Kieran Foran has surprisingly admitted he felt like Manly‘s win over the Dolphins was coming, despite a “whirlwind week” filled with turmoil.

Less than a week after Anthony Seibold was sacked as head coach and replaced by the club legend, the Sea Eagles produced a stunning 52-18 win on Thursday night.

Haumole Olakau’atu produced one of the best games of his career and he wasn’t alone as the visitors ran rampant in Redcliffe with a one-sided display.

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Foran, who only retired last year after a stellar playing career, was thrust into the top job at his former club five days ago and then helped deliver a win for the ages.

Speaking post-game, the 2011 premiership winner admitted he was feeling the heat leading into the round five clash, but was confident Manly were going to turn up.

Kieran Foran and Tom Trbojevic speak to media. Nine

“I was nervous. Throughout the day, I was going for walks around Brisbane – I couldn’t sit still,” Foran said in the press conference.

“There’s nerves when you step into this role and there’s been a lot going on through the week and I just wanted it for the club and I wanted the win for the boys. 

“It was a whirlwind week, it was crazy. I felt like that performance was coming, we’ve shown glimpses of that and we’ve been really good in patches. The challenge for them this week was to put in a complete performance and doing it for longer periods.

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“The week was great, the boys were outstanding – there was a lot going on, you can’t take away from that, but they turned up tonight. There’s a hell of a footy team in there and we know that, it just hasn’t been clicking … it’s just a matter of building on that.

“That performance tonight is a step in the right direction, but it’s not the end result. 52 points was nice, but we finished the game poorly and let in 18 points.”

Foran had a beaming smile on his face as he sat next to former teammate and current captain Tom Trbojevic, who left the field in the second half after two head knocks but was cleared by the doctors before being put on ice as Manly ran up a huge score.

Trbojevic revealed some tough conversations from not only Foran, but also chief executive and former player Jason King, set the tone for the turnaround.

“You look at the week and how we started, it was really disappointing,” he said.

“We sort of came together and Foz and Kingy challenged us to have a good hard look at yourself and how you contribute to where we’re at.

“They are obviously two of our greatest players and to hear that from them, you realise you’ve got to have a hard look at yourself and how you can help.

“The way that everyone responded to that was excellent.”

Trbojevic was at his dangerous best from the back before going off the field, but there was no doubting who the standout performer was for the Sea Eagles.

Haumole Olakau’atu in action against the Dolphins.  NRL Images

Olakau’atu finished a game-high 268 run metres, two linebreaks, two try assists and a four-pointer of his own as he reminded everyone of his undeniable potential.

“He was brilliant,” Foran said.

“He’s shown glimpses in the early rounds of what he’s capable of, but he hasn’t been doing it for long periods – but you saw it tonight.

“He set the tone early and he challenged the Dolphins defensive line all night.” 

Manly will look to keep their momentum rolling next weekend against the Dragons.