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FULL-TIME: Sea Eagles 24 – Sharks 4
We’ve seen it quite a few times this season – one team goes out to a commanding half-time lead and you end up with a second half where neither side really has their head in the game. That seemed to be the case today as Manly blew Cronulla off the park in the opening 40 minutes; the result seemed like a foregone conclusion from there and we ended up with a very scrappy second 40 for a final score of 24-4.
Nothing worked for Cronulla today; Carney tried hard to spark things but it just wasn’t happening for him or his side. For Manly, they’ll be pleased with that first-half performance, particularly with the attacking combination of Stewart, Matai and Taufua on the left-hand side who combined for three excellent four-pointers; they might have had more if not for Matai leaving the field early in the second half and a couple of dropped balls by Taufua.
The Manly Sea Eagles host the Cronulla Sharks at Brookvale Oval in this Sunday afternoon clash. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm (AEST).
After strong victories over fellow NRL heavyweights the Roosters and Rabbitohs, Manly went down to the Wests Tigers last week and will be looking to return to the winner’s circle.
Meanwhile, the Sharks shook off four losses on the trot to post their first victory of the season in emphatic style over the Warriors.
Whereas Manly are expected to be boosted by the likely return of Jorge Taufua this week – not to mention Brett Stewart with one game under his belt after injury – the Sharks may enter this contest without Todd Carney, who was outstanding with four try assists last week but has been battling a “mystery illness”.
There is a lot of history between these two clubs but Manly have certainly had the better of it with 57 wins from 82 games, including four out of their last five, including a 24-18 victory over the Sharks in last year’s elimination semi-finals.
No doubt the Sharks would be excited at the prospect of avenging that loss, but with so many names still missing from their squad – Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis remain out, in addition to the likely loss of Carney – it’s hard to see them getting the better of Manly at Brookvale.
Still, 2014 has been the year of the upset, and starting this game at $4 the Sharks are about as long a shot as you can get.
In the end though, I’m tipping the home side to get up comfortably.
Manly by 20.
Can Manly get the win at home or will the Sharks spring yet another 2014 upset?
Join us this afternoon at 3pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate on our live blog.
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