EELS
The Eels got to within two points of recording their fourth consecutive victory when losing 18 – 16 to the Bulldogs last week.
The Eels were under the pump early and with limited time with the ball, and on the wrong side of a 4 – 0 penalty count, were 18 – 6 down after 30 minutes.
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However, as he always seems to do for the Eels, Jarryd Hayne got the ball rolling with his seventh try from the last four matches, keeping the Eels in the hunt at half-time 18 – 6.
With both teams heading into the game on 26 competition points and in need of the win, the desperation told on both sides in the second half and whilst the Eels were able to score again, they couldn’t find the elusive third try required against a gritty Bulldogs defence.
It was a strong effort by the Eels given they had to weather an early onslaught and fight back but unfortunately, it sees them remain on 26 competition points, tied with Warriors and Cowboys but with the poorer for and against, outside of the eight in ninth spot.
With the Warriors hosting the Roosters and the Cowboys up against the in-form Rabbitohs, a win here could potential see the Eels leapfrog into the eight.
With this being their first game at Pirtek in five weeks, against an old foe in Manly and will plenty at stake, expect a spirited effort form the Eels.
SEA EAGLES
The Sea Eagles had to work hard to remain at the top of the competition ladder in recording a 15 – 12 win over a determined Titans outfit on the Gold Coast last week.
As was the case with centre Steve Matai left the field injured against South Sydney in round 22, the Sea Eagles’ backline were not as potent as they had with Matai’s inclusion but their structure and professional, saw them home.
Matai has been named to return this week and is the only change to the line-up.
It was the Sea Eagles’ fifth win from their last six games with the only loss coming to the white-hot South Sydney side two rounds back.
Expect the Sea Eagles to direct plenty of traffic down the wing of the Eels’ Semi Radradra. The big Fijian has been caught out a few times last week and he’ll shape up against Manly winger Peter Hiku who with sixteen tries this season, his Manly’s leading try-scorer.
This will be the Sea Eagles third week on the round and when playing away from Brookvale, their record is 5-5 compared to 10-1 at home.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Eels only boast one win over Manly in seven matches played between the clubs since 2011.
When they met earlier this year in 3, Manly hung on to a 22 – 18 win at Brookvale.
Whilst the recent overall records and current positions on the ladder would point to a Manly victory, the Eels at home with everything on the line should leave nothing in the tank here.
Combined with Manly’s away record this year, and that they’re 2-2 at Pirtek from their last four visits, expect this game to be a close one.
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Teams:
Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Ryan Morgan, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah, Isaac De Gois, Junior Paulo, Kenny Edwards, Tepai Moeroa, Joseph Paulo.
Interchange: Peni Terepo, David Gower, Darcy Lussick, Ben Smith.
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Peta Hiku, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Anthony Watmough, Tom Symonds, Jamie Buhrer.
Interchange: Jesse Sene-Lefao, Justin Horo, James Hasson, Jason King.
