Kieran Foran’s Impact on Manly’s Dominant Win
Manly caretaker coach Kieran Foran had a clear message for Thursday’s man of the match, Haumole Olakau’atu. The Sea Eagles delivered a stunning 52-18 victory over the Dolphins, with Olakau’atu playing a pivotal role in the team’s success.
“He gave me the green light to play freely, to do what I do best, which is run the ball and get involved early,” Olakau’atu shared. “I felt like I hadn’t put my hand up in the opening three games. Maybe it was a confidence thing with my shoulder and the lack of contact work.”
Foran, who was appointed as interim coach just a day after Anthony Seibold was sacked, provided the support that Olakau’atu needed. “Foz [Foran] told me he knew how I played, what I was good at, and to do what I do best,” Olakau’atu said. “That was one of the best performances of my career.”
The win was not only significant for Olakau’atu but also for Foran, who had a special connection with the club. “Foz was a big reason for the win. I’m not taking anything away from ‘Seibs’ [Anthony Seibold], but Foz played with half the boys here, and he’s now coaching Manly. It was a special moment for him and his family, and we wanted to put in a good performance for him, the club and the community.”
A New Era for Manly
Foran’s appointment came after a difficult start to the season, with Seibold being let go after just three games. The transition was emotional for the former coach, who watched his team dismantle an ill-disciplined Dolphins side.
The Trbojevic brothers—Tom, Jake, and Ben—were standout performers, while Olakau’atu delivered a breathtaking effort, recording 23 runs for nearly 250m on the right edge. He set up a couple of tries and even got a laugh when Kodi Nikorima was penalised for throwing his boot away. “Something I didn’t even know was a thing,” Olakau’atu said.
Olakau’atu underwent shoulder surgery midway through last year and missed the trials, but he confirmed he was physically ready to start the season. However, he acknowledged that it would take time to build chemistry with halfback Jamal Fogarty after years of playing alongside Daly Cherry-Evans.
Foran praised Olakau’atu’s performance, saying: “His involvements were top class. He’s such a strike weapon to us. We need to find a way to get him the footy and get him involved as much as we can. He has so much to offer.”
Team Mindset and Strategy
Foran emphasized that the team didn’t change much in terms of strategy but focused on mindset. “It was more to do with their mindset. They’d been building to a performance like that. They put in a gritty performance against the Roosters [last Thursday], they just couldn’t do it for long enough – and it all clicked on Thursday night.”
Some tries looked like they came from set plays introduced by Foran, including Reuben Garrick’s run and cut back infield to score, and Luke Brooks pouncing early on a Fogarty kick. However, Foran credited the players for coming up with those moments on the fly.
Looking Ahead
Jason Saab missed the big win due to suspension but is expected to return for the next game against the Dragons. With Foran at the helm, the Sea Eagles are showing signs of a strong turnaround, and fans are hopeful for more exciting performances ahead.
