Round 21: Sharks v Sea Eagles preview
Sharks looking for a sharp bite out of Manly
This instalment of the Battle of the Beaches has some desperation about it when Cronulla Sutherland and Manly go head to head at Pointsbet Stadium.
Cronulla are this year's recipients of the crown of Flat Track Bullies with their wins coming at the expense of the lower clubs in the competition. They have been unable to put a game together when it really counts against top quality opposition and for the second year running, it could be their undoing. Their effort against the Warriors can only be described as putrid, and their left edge (not for the first time) was exposed for all to see with some woeful reads in defence.
Looking ahead, the effort will obviously need to be much improved. The left edge suffers a further blow with Teig Wilton's knee injury seeing him sidelined. It'll be up to the other members of the edge to lift their game defensively and contain Manly down that side of the field. Matt Moylan needed to and give support to Nicho Hynes instead of looking like Barbie's Boy Toy on the field, but has finally made way. If they can combine and showcase consistent effort, then they will look a more cohesive unit. Also, targeting the right edge of Manly will be pivotal as they've struggled for consistency in defence down that side of the field all season long.
On the team front, another big thrashing has finally seen some changes for the Sharks. Sifa Talakai has been demoted to the bench and Matt Moylan has been dropped in the aftermath of the horror show. Connor Tracey moves to centre and Braidon Trindall moves to 5/8. Elsewhere, Jesse Colquhoun moves to the edge while Dale Finucane goes to lock which in turn shifts Cam McInnes to the bench with Wade Graham being left out.
For Manly, their finals hope are alive… just, despite an 11 point loss to North Queensland. They had effective chances at the line throughout the second half to land an attacking blow. However, execution left a lot to be desired at the critical moments. They let a Bunker overturn get their heads down, and conceded a try within a few minutes and the game was lost in that critical juncture of play. It's something that's cost Manly matches at times this season and it's something that must be addressed in the March to September.
Against the Sharks, they know that they can match it with them after only losing by a converted try in their earlier meeting at Brookvale Oval. But, what they will need to do on this occasion is to convert opportunities given to them. Cronulla will make mistakes on both sides of the ball given their recent run of form, it's up to the Sea Eagles and the creativity of Josh Schuster and DCE to give them the necessary platform in which they can deliver the vital two competition points.
On the team front, Tof Sipley has been left out of the side replaced up front by Josh Aloiai. Ethan Bullemor has also been left out which sees Sean Keppie and controversial signing Matt Lodge come onto the interchange bench.
Last meeting: Round 11 2023 - Sea Eagles 14 Sharks 20
Who to watch: A bright spot on a dull afternoon was again Briton Nikora. The New Zealand international has been in strong form for the Sharks in 2023 showing consistency that his team-mates could pick up on. Nikora's strong combination with Hynes has been a highlight this season and could be the spark the Sharks need to show some bite for the remainder of the season.
Replacing Tommy Turbo is no easy feat, but it's a challenge that Reuben Garrick has taken with open arms. Since his switch to fullback three weeks ago, Garrick's running the football at a high frequency with his late footwork causing all sorts of problems for opposing defences. With Garrick's touches increasing in frequency, expect more red-zone possessions for the Manly flyer, which could result in some more Try July celebrations.
Favourite: Cronulla open up slight favourites in this one.
My tip: With the flat track bully mentality of the Sharks in this season. This is one that will be a Cronulla victory. However, as has been the case so often this season, the Sharks winning will simply gloss over the underlying issues that have plagued the side all season. For Manly, they will compete, but I suspect they will fall short. Sharks by 6.
