Manly may not get stars back to play Dogs

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP – It’s Manly’s biggest grudge match of the season, but even a two week break can’t guarantee the premiers will be reunited with their injured stars when they face former coach Des Hasler’s Canterbury.

The Sea Eagles slumped to their fourth loss of the season, in comfortably their worst performance of the year, going down 26-14 to Gold Coast at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night, admittedly without a quartet of internationals – Brett and Glenn Stewart, Kieran Foran and Tony Williams.

And while they can’t wish Williams back any quicker from suspension, coach Geoff Toovey admitted he didn’t yet know if he’d be able to call on star trio Foran (hamstring), fullback Brett Stewart (ribs) or lock Glenn (thumb) either.

Adding to his woes was the sight of inspirational centre Steve Matai leaving the ground in an ambulance after being clipped by Titans prop Nate Myles, while co-captain Jamie Lyon also copped a high tackle from Jamal Idris, which is sure to get the attention of the match review committee, but was able to finish the game.

“Quality players as they are, we want to get them back as soon as possible but we don’t want to risk them either,’ Toovey said on Saturday.

“We’re pretty hopeful they’ll be back in two weeks time.”

Toovey also expressed his disappointment that co-captain Jason King, playing his 200th game for the club, was not about to celebrate his achievement with a win.

“I’m very disappointed for Kingy,” Toovey said.

“It was a milestone for him and not a great way to remember it. I’m disappointed for him and I know the other players are too.”

King said the coaching staff and playing group would have plenty to work on before they faced the Bulldogs, in what promises to be a tense build-up ahead of their first clash with the coach that led Manly to two premierships.

“It certainly wasn’t a good performance,” King said.

“We all know that. We lost at home, something we haven’t done for a while.

“That’s disappointing in itself but no doubt our coaching staff and players next week will really analyse and break down the game and break down the areas we need to improve on because obviously that was nowhere near good enough.”

Publisher: AAPNewswire

16 Apr 8:28 AM