Round 13: Sea Eagles v Warriors preview
Sea Eagles host Warriors to keep season alive.
Almost a decade has passed since the Sea Eagles and Warriors faced off in the 2011 decider and, remarkably in that time, the two are yet to clash on Brookvale Oval.
Manly have hosted the Kiwis at numerous venues from Perth to Christchurch, however none matched the dark place Penrith took the Sea Eagles in last week's mismatch on the northern beaches.
Now outside the top eight with a mounting injury toll, the seven try hiding leaves Des Hasler little time to repair a leaking defence and one dimensional attack.
One solution is a mixed blessing. Dylan Walker's short lived comeback opens the door for the return of Cade Cust, surprisingly abandoned after spearheading the Sea Eagles' victory in Townsville a fortnight ago. On the left edge, rookie Tevita Funa will make his fifth NRL appearance, in place of injured centre Brad Parker.
At 6-6 Manly's premiership window is closing fast. Having spluttered mid-table for the best part of a month with a poor for-and-against, the Warriors present a real threat to the Sea Eagles' quest for a consecutive finals campaign.
After a strong showing against the Roosters, Todd Payten's depleted and homesick outfit backed it up against the Tigers, overcoming a halftime deficit to record the club's first victory on the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Stuck in 12th place, a late finals surge seems unlikely. Although their surprise last start result placed a question mark over the Tigers' season and underlined the nuisance value the Warriors pose in the closing rounds.
Already threadbare and no stranger to bad news, the Warriors have been rocked again. Blake Green's immediate defection to the Newcastle Knights is a major blow, the 33-year-old's poise has been the one constant in a transient Warriors lineup.
Kodi Nikorima covers for the Parramatta junior who will suit-up for a seventh NRL club, while the scheming Chanel Harris-Tavita returns to the side in the number 7 jumper.
Last meeting: Round 21 2019 - Warriors 24 Sea Eagles 16
Who to watch: Social media erupted like an old school Origin powder keg when Cade Cust missed the cut last week. Now back in the number six, Cust will lighten the load for Daly Cherry-Evans while straightening the Sea Eagles' attack. With only a handful of games under his belt this season, expect the off-contract 21-year-old to leave nothing in the tank.
Now at his third NRL club, Peta Hiku returns to Brookvale for the first time since he last wore the maroon-and-white in 2015. With an impressive 18 tries in 25 appearances at the venue, expect the in-form 27-year-old to excel in the familiar surroundings. Set for game number 136, don't be surprised if the New Zealand international celebrates down the left edge for what would be his 50th NRL four-pointer.
The favourite: The bookies have Manly as short priced favourites. Surely a reflection of their 14 wins from the past 17 clashes rather than recent form.
My tip: Both these sides struggle to consistently bother the scorers, so a dour sluggest is a sure bet. Who wins? The Sea Eagles might only be one from four at their spiritual home this season but in the game of odds, Manly's Lottoland luck is sure to return. Sea Eagles by 2.
