Sea Eagles v Panthers preview

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers
Brookvale Oval - Monday 7:00pm

Will Manly's revival continue?

What a difference a few weeks makes. Coming into ANZAC Day, Manly were listless after six losses and just one win. Victories over high-flying Melbourne and an out-of-form Newcastle have the Brookvale boys brimming with confidence.

Penrith, meanwhile, have been struggling for inconsistency with a glut of injury and suspension issues plaguing what appeared to be a good start to the season. With Jamie Soward and Elijah Taylor back to bolster the squad last round, the mountain men came close to pulling off a courageous win over ladder-leaders Brisbane. Despite not crossing the stripe, the Panthers dug in, fine tuning their defence and were only trumped by a last minute try on weary legs.

The other factor at play here is how much the maroon-and-white love playing at Brookvale Oval. After 7 weeks on the road, Manly finally returned to the "Fortress" last Sunday and put the cleaners through Newcastle with a comprehensive display. Brett Stewart's try-double had the faithful in raptures and they'll be keen for a repeat dose on Monday against the Panthers.

Last meeting: Round 6 2015 - Penrith Panthers 22 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12
Just five short weeks ago these clubs battled it out at Pepper Stadium at Penrith - the Panthers were too good on that occasion as Manly's injury toll ensured they weren't going to get the points for the fourth consecutive week.

Who to watch: Peta Hiku was the unspoken hero of Brookvale last Sunday, with the livewire outside back producing some wonderful runs on the edge, as well as a superb kick to find Brett Stewart. While 'Snake' earns all the plaudits for the Northern Beaches club's backline, Hiku's ability to find a gap, or the line, out wide, is not to be underestimated.

For Penrith, Chicko is BACK! James Segeyaro has been missing for the Panthers after sustaining a concerning injury to his lip in the side's Round 7 clash. While former Souths premiership hooker Api Koroisau has ably filled the void, having the ex-Cowboy at dummy half will key for the visitors to getting their season headed in the right direction after an indifferent period of form.

The favourite: The bookmakers are backing the Fortress to get Manly home despite the run of ins for the Panthers.

My tip: Despite the favouritism for Manly and their record at the venue, I have to tip Penrith for this one. It's too easy to undervalue how vital the position of hooker is to a team and with Segeyaro back to crack the whip, this has a Panthers' revival written all over it. Penrith by 14.

1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Peta Hiku 6. Tom Symonds 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Matt Ballin 10. Luke Burgess 11. Blake Leary 12. Justin Horo 13. Dunamis Lui
Interchange: 14. Feleti Mateo 15. Willie Mason 16. Josh Starling 17. Ligi Sao 18. James Hasson 20. Tony Satini

1. Matt Moylan 2. George Jennings 3. Waqa Blake 4. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 5. David Simmons 6. Apisai Koroisau 7. Jamie Soward 8. Nigel Plum 9. James Segeyaro 10. Sam McKendry 11. Lewis Brown 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Sika Manu 17. Regan Campbell-Gillard 18. William Smith

Referees: Gavin Morris, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Dave Munro; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Steve Folkes;

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