Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs preview

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Brookvale Oval - Friday 7:45pm

Can the Sea Eagles continue their surge towards September?

After producing their finest performance of 2015 against the high-flying Broncos, the Sea Eagles will be looking to extend their recent run of form against the reigning premiers. With Steve Matai returning in the centres, exciting youngster Tom Trbojevic drops back to Holden Cup. Currently sitting on 20 competition points, the Sea Eagles may find themselves in the top eight for the first time this season if results fall in their favour.

Coming away with a hard-fought win against the injury-depleted Panthers last Sunday, the Rabbitohs will be priming themselves for the start of their premiership defence as they face off against the biggest contenders for the Grand Final over the next five weeks. Naming an unchanged lineup, Jason Clark has been drafted into the squad as cover for Kyle Turner who was assisted off the field in his return from injury last week. The match will take on extra significance for Glenn Stewart as he returns to Brookvale Oval for the first time since his ill-fated departure last season.

Last meeting: Round 16 2015 - South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 8

Who to watch: While his season has been punctuated by injury, Blake Leary hasn't failed to deliver in his return to the NRL. Unable to secure regular game time at North Queensland, Leary has been a great pickup for Manly filling in for Jamie Buhrer and Tom Symonds. Possessing a high work-rate in attack and defence, South Sydney will need to keep an eye on the hardworking lock or they may just find themselves leaving the Northern Beaches disappointed.

With Kirisome Auva'a expected back next week, Rabbitohs centre Bryson Goodwin will be out to ensure he once again doesn't lose his spot in the starting side heading towards the finals. Having been apart of several successful teams at Canterbury and South Sydney, the New Zealand international will have his sights set on a Grand Final win in October. Producing one of his best efforts of 2015 last week, the Sea Eagles will have to be wary of Goodwin on Friday night.

The favourite: With both sides hitting their best form heading towards the finals, neither side can be split.

My tip: In front of what should be the biggest Brookvale crowd of 2015, Manly will get over the line in a close one. Sea Eagles by 6.

1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Peta Hiku 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Matt Ballin 10. Willie Mason 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Justin Horo 13. Blake Leary
Interchange: 14. Jesse Sene-Lefao 15. Michael Chee-Kam 16. James Hasson 17. Josh Starling

1. Greg Inglis 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Aaron Gray 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. Tim Grant 11. Glenn Stewart 12. John Sutton 13. Chris McQueen
Interchange: 14. Kyle Turner 15. Chris Grevsmuhl 16. David Tyrrell 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Jason Clark

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Adam Reid; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten;

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