Manly relaxed about NRL Grand Final but fiery coach isn't

Manu Vatuvei has some fun with the replica trophy at the NRL Grand Final breakfast in Sydney yesterday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Manly coach Des Hasler said one thing yesterday, his team's body language said quite another.

While Hasler somewhat bafflingly claimed Manly were favourites to lift the NRL trophy on Sunday "only at the bookies", his players exuded an air of champions-in-waiting. The vast majority of the Manly squad looked perfectly at home as they tucked into their bacon and eggs in front of about 1000 people at the grand final breakfast in Darling Harbour. Having qualified for their third grand final in five years, most of the Sea Eagles have been here and done this before.

Across the way, only hooker Aaron Heremaia munched away contentedly, perhaps mentally comparing the fare to what he might have served up in his former life as a chef. His teammates largely shuffled in their seats, studied their mobile phones, traded jokes and watched their meals go cold.

The overall impression was that, while Manly were happy to soak up the attention, the Warriors would have rather been working on their kick-chase.

Coach Ivan Cleary, though, didn't think his side was in danger of being overawed by the occasion.

"I know it's an important game but we have been playing important games for two months," Cleary said. The thrashing his side received in Brisbane had put paid to any nervousness.

"The first week of the finals is somewhat similar to the grand final because it's all new and big and we didn't handle that week. We were lucky enough to get another shot and steadied the ship and turned things around. I think that experience in the first week will help us this week

"In terms of big game routine, we have done it. I know it's the grand final but I think the grand final is built up more than the game. Our focus after [yesterday] is really about the game. As long as the boys prepare the best they can and deliver another performance in a game - which it is - we should be in a pretty good space."

A good space is precisely where Hasler believes his side is, with the famously fiery coach describing his squad as "relaxed" and "having a good time".

Perhaps too good a time. That may have been the motivation for Hasler's words of warning about the Warriors.

"If you look across the way, they are a fair footy side," Hasler said. "There are a lot of NZ test players among that side. They have been outstanding and are showing great momentum coming in. What has been impressive about them is that they have found ways to win. I thought they were very impressive against Melbourne, the way they hung in there. They more or less out-Melbourned Melbourne."

Back rower Anthony Watmough and giant interchange forward Tony "T-Rex" Williams were the notable absentees from the festivities, with both quarantined with colds.

"They'll be okay, they'll be fine," Hasler said. "It's just a bit of a cold. It's just a precaution, it is best to isolate them. They'll be back on deck [today]."

Hasler also said he had no concerns about key forward Glenn Stewart's fitness as he returns from a lengthy suspension for brawling with Adam Blair in the Battle of Brookvale.

Stewart addressed the Manly players earlier this week, thanking them for making the grand final.

"He was very real and very genuine when he spoke about the past month," Hasler said. "Personally I think he has been one of the best and most consistent performers in the NRL throughout the year."

Key Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran was one of the more relaxed players on show. The 21-year-old Kiwis star said he had taken advice from a number of grand final veterans about how to handle grand final week.

"I think it's easy to fall into the trap of playing the game before you have actually gone out there," Foran said. "The advice I've got is stay calm until Sunday and then let it all go."