Brookvale Oval, Sunday 17th March
LAST WEEK
Manly Sea Eagles ($1.67)
The Sea Eagles ventured north for their opening match of the 2013, taking on the Brisbane Broncos. The first half saw Broncos centre Justin Hodges instrumental in two first half tries for the home side that had Manly trailing 14 – 6 at the break. It wasn’t long however into the second half that Manly mounted the challenge with half-back Daley Cherry-Evans’ try in the 48th minute, followed by two more to Winger David Williams and Centre Steve Matai in the pace of eight minutes, completely deflated the Bronco side. This surge took the momentum away from the Broncos and gave Manly the 22 – 14 win they deserved given that they were without Glenn Stewart and Chris King and second-rower Anthony Watmough, played albeit under an injury cloud. It was a tenacious effort by the Sea Eagles, one you would think they can only build on.
Newcaslte Knights ($2.25)
A slashing 42 -10 victory over the West Tigers was the way the Newcastle Knights kicked off their 2013 season on Monday night. Wayne Bennet, who missed the finals for the first time in 21 years at his first year at the helm of the Knights, has called in reinforcements this season in the shape of Beau Scott and Jeremy Smith – both very familiar with the Bennett game plan having played under him at St. George. It added plenty of starch to the pack who dominated the Tigers and allowed a talented Newcastle back-line, led by half pairing of Gidley and Mullins, to run in seven tries. It was a tremendous performance from a team that looks well balanced, established and drilled and that should no doubt, be a lot more formidable than last year’s outfit.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met on four occasions over the past two seasons with Manly holding a 3 – 1 advantage. The one factor that stands out in the historical match-ups, is that in the last nine encounters has resulted in total match score of 38 or more. Five of those matches plus forty points in total were scored.
Manly Sea Eagles $1.67 vs Newcastle Knights $2.25 at Sportsbet Australia
Manly Sea Eagles $1.63 vs Newcastle Knights $2.30 at Luxbet Australia
HAVING A PUNT
Manyl $1.65 against Knight’s $2.25 and this game tends to mirror the first match of this round, Eels v Canterbury in that, you have one team that has the potential and started the season all guns blazing, up against one of the true performing sides of the past several years. An upset wouldn’t surprise but at home it has to tip against the Sea Eagles.
