Round 6: Manly v Gold Coast preview
Last-start winners clash in regional NSW
The Manly Sea Eagles and the Gold Coast Titans will be looking to post back-to-back wins when they face off in Mudgee on Saturday afternoon.
Securing a much-needed victory with fewer than five seconds remaining last week, the Manly Sea Eagles have been afforded a huge boost with the inclusion of superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic for the first time this season.
Welcoming back the influential local junior after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the pre-season, the 15th-placed outfit will be hoping his inclusion coincides with further wins following their 13-12 victory over the Warriors last Friday in Gosford.
Set to play at Glen Willow Oval for the first time after electing to forego the home ground advantage of Lottoland, the match will additionally serve as promising prop Taniela Paseka's 50th first grade appearance for the club.
In addition to Tom Trbojevic returning for only his 20th NRL match since coach Des Hasler returned to the Northern Beaches, Haumole Olakau'atu is set to play his first match of 2021 in place of injured second-rower Jack Gosweiski, while Cade Cust returns on the bench after missing last week with a virus.
Continuing their impressive form against teams outside the top eight this season, the Gold Coast Titans will be determined to continue a strong record against the Sea Eagles that has yielded four wins from their past five clashes.
Tearing the Knights to shreds during last Saturday's 42-16 win at home, coach Justin Holbrook will be hoping his side can continue their flow of points at Mudgee, which served as the site of the club's biggest winning margin (38 points against Parramatta) in 2013.
Naming an unchanged squad despite doubts over the fitness of Queensland representative Phillip Sami (HIA), last week's hat-trick hero David Fifita will play his 50th match in the NRL.
Last meeting: Round 19 2020 - Sea Eagles 24 Titans 42
Who to watch: Showing maturity beyond his years by playing out of position and calling for the ball with the game on the line, young gun Josh Schuster has given Manly supporters a cause for optimism amidst a challenging start to 2021. Operating as a stop-gap second-rower due to a crippling injury toll, the 19-year-old has risen above his preference of playing in the halves with 86 metres and 36 tackles on average in his four matches this season. Scoring his maiden try in the top grade last week, Schuster's willingness to attempt a field goal during the dying stages against the Warriors suggests the Sea Eagles have a player of immense talent on their hands.
Adding a largely underrated value to the Titans' roster off the bench, Erin Clark has performed solidly as part of a dummy half tag team. Averaging just under a half of football each week complementing seasoned hooker Mitch Rein, the 23-year-old one-time Warrior has been an effective contributor with and without the ball each week. Off-contract at the end of the season, look for Clark to take advantage of the Sea Eagles' tiring forward pack upon his introduction into the match on Saturday afternoon.
The favourite: Having racked up plenty of points against teams ranked below them this season, the Titans are expected to continue that trend on Saturday afternoon.
My tip: While the return of the man affectionately dubbed ‘Tommy Turbo' will bring out the best in the ‘home' side, the Titans' ability to score points should be too great for the Sea Eagles to overcome. Gold Coast by 14.
