The odds of making the NSW Cup finals may be long but Manly Warringah Coach Luke Williamson remains very optimistic.
Manly Warringah sit at the bottom of the ladder after 17 rounds on 12 competition points, four positions behind the eighth placed Newcastle Knights – a side they lost 48-18 too last Sunday.
The Sea Eagles return to Brookvale Oval this Saturday at 3pm to play the ninth placed Wests Tigers (16 points). The two teams met in round 14 with the Sea Eagles recording a convincing 34-18 win at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“We have six games remaining, plus two byes, and we are six points out of the eight, ‘’ Williamson said.
“We play those teams who are coming sixth, eighth and ninth, and they have all had their three byes. We play Wentworthville twice who are on the same points as us.
“The window is still ajar. I’m looking forward to this Saturday’s game and if we can get ourselves into a good position and hopefully win, we have the bye next week.
“A win would mean we go into the bye with confidence before tackling the Warriors in Auckland. We then have our last bye so that could really set up the stage for our last four games of the season.
“To have this week at home is great. I know the players are really excited about playing at Brookvale again and then to finish the season off with three home games would be enormous for us especially if we do the hard work now and put ourselves into a great position to be there for the finals.”
Sea Eagles run home
Rd 18 v Wests Tigers (9th), 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 (11th), 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
