Injuries bite but Manly certain finals hopes aren't slipping away

The Sea Eagles are in a bit of a slump and two members of their attacking spine are off contract at the end of the year.

It sounds like the perfect opportunity for hooker Danny Levi and fullback Brendan Elliot to press their claims for more time in the maroon-and-white jersey.

"I'm hoping to stay at the club. I feel like I've found a home here at Manly," said Elliot, who spent time at the Roosters, Knights and Titans before arriving on Sydney's northern beaches in 2019.

"Des [Hasler] has been great for me, the boys have been great to me, so I'm hoping to stay. We've just got to play some good footy and see what happens."

Levi empathises regarding the feel-good atmosphere at the club's North Narrabeen training headquarters.

"I've really enjoyed my time here. The boys have been awesome to me," he said.

"I'm not too sure what's going to happen but my focus is solely on playing good footy and getting a few more wins on the board."

Of course, Manly's position isn't being helped by having disruptions to two key members of their spine – first-choice No.1 Tom Trobojevic is out with more serious hamstring troubles and five-eighth Dylan Walker is set to miss the next six weeks after suffering a second foot fracture.

In last week's 42-12 humiliation by the Panthers, Manly also lost centre Brad Parker (concussion) and edge forward Curtis Sironen (knee).

Obviously I'm hoping to stay at the club. I feel like I've found a home

Manly utility back Brendan Elliot

"It's just one of those unfortunate things about footy – people get injured. It sucks to lose them," Levi said.

"But we've got a lot of players ready to go and fill those shoes. We've got a lot of confidence in them to do a really good job."

Elliot said the injuries were "a big blow" but the team didn't feel like the season is slipping away. Manly (6-6) dropped out of the eight last weekend with eight games remaining before the finals.

"Three injuries on the weekend didn't help us. We were just unlucky there," he said.

Tevita Funa looks a ready-made replacement for Parker in the centres and Cade Cust – recently re-signed with the Sea Eagles for another two years – will again assume the No.6 jersey.

Cust was an integral part of the wins over the Eels and Cowboys before he was dropped when Walker passed his final fitness test for the Panthers.

Funa was a member of Manly's premiership-winning under 20 side in 2017 and in his four NRL games this year he's scored three tries playing as a winger and centre.

Another thing going for Manly as they try to improve their 3-4 record at home when they face the Warriors at Lottoland this weekend, is having Daly Cherry-Evans as both skipper and halfback.

"It's awesome having someone with that amount of experience," Levi said.

"He's that good he makes my job a lot easier. I listen out for him and when he demands the ball I've got to get it there as fast as I can because he's a smart dude.

"He's a brilliant captain and is just one of those players you want to play with."

Seeing Cherry-Evans run 90 metres to pull down Brent Naden and stop an intercept try against the Panthers was one thing – seeing him roll Viliame Kikau over onto his back to stop him scoring was another.

"He just does his job so well. I'm enjoying playing with him at the moment and I feel like I've learnt a lot off him. I want to keep moving forward with him."