Manly vow to track down spitter

[Sydney Titans Fanatic]

Manly has promised to track down the Sea Eagles fan who allegedly spat on Ben Barba as the Canterbury fullback left the field in an ugly aftermath to one of the games of the season on Friday night.

The Bulldogs lodged an official complaint immediately after their epic 32-30 golden-point win at Brookvale Oval which was won when former Sea Eagles half Trent Hodkinson slotted a penalty goal in the fourth minute of extra-time.

It's believed Barba and Bulldogs back-rower Dene Halatau were both spat on and abused by disgruntled Manly supporters as they walked back to the changerooms.

"The NRL is reviewing video and ground manager reports from last night's match, and we totally support them in identifying and potentially banning any patrons where appropriate," Manly general manager David Perry said.

"Our supporters don't want to be associated with poor behaviour, and as a matter of process, we will also review our own security procedures."

Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg was disappointed at the lack of security at Brookvale Oval as the players left the field and condemned the actions of the Sea Eagles faithful.

"The behaviour of the fans was disgraceful," said Greenberg, who takes up a new role when the NRL next month.

"We've complained to the NRL and they will be looking at Channel Nine footage to try to identify the fans."

The shameful incident took some of the gloss off a fantastic win from the Bulldogs which confirmed they are officially back in the premiership race after a slow start to the season.

Des Hasler's side have now won seven from their last eight matches to sit just one point behind the Sea Eagles in the top four.

But as usual Hasler was trying to play down the club's revival in an attempt to get them back as close as they can to under his famous radar.

Asked if his side was now back to being a contender, Hasler said: "No. It's (one) win. We're not going to get carried away with it.

"We let five tries in; at one stage we were up 30-12 and ended up being forced into extra time.

"It's only the halfway point of the season, we're in the middle of Origin and the biggest obstacle in the way is us.

"We've got to come to terms with what we can do. We've got to start realising and getting on and getting it done."

Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds added: It's good to win a few games on the trot but we're still not up to our standards the same as last year.

"We've just got to keep going from here. We can't get to games where we're think we're going to win and then knock off. We need to put teams away.

"That's what we have to do if we want to go really well in this comp."

Reynolds put a strong case forward to keep his spot in the NSW side for Origin II with a typically busy and influential performance, scoring one try and setting up another for Barba.

And the feisty pivot threw his support behind team-mate Aiden Tolman to win the vacant spot in the Blues front-row following incumbent James Tamou's suspension after he was charged for drink-driving this week.

Tolman made 41 tackles and ran for 85 metres in a strong display is sure to come into contention for a spot in the Blues side when Laurie Daley names his squad on Sunday.

"People don't understand the work Aiden does for us," Reynolds said of his underrated prop.

"He's perfect for Origin carting the ball up and he never takes a backward step.

"His work-rate is amazing. He's one of the best props going around and I think he'd definitely step up for it."

[DIEHARD]

Absolutely disgusting. A blight on the Manly club and our sport.

If Manly fans care about their club, help find these grubs.

[TITAN PETE]

Spitting on any player or official is disgusting no matter how it happens

[gotitans101_]

Typical Manly.