Manly won't underestimate Titans

Manly coach Des Hasler has scoffed at suggestions his side needs a convincing victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Brookvale Oval on Monday night in order to prove its credentials as a premiership contender.

The second-placed Sea Eagles enter their penultimate regular-season clash as the clear-cut favourites against a Titans' line-up with only pride to play for following their narrow loss to the Broncos last weekend.

But a typically understated Hasler has warned his charges not to expect an easy passage against John Cartwright's men.

"We have too much respect for sides like that, we don't go into matches thinking we're going to give side's touch-ups," Hasler said on Friday.

"We go in there with a plan and we just want to execute it."

"I really like the way Gold Coast go about the way they play the game, they're entertaining, they continually ask you questions ... they're a good football side and well prepared."

Manly skipper Matt Orford, who is set to make his 200th NRL appearance against the Titans, expressed the importance of fine tuning his side's defensive structures against a formidable attack spearheaded by his opposite number Scott Prince.

"It's going to be a tough match, I'm not doubting that," Orford said.

"They played tremendous football against the Broncos last week and we got back on the horse last week and we started to play a bit of good footy, so we need to continue that."

"They've got some really good strike weapons out there so we've got a lot of work to do."

The Sea Eagles require two wins and a slice of luck to have any hope of overhauling the Melbourne Storm in the race for the minor premiership, but Orford hasn't given up hope just yet.

"I know if we just finish the last two games the way we've been playing most of the season and be strong in all parts of the game, and all facets of the game, I'm sure we're going to give ourselves a chance," he said.

"We've just got to continue the season off and the bigger picture is the semi-finals but it'd be nice to know that we still do have that chance."