Kieran Foran knows looking any further ahead than the current match can have fatal consequences at this crucial stage of the rugby league season.
Two big wins over the Warriors and competition leaders Brisbane Broncos in the past fortnight have given Manly Warringah plenty of self-belief heading into the Round 22 blockbuster against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval this Friday night.
The 44-14 win over the Broncos at Gosford last Saturday night saw the Sea Eagles move within two points of the top eight.
Foran said the side faces another ‘massive’ test against the defending premiers.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than playing Souths on a Friday night,’’ Foran said.
“We will be doing the best we can in going out there and trying to match them physically. If we can do that, then we will give ourselves every chance of coming away with the two points.
“Our last month of footy has been good, being able to string those wins together. We know (the draw) doesn’t get any easier with five games to go and we need to basically win all of them to give ourselves any chance of making the finals.
“We will take it one game at a time. That’s all we can do.”
The fourth-placed South Sydney won the round 16 contest 20-8 at ANZ Stadium in June but come to Brookvale wary of facing an in-form Sea Eagles.
A highlight of the match will be the return to Brookvale Oval of former Premiership winning Sea Eagles back-rower Glenn Stewart. It will be the first time Glenn has played at Brookvale Oval against his brother Brett since joining the Rabbitohs this season.
The Sea Eagles attracted their biggest home crowd of the season at last week’s Gosford match with over 16,000 attending to witness the big win over the Broncos.
The club is hoping their army of supporters will break that record at their spiritual home ground of Brookvale Oval for the Souths clash. Plenty of tickets remain available for the match.
Match Day Information
Rd 22 NRL: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brookvale Oval, Friday August 7.
Times
Gates Open: 5.15pm
Holden Cup: 5.20pm
NRL: 7.30pm
Ticketing
Phone Ticketmaster on 136100.
