SEA EAGLES 21 ROOSTERS 14
KEY POINTS
MANLY, IS IT TIME TO BELIEVE? The Sea Eagles produced among the greatest 80-minute performances of 2023 earlier than managing to overlook the finals, so scepticism is warranted. However the defensive bash-up dished out at occasions to the likes of Lindsay Collins, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Joey Manu was simply as spectacular because the carve up with ball-in-hand. And on that, Haumole Olakau’atu seemed, as soon as once more, like the kind of back-rower you merely must have in a sky blue jersey.
Once more, like Manly all through final season, the large man’s type yo-yoed alarmingly at occasions. However with Daly Cherry-Evans marshalling him beautifully, Taniela Paseka aiming up and Tom Trbojevic an ever-present risk in a backline brimming with tempo and expertise, there’s one thing on this Manly mob. And so they may simply be able to piece all of it collectively.
LUKE WHO’S TALKING: Luke Brooks is a brand new man in maroon and white. The change of surroundings for the previous Wests Tigers punching bag has the 29-year-old sending teammates by holes, placing hits on and taking part in either side of the sphere in an already very promising mixture with Cherry-Evans. However for one toe sliding into contact, he’d have completed the day with a well-earned strive, however he’s solely going to get higher the longer he and Cherry-Evans play collectively . Manly’s $3 million funding already seems to be a sound one.
Manly march on.Credit score: Getty
KEARY CONCERNS AS CHOOKS COOK THEMSELVES:
Luke Keary was up and about within the Roosters sheds “in a reasonably great way” based on Trent Robinson after copping a heavy head knock late within the contest from a collision with Tom Trbojevic. Membership officers have been coy on whether or not Keary had handed his subsequent HIA – a failed check would rule the veteran half out of Friday’s marquee conflict along with his previous Rabbitohs aspect.
In the meantime, because of 19 errors and a 9-4 penalty depend towards them – with a few very delicate offside and blocker efforts on kicks, the Roosters have been perpetually caught within the mud. Even with Manly firing, a big portion was of the Tricolours’ personal making. To their credit score, most different groups would have submitted to an absolute demolition having to make an additional 99 tackles.
KEY STATS
WHAT THEY SAID
ROOSTERS COACH TRENT ROBINSON: “We have been taking part in catch up for many of the sport and we have been a great distance from them for many of the sport. It was a bit disjointed there from us. I felt just like the left hand wasn’t talking to the correct hand at occasions and we couldn’t get any rhythm at any level. That’s a credit score to the opposition, they created that by their ruck pace and carries. It made it actually troublesome to compete towards.”
Robinson additionally expects injured centre Billy Smith to return from a hamstring harm, elevating a 5 into 4 situation out large with Smith, Dominic Younger, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Daniel Tupou all obtainable.
SEA EAGLES COACH ANTHONY SEIBOLD: ”[Brooks] was nice. He’s performed a very good job the primary few weeks.
“He’ll solely get higher too. He’s made a very good begin with the connection and cohesion with Chez (Daly Cherry-Evans) and Turbo (Tom Trbojevic).
“They’re the fellows who lead us round. We don’t want Brooksy being that organiser, we simply want him to convey his weapons.”
Scans on Monday will verify whether or not Tommy Talau has suffered a damaged ankle or a dislocation.