Geoff Toovey is confident the Brookvale factor can work in his Manly side's favour once again for the return of Canterbury coach Des Hasler to his old stomping ground on Friday.
A round one thumping by Parramatta was followed by news of Daly Cherry-Evans' impending exit to the Gold Coast and led to claims ahead of last week's clash with old foes Melbourne that the Sea Eagles were a spent force.
But a flying start saw them race out to a 24-6 halftime lead and they held off a fast-finishing Storm - with the help of some questionable refereeing calls - to win 24-22 and record a 10th successive success at the venerable ground.
They've also scored 22 points or more in the past 16 encounters at Brookvale and last tasted defeat on home soil in round one of 2014.
"We've spoken about that and the emotions were high last week and it was a good win," said Toovey.
"We have to maintain that this week. The Bulldogs are coming off a win and are a big, physical side it's going to be a close encounter and we'll need to be good."
Hasler has prevailed in five of the last eight encounters with his former club but his last return to Brookvale saw former Manly mentor's side go down 32-10.
However, he got his revenge in the semi-final clash at Allianz Stadium in September when the Bulldogs won 18-17 in golden point and Toovey is expecting another tight encounter and backed his forward to match up against the Bulldogs' giant pack.
"I think we have the firepower to match their forwards. We play a different style of football to the Bulldogs," he said.
"Dunamis Lui has really stepped up after playing well in his first season and is a year older and wiser as well.
"We've lost a lot of experience over the last few years and Willie has come and done very well for us."
KEY STATS
MANLY SEA EAGLES v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
* 11 of the past 17 matches between these teams have been decided by eight points or less.
* Manly has conceded more than 22 points just once in their past 10 matches at Brookvale.
* Canterbury has won 37 from 37 matches since 2012 when scoring more than 20 points.
* Manly is the only team yet to score a second half point this
season.
* Bulldogs centre Josh Morris has five tries in his past five matches against Manly at Brookvale.
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