Manly coach Kieran Foran has declared there are “no limits” to what the Sea Eagles can achieve this season after the club’s “surreal” turnaround.
The Sea Eagles climbed to third on the NRL standings after sealing a 28-14 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval on Thursday evening, the team’s eighth win in ten weeks.
It comes after the club lost their opening three matches at home, prompting the departure of head coach Anthony Seibold in late March.
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“We were disappointed in how we performed last week and we needed to bounce back,” Foran told reporters during the post-match press conference.
“I was really proud with the way the boys responded tonight.
“I wanted us to put on a performance tonight in front of the home crowd tonight that they’d be really proud of, and the boys certainly did that.”
Captain Jake Trbojevic added: “It’s a bit surreal to be honest, after where we started.
“It’s been a great period … but you don’t want to get ahead of yourself.”
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During Thursday’s 14-point win, Manly fullback Clayton Faulalo, who earlier in the game was sent to the sin bin, battled through a hamstring injury to score in the 49th minute.
Foran confirmed the 26-year-old had sustained a low-grade strain.
“He’s been unbelievable,” he said of Faulalo.
“At this stage they’re saying just a low-grade strain, hopefully not too bad, should be back after the bye, or there about, which is really positive news.”
Foran, who this week penned a long-term deal to remain Manly’s coach until the end of the 2029 season, also confirmed Tom Trbojevic was expected to return for Manly’s next game; the superstar fullback has been injured for more than six weeks with a hamstring issue.
“Turbo will be back after the bye,” Foran said.
“He’s put together a couple of really good weeks, it’s good timing obviously with Clayton.
“Turbo, he’s good to go.”
Asked about an apparent dropped ball from second-rower Ben Trbojevic during the lead-up to a Manly try, which went unnoticed by the referees, Foran claimed he didn’t see the controversial moment.
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The Sea Eagles will enjoy a bye next weekend before facing the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Saturday, June 20.
“It’s been a really good block for us, and I’m really proud of the way in which we’ve overcome some adversity,” Foran continued.
“They should be proud of themselves, they’ve put a lot into it.
“It’s a marathon, it’s not going to get any easier, there’s going to keep being challenges every week we play.”
Asked about the club’s finals chances, Foran responded: “There’s no limits on us.
“We’re gonna keep believing, we know where we want to go as a club and as a footy team.
“We’re gonna keep building that belief each and every week.”