2021 NRL Round Three Preview, Dragons Vs Sea Eagles

Lachy MacCorquodale previews the round three clash between the Dragons and the struggling Sea Eagles. This is what we have to look forward to.

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TEAM NEWS

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Date: 26th March, Time: 6pm

Referee: Chris Sutton

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Dragons

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The Dragons are coming off their first win of the season after a seven-point victory over the North Queensland Cowboys. It was a great response after their loss against the Sharks last weekend and, despite trailing early on Saturday night, they were able to play some of their best footy in recent times to secure the two points. It was just the Dragons’ second win in their last seven matches and they’re positioned to win their first back-to-back games since rounds 14 and 15 last season.

The Dragons have named an unchanged line-up for their clash with the Sea Eagles this Friday.

Sea Eagles

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The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have started the season with two losses for the second time in the last three years (after doing so to start the 2019 season); 2021 has started in the worst way possible for the Sea Eagles after losing star fullback Tom Trbojevic to injury just weeks out from round one, and they are now sitting in 16th place with a mere three tries to their name, whilst their opposition has compiled a monster 72 points against them. Despite the loss, the Sea Eagles had a glimmer of hope as they managed to trail by just two points with 20 minutes remaining; that was until Damien Cook darted out of dummy-half from five metres out to extend the Rabbitohs’ lead and deflate the Sea Eagles in the process.

Manly have named young prospect Josh Schuster in the second row; he replaces Andrew Davey after he suffered a season-ending ACL injury on Saturday. As a result, Morgan Boyle will come onto the bench for the Sea Eagles. Cade Cust is currently a 50/50 decision as he must pass concussion protocols if he is to play.

PREVIEW

The Dragons will have all the momentum coming into this clash and halfback Ben Hunt will be looking to replicate his form from Sunday night, after setting up two tries and running in his side’s third try of the night, in what was one of his better performances in the Red V. He lines up against Daly Cherry-Evans who is yet to register a try assist this season despite recording 41 in his last 41 NRL appearances. The two Queenslanders will be pivotal to their side’s performance and an improved performance will be expected of Cherry-Evans.

In their defense, Manly have played both the Roosters and the Rabbitohs to start the season and this weekend’s clash represents an opportunity for their first two points of the season. Although they’ve struggled in both areas of the field, and the Dragons will be sure to attempt to expose the Sea Eagles’ weaknesses in defense. Matthew Dufty will be a danger in and around the ruck as he works off the back of Andrew McCullough, Corey Norman and Hunt.

The Sea Eagles will be hoping to put in a better performance as a whole through their key position players Cherry-Evans, Kieran Foran and Dylan Walker. Manly winger Jason Saab will also make his first appearance against his former club after forcing his way out during the 2020 season.

KEY STAT

Recent history is not on Manly’s side, having won just one of their last six fixtures against the Red V, dating back to the start of the 2017 season. The Sea Eagles have conceded over 30 points in four of these six clashes.

PREDICTION

Dragons by eight points.