“This weekend will see two of the most successful clubs of the past decade face off”. This is a sentence we see each and every time the Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm play each other, although this time, there are some mouth-watering twists in store.
All of a sudden, it seems as though this rivalry will soon fade away as a highlight of the NRL season, with both sides accused of allowing their respective dynasties to crumble before them – so we’d better savour these games before they disappear.
Games between these two old enemies tend to have drama littered throughout, and Saturday night is no exception.
First of all, Daly Cherry-Evans will make his first appearance at Brookvale Oval since announcing his signing with the Gold Coast Titans for 2016. It remains to be seen just what kind of reception he’ll receive, but knowing Manly fans, it might get pretty ugly out there.
The fans will have extra cause for concern now that Keiran Foran has been rumoured to have put pen to paper with the Parramatta Eels for next year, although a ‘timely’ hamstring injury has spared him of an appearance this weekend.
As neutral fan, even I am struggling to come to terms with the fact that Manly will see the departure of Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Daly Cherry-Evans and Keiran Foran – all of which were considered to be the heart and soul of the Sea Eagels – within the space of twelve months.
And to think, all of this came from the decision by the club’s management not to offer Stewart a new deal for 2015, in the hope of using the cash to retain their remaining core players.
The waters are far calmer down in Melbourne, with their last start win not exactly convincing, but enough to confirm that the ‘Big Three’ still have life left in them. At least it was better than the 42-12 shellacking the Eels handed Manly.
Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk are all well into their thirties now, but after Cronk and Slater withdrew from the end-of-season Four Nations tournament, they have enjoyed one of their first full pre-seasons in years.
Smith, who was expected to miss the first month of the season through injury, may still be below 100 per cent fitness considering he pulled off a miraculous comeback last Monday night against the Dragons.
Sea Eagles coach, Geoff Toovey, has made plenty of changes to his Round 1 side with centre Steve Matai returning in place of the injured Clinton Gutherson (ACL, season) and Jack Littlejohn replacing Foran. Ligi Sao and Justin Horo have both been named on an extended bench.
Again, there is far less of a shake-up for the Storm, with coach Craig Bellamy naming the same side that defeated the Dragons. Felise Kaufusi, however, is in doubt after being charged by the NRL match review committee.
Watch out for: “The Big Three” to get back to their best. A full pre-season for two-thirds of Melbourne’s spine should see the kind of attack opposition teams have feared for years return to the fore.
Don’t hold your breath: A cohesive Manly side. The injury to Keiran Foran and the endless drama surrounding DCE all points to one thing – confusion. The star halfback may well have “lost the dressing room” and could struggle to create any kind of potent attack, while defence looks to be on a downward slide.
Prediction: Melbourne by 10
Marie Ryan
Guest
Get your research right Cronk and Smith played in the Four Nations tournament, only Slater pulled out due to shoulder surgery!
Muzz
Guest
I really look forward to this match up however i think it's all going to come to ahead for Manly tomorrow night with the Storm lapping them and DCE being booed off the ground.
Rick Karaitiana
Guest
Its round 2 predictions are just predictions, I would be surprised if Manly get caught as they did against Parra, it will be an interesting game, I am hoping the Storm will win, but both Teams have been severely depleted over recent times, and it will be a good indication as to their standing on the Ladder.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I sure hope it's Storm by 10 as you've predicted but I'm thinking it will be a much closer game. Matai's return makes a huge difference especially defensively and the majority of these two sides have played each other so many times they pretty much know what's coming. I think the Eels just ambushed Manly last week and the way their forwards were rolling and Sandow playing unpredictable brilliant footy was pretty hard to contain. The Big three still have it and hopefully will continue for a couple of years...and not to be too nit-picky but they're all 31 so not too sure about the "well into their thirties" line. Go the Storm!
Hunter
Guest
Cronk actually did play in the Four Nations, and as a result he hasn't played in any of the trial matches. Slater is the only one of the 'Big 3' who got that full preseason you mentioned. Just so we're clear.