After the Sea Eagles' win over the Sharks at Lottoland, coach Des Halser labelled performance of Fonua-Blake - among the most damaging front-rowers this season - as one of the best of his career.

With Manly missing half of their first-choice pack, Fonua-Blake commandeered the middle with 182 metres, a try and a powerful run in the lead up to another.

The Tongan prop also made a point of taking on the retiring Gallen, running directly at him regularly in the first half and at one stage putting him on his backside.

"I don't really know him or have anything against him. Tonight was his last game so I thought I would make him remember it," Fonua-Blake said.

Asked if he'd made it a mission to go after Gallen as the big man in the Sharks pack, Fonua-Blake said: "It was a little bit like that.

"He's obviously been great for their team for more than a decade and a great warrior for the NRL and Australia and NSW.

"It's a bit sad I got him at the end of his career. I would have loved to play him at the start. He's been really good.

"I'll back myself against anyone to have a go. I'm not one to step back."

It's for that reason Manly's clash with Souths will be so highly anticipated for the middle battle.

The Sea Eagles will have Martin Taupau back from suspension, while the likes of rookie Sean Keppie showed they wouldn't be intimidated by anyone.

But the Rabbitohs have Burgess back from his ban, meaning he will be able to play alongside brothers Tom and George for the first time since round 13.

Liam Knight has also been impressive for the Bunnies in the middle, after having come through Manly's junior and reserve grade system alongside Fonua-Blake.

And Fonua-Blake said that meant he couldn't just zero in on Burgess at ANZ Stadium.

"No way, I just have to play my game, I just have to focus on myself," he said.

"As soon as I start focusing on other people I start losing track on what I've got to focus on.

"They've got a top quality side all across the park then I will lose focus on his brothers and Liam Knight and Junior Tatola and all the brothers."

But there's no doubt he will again be up for the heavyweight forward battle.

"I like the challenges, the big games," he said.

"I like to test myself out to see where I'm at as a player and a person.

"When things get harder I like to put my hand up and see how I go."

Australian Associated Press