Manly coach Geoff Toovey believes the NRL doesn't sufficiently reward the team that emerges from a gruelling 26-game campaign on top of the ladder.
The Sea Eagles reclaimed top spot on Sunday with a gritty 15-12 win over Gold Coast, putting them back in the box seat for this year's minor premiership with three games remaining.
After being outplayed by South Sydney's forward pack the week beforehand, the Sea Eagles bounced back against a never-say-die Titans outfit, with a late field goal and penalty enough to get the competition points.
Earlier tries to Kieran Foran and Brett Stewart had appeared to have put the game to bed, but a late Kalifa Faifai Loa try ensured the Sea Eagles were made to battle to the end against the lowly Titans.
Toovey said that effort was a reflection of how hard it is to come out on top in the NRL.
He feels the current reward of $100,000 and a possible week off in the finals is hardly an adequate recompense for what's required to take out the minor premiership.
"It's a pretty hard thing to achieve," Toovey said.
"It's one of the toughest competitions in the world, in any sport in the world because of that: 26 weeks, the grind, the mental application.
"You've got to turn up otherwise you're in trouble."
The Titans, led by caretaker coach Neil Henry for the first time, battled hard but were unable to prevent an eighth-straight loss at home.
Co-captain Nate Myles said, despite the result, he'd been pleased by how his teammates had responded to a difficult week.
"The players responded really well in the game," he said.
"Our training sessions were really sharp and positive ... today was a step in the right direction."
Manly head to Parramatta next Friday to take on the Eels, while Gold Coast are also on the road at finals-hunting St George Illawarra.
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