Manly coach Des Hasler admits he's concerned Brisbane's momentum could derail his side's NRL premiership hopes ahead of Friday's preliminary final at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Sea Eagles enjoyed last weekend off following their 42-8 win over North Queensland in the opening round of the finals, but the premiership-winning coach refused to admit it was to their benefit.

"It is what it is in terms of having the week off," Hasler told AAP.

"It is up to us to use it to the best of our advantage, that is all we can do, but this game is sudden death against a side that arguably has the best momentum in the competition and that makes it very tough.

"It is about us concentrating on us and what we can do by Friday and give the best account we can possibly give ourselves, it is as simple as that, whether it is a good thing to have it or not, is neither here nor there."

Despite having the free weekend, Hasler worked his players hard last week before ordering them back into training on Monday morning, to prepare for a Brisbane side he expects to contain Darren Lockyer.

However, he refused to be drawn on whether Lockyer, who underwent surgery on Sunday to repair a smashed left cheekbone, would take the field on Friday and how wise it would be for the four-time premiership winner to play.

"It's been business as usual this week, I would love to say that it's been more exciting than that, but it is what it is," he said.

"We have to play whatever they put out there on the night, we can't worry about things out of our control.

"It will be a great game, this is what we have worked hard for all year.

"They are a great side playing great footy and we will really need to be at our best to beat them."

Hasler also backed his young halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans, 22, and 21-year-old Kieran Foran to stand-up in the biggest game of their careers and denied their lack of experience would work against them.

"What's young nowadays? I just think they are playing with great composure," Hasler said.

"They've been really efficient and most importantly they've shown consistency, I am not surprised at how well they have gone at all.

"They're up against two very experienced halves in Lockyer and (Peter) Wallace, but they are really excited about it, games like this are what rugby league is all about."

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