Craig Cauchi previews the clash between St George Illawarra Dragons and Manly Sea Eagles. This is what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
St George Illawarra Dragons
After a run of two victories the Dragons came crashing back to reality with loses to last years grand finalists. They gave themselves chances in both encounters to snatch an unlikely victory and there is still plenty to take away from their performances and fine tune for the next stretch of matches.
Manly Sea Eagles
Manly rebounded off the back of a poor performance against the Sharks with a much closer defeat to Newcastle. The Sea Eagles were back in front of their home fans and put in a spirited display despite their patchy attack. Their roster will once again be put to the test and once again will smarting after another controversial ending to their match.
SQUAD NEWS
St George Illawarra Dragons
1.ย Matthew Duftyย 2.ย Jordan Pereiraย 3.ย Euan Aitkenย 4.ย Zac Lomaxย 5.ย Mikaele Ravalawaย 6.ย Corey Normanย 7.ย Adam Cluneย 8.ย Blake Lawrieย 9.ย Ben Huntย 10.ย Paul Vaughanย 11.ย Tyson Frizellย 12.ย Tariq Simsย 13.ย Cameron McInnesย 14.ย Trent Merrinย 15.ย Josh Kerrย 16.ย Tyrell Fuimaonoย 17.ย Jackson Fordย 18.ย Tim Lafaiย 19.ย Tristan Sailorย 20.ย Jason Saabย 21.ย Korbin Sims
Jordan Pereira returns from suspension to a starting spot on the wing pushing Jason Saab into the reserves. Tariq Sims returns from injury with Tyrell Fuimaono and Trent Merrin starting off the bench. The big change is in the hooker position with Ben Hunt named to start at no. 9 and captain Cameron McInnes named to start at lock.
Manly Sea Eagles
1.ย Reuben Garrickย 2.ย Jorge Taufuaย 3.ย Brad Parkerย 4.ย Moses Suliย 5.ย Tevita Funaย 6.ย Lachlan Crokerย 7.ย Daly Cherry-Evansย 8.ย Taniela Pasekaย 9.ย Danny Leviย 10.ย Martin Taupauย 11.ย Joel Thompsonย 12.ย Curtis Sironenย 13.ย Jake Trbojevicย 14.ย Cade Custย 15.ย Jack Gosiewskiย 16.ย Sean Keppieย 17.ย Morgan Boyleย 18.ย Corey Waddellย 19.ย Brendan Elliotย 20.ย Abbas Miskiย 21.ย Haumole Olakau’atu
Taniela Paseka starts at prop for the suspended Addin Fonua-Blake. Morgan Boyle has been added to the bench in the only other change from last week.
KEY STAT
St George Illawarra enjoyed a four match winning run against the Sea Eagles before their Round 14 clash last year. The Sea Eagles put in a strong second half performance to beat the Dragons 34-14. That victory came off the back of a strong performance from Tom Trbojevic. This time they’ll need to do it without him, and a few other players, if they wish to start a steak of their own.
BATTLE TO WATCH
The Dragons defence has been exposed up the middle in the last few matches – especially towards the end of halves. The damage Martin Taupau can cause, not only with his running metres but his offloads will be extreme in creating the momentum Manly need to get the team on the front foot in attack. He is averaging 113 running metres a match and has 11 offloads to his name this season. With the absence of Fonua-Blake he’ll be looking to churn out bigger numbers.
Adam Clune’s numbers in receiving the ball is climbing each week as he looks to take more control of the team. He has brought a directness to the Dragons attack that has been missing and has started combining with his left side attackers. Most of the Dragons tries have come on the right side of the field and have been through the hands of Dufty. While the Dragons need to look at ways of getting their fullback involved, part of that will come down to how Clune gets the left side attack firing.
GAME DETAILS
Date: ย Sunday, 12th July
Venue:ย Nestrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick-off:ย 6:30pm
