Manly players still smarting from a big loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt last week say they won't be taking the Sharks lightly when their old rivals travel to Brookvale on Sunday afternoon.
"We've just got to put that one behind us and focus on the Sharks this week... they played really well against the Warrriors [in a 37-6 Round 5 win at Remondis Stadium]," Foran told reporters this week.
"We want to get a win up at 'Brooky' and put that one behind us and just move on."
He said the Sharks are better than their one win, four loss record suggests and look a different side with halfback Jeff Robson back controlling the play.
"They've been unlucky in a few games, being without a few troops - they're getting everyone back on deck and that makes them a real danger again," Foran said.
"I think they needed [Robson] back. He's a class player, he really steers them around the park well and frees Toddy Carney up to play his style of game so that makes them even more dangerous this week," he said.
Foran was not yet born when the fierce rivalry was born between the two clubs in the 1970s, when Manly defeated Cronulla in the Sharks' first grand final, in 1973. Five years later the two clubs went to war twice n a week, the Sea Eagles winning won a controversial grand final replay against the Sharks in 1978, just three days after the '78 decider had been drawn 11-all.
"I've seen the old games and old tapes so I'm aware of the rivalry," Foran said.
"It's always a tough game when we play the Sharks. It doesn't matter where we play them, it always seems to be a physical encounter.
"They're a big strong forward pack and I know we want to get back into the winning circle this week so we're going to try and bring our A-game and hopefully test them."
Manly second rower Justin Horo agreed the Sharks were boosted by the return of Robson and said they would be a different proposition with injured players starting to return.
"Just the direction they had, I watched briefly a bit of their game [against the Warriors] and they looked a lot sharper. They'll want to build on that and we'll have to be ready to go," Horo said.
Manly prop Josh Starling said Sharks forward Sam Tagataese would also be a big threat.
"The [Sharks have] hit some form, they're getting a few players back and getting a roll on," said Starling.
"Big 'Taggers' (Tagataese), he's playing unbelievable for them, with their halves coming back and good kicking games it's going to be a tough one."
