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The Parramatta Eels are out to turn around a slump and slow down their arch rivals, the Manly Sea Eagles, who are making a late charge to the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
The Eels have been fighting hard, but following their salary cap punishment and other off-field issues, they simply don’t have the strike or experience on the park to get the job done.
Losing Corey Norman was a big blow for the club, and while Jeff Robson and Clint Gutherson have done a commendable job, it isn’t the same as what was being produced in attack early in the season.
Their defence has lacked as well, although the effort – especially early in games – still appears to be there.
Parra have lost their last three straight, and since the first half against the Panthers in Round 19 they haven’t looked the same team.
For their part, the Sea Eagles had an ordinary start to the season and have been inconsistent the whole way through, but have hit form in the last couple of weeks.
Since the end of the State of Origin period, the Eagles have won three straight. Last weekend was a demolition job of the hapless Newcastle Knights, showing they are playing quality football as they make their run towards September.
Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans are killing it, and with the forward pack doing a solid job, winning four of their last five required to make the finals looks a real possibility.
In team news, Parramatta welcome back the experience of Beau Scott and Michael Jennings, while the power of Manu Ma’u slots back into the second row. John Folau and Rory O’Brien sit out the match, while Peni Terepo is on the bench with David Gower the 18th man.
The Sea Eagles have simply added Nate Myles and Matt Parcell to their extended six-man bench.
The sides have a long history, dominated by the Sea Eagles, the Silvetails having won 82 out of 135 matches.
Prediction
The Eels will again have plenty of fight, particularly given they have the chance to slow down the Sea Eagles’ charge towards the finals, but at the end of the day they won’t have enough in attack. Manly will run away in the second half to win comfortably.
Sea Eagles by 16.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 22 fixture from 7:50pm (AEST), and don’t forget to add your own comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde