Saturday has three NRL matches with the second game for Round 1 is between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm with the opening kick to commence at 7pm (AEDT). The game is to be played at Brookvale Oval with the favourite for the match being Manly Sea Eagles. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm.

WHERE AND WHEN: Brookvale Oval, Saturday March 8, 7pm (AEDT)

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Odds Comparison:

Manly Sea Eagles	1.53	1.58	1.51	1.58	1.53	1.62
Melbourne Storm	2.50	2.40	2.55	2.40	2.50	2.30

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Preview:

These two teams will need no time to find form.

The Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm have been two of the most dominant sides in the NRL for the past decade and when they meet; their battle for supremacy produces fantastic and ferocious games of football.

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 The two sides played out a ten all draw when they met in round 10 last year in Melbourne but next time they met, the penultimate round of the regular season, Manly produced one of the best performances of the season to trounce Storm, 28 – 8 at Brookvale.

Manly’s major change to their off season has been the replacement of prop Brent Kite, now with Penrith and they’ve also seen another forward, George Rose leave for their opponents this week, Storm.

Stepping up to fill the gap in the forwards for the first match of the season will be Brenton Lawrence and Josh Starling – capable young replacements.

The backline for Manly is largely intact with the regular halves pairing of Cherry-Evans and Foran sure to create plenty of worries for opposing teams again this year.

The Storm will be without Cooper Cronk for this match due to a shoulder injury with his spot taken up by Ben Roberts, who after stints at Canterbury and more recently at the troubled Parramatta, finds himself in Melbourne.

Joining him in the halves will be another Ben, Ben Hampton who faces a tough ask given here given that he only made his first grade debut for the Storm in round 15 of last year.

No doubt, despite the changes and new faces to the Storm outfit, they will be a well-drilled side and whilst they may be enough to get them over the line against some other teams, against Manly at Brookvale, it will not.

Teams:

Manly Sea Eagles:

Brett Stewart, Cheyse Blair, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, Peta Hiku, Kieran Foran,Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart

Interchange: Jesse Sene-Lefao, James Hasson, Jamie Buhrer, Dunamis Lui

Melbourne Storm:

Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Mahe Fonua, Young Tonumaipea, Ben Hampton, Ben Roberts, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe

Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, George Rose, Mitch Garbutt, Slade Griffin, Joel Romelo (three to be omitted)

In the news:

Manly recruit Cheyse Blair’s bitterness towards former club Parramatta may linger, but the big winger has Eels coach Brad Arthur to thank for securing him an NRL lifeline.

Arthur mentored Blair during his previous stint at Parramatta in 2012 and was working as Manly’s defence coach last season when he heard the Bilambil junior had been cut by the Eels.

It was Blair’s second axing from an NRL club, after he started off at the Sydney Roosters, and he feared his NRL career could be over aged 21.

This weekend he’ll line-up outside arguably the game’s best centre Jamie Lyon for Manly against Melbourne, as he looks to prove himself as an injury replacement for David Williams.

By the time Arthur was appointed Parramatta coach it was too late to overturn cuts made by predecessor Ricky Stuart, but Blair is still thanking him for saving his career.

“I’ve got heaps of respect for Brad Arthur,” said Blair on Friday.

“He was there the first year I was (at the Eels) and he took me under the wing a bit.

“He put the good word in here (at Manly) for me and I was spewing he left.

“This is my third club as a young player already so I’ve come here to prove something and I’ve got my opportunity first round.”

Blair says he’s found the Manly playing group much “closer” than the club culture was at the Eels, but he believes his former teammates will rise under Arthur.

“He’s a ruthless coach and doesn’t put up with any crap,” he said.

“I don’t think they’ll be last. I’m not saying they’re going to go well, it might take them a year or two but they won’t be last (for a third straight year).”

Blair says he’s been motivated by criticism that he’s too slow to be an NRL winger.

Now, 22, Blair has worked on improving his speed and his body to free his giant 192cm and 102kg frame from niggling injuries which have plagued him over the years.