Hard running Manly forward Addin Fonua-Blake is loving the close bond his team-mates have developed.
“At the start of the pre-season, we all wanted to be mates off the field before we were mates on the field,’’ Fonua-Blake said.
“When you have a friend, you want to work hard for your friend and not let them down. That’s our mentality at the moment.
“We all wanted to turn around on the year we had last year. We all came up with a few things and that (mateship) was the main thing everyone said.
“There were a lot of team bonding sessions. Little things lie having coffee together, playing golf, and getting out of the house. Just to hang out with each other.
“We enjoy each other’s company.”
The players will enjoy more time together this weekend with the Sea Eagles bound for Perth to play the Warriors in a home game at nib Stadium for the second consecutive year.
Fonua-Blake said the side was determined to continue to work hard to maintain their place inside the top four with 10 rounds remaining of the Telstra Premiership.
“We always knew it would be possible (to be in the top four) but we just had to work hard to get there,’’ Fonua-Blake said.
“It is a good feeling being in the top four.
“Everyone gas been working hard for each other. It has been a team effort and everyone wants to continue to get better at training.”
See Addin take on the Warriors this Saturday at nib Stadium, Perth - Tickets
History of Sea Eagles v Warriors
Head to Head: Played 29: Manly 21, Warriors 8.
In Perth: Played 2: Manly 2, Warriors 0
Past 8 clashes: Manly 7, Warriors 1
Warriors’ last win over Manly: 18-16, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, June 9, 2013.
Manly in Perth
Manly have played five premiership games in Perth;
o Canberra defeated Manly 29-12 at WACA Ground, May 18, 1990
o Manly defeated Cronulla 26-6 at WACA Ground, July 9, 1993
o Western Reds defeated Manly 11-8 at WACA Ground, June 30, 1996
o Manly defeated Warriors 24-22 at Patersons Stadium, Perth, July 28, 2012
o Manly defeated Warriors 15-14, nib Stadium, July 16, 2016
