Turning Brookvale Oval back into a ‘Fortress’ is an issue Manly Coach Trent Barrett and his players are conscious of.
The Sea Eagles have won just one of five home games at their spiritual home ground this season heading into tomorrow’s ‘must win’ game against Penrith at Brookvale.
“The boys are disappointed about our performances at Brookie, as am I,’’ Barrett said.
“We certainly do want to win at home and they are important games, none more important than the one we have got tomorrow.
“’The players know we owe our fans a good win. Hopefully the fans will be here in force again and it is a nice day.
“All the boys love playing here at Brookvale on a Sunday afternoon. It is important we do put on a good show for our fans.”
With inspirational captain Jamie Lyon out for two weeks (hamstring) and retiring at the season’s end, Barrett appointed Jake Trbojevic and former Gold Coast Titans leader Nate Myles as co-captains for the Panthers clash.
A proud Manly junior from the Mona Vale Raiders Club, Trbojevic won the Sea Eagles Best Player Award last year.
“When I told Jake, he was over the moon. He feels really privileged,’’ Barrett said.
“Jake is a future leader of the club and this is a really good opportunity for him to get a taste of it.
“I felt it was really important Manly had a local boy like Jake to lead the team with Nate.”
Lyon said the naming of Trbojevic as co-captain was great for the local area.
“Jake is a good young kid and this is thoroughly deserved. I am sure he will go a great job,’’ Lyon said.
“He is going to be a leader of the team for many more years to come.”
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