By Jonathan B Geddes 

MANLY coach Sam Lane revealed how shrewd advice from some influential football figures played a role in the Marlins’ first win of the season over Randwick last weekend.

Encouragement came from ex-Wallabies assistant coach Scott Wisemantel and Wildfires boss Darren Coleman. They have both reached out to Lane as he dealt with the baptism of fire in his first season as a Shute Shield head coach after Manly lost their opening seven games.

Lane’s hard work and persistence were rewarded with his side’s 31-26 away victory at Coogee Oval last Saturday.

“I’m pretty lucky I’ve got a lot of good voices around me,” Lane told Rugby News.

“Scott Wisemantel is one who that checks in every week and DC (Coleman) has reached out.”

Wisemantel has faced his own challenges this season as assistant coach of the Parramatta Eels NRL side while Coleman went through some tough times when Waratahs coach.   

Lane was also able to tap into the vast knowledge of his father Tim, the former Wallaby and also ex-Wallaby assistant coach.

“Everyone’s been through it as a coach, it is all part of sport,” Sam said.

“All the big voices that have been around the top level said the same thing – which was just double down, keep backing what you are doing and keep believing in yourself– and that is what we did.”

And Lane knows all too well how to deal with the adversity that comes with rugby. 

“I try not to get too high and too low, I’ve been through a lot of lows in my own playing career with injuries and things like that,” he said. “I went from thinking about becoming a Wallaby after playing one good game of Super Rugby to sitting on an operating table two weeks later. 

“And I’ve lived it since I was a kid with dad. Sometimes it just doesn’t come together, other times it does.

“I definitely knew what I was getting into more so than most. This will be part of my journey.”

RELIEF AND BELIEF 

THAT first win is set to be the pivotal moment in the Marlins’ season.                 

“It was good, more so for the boys than anything,” Lane said. “There was a bit of relief and hopefully a bit of belief for them too.

“We were far from perfect on the weekend but we got the result and hopefully it will be a bit of a springboard.

“There is still a lot of improvement and growth left in us so that is probably the more exciting thing.

“When you look at our list on paper, I still think it is one of the better lists in the comp.”      

Manly has benefited from the game management of their new Welsh No.10 Ben Burnell, who played his first full game against Randwick after having a 20-minute run against Eastwood the week before.

“He made a big difference,” Lane said.

Another bonus has been the return of No.12 Angus Bell from an ACL injury.

“It was good to see him back out there,” Lane said.  

TACKLING THE WILDFIRES

LANE is now looking forward to facing off against the competition leading Wildfires, and going head-to-head with Coleman, on Saturday at Manly Oval.

“It’s always a good challenge when you come up against a side that is leading the comp,” Lane said. “Our boys are excited to go out there and give them a test and see how it lands.” 

The Marlins could cause rivals some real headaches over the rest of the season.

As Lane said: “I think if we play to the potential we can, then we could ruffle a few feathers in this second half of the year.”