Match Centre

Round 19: Sea Eagles v Roosters preview

Feathers set to fly as Roosters eye finals confirmation

Brought undone last week against Melbourne by a decisive penalty much to the chagrin of players and coach Trent Barrett, the Sea Eagles will be hoping to bounce back with their first win at home since Easter. Enduring a difficult season on and off the field with countless distractions brought on by a mounting injury toll, salary cap restrictions and alleged player disharmony, the chance to field the same 17 players in consecutive weeks will be a rare occurrence for the northern beaches outfit in a year that has been a far cry from the sixth-placed finish of 2017. With just three members of the team named to take the field on Sunday boasting greater than 150 first grade appearances, the overall lack of experience has severely tested the Sea Eagles' ability to grind out wins having lost five matches by six points or less - three of which have been decided by field goals. Facing off against a Roosters' side bound for the finals, the 13th placed also-rans will be out to continue a good run of form against their Eastern Suburbs rivals having claimed five wins from seven clashes held since 2014.

In a year that the Roosters were expected to feature in the final match of the season at a bare minimum, the NRL heavyweights have flown largely under the radar. Maligned earlier in the year following a 4-4 start that failed to produce consistent showings from week-to-week, the tri-colours have proven to be quiet achievers to sit inside the top four with seven matches remaining. Faced with a mixture of assumed victories and title contenders in run up to September, coach Trent Robinson will be looking to use the remaining matches as a means of establishing the best 17 players capable of delivering the famous club a premiership for the first time since 2013. Having fielded three debutants in the win over the Gold Coast last Sunday, six established players have been named to return for the Lottoland encounter including victorious NSW trio James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner. With Dylan Napa being the only player of note unavailable for Sunday's affair, the Roosters will be out to secure a finals finish by overcoming a dreadful record at the formerly-known Brookvale Oval where they have won just two matches from their last ten visits.

Last meeting: Round 9 2018 - Roosters 22 Sea Eagles 20

Who to watch: With close to half the Manly playing roster featuring in fewer than 50 NRL appearances, the wealth of emerging talent on the northern beaches has provided opportunities for young guns such as Tom Wright to step up in the absence of experienced veterans. Playing an integral role in the Sea Eagles' last-gasp victory in the Under 20's decider last year, the former rugby schoolboy prodigy will be out to cement his place in the halves amid a host of five-eighth candidates to fill in for Trent Barrett this season. Set to turn 21 the day before Sunday's clash, Wright will relish the opportunity to showcase his pace having wowed spectators with a scintillating solo effort in Wollongong a month ago. Additionally adept at fullback and in the centres if required, the young playmaker may be contracted to Manly until the end of 2019, but with a strong finish to the year he may prove to be the Wright choice as the Sea Eagles' long-term number six.

Pulling off one of the leading contenders for tackle of the year when the two sides met back in May, Roosters utility Victor Radley will be out to continue his breakthrough season on Sunday afternoon. Coming into first grade towards the end of 2017 as a fill-in for Jake Friend, the 20-year-old has been an unsung hero for Trent Robinson this season as an impact dummy half and tireless second rower. Beating out highly-regarded teammates Mitchell Aubusson and Ryan Matterson for a starting role in his return from suspension, the 2016 Under 20's premiership winner has gained significant praise for his efforts from expert commentators, while being rewarded by his coach with a deal tying him to the Eastern Suburbs outfit until the end of 2023. Rated as one of the best prospects in the Roosters' coop of young forwards, Radley shapes as a player more than capable of starring in his side's pursuit of finals excellence.

The favourite: Losing on just two occasions in the eight matches held since they last faced off against Manly, the Roosters are expected to prevail despite a poor historic record on the northern beaches.

My tip: Gaining over a third of their best possible squad for Sunday's encounter, the quality and confidence rife throughout the Roosters' playing ranks should see them triumph in an entertaining affair. Roosters by 16.