Check out the match preview and prediction for the NRL Finals Week 1 clash between the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Date: Sunday September 15, 16:05
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Max King, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Samuel Hughes, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Jaeman Salmon, 14. Bailey Hayward, 15. Kurtis Morrin, 16. Harry Hayes, 17. Josh Curran, 19. Blake Taaffe, 20. Lipoi Hopoi, 21. Jonathan Sua, 22. Drew Hutchison, 23. Chris Patolo
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Tommy Talau, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Karl Lawton, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Ben Trbojevic, 15. Josh Aloiai, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Nathan Brown, 18. Clayton Faulalo, 19. Jamie Humphreys, 20. Toafofoa Sipley, 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong, 22. Corey Waddell
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Both sides come into this do-or-die clash on the back of heavy losses, but the Sea Eagles should take plenty of confidence from their 12-point win against the Bulldogs only two weeks ago.
The Bulldogs have been embroiled in some controversy this week after Josh Addo-Carr stood himself down after a roadside drug test returned a positive indication of cocaine. Jacob Kiraz shifts back to the wing, while Bronson Xerri returns from suspension. Matt Burton is also back, as well as Jeral Skelton, with Eli Clark and Jonathan Sua dropping out of the side.
In a massive boost for the Sea Eagles, Tom Trbojevic returns at fullback, which pushes Tolutau Koula back into the centres and Tommy Talau to the wing.
An impressive season for the Bulldogs has gone downhill in recent weeks. After boasting one of the best defences in the competition, they have given up 78 points over the last two weeks. They need to quickly find that form once again, otherwise Trbojevic could run riot.
There are still concerns surrounding Manly as well, with that win against the Bulldogs in round 26 in-between a 20-point loss to the Sharks last week and a shock loss to wooden spooners the Wests Tigers in round 25. The Sea Eagles have the wood over their opponents in recent times, having won 10 of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs. Manly also carries more finals experience into this clash, with the Bulldogs having not won a finals game since 2015.
This should still be an incredibly tight affair, with both sides boasting plenty of attacking weapons right across the park, but the Sea Eagles should be just too good.
Check out the NRL Finals Stats Number Crunch here.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Sea Eagles by 2 points.
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