KEY POINTS:
Selfless Manly rookie Michael Bani had no illusions his starring role in the Sea Eagles' NRL preliminary final triumph was anything more than a one-off appearance.
Bani was called in as a late replacement for injured winger Chris Hicks in Saturday's 28-6 win over North Queensland at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The 23-year-old was faultless in just his third NRL appearance, but knows he will be dropped for next weekend's grand final if Hicks, as expected, overcomes an ankle injury and is ruled fit to play.
So sure was Bani of his fate, he approached Hicks about it immediately after the game.
"He came up to me after the game and said 'congratulations Spider, you're playing in the grand final'," Hicks said. "I've got that much respect for him. He realises he was just in there to fill the spot."
Although it was just a fill-in role, Bani admitted to some serious nerves. But once on the field he performed like a seasoned veteran and chimed in with some telling dummy half runs.
"I went out there and had to play my own game. I had to shut off everything and do what I do normally on the field," Bani said. "When we won in the back of my head I knew I had to make way for Chris [Hicks]. He's had an outstanding year and he deserves to be out there for the grand final."
While Bani will be devastated to miss out on the grand final, Manly officials are quietly confident they've unearthed a future star.
Hicks has no doubt the tall and solidly built Bani can fill his wing position on a permanent basis next year.
"He's done a great job this year and played exceptionally," Warrington-bound Hicks said. "You would never know it was just his third first grade game. He's playing in a grand final qualifier and he was awesome."
-AAP
