Manly coach Anthony Seibold is counting the cost of one of the bravest wins of his tenure after the Sea Eagles downed St George Illawarra 30-14.
Down to just one fit player on their bench for all of the second half, Manly moved up to eighth spot on the NRL ladder with victory in front of 17,187 spectators at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
Seibold laughed at the thought that he may have to dust off his own boots, but such is Manly’s shortage of top-line talent he may be struggling to find a fit forward pack to face South Sydney next Saturday.
“You wouldn’t get much out of me,” Seibold quipped.
NSW skipper Jake Trbojevic and Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans will be away on State of Origin duty, while forward Aaron Woods, Josh Aloiai and Matt Lodge are sidelined through injury or suspension.
Adding to that toll is the front-row duo of Taniela Paseka, who dislocated a thumb, and Toff Sipley, who reaggravated an existing knee issue during Sunday's win.
Centre Reuben Garrick failed to finish the game with a concussion, while utility forward Corey Waddell battled through a lower-leg injury to return in the second half.
The backs-to-the-wall effort left Seibold rapt.
“We fought really hard ... we didn’t have much go our way,” the coach said.
“We were under the pump a fair bit, but it was a really proud afternoon for our club.
“If we get a group of guys who want to work hard like that for each other, then we've got enough speed and enough weapons to trouble Souths.
“They’d be favourites after the last few weeks, but it’s a great opportunity to go have a red-hot crack.”
Manly did well to hold their own after losing Sipley, Paseka and Garrick in quick succession, and they went in at halftime trailing 10-8.
Kyle Flanagan and Jacob Liddle had given the Red V the upperhand, with Lehi Hopoate and Haumole Olakau'atu hitting back for Manly.
A hobbled Waddell returned in the second half and the Sea Eagles hit their straps when Luke Brooks finished off a Karl Lawton bust up the middle of the field.
Zac Lomax scored the Dragons’ only try of the second half, before Manly began to take control.
Ben Trbojevic and Jake Trbojevic helped open up a buffer, before Jason Saab put the knife through the Dragons.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan was left to rue his side’s inability to find a ruthless edge when the depleted Sea Eagles were there for the taking.
“At halftime we were in reasonably good shape and then it got away from us,” Flanagan said.
“They scored tries in big moments, kicked well … it was a game there to win and we could have won.
“It’s a bit of growth we need to learn from today, coming to Brookvale, a big game for both teams - we have to find a way to get it done.”
