Friday’s only NRL Round 18 match is between Manly Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers with the opening kick to commence at 19:50 local time. The game is to be played at Brookvale Oval which see’s home team Manly Sea Eagles hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Manly Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers.
Where and when: 19:50 | Friday 11/07/2014 @ Brookvale Oval
Preview:
The Sea Eagles suffered an unexpected defeat against a depleted Bulldogs outfit, that through Origin commitments and injury were without several of the key players, 23 – 16 last week at ANZ Stadium.
Manly started a short-priced favourite for the contest given that when the sides last met in round 13 at Brookvale, Manly comfortably defeated a stronger Bulldogs line-up, 32 – 10.
It continued poor form away from Brookvale for Manly, having registered only two wins from their six away games so far this season. With Manly spending the majority of the rest of the season on the road, six of their final eight games are away, it’s a factor the Sea Eagles will have to remedy quickly if they are to remain in the top four.
Thankfully for this match, the Sea Eagles return to Brookvale where they have won all bar one game this year – the season opener – and will also welcome back halfback Daly Cherry Evans who’ll back-up from Wednesday night’s origin.
Also returning after missing last week’s clash is Jorge Taufua who together with Cherry-Evans, have been instrumental to Manly’s attack in recent weeks.
TIGERS
The Tigers continued their win/loss sequence for the seventh week in a row last Sunday, falling to a 26 – 10 defeat at the hands of competition front-runners Penrith.
The Tigers had the support of a capacity Sunday afternoon crowd at Leichhardt Oval but without Origin stars Robbie Farrah and Aaron Woods, along with Fullback James Tedesco, were unable to match it with the in-form Panthers.
It’s a quick turn around for the Tigers and for Farrah and Woods who have been named in the run in side after Wednesday night’s Origin.
Tedesco is still out of action as will be regular five-eight Braith Anasta with his spot being taken by Blake Austin.
The Tigers need to start stringing some wins together but the weeks ahead are not kind to them given that they face Canterbury, an improving Dragons outfit, Melbourne and then the Cowboys in Townsville.
HEAD TO HEAD
When these teams last met in round five of this year, the Tigers thumped the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval 34 – 18.
It was the Tigers’ first win over Manly in four outings but with this game being at Brookvale, where the Tigers haven’t won in five visits since 2004, the Tigers may struggle as Manly look to redeem themselves after last week’s defeat.
After away losses to Melbourne and a heavy defeat at the hands of Brisbane, Manly have been able to immediately bounce back and would expect that to be the case here as well.
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.
TIGERS: Mitchell Moses, David Nofoaluma, Keith Lulia, Chris Lawrence, Pat Richards, Blake Austin, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Curtis Sironen, Dene Halatau, Adam Blair. Interchange: Matthew Lodge, Martin Taupau, Ava Seumanufagai, James Gavet.
News:
The NRL has announced round 19 of this season will be dedicated to stricken former Newcastle back-rower Alex McKinnon.
McKinnon, who was left paralysed following a lifting tackle in the Knights’ clash with Melbourne earlier this season, is undergoing rehabilitation in a Sydney hospital.
Already promised a job for life by NRL chief Dave Smith, plans were announced on Tuesday in Brisbane to donate a dollar from every ticket sold for games played between Friday July 18 and Monday July 21 – which has been renamed the RiseForAlex round.
“Alex McKinnon has brought the rugby league community together like never before with his positive attitude and contagious smile,” Smith said at Suncorp Stadium.
“Through the toughest of times, he has continued to display a brand of courage, determination and spirit that lifts everyone around him.
“Alex represents a true role model for everyone in the game.
“The rugby league community support one another in times of need and we are calling on fans to come together for Alex McKinnon.”
Queensland and Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith also revealed the Storm would contribute an additional dollar from each ticket sold from their clash with Canberra at AAMI Park on July 19.
The Nine Network’s Footy Show will be telecast from Newcastle on Thursday July 17 and will feature a telethon with all monies raised going towards a fund to support McKinnon.
McKinnon said in a pre-recorded message that he had been blown away by the support he had received from the rugby league community and his return to Newcastle for the Knights’ clash with Gold Coast was going to be an emotional moment.
“Being at the game in round 19 is going to be a great occasion,” McKinnon said in the video message.
“Newcastle has looked after me and the whole community has looked after me over the last few months. I am really looking forward to going to the game.
“With the community of the NRL, my family, Teigan, all my mates and everyone from Newcastle, it hasn’t been easy but they have made it a lot easier and I would just like to say thank you.”