09 :: R5 Sun :: Sea Eagles 23 Tigers 10 @ Brookvale

[wittyfan]

Manly by 10.

 

[gong_eagle]

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/files/footy2.pdf

 

[Lambretta]

Trying to tip this game is like getting Salmonella and trying to work out if you're going to throw up or sh*t yourself first.

Let's face it - Manly have been playing with all the guile and smarts of Forrest Gump and appear to have the speed and skill of a giant sloth.

The Tigers on the other hand are either scintillating in attack or a revolving door in defence and with all their off field problems with the coach at odds with having to consider things such as KPI's.

I can understand his frustration. If he measured his team using KPI's based on average NRL performances, he'd only have Heighington, Farah, Ellis and a couple of others playing.

If Manly continue to play like a bucket of vomit covered in pubes then the Tigers will get them. But Manly have to come good sometime. Pun definately intended. Seagles to win - at long last.

 

[GB!]

lyon & matai cleared to play!

 

[gong_eagle]

lyon & matai cleared to play!

Eagles cleared to play


http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/eagles-cleared-to-play/


MANLY have received a twin boost ahead of Sunday’s round five NRL clash against the Wests Tigers with representative pair Steve Matai and Jamie Lyon cleared to play.
The integral players trained strongly at the Sydney Sports Academy in Narrabeen on Thursday afternoon.
Both players were under an injury cloud with Lyon missing last weekend’s loss to the Knights with a knee complaint.
Matai came off midway through the first half of the loss to Newcastle with a shoulder injury, but scans have cleared the New Zealand Test back.

Their availability gives the winless Eagles a much-needed boost against the Tigers as the premiers search for their first victory of the 2009 NRL season.
Star fullback Brett Stewart also came through the session on Thursday unscathed.
Observers at training said Stewart looked very comfortable as he aims to get his career back on track.
The 24-year-old makes his long-awaited return after serving a four-match suspension imposed by the NRL for bringing the game into disrepute last month.
Manly coach Des Hasler will settle on the final make-up of his squad on Sunday, with winger David Williams (shoulder) not in contention after making his return last Sunday.
Hasler said defence is the key to Manly opening their account at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
``We’re not happy with our defence, it’s something that’s going to come with confidence and attitude,’’ he said.

 

[gong_eagle]

Defence the key for Manly - Hasler

Glenn Jackson | April 11, 2009
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/defence-the-key-for-manly--hasler/2009/04/10/1239223049614.html

Manly v Wests TigersBrookvale Oval, tomorrow, 3pm.

What the Sea Eagles say
Fibros and Silvertails they may have been once but both teams agree on one thing: the best way to fix their problems is to patch up their defence. "We're not happy with our defence, it's something that's going to come with confidence and attitude," Manly coach Des Hasler said.

What the Tigers say
Application and attitude will get them through. "We've just got to show up wanting to tackle and wanting to work for your mate next to you," hooker Robbie Farah said of the NRL's worst defensive side so far this season.

What Jackson says
If the Sea Eagles are to recover from their disastrous start to reach the top four, they must win this one. Sunday afternoon at Brookie with Brett Stewart at the back was bread and butter for them last year. Expect the Sea Eagles to try to win this in the first 20 minutes with a frenzied start.

For the Sea Eagles to win
They have great players down on form but they were in form not so long ago. The World Club Challenge showed what Manly were capable of in the new year but they have been shadows of those world-beating players ever since. Jamie Lyon has looked good in patches this year but has been without support. Speaking of which, one of the best support players in the business, Brett Stewart, will give the Sea Eagles an enormous lift. They should win and win big.

For the Tigers to win
Hope that the Sea Eagles are again off their game. The Tigers' defence is simply too ragged to cope with the potency of a Manly side back in form. Still, they will score points. The Tigers might have conceded the most points so far but they have also scored the most, too. They should hit Manly where they're hoping to strike. Play an up-tempo game early, hope to jag a few tries and all of a sudden doubts in fragile Manly minds will reappear. That's when Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall can be at their most dangerous.

The X-factor
Easy to say Brett Stewart, but a good performance from him will be no surprise. What the Sea Eagles really need is for Watmough to rip and tear. He was crucial to both their grand final and World Club Challenge victories, and it's no coincidence that his drop in form has come at the same time as the side has struggled. If he bullies the Tigers, the space for Stewart to take advantage will be created.

What the bookies say
Manly have been steady at $1.36 favourites all week, while the Tigers are $3 outsiders. Stewart is $8 favourite to score the first try.

The late mail
Manly centres Steve Matai (shoulder) and Jamie Lyon (knee) have been cleared to play.

 

[Disco]

I think Manly, will win and win big 30+!

Then we will see ridiculous headlines about Stewart saving us when in reality it will just be the Tigers playing us into form

 

[Tommax25]

Manly by 62, or possibly by 60/64 if orford fails with the boot, which he usually does. Manly are going to run up a massive score.

 

[Kiki]

i tipped them but im not confident at all.

 

[Dutchy]

Dont be too over confident boys.

Weather is apparently meant to turn nasty this arvo..Could be in a for a close and messy game.

 

[Dutchy]

George Rose played QLD Cup yesterday.

Rodney will play.

 

[MacDougall]

Wow.

 

[Timmah]

Geez Tigers already in.

Stewart looks the goods though.

 

[bartman]

Carn the Tiges!! Make it 0-5...

 

[Timmah]

Manly 10-4 ktc

 

[herbert henry1908]

sounds like stewart is sticking it to the doubters.

manly 16-4. Stewart has two.

 

[TimmyB]

What a f**king rabble we are.

 

[aussies1st]

Quite the return for Brett.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Anybody watching the game surely has realised now that Warren has to go. That ball that forward to Lawrence was called as; "And, it's gone forward off Too-arkee." LOL How can it go forward off Tuiaki when he is on the outisde of the bloke who caught it?

Rabs should retire now.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Stewart has three

im sure gallop will be loving it :lol:

manly 22-4