CARETAKER Manly coach Keiran Foran became an instant legend among clipboard carriers after the Sea Eagles crushed the Dolphins to steamroll their way to their maiden win of the season.
Anthony Seibold was sacked less than a week ago and Manly didn’t just come away from Redcliffe with two competition points, they completely demoralised Kristian Woolf’s men 52-18.
“I felt like that performance was coming,” said former New Zealand Test star Foran. “They’ve been playing well in patches but the challenge was to put in an 80-minute performance.
“The week was great. The boys were outstanding. Obviously it was a huge week, there was a lot going on.
“Fifty-two points was nice but we finished the game poorly. We let in 18 points at the end of the game but for 67 minutes we were outstanding.
“There was nerves for sure. During the day, I went went for walks around Brisbane. I couldn’t sit still. I think I went for four or five km.
“I just wanted it for the club. I wanted the win tonight for boys and for the club.”
It was 28-0 to the visitors at halftime. Winger Lehi Hopoate scored two of his team’s nine tries.
With 10 minutes left it was 52-0 before two consolation tris to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the Dolphins and another by Herbie Farnworth.
Captain Tim Trbojevic said: “Foz (Foran), Kingy (Jason King), they really challenged us to have a good hard look at yourself and how you contribute to where we’re at.
“They’re obviously two of our greatest players and to hear that from them, you realise you’ve got to have a good look at yourself and see how you can help and how you can contribute to a better football team.
“And the way everyone responded to that was excellent.”
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said: “We’ve got to have a good hard look at where we’re at and we have to make some changes” but when asked if he meant team changes, replied: “No, we’ve got to change what we’re doing.”
Prop Tom Gilbert added: “This can define us in a really good way in terms of not letting hit happen again.
“You’ve got to question a few of our attitudes … you’ve got to draw a line in the sand.”
MANLY 52 (Hopoate 2 T Trbojevic Garrick Brooks Ola’kautu Koula B Trbojevic Waddell Fogarty 8 goals) beat DOLPHINS 18 (Tabuai-Fidow 2 Farnworth tries Isaako 3 goals) at Kayo Stadium.
Teams:
DOLPHINS: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow; Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo; Kodi Nikorima, Isaiah Katoa (c); Tim Gilvert, Max Plath,Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefuiaki, Morgan Knowles. Res: Brad Flegler, Tom Flegler, Ray Stone, Francis Molo, Kurt Donaghue, Trai Fuller.
MANLY:Tom Trbojevic (c); Clayton Faulalo, Tolutau Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate; Like Brooks, Jamal Fogarty; Taniela Paseka, Brandon Wakeham, Kobe Hetherington, Maumole Ola’kuatu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic. Res: Jake Simpkin, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor, Simione Laufa, Paul Bryan, Josh Feledy.
Referee: Grant Atkins.
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