Round 27: Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers preview
Both sides looking for winning end
After a disappointing season in which both sides fell short of expectations. The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will look for a winning end to 2023 when they host the Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval.
For Manly, it's season that might've been. After a strong start to the season, the Sea Eagles have deeply missed Tommy Turbo since his season ending pec injury. It's been a season full of ups and downs for the Sea Eagles, with their attack showing some signs of life without Turbo but the mere consistency and the problems plaguing Josh Schuster have reared their ugly heads all season long.
However, they can at least finish the year on a high and have showed some signs that 2024 will be a strong season. Tolu Koula has shown he can be a steady option no matter where he is in the side and could cause the Tigers some more issues at the back like he did last week. Jake Arthur has shown that the race to partner DCE in the halves isn't a foregone conclusion with a strong end to the season, while Tof Sipley has showcased his ability to lead the pack along with Jake Trbojevic. Look for a strong performance in Jake's 200th and finish the year strongly.
Just the one change to the side that beat the Bulldogs with Dean Matterson coming onto the bench for Kelma Tuilagi going to 18th Man. Tuilagi has been a disappointing signing this season for Manly and hasn't come as promised from Wests.
For the Tigers, it's been a season of drama both on and off the field as Tim Sheens has lost control quicker than most people thought he would've. With Benji Marshall set to take the reigns of the side next season, we are starting to see resemblance of a side that Benji will coach next season and the pieces are slowly in place for a renewed 2024.
Jahreem Bula has been the Rookie of the Year, with a renewed effort at the back giving all sides in the 2023 Telstra Premiership. Api Koroisau has tried in every game and every single second of the game, however has been let down at times by a lack of mongrel up front as was evident against the Roosters. Once one thing went against them, their heads went down and they fell away and dropped another game that they did lead. They will be looking to end 2023 on a high note and if results go their way, they could miss out on a wooden spoon.
Alex Twal and Jake Simpkin return for the final game of the season but Stefano Utoikamanu and John Bateman are out. Api Koroisau will play halfback. Josh Feledy makes his NRL debut at centre and Kit Laulilii also gets his first shot at the big time off the bench.
Last meeting: Round 8 2023 - Wests Tigers 16 Sea Eagles 22
Who to watch: Let's focus on damaging back-row forward Haumole Olakau'atu. It's been a year of mixed results for Olakau'atu on the edge for Manly. There's been times where he has looked like the most damaging edge forward in the competition such as last week against the Dogs. Then there has been games where his impact can resemble a tiny blip on the radar. A consistent Olakau'atu is what Manly needs to succeed and they haven't had enough of it in 2023, watch for him to end the season well and secure a test jumper for the 3 match series for Tonga v England.
For the Tigers, I am going to focus on New Zealand back-rower Isaiah Papali'i. It's been a year of high expectations for Papali'i and it's safe to say he hasn't fully met those expectations. In 22 games, he's only had three line-breaks, well down on his 13 a season prior. His offload game has become somewhat redundant in the Tigers side and his running game has been severely impacted. Look for Papali'i to end 2023 on a high and try and score his test jumper back.
Favourite: Manly is favoured to win this contest.
My tip: Short and sharp for me to finish. Firstly, we hope Belinda Sharpe's maiden NRL solo middle goes really well. She's worked so hard over the years to get to this point and her honour is well deserved. Secondly, Manly will want to do this milestone well for Jurbo so a comfortable home win appears likely even with Tim Sheens' coaching his last NRL match. Manly by 16.
