'I know what they're going through': Boyle feels for former teammates

Manly's Morgan Boyle was at the Titans when Neil Henry received his marching orders in 2017 so he knows what his former teammates are feeling after Garth Brennan's dismissal.

"I know exactly what they're going through. They'll feel a bit in limbo-land at the moment," Boyle told NRL.com before the Sea Eagles did a video session ahead of facing Parramatta at Lottoland on Sunday.

"I'm hoping for their pride they'll be able to string a few games together. Just for themselves that will give them some reassurance that the Titans are a good football club."

Boyle made his NRL debut on the Gold Coast in 2017 and played 22 games over the next two years before moving to Manly for the 2019 pre-season to work under Des Hasler.

"I enjoyed my time under Brenno. Things just started to open for me in that I saw what I felt was a better opportunity down at Manly," the 22 year-old front rower said.

"There was no bad blood or anything like that. You have to take your chances when you can.

"There's a big fan base up there, maybe not as big as some of the Sydney clubs. There's also a terrific catchment area through the Northern Rivers area.

"So you don't want to them to have to move or close down. They've already gone through so many changes with the Chargers and the Seagulls.

"You don't want to have another upheaval and have to start all over again, or be shut down."

But the better opportunity Boyle mentioned earlier was the chance to play finals football. And that looks like a happening thing.

Manly climbed into the top-eight after round three and have remained there ever since. They are now just one win from the top-four – but so are the Eels as both clubs have 20 competition points.

"This is a crucial time. You want wins. You can either make your season great or fall by the wayside over the next eight weeks," he said.

"It's just great to be talking about this. For the past few years I haven't been talking about winning games to make the top-four, instead it's been just trying to win games to keep my season alive.

"So it's a big two weeks coming up with Parra and then Storm. As they say you're always playing against yourself so if you don't turn up it's hard to win games."

That was Hasler's message to his players after a lacklustre first half against South Sydney last weekend, down 18-6 at the break and lost it 21-20.

"Definitely," Boyle said. "It was too late in the end – so a fast start from us this week."