Jersey Flegg Cup Preview: Manly v Canberra

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Fri 1 Apr 2022, 01:26 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will look to build on their impressive defensive effort this Saturday in round four of the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup at 4 Pines Park.

The Sea Eagles tackle the Canberra Raiders in their second home game of the season after beating the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 26-12 at 4 Pines Park last Sunday.

It was a strong win from Coach Adam McEwen’s men who had the honour of being the first Manly team to play on the revamped 4 Pines Park ahead of the NRL match as part of the opening of the new Bob Fulton Stand.

McEwen said the team spoke about the important occasion in the pre-game conversation.

“We gave them a bit of a rev up about that there was only going to be one Manly team who were the first to play on the new look ground,’’ McEwen said.

The respect these boys have for the jumper is evident. They are very proud to represent Manly
Jersey Flegg Coach Adam McEwen

McEwen said keeping the previously undefeated Bulldogs scoreless in the second half was very pleasing after Canterbury led 12-10 at half-time.

“We have talked a lot over the last couple of weeks about how the team responds to an error or a penalty, and we haven’t been great at it,’’ he said.

“This week we had nine moments of adversity and we responded positively eight times, so that was a big one for us.

Trapped dog...the Sea Eagles defence was on song at 4 Pines Park ©NRL Photos

“In our recent games, the stats have been really telling the story. It just shows in the boys’ mindsets that they were up for the game.”

McEwen said Manly NRL Development player in hooker Gordon Cham Kum Tong added plenty of spark to the team’s attack in his first game of the season.

“We shifted the ball with more efficiency than in previous weeks. We have been particularly strong down that left edge,’’ he added.

“Gordie steered us around wonderfully in the middle. He was terrific. If we can get both sides firing in attack, then we will be a threat. We will be a hard team to contain.”

McEwen encouraged Sea Eagles supporters to get behind Manly’s Junior Representative teams in a triple header at 4 Pines Park this Saturday.

“It is the first time our Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup teams get to play at 4 Pines Park this year and we get to play off the back of it,’’ McEwen said.

“The first team goal of any side is to win every home game. We want to make 4 Pines Park feared as it should be. We’ve just got to keep that happening.

“Canberra have been right in every game they have played. They will come up ready to play. Any team from Canberra, be it from the U16s to first grade, are bloody tough.”