Manly have credited pride in their vaunted defence as the catalyst for moving into the outright NRL lead and firming in premiership contention.
The Sea Eagles used their desperate defence to hold out Melbourne in a 13-12 thriller at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night, with both Storm tries coming from clever Cooper Cronk kicks.
Conceding an average of just two tries per game, the Eagles are easily the best defensive side in the NRL but prop Brent Kite said it was the disastrous fortnight in round seven and eight that gave Manly the kick up the backside they needed.
The Eagles conceded 30 points against both North Queensland and Canberra in successive weeks, Kite revealing Manly had made a conscious effort to refocus on defence leading into their bye in two weeks time.
"In previous games this year we've showed plenty of character and we did the same (against Melbourne)," said Kite.
"We started off real well defensively in the season and we had a couple of weeks where we conceded 30 points on consecutive weeks and since then we've made a real aim to get back on the defence.
"We are really focusing on trying to get one more win up (against Penrith on Friday) and go into the bye and put our feet up then."
Melbourne forward Ryan Hoffman said Manly's defence isn't only the toughest to break in the NRL, but the most physical he had faced all season.
With centre Steve Matai pulling off several bone-crunchers and props Jason King and Kite also hitting targets, Hoffman said the Sea Eagles were genuine title contenders and he wouldn't be surprised if the Storm met them again in this year's grand final.
"It was a very tight game and the scoreline showed that," said Hoffman.
"It bloody well felt like (finals football) ... you'd expect nothing less from one v two clash and Manly showed they are definitely a big finals contender.
"I thought it was a very even clash and they showed they were one point better than us so hopefully if we get them again we can get over them."
Kite said the biggest problem facing Manly now will be how to cover the loss of interchange prop and cult hero George Rose who suffered a badly broken leg and won't play again this season.
"I'm a big fan of George. I have done a similar injury and my heart just went out to him," said Kite.
"He was in good form too which is hard for us to find someone to replace George and give us that spark we need off the bench."
Manly could also have some judiciary concerns with Kite and Anthony Watmough on report for a dangerous throw on Steve Turner.
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