Manly revenge storm brewing

Skyhunter · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:40 am Post subject: Manly revenge storm brewing

Manly revenge storm brewing

By Melissa Woods

February 01, 2008

MELBOURNE skipper Cameron Smith expects Manly to come out with all guns blazing when the two teams meet in a grand final rematch in their NRL trial in a fortnight's time.

The champions will only play one trial in Australia, then head to England where they will warm up against Halifax before their World Club Challenge clash with English titleholders Leeds on February 29.

They will then open their NRL campaign against New Zealand Warriors in a Monday night game on March 17.

With a 21-man squad departing for the UK three days later, Coach Craig Bellamy intends naming a full-strength side to take on Manly on February 15, with the exception of injured Greg Inglis (shoulder), Michael Crocker (shoulder) and former Newcastle frontrower Danny Vaughan (knee).

Prop Antonio Kaufusi is set to make a return from a knee reconstruction after he damaged it during the Origin series nine months ago.

Melbourne thrashed the Sea Eagles 34-8 in last year's grand final and Smith expects their opponents to seek some revenge during the Gosford match.

"Manly will want to come out and really bash us in that first game but we're going to approach it like any other game, hopefuly we can get the same score line as the grand final,'' Smith said.

"We did it to Brisbane last year, that's why we know how Manly's going to approach the game, they're going to want some revenge and hopefully we'll be ready for that.''

In their 2007 pre-season match, Melbourne took out their frustration after losing the 2006 grand final to Brisbane, crushing the visitors in a 46-0 romp.

Smith nominated exciting young centre Will Chambers, who has made six first-grade appearances, as a player to watch.

The 19-year-old is the frontrunner to fill the boots left by the departure of Matt King to play in England.

"There's been a lot of talk since Matt King left that he's going to be hard to replace, he will be but we've got a young bloke there, Will Chambers, who's trained really well in the pre-season and is one of the fittest blokes in the club and doing really well,'' Smith said.

"I think we're in great shape.''

Melbourne are well aware they will again be the benchmark side.

"We finished second (in 2006) but we were probably the most hunted team,'' Smith said.

"Everyone is aware of our strengths and what they need to do to play well against us.

"It's going to intensify this season and be even harder for us but I'm confident the boys are capable of going back-to-back, it's just whether they want to to put in the hard work.''

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23143384-23214,00.html

Skyhunter · Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:45 am Post subject:

Manlys 2008 season may very well depend on how well they have or do get over last years GF loss.