Warriors dismiss Grand Final stage fright
Warriors halves Shaun Johnson and James Maloney have batted away suggestions that Manly's greater NRL grand final experience will give them a significant advantage on Sunday.
Along with most of their teammates, Johnson and Maloney will be appearing in their first premiership decider when they run out at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
Johnson, 21, has earned his chance with a string of brilliant performances since his first-grade debut in June.
Despite the brevity of his 15-match career, the halfback is confident there won't be any stage fright when the curtain goes up.
"They've won a grand final and that, but we have confidence in our ability," he said.
"We'll keep our heads down and keep working hard as soon as we take the training field and prepare the best we can."
Only three of the Warriors' 17 have reached the season finale before - Lance Hohaia in the Warriors' one previous appearance in 2002, and former Parramatta Eels Feleti Mateo and Krisnan Inu.
Manly, who have now made it the the final three times in the past five years, have 10 who have experienced the big occasion.
Seven were part of the 40-0 thrashing of Melbourne in 2008, including second rower Anthony Watmough, who believes the Warriors' lack of familiarity with the week's public and media demands will count against them.
However, Maloney says it will be an issue "only if you let it".
"It's all about how you approach the game," he said.
"I'm looking at it as a another game of football. It's on a big stage, but we've played the last couple of finals matches fine, so I don't think it's going to make any difference to us."
Just a fortnight ago, the Warriors' hopes of making the grand final looked to be in tatters, after a 40-10 qualifying final thumping at the hands of Brisbane.
Since then, they have given their fans a heart-stopping ride in winning thrillers against Wests Tigers and Melbourne.
Experience gives us Grand Final edge, says Manly
Manly are convinced their wealth of grand final experience will give them the upper hand in Sunday's NRL grand final against the New Zealand Warriors.
The Sea Eagles will have a staggering 10 players with grand final experience running onto ANZ Stadium, including eight survivors from the club's 2008 premiership, ready to guide a host of young blood.
In contrast, the Warriors have just three - Lance Hohaia, who was a utility for the Warriors in the 2002 grand final against Sydney Roosters, and former Parramatta pair Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo who played in a losing effort in 2009 alongside current Sea Eagle Joe Galuvao.
Manly's first-time grand finalists are Will Hopoate (19), Kieran Foran (21), Jamie Buhrer (21), Tony Williams (22), Daly Cherry-Evans (22), Darcy Lussick (22) and 28-year-old George Rose, who would have played in deciders in either 2007 or '08 if not for a gruesome broken leg which sidelined him for 18 months.
Veteran forward Shane Rodney, who won a grand final with Galuvao at Penrith in 2003, said the disparity in experience was something Manly should take advantage of.
"A lot of guys (in the team) have been in grand finals before so they know what to expect from the week."
Crafty hooker Matt Ballin, who scored the opening try in Manly's 2008 win over Melbourne, said the senior Sea Eagles would shield their young counterparts during the week and on the field to ensure they could then capitalise on the energy the new breed would bring on grand final day.
"They're lapping it up and bringing the energy to the side. I think to have that blend and mix of players is a really good thing."
3 News / NZN