08 :: R1 Sat :: Sea Eagles 10 Sharks 16 @ Brookvale

[lolesi]

Lance Thompson playing in NSW cup this week,Is he returning from injury?

He is mate.

 

[Timmah]

Those who haven't picked their winner for this game - remember the poll closes around 1:00pm on game day to make your tip. Manly have the most support so far with 29 votes to 17.

Also note the first post of this thread has been updated with match history between these two clubs.

 

[RainMan]

Looks like B. Stewart has added a bit of muscle to his frame, good to see. Beards are making a comeback again this year for charity?

 

[gong_eagle]

 

[Dutchy]

Robbo!!!!

 

[Patorick]

I can't believe he hasn't shaved that beard off yet?

 

[Timmah]

I can't actually tell who that is... is it Glenn Stewart?

 

[Dutchy]

Michael Robertson

 

[t-ba]

When did we sign David Hicks?

 

[gong_eagle]

When did we sign David Hicks?

More like Osama :lol:

put a turban on him

Sea Eagles ready for quick jump in 2008
AAP

http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50004

Test fullback Brett Stewart insists Manly are fitter and stronger than last season and ready for another early NRL onslaught.

The Sea Eagles won 10 of their first 11 games last year to be the early pace-setters and Stewart on Tuesday declared the 2008 side ready to be equally devastating in the opening rounds of the competition.

"We've had a pretty good pre-season, we are probably in a better position now than we were at the start of the last season," he said.

"Our fitness and skills and the way we are training, I think we are looking better than we were this time last year."

Manly will face Cronulla at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night, Stewart set to make his comeback from post-season knee surgery after missing both trial matches last month.

The 23-year-old had a limited pre-season, but used his time rehabilitating from surgery to increase his lean muscle mass in the gym, adding 1.5 kilograms to his frame.

Perhaps more importantly for the Sea Eagles, the added weight hasn't reduced the prolific tryscorer's blinding speed.

"I've put on about a kilo and a half and kept my speed, so the coaching staff is pretty happy with that," he said.

"I probably spent a little bit more time in the gym than usual.

"I've been doing full contact for about five weeks or so now. All my strength is back and all the pain (in my knee) is gone as well so I'm pretty happy with it.

"I was still getting a couple of little bits of pain probably three or four weeks ago so (coach Des Hasler) didn't want to risk it in a couple of trials."

Stewart was on Tuesday named in a near-full strength Sea Eagles line-up, with new recruits David Vaealiki and Josh Perry plus hooker Matt Ballin and winger Michael Bani the additions to last year's losing grand final side.

Vaealiki replaces injured Test centre Steve Matai, Bani and Ballin replace departed duo Chris Hicks and Michael Monaghan while former NSW prop Perry's inclusion is at the expense of Jack Afamasaga.

 

[lockyno1]

Without Heath Le'Strange I feel Manly will struggle

 

[Patorick]

No offence, but did you watch any games that Matt Ballin played for Manly last year?

 

[lockyno1]

Yes, but not having a specialist hooer in reserve is a risk. Heck you could even have a utilty so that Lyon if needed could be moved out of 5/8 at some point in the game as he is a MUCH more dangerous centre

 

[Patorick]

Luke Williamson is the utility.

 

[lockyno1]

He is a forward

 

[Timmah]

Referee
Jared Maxwell
Sideline Officials: Michael Jones & David Abood
Video Referee: Phil Cooley​

 

[t-ba]

No offence, but did you watch any games that Matt Ballin played for Manly last year?

Everyone seems to forget that Matt Ballin managed 80 minutes a game at the start of last season, and we won all of our games until Orford came back with him at 9...

 

[Timmah]

Sea Eagles v Sharks
Brookvale Oval
Saturday 7.30pm

WITH this season looming as one of great expectation for both sides – Manly hoping to go one better after matching motors with the Storm for much of 2007 and the Sharks looking to arrest the worrying decline that has derailed their finals campaigns in each of the past two years – this game will help propel one club on what they hope will be a succession of winning ways.

The fact it’s being played at ‘Fortress Brookvale’ is an enormous boost for the home side – they’ve had their colours lowered by the Sharks at Brookie just four times in their past 32 games!

Both sides have had patchy pre-season preparations. In their two trials, Manly were thumped by their Grand Final nemeses Melbourne 56-10 in their first official hit-out –although they went point for point in the middle 30 minutes when they fielded their best players.

They then swamped the Warriors 24-16 at Gosford, with young winger Michael Bani, who will wear the No.5 jersey vacated by the Super League-departed Chris Hicks in 2008, crossing for three tries.

Meanwhile the Sharks were mauled 44-0 by the Rabbitohs at Gosford, although they fielded an experimental side minus the likes of Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Luke Douglas.

They were more competitive in their final trial, skipping out to a dominant 24-4 lead against the Knights at Cessnock before coach Ricky Stuart benched his big guns; unfortunately the remaining troops were overwhelmed by a Kurt Gidley-led revival and they fell 26-24.

Watch out Sea Eagles!: The Sharks’ left-side combination of centre Ben Pomeroy and wing Luke Covell are one of the most punishing in the game – Pomeroy was the Sharks’ leading try-scorer last year and Covell topped the league for average metres gained on kick returns, with 12.7 a time (meaning Matt Orford will need to be pinpoint with his clearances).

Covell was also in the league’s top 20 for dummy-half breaks and tackle breaks; the Kiwi rep has plenty going for him.

Watch out Sharks!: You’d think Michael Monaghan’s exit from the Sea Eagles would be a plus for opposition sides – but all it means is former Golden Boot Jamie Lyon now steps up to the plate to take on more of a dominant playmaking role.

It’s a definitive season for Lyon, who saw his Australian rep jersey yanked from his grasp late last year.

He seemed a little unsettled at club level in 2007, unsure of his role in the backline. But now it’s all clear: make things happen. And he’s too good a player not to be able to do just that when his side now needs him.

Where it will be won: This should be a great battle of creativity and skill. It features two sides with some of the best offloading exponents in the NRL – Manly had three players in the top 15 for the category in 2007 with Glenn Stewart (42), Anthony Watmough (38) and Brett Stewart (33).

The Sharks were equally as damaging, thanks to Paul Gallen (58 – ranked 3rd) and Greg Bird (36). With talent like that this game is bound to be fast and furious; whoever keeps the mistakes at bay will go a log way to coming up trumps.

The History: Played 72; Sea Eagles 49, Sharks 21, drawn 2. The honours are split four games apiece since 2003. The last time they played the Sea Eagles limped home 29-22 in unconvincing fashion at Toyota Stadium.

Conclusion: In past years first-round games have been a little like feeling your way around in the dark. But all that’s changed in the modern game – expect both these sides to hit the ground running.

That being the case, the Sea Eagles’ momentum from last season, plus the formidable home ground advantage/record, should get them home… albeit narrowly.

Match Officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials – Michael Jones & David Abood; Video Ref – Phil Cooley.

Televised: FoxSports 2 – Live 7.30pm

Statistics NRL Stats


nrl.com

 

[lotti]

ok Cooley's ok as a video ref I'm happy with him, it's better than Clark.

 

[Timmah]

Do you even know what a video ref is? Pick a fugging team and stick to it.