Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks: Sharks win trial 28-22

The Cronulla Sharks and Manly Sea Eagles meet in a NRL trial with the season proper just three weeks away. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).

After one of the most controversial off-seasons in the club’s history, the 2016 Premiership winning Cronulla Sharks will once again take a powerful and deep squad into the NRL season.

Their preparations continue tonight when they face the Sea Eagles in Cronulla and with so much happening off the field, the players might enjoy some peace and quiet on the park, doing what they do best.

New coach John Morris has a huge job before him, with limited time at the helm and the respect of the playing group seemingly an issue after the 11th-hour departure of Shane Flanagan.

The side that Morris will send onto the park tonight is far from full strength and keeping a keen eye on a few of the youngsters will be his main aim in this match.

Manly have yet to confirm their squad for this match and should do so in the hours before kick-off. After a dismal 2018 where just seven wins were recorded, the club has re-hired previous coach Des Hasler and gelling a team of promising youngsters is his first task.

Previous coach Trent Barrett never had the Eagles looking consistently dangerous and if there is one thing Hasler is renowned for, it is safety first football.

This should mean that the Sea Eagles will look a little less flashy at times yet should be competitive in most matches.

Prediction
Manly will prove a little too strong in this match, against a young, inexperienced and experimental Sharks side. For what it is worth, look for a high scoring affair.

Cronulla Sharks 42 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22

Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).

Where: Southern Cross Group Stadium, Sydney
When: Saturday 23rd February 2019, 7:30pm (AEDT)
TV: Live streaming on the NRL website and app

Sea Eagles
Daly Cherry-Evans, Cade Cust, Kane Elgey, Brendan Elliot, Manase Fainu, Addin Fonua-Blake, Tevita Funa, Reuben Garrick, Jack Gosiewski, Trent Hodkinson, Albert Hopoate, Brian Kelly, Semisi Kioa, Api Koroisau, Brad Parker, Taniela Paseka, Lloyd Perrett, Toafofoa Sipley, Curtis Sironen, Moses Suli, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jorge Taufua, Martin Taupau, Joel Thompson, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Corey Waddell, Dylan Walker, Frank Winterstein

Sharks
1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Josh Morris, 5. Sione Katoa, 6. Kyle Flanagan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Ava Seumanufagai, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Braden Uele, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Scott Sorensen, 13. Jack Williams. Interchange: 14. Jaimin Jolliffe, 15. Billy Magoulias, 16. Brayden Trindall, 17. Cruz Topai-Aveai, 18. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 19. Daniel Vasquez, 20. Luke Polselli, 21 Isaac Lumelume, 22 Jackson Ferris, 23 Jack A Williams, 24 Teig Wilton, 25 Josh Carr

Hide Preview

118

Join the conversation

Stuart Thomas

Expert

Stuart Thomas is a sports writer and educator who made the jump from Roar Guru to Expert in 2017. An ex-trainee professional golfer, his sporting passions are broad with particular interests in football, AFL and rugby league. His love of sport is only matched by his passion for gardening and self-sustainability.