Getting sound advice from some former team-mates has already paid off for new Manly Warringah Sea Eagles forward Morgan Boyle.
The 22-year-old joined the Sea Eagles in late March on a three-year deal after leaving the Gold Coast Titans for a fresh start on the Northern Beaches.
Boyle played 22 first grade matches for the Titans after making his NRL debut against the Canberra Raiders in round six in 2017.
A Canberra junior from Cobargo, Boyle played 15 NRL matches in 2017 before a shoulder injury ended his season in 2018 after just seven games. His lone try in the NRL came against the Sea Eagles in April last year.
Since joining Manly, Boyle has been strong in his three appearances for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the Canterbury Cup. He has played one match at prop and two games at lock.
His performances have seen him named in the 21-man Manly squad for Saturday’s match against St George-Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Morgan said joining Manly was a chance to prove to himself he could get back into an NRL starting team.
“Manly have shown a bit of faith in me. This is a great opportunity,’’ Boyle said.
“It is nice to have some security in terms of my football career in that I am here until the end of 2021 but I still have to return the favour and play some decent footy for Manly.”
Prior to joining the Sea Eagles, Boyle spoke to his cousin in Manly five-eighth Lachlan Croker, as well as former Titans team-mates and new Manly players Kane Elgey and Brendan Elliot.
“All three spoke highly of the set up at Manly and how much they were enjoying it here,’’ Boyle added.
“I also spoke with former Manly prop Brenton Lawrence who I spent time with at the Titans. Brenton said coming to the Sea Eagles was a great move for his career and told me how much he really enjoyed his time here.”
Boyle said he was excited about the opportunity to train and learn from the likes of Manly’s international props in Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake.
“They are two feared props in the game. It will be great running off the back of them and hopefully I can help them out,’’ Boyle said.
“I need to be more aggressive with my own game. The first 20 games, I was just trying to wrap my head around playing NRL. It is so fast. Unbelievable fast. It is like playing touch at times with full contact.
“When I do get my opportunity, I need to step up more and earn some respect off the guys here.”
