A cracking contest awaits as minor premiers the Sydney Roosters clash against rivals the Manly Sea Eagles for the right to host a preliminary final in two weeks time. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
The Roosters head into their first finals match since 2010 in superb form after beating the Rabbitohs 24-12 last week.
In front of just under 60,000 fans, Sydney outplayed and outmuscled South Sydney en route to securing their first minor premiership since 2004.
More importantly, Roosters stars James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Anthony Minichiello and Sonny-Bill Williams played superbly and returned to form after below par performances against Gold Coast and Cronulla respectively.
The Roosters will have to be at their best again if they are to defeat a Manly side coming off a surprise loss to Penrith at Brookvale Oval.
Despite racing to a 16 nil lead, the Sea Eagles uncharacteristically took their foot of the pedal and allowed the Panthers to come back and secure a 38-26 victory.
While such a loss would not have pleased coach Geoff Toovey, the Sea Eagles should be expected to turn up with their best form tonight against the Roosters, especially with Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua and Anthony Watmough back in the fold.
Prediction
The Roosters have already defeated Manly twice this season and both those victories were built on the back of superb defensive performances.
The tricolours were once again back to their defensive best last week against the Rabbitohs as they constantly rushed the likes of Adam Reynolds and John Sutton in attack.
Expect the Roosters to once again rush up in defence in a bid to unsettle key attacking stars Daly Cherry-Evans, Keiran Foran, Jamie Lyon and the Stewart brothers.
The Roosters must also stick to the same direct game plan that served them so well against South Sydney.
When Sydney’s forwards rolled up their sleeves and focused on making yardage, Trent Robinson’s men invariably dominated the contest against South Sydney as evidenced by the back to back tries the Roosters managed to score in the first and second half.
If forwards Williams, Aidan Guerra, Martin Kennedy, Sam Moa and Frank Paul Nuuausala can reproduce the strong form they showed against the Rabbitohs, then the Roosters will go a long way to matching and perhaps dominating a very strong Manly pack.
The Roosters will also have to keep an eye on their discipline given that they were once again on the end of a lopsided penalty count against South Sydney.
Manly are a class outfit and really don’t need too many invitations to make the opposition pay on the scoreboard.
If the Roosters fail to keep their discipline in check tonight, Manly stars Cherry-Evans, Foran, Lyon and the Stewart brothers will most likely put Sydney to the sword.
With no love lost between these two great rivals, tonight’s contest promises to one of the most physical and entertaining matches of the year.
Having come off a morale boosting victory over South Sydney, the Roosters should be expected to fire in front of a big home crowd and secure victory in a nail biting contest.
Roosters by 4
Tassyscott
Guest
How many times does a team get a penalty on the opponents goal line and does SFA with it? Manly appeal for ANYTHING. We may never know how good a side they really are unto they play in the spirit of the game
Stin
Guest
Awesome game! This is JUST a question not an accusation. How many times should a team be allowed to cynically foul on their goal for something other than a penalty to happen? Is there anything beyond penalty after penalty for repeat infringements?
DMW
Guest
"Fridays game is bundy cup standard compared to this !! " Comment of the season so far Pest.
Clark
Guest
Best game of the finals so far, with this result we can potentially see a brutal encounter between Souths and Manly if they can beat Cronulla next week.
Alan
Roar Guru
Thanks Roarsome
Razza
Guest
I didn't watch a game of Rugby League lastnight, I watched a war and what a war it was. That is the type of footy I like to watch, ( as Stirlo said, it was like a mid 80's Grand Final game with a low score and no quarter given) from either side. The Eagles had more chances and blew them then what the Roosters had, but they were not getting through the Roosters defence with grubber kicks ?? and they were baby sitting SBW to keep him quite, but if Steve Matai ( Man of Steel ) was not ankletapped in the Roosters 20 with the last line of defence falling over, then he was under the post, but great defence played from the Roosters all night kept the Eagles, boo hoo hoo to nil, but the Eagles also had a great game in defence to keep the Roosters to one try for 4. Was this game a blue print of what we are to expect from now on and in the 2013 Grand Final, hope so, bring it on no matter who plays. "GO THE EAGLES"
David
Guest
57% of possession wins the Game - not this time so credit goes to the Roosters surely ?
Fran_Gipani
Guest
Pretty sure I said at the end of match Manly played like crap. Nah it doesn't hurt to say it. Easts deserved it. That's the way the cookie crumbled. We were owned by them all year, the best team last night won... end of story.
Tassyscott
Guest
O.k, so I don't go for either side. East played the better football. Manly never looked like they scored a try & continued their constant whinge about EVERYTHING. Manly milked penalties and had so many squandered opportunities. Sorry, but it's no wonder every one hates Manly - they don't play footy in the spirit of the game. Talk about owning anything - SBW had a mortgage over Watmough. Watmough shit himself every time SBW came near him, hence 3 knock ons. C'mon Manly supporters, your team can't play fair - but you can. Fess up - never in the hunt, poor game. Try harder next time, Easts wanted it more than you.
Pest
Guest
Maybe hairy palms unfortunately for you your the load she did !!
The Spectator
Roar Guru
What a 2nd half off footy, the first was being a little to influenced, Hiku played well however his lack of game time or points where snake would capitalise Hiku held on, not hikus fault he is getting better and better but my goodness how good is Snake! He adds 25% accross the board, Joey is the only other player to have that effect and if snake comes in next week or the week after Manly are coming!!
Wozza
Guest
Oh that's right 12/5 ....roosters weren't that bad and the seagulls werent that good ...
Wozza
Guest
The seagulls have been plucked up the assssss
Wozza
Guest
What was the penalty count ???
des right hand
Guest
To pest you are the load your mother should of swallowed... Now be gone with you you waste of oxygen..
Pest
Guest
What a sook, mummy has sent him to bed , she hates it when he has his tantys
Johnny ca$h
Guest
Pest I think you made des cry,it's only a game des ,
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
lots of errors and missed tackles but having a close scoreline makes it interesting
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
calm down boys
john badseed
Guest
manly's reserves aren't in the semis