Another three-day turnaround saw Manly play and account for the Minor Premiers, Western Suburbs which allowed the team a full week off before the Grand Final. Like the decider of the previous year, the match was drawn and a replay was required. However, unlike in 1977, the 1978 Grand Final replay could not be played the following weekend as normal due to Australia's 1978 Kangaroo tour squad (which Frank Stanton was the head coach) was due to depart for England. This the replay was played on the Tuesday, only 3 days after the drawn game. In their 6th game in 24 days, Manly scored a 16–0 victory over the Sharks, claiming their fourth Premiership in seven years.