Josh Mercer previews the Friday night clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: e.g., Friday 18th March, 8:05 pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesRoosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Paul Momirovski 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Kevin Naiqama 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Adam Keighran 23. Renouf Atoni 24. Ben Marschke
The Roosters have the same team as last week. Billy Smith and Victor Radley were both named in the side; even though they suffered head knocks against the Knights, they are being monitored through the week.
Embed from Getty ImagesSea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Andrew Davey 20. Tolutau Koula 21. Jorge Taufua 22. Alec Tuitavake 23. Christian Tuipulotu 24. James Roumanos
Dylan Walker has been added to the squad, as has Andrew Davey.
Referee: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
After both of these teams’ start, they will be keen to notch their first win of 2022. Games between these teams have lots of feeling, especially since the 2013 grand final.
The Panthers kept Tom Trbojevic very quiet last week, and he wasn’t able to weave his usual magic; in saying that though his team didn’t help him at all. Their fifth tackle options were terrible, and if it weren’t for a couple of decisions that went their way they would have lost by 40 points.
The Roosters looked just as bad in their loss last week, and the more enthusiastic Knights side dominated them. There seems to be some worry from certain media types about the Sam Walker/Luke Keary combination. Like other combinations, they need some time together. If the pair are still not gelling by round five, that will be the time to worry.
Both Trbojevic and Tedesco had games they would rather forget last week, so they will be out to impress this week. As good as both men are, they can not do it independently, so their teams need to lift and support them this week.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
The Sea Eagles lead the head-to-head battle. They are 20 wins while the Roosters are at 16.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sea Eagles by six.
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