Manly Sea Eagles’ coach Geoff Toovey refuses to discuss own future after win over Wests Tigers

WITHOUT saying anything on his own future after Manly’s defeat of the Tigers, Geoff Toovey let us in on the NRL’s worst kept secret.

NRL Rd 15 - Sea Eagles v Tigers

WITHOUT saying anything about his own future last night, Geoff Toovey let us in on the NRL’s worst kept secret.

There is more trouble brewing at Manly.

The under-fire coach sat there stone faced after his team’s impressive 30-20 victory over the Wests Tigers, probably expecting the question had to come.

But when it did, he straight batted it back with a hint of emotion. This is a man who has never quit in his life.

You get the feeling Toovey isn’t about to start now. There were reports during the week that Manly chairman Scott Penn had told Toovey that the club was looking in a different direction, and that Toovey would be free to leave whenever he wanted.

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It is no secret the club has sounded out, if not recruited, Trent Barrett to take over next year.

The minor problem is that Toovey still has a year to run on his contract. And the word is the club legend is not ready to walk away.

Asked if the reports were true, Toovey said: “Look, I am not talking about my situation at the moment.

“I am just pleased for the win.

“And the more games we win here the better everyone will be.”

You have to feel for Toovey for the way things have transpired this year. All that speculation, all that off-field drama. And all the injuries that have come on top of it.

Then last night you got another glimpse of Manly when they are playing at anywhere near full strength.

It wasn’t exactly the type of performance that sent you home thinking this team that is sitting equal last on the NRL ladder is a fair dinkum shot at coming home with a surge to force their way into the finals this year.

But with star halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans leading the show last night and Brett Stewart doing what he does best in respect to scoring tries, who knows what they are capable of.

Foran was brilliant playing a hand in three of the five tries while Cherry-Evans was involved in two and Stewart bagged his own double.

And this was against a team that put the cleaners through the reigning premiers South Sydney last week.

Stewart and Foran got it rolling in just the third minute when they marched through the Tigers’ right edge.

And by halftime they were up 18-10, with Foran taking charge. From there, it was a formality.

Manly stretched the lead to 24-10 at one point and the 10 point margin at the end probably favoured the Tigers on appearances only.

“It was good for both halves and myself to be playing out there all together,” Stewart said.

“I think the more the year goes on hopefully we can string a few more games together and get some momentum. It was enjoyable.”

As good as they were last week against the Rabbitohs, the Tigers last night played with the type of consistency that has so far marred their season.

Good in patches, but just not good enough for the full 80 minutes. It leaves Manly and the Tigers both on 12 competition points, along with Parramatta and Newcastle.

And with 11 games to go, it probably means both the Tigers and Sea Eagles will have to win eight more matches at the minimum to make the play-offs.

Stewart said after last night’s game, this is a club that never gives up.

“Not since I’ve been here,” he said.

“I debuted in 2003 and this club is definitely a fighting club.”

But asked about the finals, he still remained realistic: “We haven’t even spoke about that. It is a bit of a cliche but it is a week by week proposition for us at the moment.

“Obviously injuries haven’t helped up.

“We just need to focus on each week and if we put in performances like tonight who knows what will happen at the end of the year.

“But it is a long way off.”

As for Toovey’s future, well, you could guess you own conclusion on that. There was even a group of pro-Toovey campaigners last night encouraging fans to sign a petition to keep their coach before the game.

But the protesters were escorted away by security before kick off.

At least Toovey could still find a reason to smile after the game.

“It’s very pleasing,” he said. “We’ve just got to win a few more, that’s all.

MANLY 30 (B Stewart 2 K Foran S Matai L Sao tries F Mateo 5 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 20 (M Moses 2 K Naiqama P Richards tries P Richards 2 goals) at Brookvale Oval. Referee: Jared Maxwell, Chris James. Crowd: 8,093.

Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles’ coach Geoff Toovey refuses to discuss own future after win over Wests Tigers