NRL: ‘Unlucky’ Boyle happy with Sea Eagles’ season so far
Sea Eagles prop Morgan Boyle is loving his time at the northern beaches apart from one thing – being sidelined.
The hard-running frontrower started the year with Blacktown – Manly’s feeder club – in the NSW Cup.
He played two games at that level and is yet to play in the NRL this year, impeded by an ankle injury.
The 25-year-old – who is off-contract at the end of this season – was impressed with his side’s 36-22 win over Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval on Saturday, the Sea Eagles now in seventh place with a 5-4 record.
They did it without the services of Josh Schuster, Jason Saab, Brad Parker, Andrew Davey, Taniela Paseka and Boyle.
The former Titans prop admits he’s frustrated after only playing 25 NRL games at Manly since his first season there in 2019.
“It’s been good. I’ve just been injured a lot,” he told BettingSite.com.au.
“I’ve got an ankle injury – bone and cartilage.
“I was hoping to be back around now, but it’s still giving me a bit of grief. I’ve got to try and sort it out.”
Boyle said it was a no-brainer to join the Sea Eagles after breaking his way into first grade on the Gold Coast.
Luck has just eluded him for a large chunk of that time.
“I still had two more years at the Titans, and then I saw a better opportunity down here. They were keen on me,” he said.
“I’ve just been very unlucky.”
Despite his side’s casualty list, Boyle has been impressed with Manly’s season so far, ahead of Friday night’s Magic Round blockbuster against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
“They’ve been going really well. Even though they’re missing a lot of players, everyone knows their role,” he said.
“We’ve always been pretty good at that – stepping up when the time comes.
“(Coach Des Hasler) gets a lot of people to play multiple positions.”
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And despite Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles’ 1-7 start to the NSW Cup season, Boyle also sees plenty of room for growth with that team.
In fact, the Sea Eagles could consider themselves unlucky to lose 30-26 to Western Suburbs at Brookvale on Saturday.
Lock James Roumanos was pulled up for an incorrect play-the-ball which could have gone either way, with Wests scoring off their subsequent set-of-six.
“I’ve seen 10 of those today and she (referee Kasey Badger) wants to pull one up now,” Sea Eagles legend Mark Carroll said in commentary.
And four-try fullback Jake Toby could have had a fifth, but was called back for an obstruction after soft contact was made from Luke Hodge on Magpies defender Jock Madden in the 69th minute.
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“Please. Are the Oscars around the corner?” was Carroll’s assessment of that play.
Despite Blacktown’s struggles, Boyle likes the look of plenty of youngsters coming through the squad.
Winger Ray Vaega made plenty of strong carries to finish with 128m (six tackle busts) and Ben Stevanovic impressed at halfback against his former club, producing a try assist.
Kaeo Weekes started the season well at fullback and was Manly’s 18th man in its first-grade victory over the Tigers.
Winger Christian Tuipulotu also started 2022 well for Blacktown, the 21-year-old starring against the Tigers with a try, four tackle busts, a linebreak and 119m from 15 runs.
“We’ve got young Ray coming through, Benny, Kaeo Weekes – they’ll be really strong,” Boyle said.
“Christian is going well. He’s a big lad.”
