Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm highlights: Storm by 20

Roar Guru

20th August, 2016

Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Brookvale Oval
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Manly 12 – 10 Melbourne
Head-to-head: Melbourne 15, Manly 13
Last five Rounds: Manly WWWLL, Melbourne WWWWL
Betting: Melbourne $1.33, Manly $3.45

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Lewis Brown 4. Brayden Williame 5. Matthew Wright 6. Jamie Lyon 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Darcy Lussick 9. Api Koroisau 10. Addin Fonua-Blake 11. Martin Taupau 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Jake Trbojevic.
Interchange (2 to be omitted): 14. Matt Parcell 15. Josh Starling 16. Nate Myles 17. Siosaia Vave 18. Nathan Green 20. Blake Leary

Melbourne Storm
1. Cameron Munster 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane.
Interchange: 14. Kenny Bromwich 15. Christian Welch 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

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The Storm take on the Sea Eagles, in a game that's sure to be tense - they always are! (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Ian Knight)

John Coomer

Roar Guru

20th August, 2016

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Match result:

Four first-half tries from Suliasi Vunivalu has seen the Melbourne Storm run away with a 20-point win over the Manly Sea Eagles.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Sea Eagles 18
Storm 38

Match preview:

Ladder leaders the Melbourne Storm are looking to get back on the winner’s list when they face the 12th-placed Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).

It’s the first time the two teams have met this season. In the past they’ve enjoyed a storied rivalry, playing in some of the best matches in the National Rugby League in the past decade. Some of the great grand finals have been played between these two clubs. Hopefully this kind of history plays out again tonight.

The Storm are on a five-day turnaround, coming off an upset loss to the in-form Canberra Raiders last Monday night. However, the loss didn’t cost them top spot on the ladder, with second-placed Cronulla also upset, by St George Illawarra.

Despite the loss, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has made no changes to his squad this week.

Manly have lost their last two matches and have little left to play for this season other than pride.

Coach Trent Barrett has made three changes for this week. Dylan Walker is out with a shoulder injury, replaced by Lewis Brown in the centres, with Jamie Lyon to play five-eighth. Livewire hooker Matt Parcell and Queensland State of Origin forward Nate Myles are both returning from injury, and have been named on an extended bench.

Fullback Tom Trbojevic (ankle) and winger Jorge Taufua (shoulder) will also both play, despite already being booked for end-of-season surgery.

Prediction
The Storm have the best defensive record in the NRL this season by far, conceding an average of just 12 points a game. Like everyone else, Manly will find them tough to crack, and Melbourne will grind out the two points to retain top spot.

Join The Roar at 5:30pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.

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