Sea Eagles
12
Match Complete
Panthers
42
| 72 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 71 |  | A. Koroisau | ||
| 64 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 63 | | B. Naden | ||
| R. Garrick | | 57 | ||
| J. Taufua | | 56 | ||
| 51 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 50 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 40 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| R. Garrick | | 34 | ||
| J. Trbojevic | | 33 | ||
| 29 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 28 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 25 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 24 | | C. Staines | ||
| 17 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 16 | | I. Yeo | ||
| 7 | | C. Staines |
| 2 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL action continues tonight with the match between the Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:35pm (AEST).
You wouldn’t normally see a battle between first and eighth as a 50/50 match up. However, for this game, at Lottoland, it’s an even-money bet.
The Sea Eagles are getting some troops back, although the big guns in Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker are still sitting on the sidelines.
It hasn’t stopped them in recent weeks, with back to back wins over the Eels and Cowboys. Cade Cust, in particular, has made the most of his opportunity, getting very close to a contract upgrade and providing some stiff competition for Walker.
Sean Keppie replaces Jack Gosiewski on the bench. Morgan Boyle has been named in the reserves and may get a run if Joel Thompson can’t recover from a sprained ankle. Walker has also been named in the reserves and will probably knock Lachlan Croker out of the squad if he returns.
The Panthers are arguably not being taken seriously enough for this year’s premiership, compared to the big guns in the Roosters, Storm and Eels, but they deserve their spot at the top of the ladder.
There is a lot of exciting talent at Penrith and, at the moment, they are being controlled brilliantly by Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau. Without James Maloney, Cleary has assumed full control and looks very much an Origin halfback.
In a big in for the Panthers, Viliame Kikau returns in the back row, with Tyrone May to the interchange and Matt Burton missing out. Api Koroisau and Zane Tetevano have both been named in the reserves and could make their returns.
Prediction
Saturday night at Lottoland has the strong smell of an ambush about it and, after knocking off the Eels a few weeks ago, Des Hasler will be keen on another big scalp tonight.
However, this Panthers team has shown its adaptability this year by winning with attacking flair one week and grinding out a win the next.
They have learnt how to win and I think they will edge out the Sea Eagles.
Penrith Panthers by four.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Lottoland, Sydney
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Teams
Sea Eagles
1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Moses Suli, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Cade Cust, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Curtis Sironen, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench/Reserves: 14. Lachlan Croker, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Sean Keppie, 17. Taniela Paseka, 18. Haumole Olakau’atu, 19. Dylan Walker, 20. Tevita Funa, 21. Morgan Boyle
Panthers
1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Brent Naden, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Villame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Billy Burns, 18. Apisai Koroisau, 19. Matt Burton, 20. Zane Tetevano, 21. Charlie Staines
Matt
Guest
If I ever need a lawyer, let it not be you. Not sure which defence was weaker, Manly’s or yours.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Hey, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eels and Storm finished their match in a few weeks time with a draw...
Matt
Guest
Ben, should I remind, for and against means zip. Penrith are on an odd number of points and won’t tie with anyone. Wouldn’t matter if they finished on minus.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
They didn't have Api the last two weeks.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I've been burnt too many times before , Jimmmy . But I did managed to raise a couple of yahoo's from my lounge chair when we got to 40.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the call David
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Come on Albo, get excited.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks a lot, Jimmmy, appreciate that. My thinking is along the same lines as yours.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for folllowing the call tonight and the banter as always. See you again next weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
All good, thanks mate
David Holden
Roar Guru
Looking at next week, the Eagles will take on a resurgent Warriors at Lottoland. For the Panthers, its a big one against the Raiders next week
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Hang your heads in shame Manly. I remember 1973 when a try was worth 3 points and a masculine Manly outfit beat Penrith 70-0. And the current side turns up with this tripe? Oh the horror. The rancid bitterness of defeat. Well they should start training for next year because this year is gone.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Well that was rather sweet ! That top 4 spot is looking better every week for the Panthers.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well said. Manly didn't dog it and things didnt go their way with injuries and what not but Penrith were just very, very good. If they played a lesser team I hate to think what the result would have been.
David Holden
Roar Guru
For the Eagles, they tried hard but were just outclassed. DCE was heavily involved and can hold his head high. They will be eagerly awaiting Tom Trbojevic's return but it will be tough from here to make the top 4
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks David, nice to have your presence & your live call. Bad luck HY, they were just better tonight.
danwain
Roar Rookie
I think that they may have pinpointed these few weeks to take the foot off the gas knowing full well talent would get them over the line. Let's not forget those two losses were in two of the best games we have seen in the last few years.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Panthers have sent out a message to the rest of the competition tonight. They were ready for a Sea Eagles ambush and were just too good. The Panthers completion rate was superb and the Panthers pack slowly got on top. Cleary is in career best form and the likes of Luai and Koroisau offer plenty in attack. There doesn't seem a weakness and, in this form, they will go very close this year
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Penrith just play good footy that's all.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Way, way too good. After watching the Panthers against the Cowboys & Titans the past 2 weeks, I wasn’t expecting this performance. Hats off to their supporters. One heck of a football team. Manly..... not much to say. Onto the Warriors.