Manly centre Malietoa Hingano scores against Eastwood two weeks ago. Photo: PL6 Photography

by Brendan Bradford –

Despite winning every game so far this season, Manly coach Phil Blake wants to make one thing clear: the job isn’t over.

Sitting eleven competition points clear at the top of the table, the Marlins have scored 87 more points than the next highest scoring side, Eastwood, and are the only team in the Shute Shield to concede less than 200. But, says Blake, there’s still work to be done.

“They don’t hand out silverware at this time of year and although we’ve had a good start, we haven’t achieved anything yet,” he said.

“We need to make sure our preparation is really good for every game and that we’re firing every Saturday afternoon because although things are rosy at the minute, we understand that we have to keep improving if we want success at the end of the season.”

Just where those improvements can be made is tough to judge with Manly full of confidence after a 60-12 demolition of Randwick last weekend in a performance Blake rates as one of the best of the season.

“To go to Randwick at any stage and get a win is a pretty big effort but to have a day like that was pretty special,” said Blake.

Southern Districts fullback Richie Williams. Photo: Pat Dunne

“We played some really good football and defended well at stages and we played better for longer without any of those ten minutes lapses we’ve been having. Every week’s a test and we’re coming up against sides who are just on the edge of the six and they’ll be wanting a win to enhance their prospects of finals football and we’re out in front so everyone will be gunning for us.”

The Marlins have made one change to last week’s side with Scott Daruda to play at flyhalf.

Southern Districts coach Matt Barr says last week’s loss to Sydney Uni came down to simple mistakes. Rather than being outplayed by the Students, Southern Districts made a few critical errors in crucial areas of the field and succumbed to a 30-18 loss.

A losing bonus point would have secured the Rebels’ spot in the top six, but instead they were leapfrogged by the Pirates who scored a last second bonus point against Gordon.

“Uni played well, but when you make some of the errors we did and make them where we did, it’s very costly,” said Barr.

“We created opportunities and had territory and possession but came up with too many critical errors. We dropped the ball at the restart and you just can’t afford to do that at this level, so we made it hard on ourselves and easier on our opposition. Uni are good and they made us pay.”

With Super Rugby taking a break, a scattering of Waratahs have made themselves available for their clubs but Southern Districts will not be boosted by the presence of second-rower Kane Douglas.

“Unfortunately, Kane has not been released to play. Originally in the team, his place will be taken by his younger brother Jake” said Barr.

Aside from not having the outstanding Tahs lock, Barr has been forced to switch prop Tim Metcher, who has a neck injury, for Cam Betham while a hand injury has forced Steve Fualau out with Maile Nguamo switching to hooker and Marcus Heather coming in at loosehead. In the back-row, impressive openside Kieran Black is out with a knee injury, to be replaced by Jono Hayes.

Manly vs Southern Districts at Manly Oval, 3pm Saturday June 14

Manly – 1. Mitch Lewis 2. Dave Porecki 3. Chris Cocca 4. Dylan Sigg 5. Greg Peterson 6. Harry Bergelin 7. Kotoni Ale 8. Vaka Manu 9. Mark Swanepoel 10. Sam Vaevae 11. Dane Chisholm 12. Brian Sefanaia 13. Malietoa Hingano 14. Lui Siale 15. BJ Hartmann

Southern Districts – 1. Marcus Heather 2. Maile Nguamo 3. Cameron Betham 4. Andrew Leota 5. Jake Douglas 6. Marcus Carbone 7. Jono Hayes 8. Jed Holloway 9. Chris O’Reilly 10. Rohan Saifoloi 11. Faleula Finau 12. Ollie Samuela 13. Denny Godinet 14. Ben Connolly 15. Richie Williams