Round 8: Sea Eagles v Eels preview
Rivals meet in contest of contrasting fortunes
The latest instalment of a rivalry dating back to 1947 will take place on Friday evening as the Manly Sea Eagles host the Parramatta Eels at 4 Pines Park.
Beginning the year in promising form with four wins and a draw to sit in outright fifth position, the Manly Sea Eagles will be hoping to win their first three games at home for the third year in succession.
Prevailing in a high scoring, yet unconvincing 34-30 victory over the Titans last Saturday, coach Anthony Seibold will welcome back Josh Aloiai and Nathan Brown in a forward reshuffle that sees Aaron Woods and Dean Matterson drop to the extended squad.
Since 2003, the Sea Eagles have won 12 out of 18 matches against the Eels at the venue formerly known as Brookvale Oval, including four of the past five meetings.
Languishing in 14th position with three wins to show for their efforts over the opening seven weeks of the premiership, the Parramatta Eels will be determined to atone for a deplorable performance in Darwin seven days earlier.
Conceding eight tries after halftime to suffer an ignominious 44-16 defeat at the hands of the Dolphins, coach Brad Arthur has made sweeping changes headlined by emerging playmaker Ethan Sanders making his NRL debut in the halves.
Maika Sivo has earned a recall in place of Sean Russell, while Brendan Hands, Makahesi Makatoa and Kelma Tuilagi come into the squad for Bryce Cartwright, Luca Moretti and Blaize Talagi.
The Eels have won 13 out of 20 matches against the Sea Eagles in the decade since Brad Arthur commenced his tenure as head coach.
Last meeting: Round 3 2024 - Eels 28 Sea Eagles 24
Who to watch: Enjoying life as a centre after spending the bulk of his career as a winger and stand-in fullback, Reuben Garrick will be hoping to continue his impressive strike rate against the Eels. Scoring 11 tries in as many matches against the blue and golds, including two of his three career hat-tricks, the 26-year-old will be looking to get more involved after managing just 50 running metres in last week's win on the Gold Coast. Kicking conversions at close to 90% with only three misses to date, Garrick's ability with the boot may be decisive in the event of a close contest.
Wearing the number ten jersey despite playing almost exclusively off the bench during the first third of the season, the Eels will need Junior Paulo to muscle up against one of the most effective packs in the premiership. Performing below standards in little more than 40 minutes of game time on average this season, the 30-year-old Samoan representative hasn't run for over 150 metres since the opening fortnight. Regarded among the best props in the league at his best, look for Paulo to make his presence felt on Friday night.
Favourite: The Sea Eagles are expected to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to the Eels a month ago.
My tip: While the Sea Eagles have struggled to uphold a consist form line in their performances to date, the home side should be too strong for an Eels side that has wilted under pressure on multiple occasions in 2024. Sea Eagles by 13.
