Trent Barrett urges maligned Sea Eagles to win for ‘fans, club and ourselves’
MALIGNED over off-field misbehaviour and on-field thrashings, Manly players owe it to their fans, the club and themselves to muscle up mentally and physically against Newcastle.
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MALIGNED over off-field misbehaviour and on-field thrashings, Manly players owe it to their fans, the club and themselves to muscle up mentally and physically against Newcastle on Friday.
That is the challenge Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett has set his players ahead of this evening’s vital match at Brookvale Oval.
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After a fortnight of turmoil, Manly has been given a chance to redeem themselves at home against a Knights side without injured star halfback Mitchell Pearce.
The Jackson Hastings affair coupled with the Gladstone dramas and two heavy losses — with a combined scoreline of 82-22 against — has Manly craving much-needed confidence and success.
Barrett spoke to his playing squad this week about shoving the issues to one side and refocusing on football.
“We spoke about it a couple of days ago. We’d like to think everything is done and dusted now and we can start concentrating on the footy,” Barrett said before Manly’s captain’s run at Brookvale on Thursday.
“It has been a really challenging week for the players, staff and the club as a whole. The best response we can have is to come out and play well. We have been in a bit of a hole over the past few weeks and it’s important for our fans that we come out and play well.
“We owe it to our fans, the club and ourselves to put in a good performance. Winning, from my point of view, solves a lot of things.
“They’ve been really good. It’s been tough on the players as we all know. Through tough times you find out a lot about each other. The group has come together. I expect to see it (tonight).
“There are a few teams going through some tough periods at the moment. There are some big scores being put on so we’re not alone in that area.”
Only two-and-a-half years into his NRL coaching career, Barrett has been under immense personal pressure.
The Gladstone drama has taken a toll but the coach remains strong and mentally resilient.
“It’s difficult. You know when you take the job on there will be times throughout the year that are really challenging. There have certainly been plenty of other coaches who have gone through it as well,” Barrett said.
“As a coach, you just need to keep working hard. I know it will turn around and just make sure we don’t put ourselves in these positions again.
“It’s been hard. I have had to deal with a fair few of them (issues) in the last few years. I guess it is all experience. If it happened again, you’d be better equipped to handle certain situations down the track.
“You only learn by going through them. But it has been hard. I’m all right. There were times there last week when I was frustrated, obviously. But, nah, I’m fine mate, I’ve got a job to do.”
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The last time Manly played at Brookvale, the team was booed from the field by frustrated fans after a heavy round six loss to Wests Tigers.
The fans’ anger shook the team.
“The players certainly need the fans’ support. I understand their frustrations through the last few weeks,” Barrett said. “I can guarantee you and assure our fans that the players are in it for each other and in it for the right reasons.
“They are working really hard to get ourselves out of it. Two points (tonight) will be the start of it. We just have to stick together and keep going. The players are certainly focused and looking to redeem themselves.”
Barrett made a point of backing and supporting captain Daly Cherry-Evans, fined for his role in two scuffles with Hastings.
“Daly is fine. He was certainly remorseful with what has happened. His only right of reply is to play well for us,” Barrett said. “He is doing a good job, ‘Chezza’. He knows what happened wasn’t right and we have addressed that.”
Manly hooker Api Koroisau (knee) has been cleared to play.