Can Manly keep its return to form going and knock off the Cowboys at Brookvale Oval? Join The Roar from 7.00pm (AEST) for live scores to find out.
The Sea Eagles are on a little bit of a roll after walloping Gold Coast last week and beating Cronulla the weekend before that.
It’s been a terrible 2015 for Manly but with those wins, and some fit bodies back, things are starting to look a little brighter.
The Sea Eagles should have beaten the Cowboys in Townsville earlier this year but the home team got the victory with a last-minute try. They’ll need to be at their very best to knock North Queensland off in this one, but being at Brookvale Oval again is a plus.
The Cowboys aren’t sitting in second spot on the ladder by mistake. After losing their first three games in a row, they edged Melbourne by a point in round four. Since then the boys from the north have dropped just one game and have played some excellent footy.
Their comebacks against Canberra and Parramatta, have been awesome and they have been brilliantly steered around the park by Johnathan Thurston, who’s in career-best form. They’re never dead, never out of the contest and they have so many match-winners.
Michael Morgan has been on fire and Lachlan Coote has been impressive at the back. Jake Granville at hooker has been a great find. You throw in a big forward pack and the try-scoring talents of Gavin Cooper, and you have a confident, talented 17 that has
plenty of ticker.
Manly will need to match the Cowboys up front, and will need strong performances from the likes of youngster Jake Trobjevic and veteran Willie Mason.
Feleti Mateo is back in the mix, offering another attacking edge, while Dunamis Lui returns from a week out. With Jamie Lyon partnering Steve Matai in the centres again and Kieran Foran back alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, it’s starting to look like the Manly of old again.
Brett Stewart has been the key for the Sea Eagles of late, his play-making has been vital in their resurgence.
Thurston and Morgan are back in place of Robert Lui and Ray Thompson, while Matt Scott also returns from Origin duty.
Surely Cherry-Evans will be fired up for a good display against his rivals in the Maroons camp.
Join The Roar from 7.00pm (AEST) for scores and commentary from the final game of round 19.
Justthetip
Guest
Hahaha ej
Muzz
Guest
That's like comparing Lobster with Blue Swimmer Crab. Both excellent! BTW - Johns is the Lobster.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yes it was Muzz, yes it was :)
V.O.R.
Guest
Ok Muzz, so reading between the lines....you now think Thurston is a better half than Johns was? If so, I take it back. Apologies.
Muzz
Guest
VOR, I think your misinterpreting things. What's new : )
V.O.R.
Guest
Muzz, did u ever think that you might be the one now having hit your head, you have woken up and think you are in some bygone era where Joey Johns is the benchmark? Time to catch up with the growing consensus and take off those Blue goggles.
Muzz
Guest
Because you normally see things through those special QLD rose tinted glasses. For you to rate Johns above JT is surprising to me hence why i asked if you hit your head.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Why's that Muzz?
SpongeBob
Guest
Morgan is good but the Thurston combo pushes it to the top. When JT is gone will be interesting to see how Morgan goes (is Boyd the best Origin player ever, or is it handy for your try tally playing outside Inglis?)
SpongeBob
Guest
The grand final could simply come down to the previous games. The two best teams could well meet in the semi-finals. Outside of Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters & Souths though it's hard to see anyone else being in the final (a few lucky games for a smokey team aside)
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good win by the Cowboys. Strong across the park and played the 80. Another awesome display by JT, is it too early to give him the Dally M? Their fitness levels are also very good and winning away is now not an issue. I'm picking a Cow v Roosters final.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Back in NSW Cup - not good when you can't get a crack in our pack.
Muzz
Guest
What's happened to James Hasson, eJ?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
That's definitely their weakness Muzz. Edge defence. Either side. Wright, Winterstein, Linnett are all capable of a brain explosion or two. Manly exposed them in Rd 12 but weren't good enough to finish them off. The better teams will have a field day out wide. Although I have to say Morgan's defence on the edge has improved them a fair bit.
Muzz
Guest
I'm not debating that JT's one of the games greats. I was just surprised with BJ's comment.
Muzz
Guest
He was on a date with Fergo. Fergo eyeing out that flaky Cows left edge.
V.O.R.
Guest
You are lacking perspective Muzz....the writing is on the wall...bynthe end of this year he will equal Johns in Dally M Player of the Year awards....and he may well go a fourth the trajectory the Cowboys are on.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I liked seeing Trent Robinson at Brookie tonight. Get a close up of the Cows in action.
Muzz
Guest
Was that a perfect round for you Renegade?
V.O.R.
Guest
Yer Muzz...he's probably plotting as we speak.