Marlins coach Phil Blake says team will miss skipper Ed Gower

MANLY Marlins coach Phil Blake admits the six-week suspension handed to skipper Ed Gower is a big blow for his side.

Manly loses Shute Shield Rugby final to Southern Districts 41 - 22 at T.G. Millner Oval. Manly's Ed Gower gets his pass away.

MANLY Marlins coach Phil Blake admits the six-week suspension handed to skipper Ed Gower is a big blow for his side.

He was outed by the judiciary for a lifting tackle and the first game he will miss is tomorrow’s match of the day against heavyweights Eastwood at Manly Oval.

“He is the captain and has obviously been one of the form forwards of the competition,” Blake said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/manly-marlins-captain-ed-gower-devastated-by-sixweek-ban/story-fngr8iii-1226934741184

Few players in the Shute Shield have a more imposing presence than Gower.

“It was a tackle that went wrong, it was dealt with by the referee and subsequently dealt with by the Sydney Rugby Union and we will move on.”

Ed Gower

Blake said Gower has been playing with a shoulder injury and the enforced break will at least give him the opportunity to overcome that.

“It gives him time to get his body right for the last few games into the back end of the season.” Blake said.

And as fate would have it, Gower will make his return for the big return local derby against Warringah on July 12 at Pittwater Rugby Park.