Round 18: Sea Eagles v Knights preview
Seasons on the line at Brookvale Oval
Brookvale Oval will play host to this Saturday evening's clash between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Newcastle Knights, as the 2022 NRL season hits the home stretch. With a number of influential players expected to back up from what will surely be an intense Origin decider on Wednesday night, some of the less experienced players will need to step up for their teams to fight for the win.
After 17 rounds of play, Manly are sitting just inside the top eight. Ahead of the 9th place dragons on for and against only, every match will be crucial in their fight to play finals football. With the bye rounds over and every team on level pegging, Des Hasler's side will be looking to find some consistent form as the season winds down.
Having the weekend off last week, Manly will be rested in comparison to their opponents. They will be brimming with confidence after a commanding win over a lacklustre Storm side back in Round 16, so Newcastle will need to be wary of a fast start. Manly did drop off towards the end of their last match, letting in 18 points in the last six minutes, and they will be wanting to close out the end of this game a lot better.
Daly Cherry-Evans has been named to back up from Queensland duties, as has Jake Trbojevic, with Des Hasler naming the same 17 as the team's last time out - against the Storm. Josh Aloiai has been named as the 18th man after he sat out round 16 due to concussion protocols.
As for Newcastle, their fans have had to watch their season slowly fall away over the past few weeks. Sitting in 12th on the ladder, and 6 points behind Manly, their chances of playing finals football are very slim and are getting slimmer. Something that the Knights do have going for them is a somewhat kind draw for these final rounds, and all it could take is one upset win and suddenly the Knights could be on the charge for the eight.
They're coming off a high scoring loss to the Rabbitohs at home last Friday, in which David Klemmer was sent off as the game came to a close. The 40 points to 28 scoreline, while disappointing for the club, showcased plenty of good signs in their attack. However it has been their defence which has let them down all season, and will continue to do so if they do not make changes.
Kalyn Ponga has been named to return at fullback for the Knights, not having played a game since round 15 due to head knocks. Jacob Saifiti and Dane Gagai have also been named to back up from the Origin decider. Jayden Brailey will start for the first time this season in just his second game back from injury, pushing Chris Randall out of the side. Bradman Best is a big out after injuring his thumb against the Rabbitohs.
The Newcastle Knights have not beaten a top eight team all season, and will want to make Manly their first this Saturday.
Last meeting: Round 5 2022 - Knights 6 Sea Eagles 30
Who to watch: Dominic Young is in some simply scintillating form for the Newcastle Knights at the moment. With plenty of plays fit for the highlight reel over the past few matches, he has shown that he has plenty of talent and deserves to play in the NRL. With four tries over the past two matches to his name, expect him to add to that tally this Saturday.
Making his NRL debut with the Eels in 2020, Andrew Davey has had to fight hard to crack the top grade. Now at 30 years of age and at Manly, he has well and truly cemented his spot in the starting 13 in the back row. Starting the season playing for Blacktown Workers in the NSW Cup, Davey has since made 13 NRL appearances this season, and his minutes have been growing every game, having played the full 80 minutes in three of Manly's past four games. With Jake Trbojevic backing up from Origin, the rest of Manly's forward pack will need to step up, and expect Davey to do just that.
The favourite: Manly are comfortable favourites to see off Newcastle in front of their home crowd this Saturday evening.
My tip: Manly will be fresh off their bye round, and should be able to deal with a struggling Knights side. Sea Eagles by 16.
