Sea Eagles turn to God with semi-final spot on the line

THIS IS Father Jack Robson, the Sea Eagles fanatic praying for a Manly miracle this weekend.

Avid fan Father Jack Robson is praying for a miracle for Many to make the NRL finals series. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

THIS is Father Jack Robson, the Sea Eagles fanatic praying for a Manly miracle this weekend.

Father Robson, priest at St John the Baptist Church, Woy Woy, will look to the heavens and seek divine intervention­ for his favourite NRL club.

Manly must beat Cronulla this Sunday at Remondis Stadium and hope Wests Tigers­ defeat St George Illawarra on Saturday at ANZ Stadium to progress.

The Sea Eagles also need to remedy a negative 61 point differential to sneak into the finals. It doesn’t look real good but Manly’s prayers might be answered.

Asked what he would say to God, Father Robson said: “Dear Lord, help Manly out in this time of need.”

He added: “Manly need a huge miracle but it can happen, rugby league is a funny game.

“That is what we were about when we were just inside­ the church, praying for a miracle. They say rugby union is the game they play in heaven but I have a feeling the Lord also has a soft spot for league.”

Father Jack Robson is praying for a miracle for ManLy to make the NRL finals series.

Asked would he pray to God, Robson said: “Oh yes, of course.”

Father Robson, 61, has been a priest for 19 years and a Manly supporter for 55 years.

“I used to always sit on the Brookie hill, in those days we were allowed to take eskies­ in,” he said.

Pressed on why God should help Manly, a team notoriously disliked, Father Robson said: “He might help because he doesn’t play favourites­.”

Manly has lost their past two games – against Parramatta and Sydney Roosters – and will require a dramatic form reversal to conquer Cronulla, seeking a top four place. “It’s been a disappointing season, it could be the first time in 11 years they may not make the final eight,” Father Robson said.

“But I’ll be praying along with all Manly supporters for a miracle semi-final appearance­. Manly fans won’t know what to do with the rest of September if we don’t make it.”

Manly players will know their predicament after the Dragons game, which kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday.

“We’ll know our fate a bit closer to the game obviously, so we’ll do the mathematics when we get to it,” said Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.

“Hopefully there is a situation in place where we have to chase a big total.”