Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan wasn’t making excuses after his side went down to Manly on Monday night 22-12.
“I think we started the game well. To their credit they found some energy and they really had some steel in their defence to turn it back into an arm wrestle,” Flanagan said.
“They got the momentum and then we just couldn’t get it back.
“It was there in the second half. It was to and fro and then they were probably just a little bit on top. When we had our opportunities, we probably didn’t take them and they took theirs and that was the game right there.”
Meanwhile Sea Eagles’ rookie coach Trent Barrett was relieved to get his first win as coach but was already preparing for a showdown with fellow early-season strugglers Sydney Roosters.
“They’d be hurting as much as we were heading into this game (against Cronulla). They’ve got some really good players,” Barrett said.
“I think the fullback – Latrell Mitchell – is a terrific player. Their two young halves, whilst they didn’t have much luck on the weekend, are very good, and they’ve got a really good team. We’ve just got to worry about ourselves and recover and get everyone fit and healthy for Saturday.”