 26 weeks, the grind, the mental application.
“You’ve got to turn up otherwise you’re in trouble.”
The Titans, led by caretaker coach Neil Henry for the first time, battled hard but were unable to prevent an eighth-straight loss at home.
Co-captain Nate Myles said, despite the result, he’d been pleased by how his teammates had responded to a difficult week.
“The players responded really well in the game,” he said.
“Our training sessions were really sharp and positive … today was a step in the right direction.”
Manly head to Parramatta next Friday to take on the Eels, while Gold Coast are also on the road at finals-hunting St George Illawarra.
Liatrevlis
Guest
It's a Gee up bud , lightn up ! Life's to short and complicated ! Peace maaaan
Jo M
Guest
For years, I have always been "anyone but Manly"and never really knew why. Beautiful part of the world. But, yep, you have totally reinforced why people go for anyone but Manly, god forbid even the Broncos or Melbourne.
Liatrevlis
Guest
42 years bud , it's obvious your mob soufs ( speill cheque fyne) are better than Manlys mob aie ,ps Gifty will bring to you lot what you havnt achieved to date , success , Manly style
Tom
Guest
Get rid of the finals. Play every team twice, no worries
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Don't know any soufs, but I know Souths. Maybe you're spell-check needs an investigation. No BS coach and culture at Manly ? Toovey spits the dummy every time they lose, about any illegality or ref error, but stays very quiet about same if they win. Lyon flaps his arms around questioning the ref every opportunity he gets; you would think no other team should ever score a try or receive a penalty when playing Manly. To me, that's BS.
HarryT
Guest
Why do they get money at all? Can't think of any other sports that pay minor premiers.
Liatrevlis
Guest
Sorry make , so spek a da elglez ,,,, yip yip yoh
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
He makes good points, but unfortunately the fact he whinges about EVERYTHING undermines his argument. He's the boy who cried INVESTIGASHUN.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Lol, Liatrevlis. Do you even English?
Liatrevlis
Guest
It's soufs that need the investigation , 42 year deserves an inquiry , your lot just wishes ya had a tough no BS coach and culture like Manly , chin up yav won ya Prem , problem for you is like last year your a month early
Jack
Guest
Agree entirely Max. Premiers are the ones who finish on top of the table. Champions are those who win the knock out competition. The aim is to do the double. All we need now is a complete home and away series. I'm just dreading the day that we follow the Wildcard system which is apparent in many sports. That would be the complete injustice!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
$100k definitely seems unders. In terms of reward in the semis, the minor premiers get home ground advantage, play the teams positioned lower on the table and only need to win two games to get to the GF. That seems fair enough. The only discrepancy appears to be that if they win their first game, they're into suddent death without getting a second chance. I don't know what you can do about that though.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Agree with this argument. I think it should be something in the vicinity of $500k. But don't see why the NRL would want to. The big money spinner is the finals series so they wouldn't want it to seem as though the 'minor premiers' have already won effectively, or create even a similar illusion.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Perhaps a simple change in terminology would help. Finish first = "Premiers" Win Grand Final = "Champions" Clubs are free to hold ticker tape parades at their own expense.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Hey Geoff, not enough reward ? There ought to be an investigation.
MAX
Guest
The acknowledgement of being the best team after 192 games being played in the H & A season deserves the title of PREMIERS. The title minor premiers detracts from real significance to amass more points than your opponents. Often the minor is not turned into a major in the Grand Final or worse still knocked out in straight sets... even worse if the team was undefeated after H $ A. Money wise it has to be worth more than $500,000 to avoid insult True reward for real effort. The present finals play off system could continue as a Champions Cup, Challenge Cup Rugby League Cup or whatever. In time that would carry the same honour as premiership does today. The difference being that we would have corrected an anomaly in presentation and justice done.
The eye
Guest
It's about the money ?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
He has a fair point. It's been $100k for a decade. With the tv rights and general inflation it should be $250k minimum by now $100k is the wage of a Ben Pomeroy or worse outside back
Liatrevlis
Guest
100k is pathetic for a comp worth 1 bill wouldn't you agree ladies ???? Why make this issue a personnel thing ! Unless of coarse your just envious
KB
Guest
You haven't won it yet, you gr?nk..