Manly v Canterbury preview

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Sunday 1:50pm at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe / Kabi Kabi

The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles host the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon, at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe, the home of the Dolphins.

The good people of Redcliffe may well be getting their own NRL team soon. This weekend they may witness history.

The Sea Eagles come into this clash very much in form, having won five of their last six matches, with the only loss in that sequence to the best team in the land, the Melbourne Storm.

Their latest victory coming on the back of a last gasp field goal to overcome Canberra 19-18. 

The Bulldogs, well, they're a walking, talking body of evidence as to why promotion and relegation should be introduced to the NRL.

They've now lost 9 matches in a row (losing to the Knights last week), secured the wooden spoon with games in hand, and continue to lead the league in poor management, player misbehaviour and questionable coaching decisions.

In team news, it's sweet stability for Manly as they steamroll their way into the finals. Tom Trbojevic, not sure if you've heard of him, returns to the Manly side, just in time to go for some individual tryscoring records in one game.  Brad Parker returns from suspension, which bumps Moses Suli to the extended bench. That's it. Sweet, sweet stability. 

For the Bulldogs, shut the gate. It's actually embarrassing for a supposedly professional outfit. Corey Horsburgh and Ryan James return to Canberra after a two-week loan where both players showed more effort than the entire Canterbury playing list has all season.

The previously un-droppable Adam Elliott has been stood down for well documented reasons, Luke Thompson is back in NRL prison after yet another suspension, Corey Waddell is also enjoying a suspension after multiple charges stemming from last week's match. 

Jackson Topine is dropped yet again, after being given one whole match to prove himself, with Bailey Biondi-Odo yo-yo'ing back into the side at hooker, however Jayden Okunbor and Will Hopoate continue to be given the keys to the city with absolutely no consequences for their performances. Lachlan Lewis and Kyle Flanagan are this week's halves, seemingly picked out of a hat.

We're not done yet. Coming into the starting lineup are Ava Seumanufagai, Jack Hetherington, Matt Doorey and Joe Stimson. Brandon Wakeham, Ofahiki Ogden, Chris Patolo and Sione Katoa make up a new-look bench. 

Last time they met was back in Round 16, with Manly running out casual 66-0 victors at an empty Bankwest Stadium (doesn't it feel like 10,000,000 years ago?). This could be the halftime score this week.

Last meeting: Round 16 2021 - Bulldogs 0 Sea Eagles 66

Who to watch: I'm a Canterbury fan, I'm not doing this. Get your try scorer multies and multiple try scorers ready, and win yourself some money.

Tom Trbojevic and any outside back that is running every single play to Okunbor's "wing". Gamble responsibly.

The favourite:  At the time of writing, Manly were paying $1.03. Should be $1.01 by kickoff.

My tip: Manly to give St George's 91-6 victory over the Bulldogs in 1935 a good shake.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 17. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic 8. Toafofoa Sipley 14. Dylan Walker 15. Karl Lawton 16. Curtis Sironen 18. Moses Suli

1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 14. Brandon Wakeham 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Sione Katoa 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Matt Doorey 12. Joe Stimson 13. Josh Jackson 9. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Ofahiki Ogden 16. Chris Patolo 20. Jackson Topine 19. Falakiko Manu

Referees: Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Belinda Sharpe; Video Referees: Chris Butler;