Two of the most disappointing teams during Magic Round will meet to close Round 11 with the Manly Sea Eagles hosting the Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Vs Cronulla Sharks
Venue: 4 Pines Park
Date: Sunday May 14, 4:05pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Aaron Woods 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 20. Morgan Harper 21. Samuela Fainu 22. Josh Schuster
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Jack Williams 16. Wade Graham 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Connor Tracey 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Jayden Berrell
Referee: Ashley Klein
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
With both teams coming off sizeable defeats, they will be eager to get back on track, particularly the hosts, who were as high as second on the ladder just a fortnight ago. The Sea Eagles now find themselves in 10th position on the ladders as questions continue to be raised over the health of star fullback Tom Trbojevic.
Turbo Tom was again quiet last round and at times looked impeded, especially in a 23rd minute play chasing a flying Selwyn Cobbo. Racing down the sideline to score a long range try, Cobbo was chased by Trbojevic who not only couldn’t keep up but appeared noticeably slower and unable to hit full speed. If the Sea Eagles are to avenge their embarrassing 32-6 defeat in magic round, they desperately need Trbojevic to be firing and healthy.
The Sea Eagles attack subsequently spluttered and was guilty of poor execution. They managed six line breaks last round but only converted a single try. Subsequently a repeat of a 65% completion rate marred with errors will not cut it against a hungry Sharks team looking to bounce back themselves.
To win this week the Sea Eagles under strength forward pack will really need to lay the platform for the playmakers to have a chance against the Sharks. Without Jake Trbojevic the Sea Eagles pack has lost its forward leader and suddenly appears very thin this year. Up and coming stars like Olakuatu will desperately need to step up to match it with the Sharks engine room if they are any hope of an upset.
Meanwhile, the Sharks, who inherited second on the ladder from Manly after three straight wins, were shocked by the Dolphins, however, still find themselves inside the top four. The Sharks have arrested a disastrous history against Manly in recent times, winning consecutive matches over the northern beaches club, however, the Sea Eagles have still won 18 of the last 23 overall. Cronulla has never won three in a row against Manly.
In the post-game interviews both captain Hynes and coach Fitzgibbon were notably disappointed in the team’s attitude and application. Hardly surprising when you are trailing a match 30-0 at halftime, but a good indication they will come in focused on a bounce back performance this round.
With how well the Sharks have attacked and beaten teams with the return of Hynes earlier in the year, it’s hard to see them not putting points on a Sea Eagles defensive line that’s looked more and more vulnerable by the week. The Sharks back 3 have been in fine form and expect Hynes to orchestra a much higher scoring outing this week.
One of the keys to executing the Sharks game plan though may also be the weather, with 4 Pines predicted to have rain and be a wet match. That will dampen the Sharks point scoring ability and potentially even up the contest. Having said that, if the Sharks show up with the right attitude, weather has proven to be something that’s not bothered them as much as it would other teams.
On paper the Sharks forward pack and class in the backline look far too much for the Sea Eagles at the moment, but that was also the case coming up against the Dolphins last round. It will be a fascinating battle with two teams needing a immediate bounce back after recent performances.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Sea Eagles 6 Sharks 4
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sharks by 16 points.
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