Round 24: Manly v Canterbury preview
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.
