Luke Williamson knows the equation ahead..win at least four of the next 7 matches.
The Sea Eagles sit in 11th place on the NSW Cup ladder, six points behind fifth placed Illawarra Cutters. Manly Warringah have two byes and seven matches remaining in the run home to the NSW Cup finals starting in September.
Williamson was adamant when asked about his thoughts ahead of this Sunday’s away match against Newcastle Knights at Newcastle Sports Ground.
“Must win..simple as that,’’ he said.
Williamson is a frustrated coach. And arguably so after watching his side blow victory opportunities in their last two losses to Newtown and Wyong following a strong win over Wests Tigers before that.
“Last week (against Newtown) we were good, very good as a team…but individually, we were pretty poor. We let ourselves down defensively,’’ Williamson said.
“We just let them in the game and they came over the top to beat us.
"It is extremely frustrating. It comes down to the personnel. It is having the calibre of players available to utilise and when they come in, they do their job. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen last week.
“We did the same the week before. We had Wyong on toast at 26-all and we lost it. To then back up last week and produce what they did, I am very disappointed.”
Adding to Williamson’s frustration more is the fact the Sea Eagles play in Newcastle on Sunday at 3pm – an hour before Manly Warringah’s NRL clash against Cronulla Sharks at Brookvale Oval.
“Why didn’t the NSW Rugby League see that and put our (NSW Cup) game on the Saturday, so at least us (and the fans) can come to the game on the Sunday and support the NRL boys,’’ he said.
“You want to build a culture within the club and the best way to do that is to have all your teams playing on the same day at the same venue.”
Sea Eagles run home
Rd 17: v Newcastle (8th), Sun, July 5, Newcastle Sports Ground, 3pm
Rd 18 v Wests Tigers (10th), Sat, July 11, Brookvale Oval, 3pm.
Rd 19 bye
Rd 20 v NZ Warriors (2nd), Sat, July 25, Mt Smart Stadium, 2.40pm (local)
Rd 21 bye
Rd 22 v Wentworthville (12th), Sat, August 9, Ringrose Park, 3pm
Rd 23 v Canterbury Bulldogs (6th), Sat, August 15, Brookvale Oval, 3pm
Rd 24 v Wentworthville, Sat, August 22, Brookvale Oval, 3pm
Rd 25 v Newcastle (8th), Sat, August 29, Brookvale Oval, 3pm
