Round 14: Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles preview
Tigers host Sea Eagles in ‘Do it for Madge Round'
If anyone deserves a mid-season hug, surely it's the outgoing Michael Maguire.
Despite the endless speculation, the loyal Tigers coach soldiered on right to the very end. But having fallen two wins shy of last season's tally after 12 games, sadly for the premiership winning coach, that was the end of the road.
Despite sitting 14th with only three wins to their name, the Tigers are a tough read. A horror five game losing streak to start the season was followed by surprise victories over top-four aspirants Parramatta and South Sydney. Since then, an ugly win over the battling Bulldogs is all they have to show from their past five starts.
Now refreshed after last week's bye, once again there's renewed hope. A win over a Manly side still evolving without Tom Trbojevic has the potential to quickly become three. With the Bulldogs and Warriors to follow, the fate of the Tigers' season boils down to the outcome of the next three rounds.
Adam Doueihi's expected return from a knee reconstruction has been pushed back, but the inclusions of club favourite David Nofoaluma and hooker Jacob Liddle should spark an outfit desperate to impress new caretaker coach, Brett Kimmorley.
Stefano Utoikamanu's absence upfront for Wests is a big blow, especially given how easily the Sea Eagles pack rolled through the Warriors' weakened middle in last week's 44-12 demolition at 4 Pines Park.
Daly Cherry-Evans has been named to return after Origin with the skipper to partner Kieran Foran in the halves, leaving Josh Schuster to swap the No.6 jumper for a spot on the bench.
Coming off three straight losses, last week's win for Des Hasler was a must and this week at Campbelltown is no different. A victory will take the Sea Eagles to 7-7, and anything less could spell trouble for their finals aspirations, especially with games against the Cowboys and Melbourne to follow.
But having won the past three contests by a combined 68 points, on the surface it's Manly's to lose. But scratch deeper, and just getting the bus to Campbelltown might be a feat in itself. Since 2003, the Sea Eagles and Tigers have only met there twice with victories shared one apiece.
Last meeting: Round 9 2022 - Sea Eagles 36 Wests Tigers 22
Who to watch: It was great to see Manly speedster Jason Saab finally hit top gear against the Warriors. With only two four-pointers this year, the Dragon discard is strides behind the brash flyer who bagged 26 in 2021. Even though last week's length of the field intercept came with the game already in the bag, it's the injection of confidence that should excite Manly fans.
Now defending on Manly's left edge following Reuben Garrick's shift to fullback, it's the uncertainty in Saab's defence that will excite Tigers playmakers Jackson Hastings and Luke Brooks. It caught the Warriors' eye at Brookvale, and only poor execution prevented the Kiwis from crossing several times in Saab's unmarked corner.
The favourite: Barely a month has passed since Manly got the better of Wests at 4 Pines Park in round nine. The Tigers now have the homeground advantage, but not the favouritism, that's still with the maroon and white.
My tip: Up 18-12 at halftime in their last start against Souths, the Tigers were poised to roll their bitter rival for the second time this season. For Madge, watching his side then concede 32 unanswered points must have been like digging his own grave. Now jobless, if the Tigers have a heart there will be a response. But will Dessie have his boys prepared for an ambush? You bet. Sea Eagles by 6.
