By Jonathan B Geddes

MANLY captain Hunter Ward has passionately backed coach Sam Lane following the team’s disappointing start to the Shute Shield.

And ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval the skipper says people will see a different Marlins’ side over the next few weeks.   

“I know if we do our jobs and stick to our systems, we are a tough side to beat,” Ward said. 

Lane has long been earmarked to become a successful coach when he retired from playing, and after their sides clashed in round one Norths coach Zak Beer told Rugby News: “I think it the start of a brilliant Shute Shield coaching career for Laney.”

But Lane has had a challenging introduction to the Shute Shield after guiding Manly to the second grade premiership last season. After the first four games the Marlins are surprisingly none from four and sit in 11^th spot on the ladder.

“Obviously he earned a lot of respect for what he did with second grade last year, he’s a big part of the club and the boys still want to play with Sam 100 per cent,” Ward said.

“I don’t think it is anything to do with coaching, all the boys are happy with the systems we are playing and buying in each week.

“The coaching staff can only do so much, they are not out there playing on Saturday, it’s the playing group.

“The boys are 100 per cent working hard, we have full belief in the coaching staff. And if you look at our team on paper we are right up there with the best teams in the comp.”

COSTLY MISTAKES

REFLECTING on Manly’s campaign so far in 2025 Ward said: “There is no doubt about it, we were disappointed with some of the performances we dished up.”

He said a lot of the points the Marlins concede are self-inflicted – from an individual error or ill-discipline that allows the opposition to kick into their 22.

“It hasn’t been the ideal start we wanted, but I think last weekend against the Rats we played some of our best footy – especially in that first 40,” Ward said.

Manly have been right in the contest at halftime in each of their games – leading Norths 31-22 and trailing the Two Blues 14-12, Souths 21-19 and Warringah 10-8.

“I think we stray away from our systems and lose a bit of detail,” Ward said. “Because the teams are so good this year the margin for error is very small.

“If you look at our second halves we make a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes and if you do it against good teams it leads to points.”

HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS 

“THE frustrating thing is we know we are a better side, it’s just being able to play that footy,” Ward said.

“Everyone’s hungry and there is still a very positive feel around the club and determination to swing this season around.”

Despite the tough situation, Ward remains positive about the rest of the season for the Marlins.

“Every time I do strap the boots on for Manly I feel it in the locker room 100 per cent the boys are going out to win,” he said.

“Everyone’s a competitor, everyone’s doing their reviews, everyone cares about it.

“And I think over the next couple of weeks you will see a different Marlins side.”

A BUMPY  RIDE

THE current situation is nothing new for Ward who has experienced it all before and understands what it takes for a team to dig their way out of a hole.

“I have been in winning Marlins’ seasons where we won 10 straight and lost eight straight into the finals,” he said. “And I’ve been in teams where we lost 75-5 first round.

“I know what the ups and downs feel like and definitely there is something special about this team – we’ve just got to unlock it.”

THE TABLE TOPPERS    

WARD said morale at the Marlins remains very strong.

“The rest of the club is top of the table in every other grade,” he said.

“Sometimes when ones aren’t winning you think the rest of the club is in turmoil but it is the other way around.”

Ward said every grade has a fresh bench and the club has 15 reserves for fourth grade.

“I know against the Rats they turned 10 blokes away because we just had too many boys,” Ward said. 

That is an impressive statistic, especially considering the situation facing some other clubs in the lower grades.