Aiden Tolman is hoping Canterbury's recent success will convince Trent Hodkinson to stay at the Bulldogs and resist overtures to lure him back to Manly.
Hodkinson's future will be an interesting sidenote to Friday's clash with the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval.
Manly are in the market for a new halves pairing after Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans, the man who replaced Hodkinson in the Sea Eagles' No.7 jersey, announced plans to leave the Northern Beaches next season.
Hodkinson made his debut for the Sea Eagles, playing 24 games for them in 2010 before moving to Belmore, and is reportedly on Manly's shopping list for season 2016.
Since moving to Canterbury Hodkinson has become a NSW representative, leading the Blues to their drought-breaking Origin series win over Queensland last year, while the Dogs have enjoyed a period of success under coach Des Hasler, making three successive finals series and playing in two grand finals, in 2012 and 2014.
While understanding and supportive of his halfback, Tolman said he was hoping the culture of the club would tip the scales in Canterbury's favour and lead Hodkinson to stay put.
"He'll make his decision in time but that's rugby league ... It's his decision at the end of the day, he knows what this club offers, he's been here for a number of years," Tolman said.
"He knows what the coaching style's like and the structure we have. But if he wants to move on, that's his decision."
Manly have been on an emotional rollercoaster over Foran and Cherry-Evans, and displayed their siege mentality in their gutsy win over Melbourne last weekend.
Tolman said the Sea Eagles were remarkably resilient and expected another big showing from Manly at home.
"Manly are one of those teams that every year there's something written about them but they always manage to turn up," he said.
"Players leave or whatever but someone new comes in and does a great job for them. I think that's just the culture they have got there."
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