By Jonathan B Geddes

MANLY players did it for departing coach Sam Lane by producing their best performance of the season in upsetting premiership hopefuls Gordon 29-26 in their final game at Manly Oval on Saturday.

It was Lane’s last game in charge of the Marlins after announcing he would be standing down from the role in 2027 – and Rugby News understands a very familiar rugby name will be announced to take the reins next season.

Lane, meanwhile, will continue his coaching career as he starts looking for his next opportunity over the coming weeks.

Skipper Simon Kennewell paid tribute to 35-year-old Lane, one of Australian rugby’s rising coaches, after the Marlins’ spirited display against a Gordon team that was potentially playing to grab second spot on the ladder.

Their association stretches back 15 years to the time when Lane was a Marlins’ No.10 and Kennewell was his tee boy.

“Sam has put a lot of time and effort and hours away from family and friends to back us throughout the year,” Kennewell said. “He is obviously very young, so his coaching journey will only go onwards and upwards from here.

“We’ll always be following him and wishing him all the best.”

WHERE HAS THAT BEEN? 

THE win left Lane frustrated that the Marlins saved that effort until the last round.

“I feel they should have done that about 12 weeks ago,” Lane said.

“Gordon had a hell of a lot to play for. I think they are going to be pretty disappointed with who they have to play next week.’’

The Highlanders face a finals showdown with the in-form Sydney University at Chatswood Oval on Saturday.

“We defended really well and were probably one of the first sides that has flustered Gordon a bit,” Lane said. “They went away from what has worked well for them all year, and you could see the frustration that caused.

“We did a lot of things we have been trying to do, and we’d seen glimpses of, and we did it for a bit longer today.

“It was a nice way to finish. We weren’t perfect today, but there was a lot of really good stuff.”

He said that after knocking off one of the top sides in the competition, there was hopefully a bit of vindication for some of the young players that they know they can do it.

SIMPLY THE BEST

KENNEWELL, the Marlins No.13 who had a standout game, described the victory as Manly’s best performance of the season.          

“That was a great example of what we can do going forward,” Kennewell said.

After racing to a 22-0 halftime lead, Manly then faced some anxious moments as Gordon clawed their way back to trail 22-21 with six and a half minutes to play.

But they showed great resilience to get their deserved win.  

Besides providing Lane with a fitting farewell, Manly players had another big incentive.

Kennewell said it was important to give the supporters who turn up to Manly Oval every week something to be pleased about in their final home game.

He said that the game was probably the story of the Marlins’ 2026 season.

“We’ve had really really good patches, and then during games we’ve dropped off,” he said.

“I think going forward the biggest area for this club, particularly the top two grades, is that consistency week-in and week-out.”

LOOKING FORWARD

AS he stood on Manly Oval at fulltime, where he spent so much time as a player and coach, Lane said he tried not to get too emotional.

“It’s like another season is finishing,” he said. “I’m disappointed we are not part of finals because I really did feel this group had the ability to, but we just didn’t get it done.”

As for his next step, Lane said: “I’ll figure out what I’ll do and have a few coffees over the next couple of weeks.”