Round 3: Sea Eagles v Bulldogs preview
Sunday night football comes to Brookvale Oval, sorry, that'll be 4 Pines Park this week, with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles hosting the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in the ultimate "don't look at the ladder" matchup.
The home side come into this one winless in 2022, on the back of two un-inspiring performances against Cleary-less Penrith and the Sydney Roosters. The Bulldogs are sitting 1-1, with a win in Townsville backed up with handing the Brisbane Broncos a win on a silver platter in round 2.
Team news for both teams will be very brief. Manly coach Des Hasler has named an unchanged lineup from the team that went down to the Roosters last week. Dylan Walker is being monitored for a head knock, so there may be a late change if he doesn't come up OK.
Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has also named an unchanged lineup to the team that meekly capitulated to an average Broncos outfit last week. Bulldogs fans have taken to social media to comment on the continued selection of Jayden Okunbor, who spends more time in the middle of the field than on his wing and has serious issues with his defence. His continued selection needs to be seriously questioned, when there are options in NSW Cup.
Last time they met was in Round 24 of 2021, at Moreton Daily Stadium in the region the NRL and Channel 9 don't want us to ever reference. The locals of "THE" got to watch Tom Trbojevic score a hat-trick and a double to Jason Saab, in a 36-18 Manly victory.
Last meeting: Round 24 2021 - Sea Eagles 36 Bulldogs 18
Who to watch: Wait to watch the Bulldogs play Tom Trbojevic back into form. He was anonymous last week against Easts, and he could rack up another three tries this week. Also watch for Jason Saab and how many tries he'll be scoring on the vacant Bulldogs wing.
For Canterbury, I'll be interested to see if there's less breakdancing at training, and more fitness work this week. Tevita Pangai Junior spent most of the second half vs the Broncos in their defensive line, with no consequences, and the entire forward pack had hands on heads and hips.
The favourite: At the time of writing, Manly were $1.25 favourites. Money for jam.
My tip: Manly are due, Canterbury have been bang average. This will get messy. Manly by 30.
