NYC & NSW CUP
NYC & NSW CUP NYC Preview The Sea Eagles Holden Cup side is still mathematically a chance of playing in September, but having lost their previous five matches, hopes of semi finals football appear to be fading. With 10 rounds remaining, the Sea Eagles will need a miraculous turnaround as they sit second from the bottom, seven points behind Parramatta in eighth position.
by John Chammas
“We need to look at the future and educate the kids. Obviously fans are disappointed with some of the results but we need to look at the bigger picture. “They’ve been in a few games but with a young team, some of their decisions, particularly in the last 10 minutes of either half, have been crucial. Those decisions will only improve with experience.”
Sea Eagles Coaching and Development Manager Simon Healey wants fans to be patient with the current development structure as Manly builds for the future. “The U20’s is designed for education. It’s not about the result; it’s about educating the team,” Healey said. “There are six kids that are either under 18 or who have just turned 18 and another 20 kids that are only 19 years of age, so really it’s an U18’s/19’s team.
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“Just the professionalism of the whole club in general, from the front office to the training staff and the boys. You can just see why it’s been such a successful club.”
Injuries to Jason King and Glenn Stewart earlier in the season provided Gower with the opportunity to impress his new coach as he remains on the cusp of the NRL team each week.
A loss against the Eels would be detrimental to their finals hopes as Parramatta would extend the margin between the two sides to nine points on the competition ladder.
The Sea Eagles are certainly capable of toppling any side on their day, but unfortunately, those days have been far and few between in 2013.
“When you look at the core group of players that have been here for a long time, it’s quite easy to see there’s a great bunch of senior players and they make the transition for new players, or younger players very easy.
Gower made eight NRL appearances in two years for the Dragons but is eager to add to that tally with the Sea Eagles.
The Eels surged into the top eight courtesy of back-to-back wins prior to their Round 16 bye. Having freshened up, the blue and gold will provide a stern challenge for the home side, who head into Monday night with their season hanging on by a thread.
Manly were courageous last week against the Roosters but poor execution let them down as costly dropped balls and poor decisions let the opposition off the hook.
“It’s been great. It’s an easy transition. The boys are unreal,” Gower said.
NSW Cup David Gower - Culture key for fledging Sea Eagles He’s only been with the club a short time, but new recruit David Gower didn’t take long to see that club culture is the key to the Sea Eagles’ success. Since joining the club in 2013, the former Dragons and Tigers forward has embraced the way of life in Manly and has played a role in several matches this season, filling in for the club’s growing number of casualties. The man they call ‘Gobbler’ admits the switch from Wollongong to the Northern Beaches has been a pleasant one, not simply because of the scenery but because of the welcoming attitude of his new teammates.
“Personally, if I can lock in a spot in the 17 that would be great but more importantly just doing my job for the team and for Tooves and Brad (Arthur) and the staff.”