The Sea Eagles registered back-to-back wins for the first time in five weeks with a comprehensive 26 – nil win over the struggling Sharks at Remondis Stadium last week and earned themselves top spot on the competition ladder in the process.

The Sea Eagles opened the scoring early with Justin Horo crossing in just the fourth minute, the first time in a month that Manly have been first on the board.

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Steve Matai registered his eleventh try of the season in the nineteenth minute, four more than any other Sea Eagle this season and when Jamie Lyon ran in the third four-pointer ten minutes later, the Sea Eagles took a 16 – 0 lead into the break.

Two more tries in the second half – both scored by replacement forward Tom Symonds, rounded out a strong performance by the Sea Eagles.

The only changes to last week’s squad is Dunamis Lui at lock and Jamie Buhrer starting in the second row.

Manly has only lost two matches since round 6, both away games when facing the Broncos and Storm interstate, and return to Brookvale for this clash where their only loss in six games this season came in the opening round of the year when defeated a point by the Storm.

ROOSTERS

Prior to the bye last week, the Roosters had won seven of their past eight matches with all bar one of those victories being by a margin of 13+.

Do have to keep in mind though, that during this sequence the Roosters have met and defeated both Canterbury and Melbourne – with both teams missing a number of their Origin stars, whilst their other wins have been over teams outside of the eight – Cronulla, Newcastle, Canberra, St. George etc – and this match will be a real test to see just how well they are travelling.

One aspect of the Roosters game that would be pleasing Coach Trent Robinson is the Roosters defence with no more than 12 points being scored against them in the past month.

With the benefit of last week’s bye the Roosters head into this clash with a near full strength side.

Origin reps Daniel Tupou and Aidan Guerrera return to the line-up and Boyd Cordner is named on the bench for his return to football.

HEAD TO HEAD

When the sides last met in round 4 this year at Allianz Stadium, Manly succeeded for the first time in five matches however, one thing that didn’t change was the physicality and closeness of the match.

Manly won 8 – 0 which made it two of the last three matches that failed to produce more than ten points. In fact only one of the last five has produced more than 30 total match points.

The Roosters will be up for this one and want to confirm their form is legitimate, so expect another close one.

The tri bet might be the way to go here with Steve Matai or Brett Stewart to score first or at any stage during the match, for some added value

Teams:

MANLY: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Peta Hiku, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Jamie Buhrer, Justin Horo, Dunamis Lui. Interchange: Jesse Sene-Lefao, James Hasson, Tom Symonds, Jason King.

ROOSTERS:  Anthony Minichiello (c), Daniel Tupou, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (vc), Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Aidan Guerra, Sonny Bill Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Dylan Napa, Isaac Liu, Boyd Cordner, Remi Casty, Heath L’Estrange.