Round 4: Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles preview
Sattler's spirit lives on at South Sydney
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will pay tribute to a club legend on Saturday evening when they host the Manly Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium.
The match will serve as a tribute to South Sydney legend John Sattler, who passed away earlier this week, aged 80.
Sattler made 195 appearances for the Rabbitohs in first grade between 1963 and 1972, where he captained the side to victory in four grand finals.
He was revered in rugby league folklore for his performance in the 1970 grand final, which saw him lead the side to victory over Manly despite playing through the pain of a broken jaw.
Coming off back-to-back losses to sit outside the top eight approaching the end of the opening month of the season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be looking to continue a recent run of dominance over their weekend opponents.
Winning their past six matches against the Sea Eagles dating back to 2019, the Rabbitohs fell narrowly short against their foundation rivals, the Roosters, (20-18) last Friday.
Coach Jason Demetriou has recalled Daniel Suluka-Fifita after Hame Sele was required to stand down as part of the league's new concussion protocols, while Jacob Host will make his first appearance in the NRL since last year's Magic Round.
Yet to taste to defeat in 2023 following two wins and a bye from their opening three matches, the Manly Sea Eagles will be hoping to begin a season with three straight wins for only their third time in the NRL era.
Getting the better of the Eels (34-30) in a match lacking defensive rigour last Thursday, coach Anthony Seibold has retained the same squad for the side's first away trip of the season.
The Sea Eagles hold a dismal record at Accor Stadium, winning one of their past 13 matches at the venue, over the past decade.
Last meeting: Round 8 2022 - Rabbitohs 40 Sea Eagles 22
Who to watch: Returning to the bench after making the most of his opportunity in the starting side over the opening rounds, Michael Chee Kam shapes as an attacking point of difference for the home side. Capable of game-breaking pieces of play, as evidenced by his time with the Tigers, the 31-year-old has been productive with and without the ball during the first three weeks with 38 tackles and 90 running metres on average. Debuting with the Sea Eagles nearly a decade ago, look for Chee Kam to showcase his attacking flair as the season progresses.
Making a dazzling return to the NRL after missing much of last season through injury, Tom Trbojevic has been at the forefront of Manly's positive start to 2023. Scoring three tries, setting up a further two, breaking 15 tackles and averaging 188 running metres in two matches, the 26-year-old Mona Vale junior will need to maintain those figures if the Sea Eagles hope to remain unbeaten. Considered one of the best players of his generation when fully fit, the one-time Dally M medallist will relish his personal duel opposite Latrell Mitchell on Saturday evening.
Favourite: The Rabbitohs have been installed as favourites despite going down in their past two matches.
My tip: With so much emotion surrounding the club in the lead up to Saturday's fixture, the Rabbitohs will need to stay focused on the task at hand in order to come away with two valuable premiership points. Rabbitohs by 6.
