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Jumpin Jack out of the Eagles' nest
John Greco
15 August 2008
OFF-CONTRACT Manly forward Jack Afamasaga fears he's headed for the rugby league scrap heap less than 12 months after playing in the NRL Grand Final.
The hard-running 24-year-old is currently staring at an uncertain playing future with no firm offers on the table for next year.
It's a massive fall from grace for the New Zealand-born backrower who was a member of the Sea Eagles team that lost to Melbourne in last year's NRL decider.
Afamasaga, who has managed just two first grade games this season, is still hoping he can remain at Brookvale Oval next year.
But it's understood the club's impressive recruitment for 2009 has left things tight on the salary cap.
"It's a big concern at the moment, especially coming towards the end of the season," a distressed Afamasaga said of his playing future. "I really want to stick around (with Manly).
"I played in the Grand Final last year and sort of got into first grade here.
"I'm trying not to think about it too much and just let my football do the talking but it's getting a bit worrying."
Not helping Afamasaga's cause has been an injury-riddled 2008.
The former Eel has had rotten luck, breaking his hand twice and also suffering a painful ankle injury.
Even as he prepares to play the Sharks in the NSW Cup tomorrow, Afamasaga admits his broken hand is not totally healed.
"But I just can't afford to stop playing right now," he said. "It's not ideal but the pain's not too bad. It's been really hard this year to go to training when your injured, there's no motivation. Hopefully, things will work out." Meanwhile, prop Brent Kite has promised there will be no drop off in intensity from the Sea Eagles in the lead-up to the finals despite a soft draw over the next month.
Manly don't meet any team currently in the top eight in the last four rounds with clashes against the Tigers (away), Titans (home) and Penrith (away) following Sunday's match with the Rabbitohs.
"It's something I will be drumming into the guys, you can't be taking the foot off the gas this close to the semis," the Test forward said.
"We're trying to win the minor premiership and a mark of how we're going is how we turn out against teams that aren't in the eight."
Jumpin Jack out of the Eagles' nest
John Greco
15 August 2008
OFF-CONTRACT Manly forward Jack Afamasaga fears he's headed for the rugby league scrap heap less than 12 months after playing in the NRL Grand Final.
The hard-running 24-year-old is currently staring at an uncertain playing future with no firm offers on the table for next year.
It's a massive fall from grace for the New Zealand-born backrower who was a member of the Sea Eagles team that lost to Melbourne in last year's NRL decider.
Afamasaga, who has managed just two first grade games this season, is still hoping he can remain at Brookvale Oval next year.
But it's understood the club's impressive recruitment for 2009 has left things tight on the salary cap.
"It's a big concern at the moment, especially coming towards the end of the season," a distressed Afamasaga said of his playing future. "I really want to stick around (with Manly).
"I played in the Grand Final last year and sort of got into first grade here.
"I'm trying not to think about it too much and just let my football do the talking but it's getting a bit worrying."
Not helping Afamasaga's cause has been an injury-riddled 2008.
The former Eel has had rotten luck, breaking his hand twice and also suffering a painful ankle injury.
Even as he prepares to play the Sharks in the NSW Cup tomorrow, Afamasaga admits his broken hand is not totally healed.
"But I just can't afford to stop playing right now," he said. "It's not ideal but the pain's not too bad. It's been really hard this year to go to training when your injured, there's no motivation. Hopefully, things will work out." Meanwhile, prop Brent Kite has promised there will be no drop off in intensity from the Sea Eagles in the lead-up to the finals despite a soft draw over the next month.
Manly don't meet any team currently in the top eight in the last four rounds with clashes against the Tigers (away), Titans (home) and Penrith (away) following Sunday's match with the Rabbitohs.
"It's something I will be drumming into the guys, you can't be taking the foot off the gas this close to the semis," the Test forward said.
"We're trying to win the minor premiership and a mark of how we're going is how we turn out against teams that aren't in the eight."