Sea Eagles v Eels preview

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I feel like a Tooheys... I feel like a Tooheys... I feel like a Tooheys or two!

First things first, watch this.

Thursday night football makes it's sneaky way to Brookvale for the second time in three rounds with old foes Manly and Parramatta going toe to toe and it couldn't have come at a better time.

The hosts come into this one in some sort of form - a comfortable and convincing 34-18 win over the Warriors in Auckland after pushing the Bunnies to the limit the week before has them amped for this clash of 1947 competition entrants. Despite the loss of Daly Cherry-Evans for the medium term, they seem to have unearthed a solid deputy in Apisai Koroisau and his scrumbase partnership with Dylan Walker will be key on Thursday night.

Parramatta meanwhile have been the surprise packet of the season, surprising many to find themselves nested in the top four - and after clobbering an in-form Canberra last Saturday have plenty of confidence going forward. A win sees them temporarily join Brisbane at the top of the table - something even Eels faithful couldn't have dreamed of just two seasons ago. How the ongoing and seemingly growing salary cap dramas affect the on-field display remains to be seen but so far it's been business as usual. And just quietly, how good is their halfback going?

Last meeting: Round 24 2015 - Sea Eagles 16 Eels 20

Thursday will be the 146th meeting between the clubs, with the Sea Eagles with the clear dominance, having won 89 of 145 so far. As such Manly also have the superior record at Brookvale, with 44 wins to Parramatta's 20. The last ten clashes are split 6-4 in Manly's favour, but the Eels have won the last three of those - including games at both Brookvale and Pirtek last season.

Who to watch: Dylan Walker had a shaky start to the season after his off-season move from the Rabbitohs, a diabolical first round performance against Canterbury making way for a steadier showing as the weeks passed by. Coming up against the man who previously occupied his jersey, he'll be wanting to ensure every pass sticks as he helps steer Manly further up the table.

Welcome "home" Kieran Foran. The Eels halves pairing have laid the platform for their revival this season and Foran's contribution has been first class. After struggling through the opening few weeks under an injury cloud, he seems to have hit full fitness and was on fire in Parramatta's 36-6 win over Canberra last weekend. Watch him feed off the jeers of his former fans if the visitors are to come away with the two points.

The favourite: Even allowing for the history and home ground advantage, Parramatta's form of late is just too hot to ignore.

My tip: While Manly showed class in their win over the Warriors, it's still not enough for me to back them. The Eels have delivered against everyone bar the Broncos in the opening round and I expect them to frustrate Manly defensively before putting them to the sword. Eels by 8.

1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Dylan Walker 7. Apisai Koroisau 8. Darcy Lussick 14. Lewis Brown 10. Nate Myles 11. Tom Symonds 12. Martin Taupau 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 22. Josh Starling 16. Siosaia Vave 17. Blake Leary 23. Addin Fonua-blake

1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Clinton Gutherson 6. Corey Norman 7. Kieran Foran 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Daniel Alvaro 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Beau Scott 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Peni Terepo 16. Danny Wicks 17. Ken Edwards

Referees: Ben Cummins, Adam Devcich; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Jason Walsh; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea, Bernard Sutton;