Sea Eagles
4
Match Complete
Storm
18
| 74 |  | T. Eisenhuth | ||
| 65 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 63 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| 62 | | C. Smith | ||
| 60 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| R. Garrick |  | 38 | ||
| R. Garrick | | 34 | ||
| 6 | | C. Smith |
| 0 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Manly Sea Eagles begin their 2020 campaign at home with a grudge match against archrivals the Melbourne Storm at Sydney’s Lottoland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:00pm (AEDT).
After a torrid 2019 on the injury front, Sea Eagles fans will rejoice at the sight of both Trbojevic brothers, skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, star back-rowers Joel Thompson and Curtis Sironen and metre-eaters Addin Fonua-Blake and Martin Taupau all taking the field at the same time.
Dylan Walker starts the season in the six jersey after finishing last season in that position. With Cade Cust, Lachlan Croker and the now-retired Kane Elgey all partnering Cherry-Evans in the halves at various points last year, coach Des Hasler will be hoping Walker is the man who can provide stability in the five-eighth role and can remain there injury-free for the bulk of the season.
With Apisai Koroisau’s departure to the Penrith Panthers and Manase Fainu’s suspension, Danny Levi comes down to the Northern Beaches from Newcastle to fill the dummy-half role. A strong runner of the ball – much like Koroisau and Fainu – Levi should fit in well at the Sea Eagles.
This is a fantastic opportunity for him to cement a starting spot after being shown the door by the Knights.
It should be business as usual for the Storm. Like the Sea Eagles, they have managed to keep together nearly their entire starting side from last season, the only changes being in the centres with Marion Seve and Justin Olam taking over from Will Chambers and Curtis Scott respectively.
There are big question marks surrounding the Storm’s 18th man Nelson Asofa-Solomona. A regular member of the Storm’s top 17 since debuting in 2015, the New Zealand international has supposedly been dropped after failing to shed the kilograms he put on during the offseason.
Fijian Tui Kamikamica is the man tasked with stepping up in Big Nelson’s absence. Kamikamica will do the job, but there’s no doubting Melbourne are a better side with Asofa-Solomona fit and ready to go.
Prediction
In 17 seasons as a first-grade coach, Craig Bellamy has never lost a Round 1 fixture. That’s an astounding record.
No doubt a Sea Eagles side at Lottoland boasting both Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans and coached by Hasler is probably one of the tougher challenges Bellamy has faced in Round 1 over the years.
But it’s a brave man who bets against Bellamy’s Round 1 streak. I’m simply not willing to make that call, no matter how strong the Sea Eagles side looks on four per.
Storm by 4 in a tight one.
Don’t forget to join The Roar for live scores and commentary about the game from 4pm (AEDT).
Game information
Where: Lottoland, Sydney
When: 4:05pm AEDT
TV: Channel Nine, Fox League
Streaming: 9Now, NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
Squads
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Moses Suli, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (C), 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic, Interchange: 14. Lachlan Croker, 15. Sean Keppie, 16. Morgan Boyle, 17. Haumole Olakau’atu, Reserves: 18. Toafofoa Sipley, 19. Brendan Elliot, 20. Tevita Funa, 21. Zac Saddler
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Marion Seve, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (C), 10. Tui Kamikamica, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane, Interchange: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Max King, 17. Tom Eisenhuth, Reserves: 18. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 19. Brenko Lee, 20. Ryley Jacks, 21. Darryn Schonig
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Manly were very competitive for most of that game . They will get better and I really rate that team. It's worth watching Manly every week just for the Tafua hits. Ouch. He's like Matai but rarely gets them wrong unlike Steve.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I totally agree however don’t think it’s all gloom and doom on the beaches just yet. Plenty of positives to work with. If they’d got that result out of the Titans I’d be worried., with the Storm you take the lumps, learn from them and move on.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I had a look at the Storms second try on replay and a couple of Manly's forwards could have probably stopped it if they were jogging towards the danger instead of walking. It's all very well this policy of preserving energy but it needs a bit more thought put in to when it's suitable.
Insider
Roar Rookie
I just think they brought wrong game play, short kicking was order of the day
Insider
Roar Rookie
Yeah he ain’t very humble as a player, you really missed Smith today, what a gun
Insider
Roar Rookie
Well done mate, Storm really dig deep and whilst you don’t look remotely like a traditional “Storm” outfit your going to get the job done !
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Manly were going hammer for hammer , Kaufusi went rogue..Tom and Cherry disappeared..
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It’s an insanely impressive record under Bellamy.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Match Report A double to Fijian international Suliasi Vunivalu has seen the Melbourne Storm claim victory over arch-rivals the Manly Sea Eagles in their round one clash at Lottoland. The Storm trailed 4-2 at the break after a tryless first half, with Reuben Garrick slotting two penalty while Cameron Smith slotted just one. However, after an hour of arm wrestle football, the Storm turned it around with two tries to Vunivalu, as well as one to bench forward Tom Eisenhuth - the first of his NRL career. Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes was instrumental, setting up both of Vunivalu's tries with clever cross-field kicks, while five-eighth Cameron Munster and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen both looked dangerous. Skipper Cameron Smith was at his brilliant best, slotting two crucial sideline conversions after both of Vunivalu's tries to give his side the breathing space needed to close the game out in typical Storm fashion. There were some positives for the Sea Eagles. Their goal-line defence was brilliant for the first hour of the game, while front-rowers Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake both looked destructive. What cost them in the end was execution at crucial points in the game, as they failed to take any of the opportunities presented to them. Cameron Smith set up the final try of the game with a grubber to the ingoal in the 74th minute, with Eisenhuth pouncing on the loose ball to put the result beyond doubt, the Storm running out 18-4 victors over the Sea Eagles, and extending their 17-game round one undefeated streak to 18 in the process. Final Score Sea Eagles - 4 Storm - 18
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
There's only three certainties in life - death, taxes, and Melbourne win round one.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Please, no-one call Cameron Munster a superstar in my hearing - imo he's played last season, & apparently this one, on reputation. Less media & talk, instead, a whole lot more practice.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Cheers jimmmy, good to be back. Yeah mate I can’t see much being played post this week. Italy screaming at us to take this seriously and do the opposite of what their public did. If we’re back on by Magic Round I’ll see you there!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Manly made Hughes look good imo HY.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yes! The first round record holds! I don't think this record will ever be broken by another club or coach as it speaks to longevity. Was close in the first but I think the fitness of the Storm was a cut above. This game shows firstly why Hughes was picked ahead of Brodie and secondly why Cameron Smith is the GOAT. At his age is was unbelievable how he controlled that game. All eyes were on Hughes as the starting 7 but he was one of their best on field. Great vision and skill for his two kick assists. The wet weather probably hampered both sides attack but the Storm found a way to win.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I can't say anymore about this game at present. I need to recompose myself.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Well done Melb, Manlys short kicking was poor, tryless hurt more than the loss itself Next week it starts again well done Storm
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the 2nd half, Daniel. It's a win - not pretty & no finesse. Plenty of work to do if we are to be successful this season; that's if there is one.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
All the hate for Manly, it was a hell of a game. 1 absolutely fluke of a try sealed the game, not anything amazing by the Storm. Hell of a game to both teams, compliments Manly fans, can't wait for the next match between these two awesome teams!
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
80' Smith goes high on the last. Trbojevic takes it and is tackled on the 20. 20 seconds remain. Taufua knocks on on the next play and the siren sounds! The Melbourne Storm with a great tough win over the Sea Eagles to extend their round one undefeated streak to 18! Match report to come. Sea Eagles - 4 Storm - 18
steveng
Roar Rookie
Manly have played this game too much in the forwards and that is why they lost, they should have set their backs up more often, that's my take on this game