Manly coach Trent Barrett urges Sea Eagles to finish disappointing season on a high

MANLY coach Trent Barrett concedes his side won’t make the finals, but he is determined to prove they can finish on a high and beat the best in the business.

The Sea Eagles are out of contention for the NRL finals. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Manly coach Trent Barrett concedes his side won’t make the finals, but he is determined to prove they can finish on a high and beat the best in the business.

The Sea Eagles are stranded in 13th position, a whopping 12 competition points outside the top eight with seven rounds remaining.

Despite their disappointing position, Manly has defeated the Broncos in Brisbane, the Storm in Melbourne and the Panthers in Penrith this year.

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Trent Barrett says the Sea Eagles must finish their disappointing season on a high. Picture: Toby Zerna

Barrett has urged the Sea Eagles to continue their giant-killing run against top eight sides when they host the Sydney Roosters at Lottoland on Sunday.

“It is a shame we are not going to figure in the semis because I think there are a few teams in there now that on our day we know we can beat,” Barrett said.

“We haven’t really spoken about it, but everyone knows that mathematically it (the finals) is out of reach.

The Sea Eagles are out of contention for the NRL finals. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“But I think there is a lot of pride involved now that we finish the season as well as we can.

“We’ve beaten the Panthers in Penrith and knocked off Melbourne down there.

“We get another chance to take on a Top 4 team when we play the Roosters and we are going to have to play well to beat them.

“Destiny for the rest of the year is in our own hands.”

Barrett also leapt to the defence of Canberra coach Ricky Stuart after two crucial calls cost his side in Friday’s loss to Cronulla.

Barrett said he felt for Stuart after the controversial loss to Cronulla. Picture: Brett Costello

The Sharks were awarded a try when it appeared Sione Katoa had knocked on, while the Raiders had a try denied following an incorrect forward pass call.

Barrett felt for Stuart and Canberra, saying he feared a referee’s call could cost a team the premiership.

“I just hope we don’t have a huge moment in a huge game decided by an dubious one,” he said.

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Originally published as Manly coach Trent Barrett urges Sea Eagles to finish disappointing season on a high