MANLY SEA EAGLES VS CRONULLA SHARKS – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER, 7:40PM, BROOKVALE OVAL
Saturday night’s game from Brookvale shapes up as perhaps the most fascinating matchup of Finals Week 1.
Cronulla, who snuck into the finals thanks to a commanding 25-8 victory over the Tigers last week, have opened as the favourites on the road due to Manly’s depleted roster.
With so many troops out, the Sea Eagles proved no match for the Eels last week losing 32-16 at Bankwest Stadium. Parramatta dominated in the early goings piling on two tries in the opening 10-minutes, while it took Manly 48-minutes to finally crack the scoreboard.
These two sides met only once earlier in the year with the Sea Eagles walking away 24-14 winners at Shark Park. It was a big game for Jake Trbojevic and Addin Fonua-Blake, both of whom need to step up this week at home.
How To Watch:
Team news:
Sea Eagles: With their forward stocks rocked by injury and suspension Des Hasler has pulled a T-Rex out of his hat. Former Sea Eagle Tony Williams has not played NRL since round eight last year but the club have been granted an exemption to add the 30-year-old to their 21-man squad and he is expected to play. A huge assignment for Sean Keppie in just his second NRL game as he moves into the starting side to replace Marty Taupau (suspension). Corey Waddell comes into the starting side for Taniela Paseka (knee) while Jack Gosiewski returns from a knee injury to fill the hole left by Curtis Sironen (foot). The two new faces on Hasler’s bench are Haumole Olakau’atu and Toafofoa Sipley.
Sharks: Aaron Gray comes in on the wing to replace the suspended Ronaldo Mulitalo. In the pack, Aaron Woods has been promoted to the starting side after a big effort off the bench last Sunday and Andrew Fifita reverts to the bench.
Betting Insights:
- Manly has won four of its last five home matches against Cronulla by a margin of 1 to 12 points.
- The underdog has covered the line in each of the last six matches between Manly and Cronulla.
- Eight of Cronulla’s last nine night matches have gone OVER the total match points line.
- Dylan Walker has scored a try in each of Manly’s last three matches against Cronulla.
- Jorge Taufua has scored at least one try in three of Manly’s last four home matches against Cronulla.
- Josh Dugan has scored a try in each of Cronulla’s last five Saturday matches as a favourite.
- Sosaia Feki has scored at least one try in each of Cronulla’s last four matches as an away favourite.
TIP: Sharks by 8
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