Sea Eagles
6
Match Complete
Storm
36
| 79 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 77 |  | J. Olam | ||
| 73 | | C. Smith | ||
| 71 | | R. Papenhuyzen | ||
| 60 |  | C. Smith | ||
| 53 | | J. Olam | ||
| R. Garrick | | 37 | ||
| T. Paseka | | 36 | ||
| 30 | | C. Smith | ||
| 29 | | N. Asofa-Solomona | ||
| 20 | | C. Smith | ||
| 18 | | J. Olam | ||
| 7 | | C. Smith | ||
| 6 | | J. Addo-Carr |
| 1 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The Melbourne Storm have given Manly a demoralising defeat, and one that may well derail their season with news that Tom Trbojevic is believed to have suffered a ruptured pec.
Final score
Sea Eagles 6
Storm 36
Match preview:
NRL Super Saturday continues with arguably the match of the round as the Manly Sea Eagles take on the ladder leaders the Melbourne Storm at Lottoland. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).
After cementing their status as a top contender with a win over Melbourne in Melbourne in Round 19, the Sea Eagles will now host the Storm in the return fixture. With the finals just two weeks away, the ramifications of this result are huge.
For the Storm, a win here will seal their fate as Minor Premiers. However, the win would be far more important to their psychological state heading into the finals.
After close losses to the Raiders and the Sea Eagles in recent weeks, as well as two tight defeats to the Roosters earlier in the season, their only victory over a top four side this year was against the Raiders in Round 2 – before the Raiders were even considered a premiership threat.
A victory over the Sea Eagles away from home would do wonders for the confidence of the Storm heading into the finals.
For the Sea Eagles, they are hanging onto a top four spot by barely a thread, and with the Rabbitohs nipping at their heels in fifth place, the win is vital if they want to keep their top four hopes alive.
Not helping their cause will be left back-rower Joel Thompson, who suffered a broken arm in last week’s win against the Raiders. This is a huge blow, softened somewhat by the return of right back-rower Curtis Sironen from a hamstring injury. He will slot straight back in on the right edge, with Jack Goiewski shifting to the left to cover the loss of Thompson.
Brad Parker has also been named in the reserves and could return at left centre in place of Brendan Elliot if he proves his fitness in time.
The Storm will welcome back experienced centre Will Chambers who missed last week’s win over the Titans. He comes into the side at the expense of Curtis Scott, who moves back to the reserves while the pride of Papua New Guinea Justin Olam keeps his spot in the centres.
Finally, young behemoth and commentator’s nightmare Tino Faasuamaleaui replaces the giant Fijian and fellow commentator’s nightmare Tui Kamikamica on the Storm bench.
Prediction
Tough one to pick this. The only certainty is a high standard of football to be honest.
I think the Storm will be hungry to return serve after the Sea Eagles pulled the rug out from under them in their Round 19 clash.
The Sea Eagles look vulnerable to me. They were far from convincing against the Raiders last week. Canberra would have won barring the stupidity of Joey Leilua. They also had that shock defeat at the hands of the Warriors in Round 21.
I think Melbourne will win and I don’t think the Sea Eagles will mind. A win for Manly in this one sees them flying well and truly above the radar. A loss here will help them get back below the radar, which is where Des Hasler-coached sides like to be one week out from the finals.
There’s barely anything in this one. I say Storm by 2.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:30pm (AEST).
Where: Lottoland, Sydney
When: 5:30pm
TV: Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brendan Elliot 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Manase Fainu 15. Corey Waddell 16. Morgan Boyle 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Lachlan Croker 19. Tevita Funa 20. Brad Parker 21. Lloyd Perrett
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Max King 17. Tom Eisenhuth 18. Curtis Scott 19. Brodie Croft 20. Sandor Earl 21. Harry Grant
RoryStorm
Guest
That's a very good point you make Tom G. Like you, I have learned to embrace the hatred of other team's fans towards my side the Storm. Funnily enough I've read in other posts how Manly and Melbourne hate each other. To me that's so far from the truth. I don't hate Manly at all. The fact is, both me and all of my Storm supporter friends admire Manly. Both clubs do things there own way and it riles the supporters of other clubs. As you said Tom it's all just jealousy and personally I wouldn't have it any other way. I know where Ken is coming from but I would never let other supporters get to me like that. Embrace it Ken, you'll feel much better for it.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Not one bit of irony in an Storm fan ranting about their team being hated in a match report featuring Manly. Manly has been ‘hated’ since 1947 mate and we have all had to put up with it. We’ve even come to embrace it and recognise it for what it is.. jealousy. By the way just because one drunken imbecile in a Manly jumper does something. ridiculous it does not represent anything that would be condoned by the club, it’s players or it’s fans. Also it doesn’t help your point when you refer to someone as “a idiot”
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
It has been. Phenomenal effort by Des Hasler to turn things around so quickly. If Manly had Turbo fit and on the field for the whole season the Sea Eagles would have finished much higher. As things stand the Rabbitohs are still no certainties for a top 4 finish and Manly still has a shot at the top 4 but IMHO it would be better for either club to finish 5th than finishing 4th and playing the Storm in Melbourne in week 1 of the finals. That effort exhausted the Rabbitohs in 2018 and emptied their tank ahead of a tough game against the Dragons. By the time they faced a rested Roosters side they had nothing left to give. P.S. you DO realise my Manly jibes are aimed at just ONE squawking seagulls supporter? The loudest of your flock.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
After last year if you’d told me in April we’d finish fifth, I’d have told you to get help. If nothing else happens this year I’d consider it a good season
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
If they'd played Canberra the night before that'd be a good excuse, but six days should be plenty of time for elite athletes to recover. Storm only got on a roll because the Manly players didn't want to put even one per cent effort in last night.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Lol. It is, but you wouldn't recognise it. It's been developed into an upmarket function room.
Mon
Guest
‘Premierships are won on D...’ And Manly just don’t have any. Haha. Nice interpretation of witch’s hats, Manly! The Battle of Brookfail!
The Donald
Roar Rookie
No Tommy Turbo means Manly's Season is effectively OVER. So important is he to them. DCE again showed why Cameron Smith never wanted him to for Queensland - as he showed yet again - that when you put DCE under any real pressure - his Game falls to pieces. And if I was Manly - I'd be more worried about the "Lunatic" on the Field - rather than in the Crowd. I'm referring to Dylan Walker - who yet again went on like a "Prize Pork Chop" Hasler needs to have a word now - or Walker will find himself sitting out much of Manly's short lived Finals Campaign.
Peter Piper
Guest
Calm down Ken. There are idiots everywhere and amongst every teams fan base. While I too have had enough of the Storm hatred mania, there is no need to lay any of this on Manly
The Barry
Roar Guru
You’re a farce A week or two ago you were saying how good Walker was going at 5/8 and Cust would have to wait to get his chances in the future I’m surprised you didn’t start with “I’ve been saying for ages...” like you do with the rest of the stuff you’ve made up on the spot
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Gee mate ... there’s nothing like a gracious winner.. and you are nothing like a gracious winner. Cummins a Manly ref????!!! Please
Ken
Guest
Heres my anger at the storm hatred in general , we have a scumbag manly fan try an hit Chambers thru a fence with his phone, the constant rubbish thrown at my club an encourougment to hate made this idiot think it was ok for try an assault our player, will people who incite hate be satisfied when a storm player is injured by cowards like this when you go to work you dont expect to be assaulted by a idiot manly fan
Chris
Roar Pro
I've got a sneaking suspicion Bellyache will name a full-strength side for the last match as he's a firm believer in maintaining momentum and confidence with a win right before the finals. Exciting to be here again before the finals!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
It was wet and miserable on that hill. Awful performance, no rhythm, poor kicking, awful handling. Melbourne just had to turn up and be Melbourne and it was theirs
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
We don't take former Manly or Roosters fans. All others are welcome.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yeah now I'm on the bus I've had the chance to think about it. I was too emotional before. Actually I'm on record as saying that this year we should be stoked if we make the finals. We have, and I am !
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
When Manly officially finish 5th.
Ken
Guest
Nsw fans crying that Finch is sticking up for the storm against the Nsw commentators biased Storm hate lol , all Storm fans are sick of the biased nsw Fox commentators, they cant even pretend to be unbiased .
Ken
Guest
No you're just annoyed he called out your club for hypocrisy, biased commentary against the storm , Gus Gould ,Braith Anasta , Peter Sterling ., Paul Kent James Hooper , all Nsw commentators and yiyre crying because someone is trying to give a different narrative from the one eyed NSW bias , what a joke .Hey let's all just let Nsw commentators talk rubbish about the Storm an boo for 1 voice that argues back, it's called bullying dude , if a South supporter has the gall to call the Storm " grubs " or not " playing to the spirit of the game " with their record I will laugh till i cry .
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Breaking News: Des Hasler has confirmed that Turbo has ruptured his pec and they are worried it could be season ending. Tough luck Turbo and Manly fans. The last player you would want to be without going into a sudden death final.