Expert
The Manly Sea Eagles could run up a score if they are able to play for the full 80 minutes when they host a struggling Newcastle Knights outfit at Brookvale. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEST).
The Sea Eagles came out of the gates firing last week against the Canberra Raiders, running up 20 points in a dominant first half display.
While they faded and dramatically went off the boil in the second half, having to settle for a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal in golden point, the key for them is now reciprocating the first half for a full 80 minutes week in and week out.
In a lot of ways, it’s been a weird sort of season for the Sea Eagles, who have just struggled to be consistent from week to week. They have impressed at times, especially in attack but it’s all fallen apart too often.
However, they have now won a few on the trot and without Tom Trbojevic, it seems they may have turned a corner, moving into the top eight with seven wins from 12 games.
Trbojevic may be due for a return this week as well, named on the reserves and not culled 24 hours before kick-off. Even without him though, Cherry-Evans, alongside hooker Apisai Koroisau have been the key men, while Jake Trbojevic and Martin Taupau have been among the form forwards in the competition.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have struggled as many expected they would in 2017. In saying that, they are far from the side we saw in 2016, who regularly got handed beatings week in and week out.
After picking up their second win of the season in Round 10 over the Raiders, they have lost a few on the trot, including a blowout against the Storm last weekend, where they had 40 points put on them.
Their defence was torn to shreds by the veterans leading Melbourne around the park, and again Newcastle were caught out, having so little in the way of experience.
While Dane Gagai has been the key man for them, proving dangerous with the ball in hand, he just hasn’t been able to carry a forward pack getting dominated more often than not.
With Manly’s strength in the forwards, the way this one could play out is pretty ugly – essentially, Manly could average 60 or 70 metres a set and be on the attack more often than not due to their dominance up front.
Casting aside all the talk about form, Manly have won an incredible 15 of 17 at Brookvale between the two sides, including all of the last six.
Prediction
Manly will win this – question is, by how much? Newcastle will probably hang in early, but the Sea Eagles should skip away comfortably in the second half.
Sea Eagles by 18.
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