What has been the secret behind the turnaround in form for Manly over the past three weeks? That was the question reporters wanted answered at Sea Eagles headquarters this morning.
Fresh from their brilliant win on Friday night over the previously undefeated Sydney Roosters, the Sea Eagles have become the talk of the game again for their exciting on-field performances.
How can a side turn in two disappointing performances on their home soil and then record three straight wins, including away victories over heavyweights North Queensland Cowboys and the Roosters, to now sit in fifth place?
Full-back Tom Trbojevic put it down to a ‘massive change in attitude’.
“The boys are going out there and are playing for each other. We really came together (after the Souths loss) and focused as a team on how we could turn this around,’’ Trbojevic said.
“We just found ways we could keep improving.”
Hooker Api Koroisau said the players always had the self-belief.
“The boys really wanted to pull together and become a team. To use each other and take the pressure off each other, rather than build individually. We have done that well,’’ Koroisau said.
“We told ourselves (after Souths loss) that you had to put in the effort, rather than just go out there and try to win it yourself.
“The boys have really banded together and we are starting to play as a team, rather than individuals.”
Koroisau praised the work rate of his forwards for the turnaround.
“Nate Myles and Brenton Lawrence have really led the way and grabbed some huge metres for us,’’ he added.
“(The) Blake Green and Daly Cherry-Evans combination has really taken off. They have created so much space and Tommy Trbojevic, off the back with some second phases, has been incredible for us.
“It has been a huge team effort.”
Trbojevic added the win over the Roosters will mean little if the side doesn’t reproduce at Lottoland this Saturday against the second-placed St George-Illawarra Dragons.
“Our record hasn’t been too good at Lottoland. The Dragons are a quality outfit and they have won four games,’’ he added.
“We owe it to our fans to win well there.”
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