Match Preview: NSW Cup Round 1 vs Raiders
New Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NSW Cup Coach Brett Kimmorley heads into round one with an open mind as to how his players respond to different challenges in the game.
A former Australian and NSW halfback, Kimmorley gets his first opportunity as a NSW Cup Coach after previously coaching the Wests Tigers NRLW team.
The Sea Eagles open their NSW Cup campaign against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday, March 7, at 4 Pines Park.
“I see week one as the chance to test the character of our players,’’ Kimmorley said.
“I want to see how good we can fight and how much we're willing to go into a challenge.
“Who are the players that are going to come and pull us out of some trouble and take that extra step? Who are the guys that will work extra hard to help a teammate?
“They are the little things I'm looking forward to watching on the weekend.
“We’re fortunate that we don’t have many injuries in the club which obviously gives us some depth in the NSW Cup.
“I think I’ve picked a good side. I’m excited about what we have been able to put together.
“We have a bit of experience in the spine area with the likes of Brandon Wakeham and Zach Dockar-Clay.
“Tex Hoy has played a bit of first grade football in Australia and the Super League, so that’s important.
“Blake Metcalfe played a bit of full-back last year for Manly in the NSW Cup, so there’s some players that people would have seen last year and would know.”
It’s a welcome return for Kimmorley to Brookvale after the former half-back played at the now defunct Northern Eagles club in 2001.
“The club's been outstanding. Everyone has been welcoming. It’s been a good change,’’ he added.
“From an education point of view, I’ve learnt about the style of footy we want to play and what the Manly DNA is, so that's been good.
“It’s been great to get to know the players, see what they stand for, how they like to play, to seeing how hard they've trained over summer.
“I think I have coached every role there is available in rugby league. Being a transitional coach, we do a lot of training together with the NRL team.
“I see the role purely as getting the players as well prepared as we can to play to helping our NRL side with their preparation during the week.
“Hopefully, you get a lot of players that can have the ability to transfer from NSW Cup and push for NRL positions. That’s what you look for.
“You hope for everyone that they can turn into first graders.”
The NSW Cup match is the curtain raiser to the NRL and follows on from Manly playing the Raiders in the opening round of the Jersey Flegg Cup at 3.15pm, giving Sea Eagles supporters a chance to enjoy a triple header.
