The Manly Sea Eagles had their wings clipped against the Titans last week and will be keen to soar back into form against the dangerous Wests Tigers tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 8.05pm AEDT.
After solid wins against Brisbane and Newcastle to open the season, Manly failed to replicate their strong form against the Gold Coast and succumbed to their first defeat of the year.
In a physical contest, the Sea Eagles were unable to out-muscle a strong Titans pack and eventually fell 16-14 in a tight contest.
Coach Geoff Toovey would have left the Gold Coast frustrated last week and will be demanding a more complete performance tonight against the Tigers.
The Tigers have impressed in their last two victories against Penrith and Parramatta but still need to improve defensively if they are to keep Manly at bay.
The Eels hardly had any possession last week against the Tigers but still managed to put points on the board whenever they held on to the football for consecutive sets.
With this in mind, it remains to be seen if the Tigers possess the steel in defence to keep out a Manly team that will have its fair share of attacking chances tonight.
Prediction
After facing a disciplined and tough Titans team, the Sea Eagles will fancy their chances of getting the better of a Tigers side that remains defensively frail.
Despite securing a comfortable win against Parramatta, the Tigers did suffer some nervous moments late in the second half when the Eels managed to hold on to the football.
Whenever the Eels got their act together, Parramatta invariably scored points, including two back to back tries in the second half that left them within striking distance of completing a huge comeback.
While the Tigers are certainly a team to be feared when in possession, they remain very suspect in defence and a team like Manly will capitalise on its opportunities if the Tigers fail to respect possession.
If the Tigers can play good percentage football, the likes of Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall are in good enough form to make life very difficult for Manly tonight.
Manly though will be very keen to fire after a flat performance against the Titans last week so the Tigers better be prepared for an arm wrestle early in the match.
Failure to match the Sea Eagles intensity upfront and the Tigers will be torn to shreds by attacking stars Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai and Brett Stewart.
Whichever way you look at it, this contest promises to be a very entertaining encounter. Manly’s defensive steel however should get them home against the Tigers.
Sea Eagles by 6.
Matt
Guest
Not a number?
Michael Waldron
Roar Rookie
I haven't seen a team try and lose that badly since Parramatta last week.
Lou
Guest
Aaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha. Na na nana naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Ya had plenty opportunity but came up with 0 , that's what happens when you play a real football team, next week the Storm will bash you again GO MANLY
Lou
Guest
Aaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha. Na na nana naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Cugel
Roar Rookie
West Tigers = NaN :p
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Manly's 1 thru 7 are all good to very good players. And the whole team communicates in defence; lines up their man and hustles. Defence is easy with good hustle and good communication and good tacklers. Manly do it well. Top 4 team come September, no question!
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks amband
Alan
Roar Guru
After a poor first half, Manly showcased their premiership credentials in the second half by scoring 20 unanswered points against the Tigers en route to a 26 nil win. Manly were not at their best tonight but they still put the Tigers to the sword. The Tigers are just not premiership material. They struggled to create any opportunities in attack despite dominating possession and territory in the first half. Marshall was very flat and Farah was on and off the field. Manly are a class unit and never gave in despite dropping a lot of football. When the click, they are a several classes above the Tigers. Too good from Manly tonight with their usual suspects performing well. Thanks for joining us tonight and please join us tomorrow for Rabbitohs - Bulldogs! Sea Eagles 26 Tigers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Lyon converts FULLTIME Sea Eagles 26 Tigers 0
amband
Guest
oh well, not my day. Thanks Alan. Appreciate your time. Happy Easter :D
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY SEA EAGLES - Matai scores under the posts and Manly too strong tonight! Great pass from Stewart to open up the hole for Matai Sea Eagles 24 Tigers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Manly earn a line drop-out here and will look to finish with a bang tonight. Tigers have been very poor tonight. Sea Eagles remain a few classes above Sea Eagles 20 Tigers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY SEA EAGLES - Williams has failed to ground the football and Tedasco did well to get across there. It was Stewart with great grubber. Sea Eagles 20 Tigers 0
amband
Guest
that's it
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Sea Eagles may have scored again here after Williams looks to have grounded a Lyon grubber! Sea Eagles 20 Tigers 0
amband
Guest
Tigers bought cheaply over summer. No good defenders bought
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Tigers lose possession and Manly will go on the attack and in the end will earn a very solid victory here despite doing all the defending in the first half Sea Eagles 20 Tigers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
76' -Manly have this wrapped up now. They have been too strong in defence for the Tigers. Tedasco regathers now for the Tigers. Tigers with a lot to work on Sea Eagles 20 Tigers 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Lyon converts and its game over now Sea Eagles 20 Tigers 0 Fulton put in a kick and Stewart regathered and produces a shocking pass to Cherry-Evans in his in-goal. He then kicks ahead but the Tigers failed to regather the football and bombed a try themselves. It was play on and Cherry-Evans raced away to score. It was the craziest passage of play I have seen.
amband
Guest
Not any more. What were the Tigers thinking? God Blair is a liability sometimes