The Manly Sea Eagles head north to try and resurrect their season against the high-flying Brisbane Broncos. Join The Roar from 7:35pm (AEDT) for all the action from Suncorp Stadium.
The Sea Eagles sit on the bottom of the NRL ladder after their heart-breaking defeat to the Cowboys last weekend.
Manly showed a lot of improvement, but it wasn’t enough to hold off North Queensland, who sealed their win in the final minutes.
Brisbane sits equal first on the ladder with the Dragons, who have played a game less, with eight wins and three losses.
In 2015 Wayne Bennett has turned the Broncos around and Anthony Milford is fitting in nicely. Manly, on the other hand, have injury problems and struggled to deal with the transfer sagas around Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.
The Sea Eagles need to get back to worrying about on-field matters and not off-field concerns. They’ll be without DCE for this one, with Jamie Lyon to partner Foran in the halves, though there are some rumours Cherry-Evans might be a late inclusion.
Tom Trbojevic stays on the wing after an excellent performance against the Cowboys. His older brother Jake, who has been also impressive this season, is on the bench.
Feleti Mateo also comes back into the 17, with James Hasson moving to 18th man. Manly will need the likes of Mateo, as well as influential fullback Brett Stewart, to fire to have any chance against a confident Brisbane.
The Broncos will be without Corey Parker, who is being rested after Origin, but they do welcome back Justin Hodges, Darius Boyd, Josh McGuire and Sam Thaiday. Lachlan Maranta has been dropped to make way for Hodges, with Jordan Kahu taking Maranta’s spot on the wing.
Prediction
The Sea Eagles were a lot better against the Cowboys but they will need a stronger performance to unseat Brisbane at home.
I can’t go past tipping the Broncos getting another win at Suncorp.
Join The Roar from 7.35pm (AEDT) for commentary and highlights as Manly takes on Brisbane.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Jim ralph
Guest
Brisbane v Manly after watching last nights game only 1 team was playing for the Coach, the other side wasn't just going through the motion its a shame when you have a club legend Coaching you and not having a go. me I would sack 6 of the forwards, and some of the backs and give the young footballer a crack why sack the coach? when some of the big heads just don't put in, if you are employed and don't do your work you will be Sacked so that go's for all footballers playing today. Stand tall Toovey. Old Coach::
Jason Hosken
Guest
Gday JH - Snakes a clever footy brain, lucky the Blues have saved his pins for Manly..couldve been 64-10. Plenty quick to point out league is a business and then jump on DCEs approach. He runs and lives by his own ethics and looks comfortable in his own skin. He was commercially savy from play #1, cat and mouse with Foz then Foz blinked freeing up more funds - DCE probably didnt want to move then created a bidding war and got what he wanted...as did Fox who prefer him in Sydney. Lets see how it pans out long term.
Wolly
Roar Guru
I'm not a Manly supporter so you can't say I'm being biased, just calling it for what it is. Yes my title is rookie but I don't see your point? All have to start somewhere. Seeing as you brought that up though, being cannon fodder come finals time for the past three years hardly constitutes any kind of juggernaut.
Wolly
Roar Guru
And how has that affected the Broncos? I highly doubt they would've booed him if the situation was reversed.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Sookvale? No offence Manly fans, I've given you some raps on other threads despite last night's game! I've also said for awhile now that Stewart should be the number one choice for NSW's fullback position. (Look at me with all this moonwalking out of here). I just seem to find absurd words quite amsuing, like The Simpsons with "Merry Fishmas" or 'Happy Pranksgiving" and all that. Please don't punch me in the face!
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
You know, I remember our chat about Snake the other week. I reckon last night did nothing to contradict the view that he still ticks the most boxes NSW's fullback position...despite the result. He was 3, Daly 2 and maybe Foran 1, for mine. I understand why a lot of people have those views of DCE with all that's gone on, but seriously, he's entitled to play the "game" using all options at his disposal. Clubs do it to players, journalists do it to players, yeah it would be nice if it didn't happen maybe, but it isn't illegal and I don't think you can really stitch him up for it. He's just doing his best for himself and those close to him. I do wonder if the Titans might get a whole bunch of fans in the "they're my second team" category now, though. Part and parcel, etc.
Wolly
Roar Guru
What's not to understand? It's a very straightforward comment. Tell me is contact with the head now allowed? The Broncos player kneed an opponent in the head.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Manly did very little to win that game. Geez, they were ordinary. But you can only play what's in front of you, to be fair. and there were little things in the Bronco's performance that suggested they were going to come away with the two points regardless of whether Manly turned up or not. Or maybe any other team, for that matter. Line speed is one. Pushing up around the ball is another - there were times where Brisbane made a break and you could count 3 or 4 red jerseys in close support. Not sure they're mature enough to win the premiership this year, my tip was they'd probably advance as far as the preliminary finals. But I tell you what, these guys are really playing for each other as a team. And, keeping in mind that today the wind is blowing from the southeast, I'll go back to my original views of Ben Hunt being a truly special talent (!) Funny how Bennett this morning called him a "nightmare" when he first started. I wonder how Hunt would go at 5/8th in a team with someone like Cronk who could take all the leadership responsibilities off him. Although the true top tier players learn how to lead teams, so maybe this is an excellent education process for him. Geez he looks like Johns when he plays though. Its uncanny.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Sour grapes
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
What are you talking about? Do you even know the rules?
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Typical Manly fan, as you title says, you are a "rookie". You have no idea about League. If anything the refs were on Manly's side.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Mate this is one of the worst cases of losers remorse I have seen. You are acting like the sookiest bunch of sooks who ever sooked. Broncos were almost flawless. Manly are in the terlet.
Jay C
Roar Guru
You would have to think part of it was how awful Manly are. But it was great to see the guys put a team to the sword. Which they were yet to really do this year.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I wasn't aware a bit of booing was crucifixion.. either way, Immortal status is entirely about on field skills, thus why Johns was inducted despite his drug use.
Muzz
Guest
Please !!! My point is DCE hasn't acted illegally. Yet is being crucified by those who think Smith, Slater and Inglis should one day be immortals.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Doesn't provide any evidence the players involved would know of the breach. I stand by my original remark, players aren't administrators and have managers to ensure their contracts are all acceptable. It's 100% on clubs and managers to make sure the contracts are legitimate.
Muzz
Guest
5th paragraph "On 23 April the NRL seized........." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Storm_salary_cap_breach
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I wasn't aware players were responsible for ensuring clubs didn't breach the salary cap, managers maybe, but players, no chance..
Muzz
Guest
The Broncos look slick.
Muzz
Guest
12 weeks,is that all? For a moment there, i thought he may have been involved in a systemic breach of the salary cap over a 5 year period by running a well-organised dual contract and book system. What's the name of that bloke who's the QLD and Australian captain again?