It’s been a tumultuous week off the field for the Manly Sea Eagles, but they will still enter their Round 23 match against the struggling Gold Coast Titans as favourites. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEST).
The Sea Eagles have gone from problem to problem during the week. While speculation has been rampant around the status of coach Trent Barrett for weeks, it was reported early this week he will walk from the club at the end of the season.
With that being the case, Manly’s on-field performances seem unlikely to perform.
It’s been a poor season to say the least for the men from the northern beaches. Despite high expectations, they sit in 12th place on the ladder and are still a viable chance of picking up the wooden spoon.
Injuries haven’t helped, and their bench have let them downs at times, but with names like Jake Trbojevic, brother Tom and Daly Cherry-Evans running around, 12th place is unacceptable and highlights bigger issues at the club.
They are coming into this match on the back of two straight wins against the Sharks and Bulldogs, with the shock upsets sending them on a run of form towards the end of the season which may help them to avoid the spoon. A win tonight will guarantee it.
On the other foot though, the Titans are in all sorts.
They sit on the same number of points as the Sea Eagles, but have the worst for and against of all the sides still in contention for the spoon and no clear path to a victory.
With the Bulldogs, Eels and Cowboys gaining pace behind them, the Titans almost appear favourites for the spoon. They have lost five of their last six, with their defence and concentration in games letting them down time and time again.
AJ Brimson was solid at fullback last week and remains there this time around, but it won’t be anywhere enough to reverse the clubs fortunes after letting in two tries in a matter of minutes last week to allow the Panthers to take them into extra time.
It was an embarrassing couple of minutes for the Gold Coast and they will come into this week down on confidence and momentum because of it.
Prediction
Despite all the off-field happenings for the Sea Eagles, the Titans defence simply isn’t good enough to stop the strike weapons their opponents possess across the field.
Sea Eagles by 10.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this NRL match from 6pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Well that's made my night. I bet there were a few grins in Abbott St, Cammeray tonight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 NRL season as the Manly Sea Eagles were beaten by the Gold Coast Titans. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back tomorrow night at 5:30pm (AEST) as the Wests Tigers take on the St George Illawarra Dragons (for some reason. After last week, you'd think I would have learnt my lesson!) Anyway, right now, it's time to join David Holden for the Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels. Bye for now.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I see the Don is now top try scorer for the Coast. The most under rated player in the League.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Glad to see the Holden Cup has been brought back.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bit of a feel of 'what on the planet just happened?' here. Manly have to play the Tigers and Broncos (both away) to close their season. If the Tigers win tomorrow night, it'll be the Sea Eagles up against two desperate teams trying to improve their defence. They could get seriously, seriously ugly. The Titans meanwhile, face the Storm next week. That could be a huge beatdown as well.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Now that Bennett is staying in Brisbane I’d love a tough nut like Maguire to come to Manly. Never really liked “Roadkill” but he’d get the attitude right. Once tonight’s game seemed “easy” with plenty of tries and breaks, Manly switched off. Bombed far too many in the first half too. Disastrous season.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Manly Sea Eagles have put on an insipid second half performance at home, falling to the Gold Coast Titans by eight points in an embarrassingly poor game of rugby league. Neither team wanted to defend throughout the contest, but the Sea Eagles should have run away with the game after leading 22-6 at the break. Instead, the hosts let the Titans score six tries in just 22 minutes to take the lead and run away with the victory. The Sea Eagles fought back to score another couple of tries at the death, but it will go down in the history books as their equal highest score while losing. Sea Eagles 34 Titans 42
Nat
Roar Guru
Who had overs @ 75pts?
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by DALY CHERRY-EVANS Sea Eagles 34 Titans 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - TRY SEA EAGLES, TOM TRBOJEVIC The Sea Eagles start this set from 20 out. They bring it up the middle through Jake Trbojevic, then he gets a quick play the ball, a pass is fired left to Tom Trbojevic and he puts the foot down, ignores his teammates and the fullback runs over three defenders with Proctor falling off the tackle to score his third try of the game. Thank god this is just about over. Sea Eagles 32 Titans 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Penalty against the Titans now. Offside player ahead of the play the ball. Sea Eagles 28 Titans 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Manly away from their own end through the outside backs, then Taufua gets them rolling. Fonua-Blake wrapped up on the next play, before Perrett goes driving to halfway. Cherry-Evans a grubber looking for Kelly on the last, but Brimson dives on that. Sea Eagles 28 Titans 42
Tom G
Guest
It changed when we got a dud coach
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Titans working it back onto the attack after the mistake, with Proctor taking tackle four 20 out. Elgey takes on the line back on the left side, then it's a short ball to Brimson on the last and he is tackled in the corner. Handover. Sea Eagles 28 Titans 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Suli brings it to halfway, then they go left with Cherry-Evans going short to Thompson. He would have been away for a try I think as well, but dropped it at the line. That confirms the Sea Eagles definitely won't be coming back from the dead. Sea Eagles 28 Titans 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Fonua-Blake comes charging back from the restart, then the Sea Eagles pick up a penalty after he almost burst through the line. Sea Eagles 28 Titans 42
Adam
Guest
Also, full credit to the Titans' short kicking game. Every single kick has caused mayhem and been well supported.
Tom G
Guest
Barrett prepares this side. He is just a dud coach. Manly has been losing games through shoddy defence and discipline for his three years. Even last year our attitude let us down as we limped into the finals. Who is responsible for attitude ina squad? The guy who slices the oranges?!
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by DALY CHERRY-EVANS Sea Eagles 28 Titans 42