Sea Eagles Coach Trent Barrett has no problem with teams having a five-day turnaround, provided it is a level playing field.
The Sea Eagles play their third game in 10 days when they tackle the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval tomorrow night, following wins over the Cronulla Sharks (last Monday week) and the Sydney Roosters (last Saturday).
The short turnaround from the Roosters game meant Manly trained together this morning for the first time this week.
However, Barrett is not using it as any excuse should the side lose to the Rabbitohs.
“It is definitely not an excuse. It is not something the players have whinged about,’’ Barrett said today.
“They are battle hardened and that’s their job.
“I’ve got no problem when there is a five day turnaround every now and then, but when you get them back to back. We’ve got four in the first eight weeks. That gets a bit tough.
“From a player’s point of view, they don’t whinge at all and they are going to get the job done for us tomorrow night.”
When asked about the luxury a club like Brisbane has with most of their games being played on Friday nights, Barrett again highlighted an even playing field.
“I understand with the (television) schedule, occasionally it is going to happen but not back-to-back, or coming off a Warriors trip,’’ he said.
“It is not just for my club. This is across the board. As long as it is fair for everyone, but at the moment, it is probably not.”
Barrett said the team’s focus was getting their defence right against the Rabbitohs, who will welcome back their enforcer in Sam Burgess from concussion.
“Sam brings a lot. Not only with what he can do with the ball, but with the aura he brings to the side. They get a lot of confidence having him and his brother back,’’ Barrett added.
“Our defence needs to be spot on. They are a big pack and we have got to stop them. It is a huge night for us defensively.
“We just have to make sure our backyard is in order and we are doing everything we possibly can. We can’t control what they are doing. It would be nice to spoil his (Sam) night though.”
