Sea Eagles
32
Match Complete
Bulldogs
6
| R. Garrick |  | 74 | ||
| 71 |  | N. Meaney | ||
| 70 | | J. Averillo | ||
| R. Garrick | | 64 | ||
| B. Parker | | 62 | ||
| C. Sironen | | 60 | ||
| J. Taufua | | 44 | ||
| R. Garrick | | 36 | ||
| B. Parker | | 34 | ||
| T. Trbojevic | | 25 | ||
| T. Trbojevic | | 3 |
| 7 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 3 in the NRL will conclude on Sunday evening when the Manly Sea Eagles look to pour more misery on the hapless Canterbury Bulldogs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6:30pm (AEST).
The Sea Eagles came into the new season as one of the premiership favourites, and while they lost to a dominant Storm outfit at Brookvale in Round 1, they proved their worth with a one-point victory over the Roosters before the shutdown.
It was that win which proves exactly what the Sea Eagles can do. Not only hang with the top contenders in the attacking sense, as they proved on multiple occasions last year, but they are more than happy to do the dirty work and defend their own line.
It’s a team with Des Hasler’s trademark coaching style all over it, and they will look to make a fast start to the resumed season in order to take any pressure off.
While they have proven they can hang with the top contenders, the biggest risk this week is being dragged down to the Bulldogs’ level.
That’s not a knock on the blue and white either. They know how to defend with the best of them and put teams off their usual free-flowing attacking game. They did it to the Eels in Round 1, and while their own attack is almost the worst in the competition, their defence gives them a chance of scaring teams.
Unfortunately, they look all over the shop, with Brandon Wakeham dropped and a backline that has been patched together. It means they will spend most of this game against a strong Manly team on the back foot and have to rely on a low-scoring, physical encounter, as well as making the most of whatever chances they do get.
The likelihood of that happening is slim. Manly are blessed to have one of the best kicking games in the competition through Daly Cherry-Evans, and when combined with the running game of Dylan Walker, it gives defensive teams too much to watch for.
If Manly are on song up front, with Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake leading the way, they could run up a cricket score.
Prediction
This should be all one-way traffic. The Sea Eagles are a premiership contender. The Bulldogs are a wooden spoon contender, and that’s all there should be too it, despite the defence of the men in blue and white.
Sea Eagles by 24.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 6:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 6:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass,
Betting: Sea Eagles $1.33, Bulldogs $3.30
Overall record: Played 129, Sea Eagles 66, Bulldogs 58, drawn 5
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Manly Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Tevita Funa 21. Brendan Elliot
Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Will Hopoate 5. Christian Crichton 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Jack Cogger 8. Sauaso Sue 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Dean Britt 13. Adam Elliott
Interchange: 14. Jake Averillo 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Kerrod Holland 20. Aiden Tolman 21. Sione Katoa 22. Brandon Wakeham
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Imagine you are a Bulldogs supporter for a moment. Which nightmare would you prefer?
Nambawan
Roar Rookie
After watching the earlier game where Penrith refused to move the ball around and bored me to tears, it was very pleasant to watch Manly play open football with plenty of classy passing to supports in gaps etc etc. Bearing in mind the long layoff Manly were good and that style of play will attract plenty of viewers and supporters. Next week's game against Parra should be very interesting.
Tom
Guest
Calm down mate, they've had 8 weeks off. They'll be fine.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Look Manly were expected to win, but they go about it in a way which leaves their supporters mentally deranged. Disjointed. Inconsistency. The dropped balls. It's a very talented roster. They're well paid. People boost their morale. They seem well fed. It's like it's a football version of the first go of a Jackson Pollock painting. I mean, Blue Poles is all very good, but that approach is unnerving. We don't want to see Maroon and White Poles. Very unsettling.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Stormy! Might tuck into a cold one I reckon.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, that'll just about do it. Thanks for joining me here on The Roar all weekend for our live coverage of the 2020 NRL season. Hopefully you have enjoyed it. Now though, talking points have just been published. Check them out, leave a comment and let's appreciate that footy is back. Bye for now. Enjoy your evening!
Phil
Roar Rookie
The first round back has been welcomed with some predictable results. If ever there was a call for two comps we have it now. Saints, Canterbury, Gold Coast and Cronulla have earned their right to their own competition showing all of them are not up to NRL standard. Despite those mediocre teams it has been great to see some decent footy at last from the better teams. Top marks to Peter VS for his efforts.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Well done, a great weekend's work. Off now for a hand massage, a relax & a bottle of whatever takes your fancy, Scott.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, a pretty good performance there from Manly in the end. Like I said, their attack was a bit clunky in the first half, but they were far better in the second. Tom Trbojevic was just outstanding as well, don't think there is too much denying that. Manly were always expected to win, but the Bulldogs have issues. Big issues. Thought they would at least defend okay, but they didn't even do that tonight. Thank goodness footy is back. That is all, really. Thank goodness.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME And that sums it up. The Bulldogs with one last crack, they go right and Christian Crichton is bundled into touch by the defence who came racing across to save the try. Manly with a comprehensive win in the end. Still elements of improvement needed. Their attack was clunky in the first half and Reuben Garrick's goal kicking is a concern, but they take a huge win in the end. Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - SIN BIN - DANNY LEVI (Sea Eagles) That was ruled a professional foul. Levi will spend 14 seconds in the bin. Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Just over 60 seconds to go as Manly take the line drop out. Napa will bring it back for the Bulldogs into Taupau with a huge collision there. Faitala-Mariner the next, then it's off to Napa on the right who goes inside 20. Tolman off to Lewis now and he is tackled inside 10. And a penalty now as well. Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Doug Graves
Guest
So is Dean Pay under any pressure to keep his job after this shambles? And if not why not?
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - And now Canterbury force a line drop out as this one winds down. Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - The long kick-off goes down the ground and Manly bring it back through Fonua-Blake, Taupau and Suli, before they go left through Croker and Tom Trbojevic who almost breaks a tackle, ending 40 metres out. Back to the middle through Waddell, then a kick over the top is taken easily by Canterbury. Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - CONVERSION MISSED by REUBEN GARRICK 2 from 7. Youch. Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
74
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - TRY SEA EAGLES, REUBEN GARRICK A quick drop out taken towards the sideline, but Manly will get it back and Thompson brings it back inside ten. Manly quickly go right and Suli is almost over. Quick play the ball, then Reuben Garrick goes from dummy half and bursts over for a try! Manly Sea Eagles 32 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - Manly right back onto the attack here. Fonua-Blake a go in the middle, then Croker almost put Parker through, before Croker's grubber forces a drop out. Manly Sea Eagles 28 Canterbury Bulldogs 6