It was just six years ago that John Hopoate last put on the maroon and white. Now his son Will is following in his footsteps.

And the 18-year-old Manly centre has gotten some sound advice from his dad.

"He just says `be composed, don't try and do anything stressful, just play your own game and just adjust to the team goals'."

Hopoate scored his fourth try this season in his team's 32-30 loss to South Sydney at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday night.

And he's only played seven first grade games.

But for a missed conversion attempt from half back Daly Cherry-Evans his try would have put the game against Souths into extra time.

While Hopoate the younger was happy with his own game, he's all too aware of the many quality players vying for selection.

"I'm just trying to play the best I can.

"A lot of international players come back next week. So the only thing I can do is play consistent footy and hopefully be picked," he told AAP after the game

The youngster rued the Sea Eagles' poor defence that saw them give up three second-half tries to the Rabbitohs in eight minutes.

"It's just something we rely on and work hard on. We kind of let ourselves down with our defence tonight."

Manly coach Des Hasler agreed wholeheartedly.

"Disappointing that they put 32 points on us," he said.

With obvious frustration, Hasler lamented that the game was there for the taking.

"We probably left our run a little bit late ... probably could have taken a bit more opportunity with our second-half sets. The boys were pretty filthy about that."

But Hasler was full of praise for another youngster, 20-year-old five-eighth Kieran Foran.

"He's playing a really mature brand of football. And he's only going to get better."

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