'We can do some damage': Inside the Sea Eagles' revival under Foz

Manly forward Kobe Hetherington has declared that the Sea Eagles can “do some damage in the comp” after revealing how the passion of new coach Kieran Foran and captain Tom Trbojevic was inspiring the players.

Foran, who only retired from playing last November after helping New Zealand to victory in the Pacific Cup, was thrust into the coaching role just four rounds into the NRL season following the sacking of Anthony Seibold and has quickly turned around Manly’s fortunes.

The Sea Eagles travel to Townsville to play the Cowboys on Thursday night brimming with confidence after back-to-back wins against the Dolphins and Dragons since Foran took charge and Hetherington believes they have now got their season back on track.

“With the pre-season we had, we were never going to roll over or anything like that,” Hetherington said.

“We had a tough pre-season and we didn't get off to a good start, but there's plenty more good stuff to come and if we can just hang in there for those grinding games, we’ve got the talent out wide and through the middle to really do some damage in this comp.”

Any changes Foran has made have been subtle but as a player he was someone others wanted to play with, and Hetherington said he was also a coach who players want to play for.

“He's been really clear, direct and he's taken the opportunity with both hands so it’s been good. With him being an ex-manly legend, it makes that all the more special,” Hetherington said.

To hear him talk about the history of the club and stuff like that, it actually gives you goosebumps.

“Whenever I listen to a bloke like Tommy (Trbojevic) speak I just always look at him and he's got goosebumps all through his body just talking about what it means to play for Manly. He's just that passionate."

Winger Jason Saab said: "Foz is a good footy head and he has what it takes to inspire a footy team to go out there and be gritty. Obviously, a lot of players have played with Foz so there is a different type of respect".

On the field, Foran has ensured the Sea Eagles earn the right to shift the ball to their speedsters out wide, such as Saab, Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate.

The result has been a 52-18 defeat of the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium and a rare win in Wollongong against the Dragons.

"Just having the freedom to play footy has been great," Saab said. "We are all really good players and that is why you play footy.

"I think we are at a stage now where we have realised that we have been our worst enemies at times and not allowed ourselves to play. We have probably worried too much about having to defend mistakes.

"I think the pressure valve has been released now knowing that the cards we have been dealt this year makes it really hard on us and we have got nothing to lose.

"You see teams that play like that regardless, like they have nothing to lose, and that's when you play your best footy, so I think it's a combination of that, a really good pre-season and we had some systems in place under Seibs that probably helped make Foz's transition easier. 

Hetherington believes the Sea Eagles had played well for large parts of their opening three losses to the Raiders (29-28), Knights (36-16) and Roosters (33-16) but they couldn't hold on for a win.

"Even in the Roosters game (which led to Seibold’s sacking), I think they completed at like 96% or something and we stayed in the fight with them the whole way, but when they complete that high it cost us in the end,” Hetherington said.

“Ever since then, we have just changed our mindset a bit and we are focused on going forward first and then using our speedsters on the edge.”

After moving from Brisbane to Manly this season, the premiership winning backrower admitted it had taken a while for him to settle in – and not just because of the coaching upheaval.

Originally from Rockhampton, Hetherington said he had left the Broncos in search of an opportunity.

“For my footy to improve, I thought I had to make the move and what appealed to me about coming here was, I guess, the history of the club,” Hetherington said.

“Brisbane's like a big country town, and with me coming from the country, it's sort of a bit of a change to move down to the biggest city here but I can't complain, I’m living on the (Northern) Beaches and playing with a great bunch of blokes.

“I’ve got my mate, Ethan Bullemor here too, which made it a whole lot easier for myself. We’re two country boys, so we like to get out to Mudgee and places like that when we can but I'm enjoying it because there's a good footy team here.”