2018 NRL – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm Preview
AT A GLANCE
When? Saturday 14th July, 08:30 (UK)
Where? Lottoland
What channel is it on? UK - Sky Sports Main Event
Australia - Foxtel, LIVE PASS
Where can I stream the match? UK - Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Are tickets still available?
http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/manly-warringah-sea-eagles-v-melbourne-brookvale-new-south-wales-14-07-2018/event/13005386C1A7B4BB?artistid=1297216&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=695
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
SEA EAGLES
Head Coach: Trent Barrett
Starting 13: T. Trbojevic, M. Wright, Suli, Kelly, Parker, Walker, Cherry-Evans, Fonua-Blake, Fainu, Taupau, Thompson, Lane, J. Trbojevic – Interchanges: Hodkinson, Tanginoa, Winterstein, Paseka – Reserves: Taufua, T. Wright, Sipley
Unavailable: Curtis Sironen, Lachlan Croker, Jake Gosiewski, Api Koroisau, Akuila Uate
- Manly went into their bye week on the back of a surprising win over Penrith. It was the first time Penrith had been defeated at Panthers Stadium this season with the Sea Eagles deserving their 10-18 victory.
- The Sea Eagles have gone with the same 17 that defeated the Panthers with the Trbojevic brothers backing-up after Origin.
- The win over the Panthers was Manly’s first win in five games and they face a tough task here to try and make it back-to-back wins.
STORM
Head Coach: Craig Bellamy
Starting 13: Tonumaipea, Vunivalu, Stimson, Scott, Blair, Jacks, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, Hoffman, K. Bromwich – Interchanges: B. Smith, Glasby, Welch, Kamikamica – Reserves: Croft, Vete, Olam
Unavailable: Dale Finucane, Sam Kasiano, Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr
- Melbourne produced a brilliant attacking display without their Origin stars to overcome St George in an important win last week. The Storm are now just two points behind the second-placed Dragons after a hugely entertaining 52-30 encounter.
- Billy Slater, Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr and Will Chambers won’t back-up after Origin. However, Tim Glasby and Felise Kaufusi will and the Storm are also boosted by the return of Jesse Bromwich.
- Melbourne’s win last week was their fifth in a row and saw them rise to third on the ladder as they opened up some breathing space.
THE PREDICTION
Manly host Melbourne with the Sea Eagles hoping to produce a repeat performance of both their previous encounter against the Storm and their last game against Penrith. Those were two of Manly’s best displays of the season but they will need to reproduce something similar here to get the win. Melbourne scored some brilliant tries last week as they pulled away late on against St George after a see-saw contest. They will be hoping to keep the pressure on the two teams ahead of them on the ladder and can do that with a win here to make it six wins in a row although Manly will push them all the way.
