NRL: Hasler eager to evade logjam

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Having spent a chunk of his adult life battling traffic on the Spit Bridge, Manly NRL coach Des Hasler knows a bit about congestion.

But even Hasler has been taken aback by the logjam on the NRL ladder, with his Sea Eagles heading into tonight's match against Newcastle right in the thick of it.

Two straight wins after back-to-back losses have the Sea Eagles sixth as they head up the freeway, and another victory over the Knights would have them poised just two points out of second spot with five games remaining.

But a loss to Newcastle would leave Hasler's men just two points ahead of 10th-placed Parramatta, Manly's predicament highlighting the desperation facing those sides battling it out for a finals berth.

"It's been like that all year, it's been that kind of competition," Hasler said.

"It's probably the most open and even competition I've seen for quite a while since I've been on the scene.

"It's about that belief and momentum and getting a run at it and staying clear of injuries.

"At this stage you've got to just keep winning games and let the rest sort itself out."

Manly sounded a warning to their NRL rivals with last week's 38-20 win over Wests Tigers, confirming the 2008 premiers were indeed back in form following the previous week's hammering of Cronulla.

The timidness in attack and defence which was a feature of their play in the preceding two losses was no longer evident - the much-vaunted Sea Eagles pack seemingly warming up for another tilt at finals glory.

"There were probably a few areas that we needed to address. I think we've done that and it's getting down to that stage of the season now, about six rounds out, that you want to be building some momentum," Hasler said.

"I think the past two weeks we've been a little bit more solid, winning some of those games that [previously] we were probably in control of and ended up losing.

"We've recognised that it's just about being consistent for the majority of the 80 minutes and then having to deal with the so-called momentum swings.

"Now that the rep season's over, sides that are vying for top eight or [with] top four aspirations can really control their own destiny."

Newcastle remain a mathematical chance of scraping into the top eight, but would need to win all of their remaining matches to get there.

The desperation of their situation is evident in Rick Stone's team selections, with skipper Kurt Gidley shuffled into halfback and Shannon McDonnell the new No1.

Gidley's move will no doubt give the Knights better direction at the ruck, while also freeing the inconsistent Jarrod Mullen of some of the organisational responsibility.

"The Knights always have a different dimension whenever he [Gidley] is on the field so he brings a lot to that side with his experience and he's just a damn good footballer," Hasler said.

Con Mika will also start in the second row with Cameron Ciraldo moving to the bench, the Knights keen to continue their recent home domination over Manly having won seven from their last eight against the Sea Eagles in Newcastle.

- AAP