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A second-string Manly Sea Eagles side has destroyed a second-string Sydney Roosters side 38-20 in what was the final hit-out for both teams before the regular season begins.
Despite the lack of first-grade talent on show, this was still a very entertaining game with plenty of tries scored.
Going into this game, both Trent Hodkinson and Kane Elgey had plenty to play for in what was thought of by many as a duel between the two, with the winner earning the right to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves in Round 1.
However, both Hodkinson and Elgey were comprehensively outplayed by one Cade Cust, who set the Central Coast alight with some champagne rugby league, including a scintillating solo try in the 56th minute.
It’s unlikely that he’ll be in the starting side come round one, with coach Des Hasler likely to prefer a more experienced option like Hodkinson, Elgey or even Lachlan Croker.
But if Cust plays well in the Intrust Super Cup for Blacktown he’ll give Hasler plenty to think about later in the season if the Manly halves are not playing well.
Lloyd Perrett was another standout for Manly. He’s surely cemented a spot on the bench for round one with some powerhouse efforts in this game. At age 24 and coming into his physical prime, he’ll be a very valuable member of Manly’s front-row rotation this year.
For the Roosters it was a night to forget. Admittedly there was only one first-grader on display for the Tri-Colours in Angus Crichton.
But it was still a poor showing, and in the end they were beaten quite convincingly.
Brock Lamb showed some class in patches, while Lachlan Lam came up with a beautiful short-ball to put Crichton through a gap to score in the 45th minute.
But they struggled for consistency throughout the game, and coach Trent Robinson will be eager to get his first choice halves pairing of Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary back on the paddock for Round 1.
Matt Ikavalu also had some nice touches, and could force his way into the side in the case of backline injuries later in the year – although he’ll be fighting it out with England great Ryan Hall, who himself will be struggling to make first-grade this year.
Nat Butcher and Lindsay Collins were both quiet, which is disappointing considering they had plenty to play for given the departure over the offseason of Dylan Napa. It’s now unclear who of the two will replace him on the bench.
It was also nice to see Drew Hutchison back in action. He endured plenty of injury struggles while at the Dragons (for those who are unaware, he was anointed by Paul McGregor as St George Illawarra’s first-choice halfback, only to do his ACL before he could even play a game for the club that year), and spent last year playing in the Championship in England for the Leigh Centurions.
He had some nice touches late in the game, and will come into calculations alongside Lamb and Lam if Cronk or Keary go down injured.
Overall this was a scrappy, but entertaining game. Both sides will have plenty to work on over the next two weeks in the lead up to round 1.
Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 38
Sydney Roosters 20
With the World Club Challenge under their belt, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has rested the vast majority of his top players, with star signing Angus Crichton named to captain the side. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from 7pm AEDT.
Despite the lack of top-level talent on display for the Roosters, there are several players who can cement bench spots for round one with a big showing in this game.
Lindsay Collins and Nat Butcher both tasted first-grade late in 2018. With Dylan Napa off to the Bulldogs, both Collins and Butcher will be gunning for his spot.
Halves Lachlan Lam and Brock Lamb will also be fighting it out to be the number-one backup for first-choice halves Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary should one of them go down injured during the year.
Lamb is likely the preferred option at this stage due to his level of first-grade experience, but Lam is a prodigious talent, is younger than Lamb, and has tasted test football with Papua New Guinea.
A big showing from Lam could catapult him ahead of Lamb in the pecking order.
It’s difficult to know what’s at stake for Manly given their squad has not been named yet. However, with skipper Daly Cherry-Evans a certainty for round one, the battle to partner him in the halves will be an interesting one.
The current contenders are Trent Hodkinson, Lachlan Croker and new arrival Kane Elgy.
At this stage it could be any one of them lining up alongside Cherry-Evans, although Hodkinson may have an edge due to his experience and his ability to control a game complimenting Cherry-Evans’ running game quite nicely.
However, a big showing by any one of these men could see them into the starting side for round one.
Prediction
It’s very difficult to predict the outcome of a trial – even more so when only one team has been named. However, given the weakness of the Roosters’ squad in this match, Manly would only have to name a few regular first-graders to become favourites.
Manly by 6.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7pm AEDT.
Where: Central Coast Stadium
When: 7pm AEDT
Streaming: nrl.com
Sydney Roosters
1. Kieran Moss, 2. Matt Ikuvalu, 3. Christian Tuipulotu, 4. Ed Murphy, 5. Asu Kepaoa, 6. Lachlan Lam, 7. Brock Lamb, 8. Lindsay Collins, 9. Craig Garvey, 10. Poasa Faamausili, 11. Sitili Tupouniua, 12. Angus Crichton (c), 13. Nat Butcher. Interchange: 14. Josh Curran, 15. Fletcher Baker, 16. Sam Verrills, 17. Setefano Hala, 18. Drew Hutchison
Manly Sea Eagles
TBC
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