Manly fans are urging club bosses to hand Kieran Foran the full-time head coaching job after Thursday night’s victory over the Cowboys extended his unbeaten start. Resurgent Manly are now three wins from three under Foran, who becomes the first interim coach in the NRL era to win his first three games in charge since Brad Fittler at the Roosters in 2007.
The Sea Eagles’ 38-6 thumping of an out-of-sorts North Queensland saw them jump into fourth spot on the ladder, despite losing their first three games of the season under former coach Anthony Seibold. But Manly’s latest victory came at a massive cost, with Tom Trbojevic limping off in the first half with a fresh hamstring injury that’s likely to sideline the influential skipper for several weeks.
Manly’s unbeaten run under interim coach Kieran Foran has seen calls grow for the club legend to be handed the role full-time. Pic: Getty
“He’s not looking too good at the moment but we will wait until we get a scan to assess the severity of it,” Foran said post-match. “The boys handled it extremely well.” Brien Seeney of the NRL Physio account pointed out that it was Turbo’s eighth hamstring injury in the past eight seasons, with four on each leg.
It’s another devastating blow for the player and the club, but Manly showed their new-found resolve under Foran to brush off the setback and record another impressive win. It’s convinced plenty of fans that Foran is the right man to lead the Sea Eagles long-term, but club bosses have indicated they’re in no rush to appoint Seibold’s long-term successor.
A source close to Manly told News Corp: “It’s still just a little too early to call. The club is so proud at how everyone has helped turn things around. Manly’s defence is putting pressure on the opposing team and forcing mistakes.”
Broncos assistant and two-time Manly premiership winner Matt Ballin remains one of the favourites to land the top job at the Sea Eagles. While former Sea Eagles assistants Michael Ennis and Brad Arthur are among the other frontrunners.
The Manly Sea Eagles made it three wins from three under interim coach Kieran Foran after thumping the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. Pic: Getty
(Ian Hitchcock via Getty Images)Kieran Foran putting up a strong case to land Manly job
But Foran couldn’t have done much more to stamp his own claim on the role. The club legend has simplified things at Manly and has the team playing a free-flowing style that has been lacking for some time.
He has the respect of the playing group after a distinguished 196-game career for Manly that included a premiership in 2011. And the Sea Eagles players have consistently spoken about what it means to play for the club legend, with their vastly improved form under Foran a testament to his influence.
Manly bosses are keen to give the 35-year-old time to convince them he’s the right man for the top job, and will reportedly wait until June to make a call on their next head coach. But if Foran can mastermind a fourth-straight win against the struggling Eels in his first home game in charge next weekend, the calls will only grow louder for him to be handed the reins full-time.
with AAP