Manly legends help coach Des Hasler rediscover Sea Eagles’ winning ways
Attend Manly training at Narrabeen these days and it’s like walking into a time warp from back in 2007. Des Hasler has enlisted club legends to help resdiscover the Sea Eagles’ winning ways.
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Attend Manly training at Narrabeen these days and it’s like walking into a time warp from back in 2007.
Amongst the current crop of Sea Eagles are a cast of club legends now working on Des Hasler’s coaching staff or in roles within the organisation.
Heroes like Michael Monaghan, Brett Stewart, Steve Menzies and Matt Ballin can be seen giving back to the club that gave them so much.
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The foursome from the Sea Eagles’ glory years bring a combined 1223 games of NRL experience.
But more importantly they understand what makes the Manly club tick.
It’s why Hasler wanted the ex-players involved as he attempts to return the Sea Eagles to their successful seasons.
According to Manly centre Brad Parker, the players have benefited greatly from having the club legends on board.
“I grew up on the Northern Beaches watching all these guys play, now they are all my coaches,” said Parker, who was a Manly Christian Brothers junior.
“It has definitely had a positive impact on the players just having all the old guys around.
“They make you feel more comfortable and confident in your game – it is unreal.
“Whenever I can I ask those legends questions. I always talk to Brett Stewart about all his old stories.
“It is good just to get a sense of the club’s history.”
Back-rower Joel Thompson says Hasler’s never-say-die attitude has helped the players overcome countless setbacks.
The Sea Eagles are currently without Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Walker and Jorge Taufua but they are in sixth position heading into Saturday’s home clash against Canterbury.
LISTEN! Matty reveals the biggest lie he ever told coach, the song he can’t get out of his head, an Origin rumour that won’t go away and what it’s like to have a video session under Tommy Raudonikis. Don’t miss this week’s episode of the Matty Johns podcast.
“We’ve lost a lot of our top-tier squad,” Thompson said.
“Most of our salary cap is off the field but we have had guys who are taking their opportunity and delivering.
“That comes back to the standards the senior players and the coaches hold us to.
“We are making each other accountable and challenging each other and that is what you are seeing out on the field.”
Originally published as Manly legends help coach Des Hasler rediscover Sea Eagles’ winning ways
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