Centres Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai say the best way they can honour departing coach Geoff Toovey is to make the finals and do some damage.
Lyon said news Toovey won’t be in charge of the Sea Eagles after this season means the players will want to send the club great out on a high.
He said the amount of injuries, poor results, and off field issues had taken its toll at times.
“It is a little disappointing (about Geoff) but it is a tough industry. We would have liked to have won a few more games over the last few months,’’ Lyon said.
“Geoff has all our support and we were 100 per cent behind him. We will continue to try to play well for him for the next few games. He has obviously been here for a long time and he is very well respected.
“We have had a lot of injuries and we haven’t played the footy we know we can. It is just a bit disappointing that we haven’t got more wins on the board. We are trying to sneak a few more and get into the top eight.”
Matai said the mood within the team remains positive.
“We wish Tooves all the best and the best way we can do that is to send him off with a few wins,’’ Matai said.
“There are six weeks left but I am looking even further than that. We have 10 weeks till the Grand Final, so hopefully we can get there.
“As a group we are happy now that everything is out in the open and we can move forward and start winning a few games.
“Tooves is a legend here. To send him out as a champion would be nice.
“We still have to take it a week at a time. We are looking at the Broncos this weekend and they are on top of the ladder.
“What better way is there than to put yourself up against the best and see where we are at.”
Half-back Daly Cherry-Evans said it was a very ‘tough’ moment when Toovey addressed the players yesterday.
“There were a lot of rumours circulating and you felt something was always going to happen. It didn’t make it any easier when he did tell us yesterday,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“It is pretty gut wrenching when your coach is not going to be there next year.
“It has been a tough year for everyone involved in the club but probably none more than Geoff Toovey.
"The only thing we can do now moving forward is to make sure we send him out on the best possible note and that’s winning plenty of games.”
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