Manly coach Geoff Toovey has lauded his side’s toughness after they produced one of the NRL’s greatest defensive efforts in Monday’s draw with Melbourne.

The Sea Eagles made an astonishing 419 tackles in the golden point 10-all draw with the Storm and stoutly defended their line for extended periods, especially at the beginning of the second half when the Storm enjoyed a lion’s share of possession.

Hooker Matt Ballin topped Manly’s tackle count with 69, with representative backrower Anthony Watmough notching up 50.

“This is a very good defensive side and we are playing some gutsy football,” Toovey said on Tuesday.

“They are playing for each other, that is all you can ask from them as a coach.

“As a team they are very tightly knit.

“It is taking its toll, but they performed well. We have been defending well for the past month or two, that’s not the problem. We would just like to be doing less of it (defending).”

Despite the draw being scheduled 19 rounds in advance, Manly are forced into a short turnaround with a Brookvale Oval against Canberra on Saturday night.

“The players are fine, they are tired but they are fine,” Toovey said.

“It is a long season and at the end of the day we have to make sure we put the best team on the side each week and make sure we have those players available come semi-final time.”