Round 7: Wests Tigers v Manly preview
Sea Eagles eyeing three straight against luckless Tigers
Vision of Michael Maguire in the Tigers box recoiling like a victim of voodoo is among the cruelest in the competition.
If the listless effort at Leichhardt Oval two weeks ago against the Cowboys was a needle to the coach's heart, then the traumatic golden point defeat to bitter rivals South Sydney must have been the pin in each eye.
The only thing more painful must be the lack of premiership points for their best efforts. Either side of the Cowboys capitulation the Tigers have tested the Eels, and if not for a few plays would have had the Rabbitohs' measure. Now on a three game losing streak and sitting in 15th position with only one win, victory over Manly is almost a non-negotiable if Wests are to remain a serious finals contender.
And while knowing which of his sides has boarded the bus might be a lottery for Maguire, for Des Hasler it's chalk and cheese. While one impressive victory in Tom Trbojevic's return against the Titans doesn't make a season, it certainly shows the Sea Eagles are a class above with the Origin star on the park.
Just as impressive as the improved attack was the bullet proof defence. How a side can leak 156 points in the opening four rounds and then concede 12 in the next two is anyone's guess. But given the confidence Trbojevic instills seems irreplaceable, the big concern for Hasler is working out how to maintain his health.
Now with back-to-back wins after their biggest victory in three seasons, Manly will head to Bankwest Stadium with their heads held high. Although still in 12th position, the Sea Eagles are just one win shy of the eighth placed Warriors and with an unchanged 17 shouldn't be short of motivation.
For the Tigers, Michael Chee Kam comes in for injured centre Asu Kepaoa with Joey Leilua and Alex Seyfarth named to return from the bench. And while Bankwest isn't their spiritual home, with five victories from the past six contests, the Tigers have had the wood on Manly since 2017.
Last meeting: Round 17 2020 - Sea Eagles 32 Wests Tigers 34
Who to watch: Back in 2004, Scott Sattler and Steve Menzies were skippers when the Tigers and Sea Eagles last met on Anzac Day. The names may have changed but the talent hasn't diminished.
The last time these sides met, a hat-trick to David Nofoaluma at Brookvale Oval proved the difference. That was last season, and while the 27-year-old's stats are down in 2021, his 143 metres per match still puts the Tigers on the front foot. And having already tormented the Sea Eagles with 10 tries in 11 appearances since 2013, don't be surprised if the bustling winger bounces back to his best.
Travelling Manly fans with a boot load of Mudgee produce left town with an even bigger smile thanks to Tom Trbojevic. Pushing himself into the Titans line from the opening set, the rangy fullback proved unstoppable in fashioning the majority of Manly's 26 first half points.
It made the drab efforts of the opening five rounds seem a world away. Footage from those performances won't bother the Tigers though. Instead, a healthy dose of Turbo vision will be Maguire's first step in preventing his troops from freezing in the tearaway's headlights.
The favourite: The bookies have tagged Manly favourites for the first time this year.
My tip: Tipping the Tigers can be fraught with danger at the best of times, but it's easy to be sucked in when the likes of Adam Doueihi and Daine Laurie shine on a regular basis. Unfortunately for the Tigers, timing counts for plenty and they can consider themselves unlucky that Manly are in the midst of a Turbo reunion. Manly by 8.
