Roar Guru
The Parramatta Eels came crashing back to earth last week and will need to show some strong character if they hope to challenge the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.
After beating the Warriors in Round 1, it appeared the Eels were ready to announce themselves as a side capable of challenging the best the NRL has to offer.
Such optimism, however, has been replaced by a huge cloud of negativity following last week’s disastrous 56-4 loss to the Roosters. Despite competing well in the first half, the Eels fell away badly in the second, conceding 40 points against the reigning premiers.
It is the second time in two years the Eels have conceded 50 points at Allianz Stadium and things won’t get any easier when they travel to Brookvale to take on Manly.
The Sea Eagles will be keen to erase their opening round capitulation to Melbourne at home, having squandered a 20-nil lead en route to a 23-22 defeat. However, Manly went a long way to redeeming themselves after they upset South Sydney last week.
The Sea Eagles were without Glenn Stewart and Brett Stewart but still managed to play with the intensity and skill that has served them so well in recent seasons.
In short, Manly will approach this contest will plenty of confidence and should have learnt some painful lessons from their opening round loss to the Storm.
Prediction
Coach Geoff Toovey will be keen to see if the Sea Eagles can play for the full 80 minutes against an Eels side that can leak plenty of points. If Manly turn up with their best footy, the Sea Eagles could put on another cricket score.
Sea Eagles by 20.
Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEDT.