We had the grand final rematch in Round 4, when Manly beat the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Tonight we get the grand final preview at Brookvale Oval.
The Sea Eagles and Roosters look the two teams most likely to be last standing this season, the same as they finished last season.
They could well meet earlier in the finals series, but we can’t be sure about that so it’s best to treat tonight’s highly anticipated clash as the last time they will knock the stuffing out of each other before the big end-of-season games.
And knock the stuffing out of each other they will. It’s going to be a torrid, physical encounter.
At the start of the season I tipped the Roosters to make it back-to-back premierships and you can’t jump off mid-season. I’m happy to stick anyway, but I’m tipping the Sea Eagles to win tonight. Mainly because the game is at Brookie.
I love the way the Sea Eagles rise to the occasion for big games at their home ground. They’ve done it so many times it’s only natural to expect them to do it again. Manly have a tremendous record against the Roosters at this ground as well.
I’m concerned about the fact both Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough are missing from the Sea Eagles’ forward pack against a Roosters six that looks so big and mean it’s frightening on paper, let alone on the field. But I’m backing the Manly players who will be out there in place of them to come through.
Manly won’t be looking to their forwards to do anything too outrageous with the ball on this occasion. They will be there to at least break square in the battle up front. If they can do that, then Manly’s champion halves pairing of Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans will make sure the team’s three-quarters, who are in great form, and fullback Brett Stewart get enough opportunities to make an impact.
Last year, it was the Sea Eagles’ right-side attack that was the more dominant. This year, it’s their left-side attack. Left centre Steve Matai is high on the NRL competition list for both line-breaks made and tries scored.
The Roosters are still giving away far too many penalties as well, which is a major threat to their chances of winning on the road against a team the statistics say is very disciplined.
Manly lost all four games they played against the Roosters last season. But in that Round 4 clash this season they won 8-0. On that occasion, the Roosters were without Sonny Bill Williams and the Sea Eagles were minus Brett Stewart and Jorge Taufua, all of whom are playing tonight. Watmough and Glenn Stewart both played for the Sea Eagles, although Stewart only lasted 19 minutes before being forced off injured.
State of Origin’s long tentacles have had an effect on this match. Watmough is out suspended as a result of an incident in Origin 2, while Michael Jennings is out for the Roosters because of an injury sustained in the same game. But we can at least be thankful tonight’s game wasn’t scheduled in a round immediately before an Origin game, in which case more players would have been missing, or immediately after one, when star players would have been forced to back up quickly.
The fourth-placed Roosters have won four in a row and are building up to top form. That’s a very good sign, as long as they are able to recapture and then improve on their form of last season.
The top-of-the-table Sea Eagles have won their last two games. Immediately before that they threw in a shocker against Brisbane, something they have had a frustrating habit of doing in recent years.
But that isn’t a risk of happening tonight. This is a huge game and the Sea Eagles will be right up for it. So will the Roosters.
The home-ground advantage is so often a critical factor. It should make the difference in this game. Narrowly.
SeaEaglesAreGo
Roar Rookie
".....to be victorious ROOSTERS" And its gone.... Maybe you can beat the Sharkies next week Elma *chuckles*
john badseed
Guest
hope some GBReef polluting white shoe, eastern suburbs wannabe gets the deal so you can have your own superdouper league.
john badseed
Guest
Doofus- you lose JWH, Brent Kite and Gifty Stewart and bring on aspirational players from the get go. Simple really.
up in the north
Guest
While you -people- in Sydney are debating going all the way to Brookvale to watch what should be the match of the round. I will be enthralled by the Sharks v Broncos game. WooHoo to the power of ten. Remind me again when the next media deal comes up for renewal.
AdelaideWill
Guest
So how does the salary cap work again? Ohh that's right it will even out the competition so any team could win it.. by any team we mean any team out of the same 3 clubs who seems to be able to endlessly sign top players while others seem to never sign a new player and always lose their juniors.
Johnnyball
Guest
Souths or Canterbury better sides but not by much
Dessie
Guest
Roosters game plan. Up The middle of field then on the last Maloney kicks to tupou every time. Or they have that one play where two block runners go through and pearce runs behind them (shepherd) and passes to the winger. Or they will just wait for $bw to offload and hope. Go manly 13+
SeemsHaslerEnjoysKebabs
Guest
I think the loss of Jennings is more important than most are mentioning. His freak try scoring ability and defensive reads will hurt the chooks chances....
Don
Roar Rookie
I'm really disappointed that we get the Brisbane V Cronulla match live in Brisbane tonight and have to wait for the 9.30 replay of the Manly V East Sydney game. Might watch the Sydney game live online instead or just watch the Reds V Rebels and then Manly V Easts.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Looking forward to this game - even as a neutral. Greg points out that G Stewart and Watmough are out - how will the Manly forward pack cope? I reckon you could say that about the Manly pack every week. So often they look outgunned on paper but get the job done on the park. Manly are the best team in the comp at soaking up pressure and riding things out when they're not playing well and then capitalising when the momentum swings.
Parrafan
Guest
There were plenty of ladies who had their hearts broken upon the ens that SBW got married earlier this year. Burgess and SBW play different positions so not sure why they are being compared. Either way SBW at his best is above Sam burgess.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Have you put your money where your mouth is Greg, Manly, Easts grand final, the way the table is at the moment does not give me confidence this far out.
Andrew
Guest
If only the shoulder charge was still legal *sighs* SBW V Matai
Parrafan
Guest
Should be Cecchin. I really enjoy waiting through 5 minutes of replays whilst every try goes to the video ref.
KB
Guest
Maxwell?, Malcolm Johnston?, Freddie Jones?...look, the list goes on, but lets face it, Manly (or..Womanly as we like to refer) should really be on 18pts. They robbed Parra AND Easts in rnds 3 & 4 respectively...Cummins is as INEPT as they get...Chris'll tell you that..They love im at the South Sydney Dunnies though...ÇHOOKSBACK2BACK
Dessie
Guest
Bit upset there ay kb? manly 13+
Dessie
Guest
Hmm fair call mate but to tell you the truth no one gives a sheet about him now. Sam Burgess is twice the player he is
Elma Dudd
Guest
He was only a kid back then des and I'm sure he didn't make an un-influenced decision. There have been plenty if others in the past that have committed crimes against the game only to be "welcomed back with open arms ". The big difference being is that Sunnybeel has gone on the win a premiership , if he had been a dudd ( no relation ) no one would give a sheet about him .
Elma Dudd
Guest
Dessie my old china I for one am not naive enough to believe this competition is all wholesome and squeaky clean but I'm reasonably confident that Manly aren't exactly a 17 man version of the Virgin Mary . Along with my beloved and soon to be victorious ROOSTERS .
KB
Guest
Who would you prefer to "adjudicate"?,,,Bozo? Bobby McCarthy? Cummins? Badger? Rusty? Rex? Zorba? Wendy Harmer?..fair dinkum, get real son.