Finals Week 2: Roosters v Sea Eagles preview
A battle of the Spit Bridge rounds out week two of the finals as the Sydney Roosters host the Manly Sea Eagles
Two teams coming off starkly different performances will look to progress to the Preliminary finals as a battered Sydney Roosters look to bounce back against a Sea Eagles side that is looking to peak at the right time.
Having ensured a second bite of the cherry, the Roosters will look to use it after a disappointing loss to the Penrith Panthers last weekend. Having been 24-0 down at half time, the Roosters attempted to mount a comeback but the lead proved insurmountable at the foot of the mountain.
The loss of Sam Walker showed out, with Sandon Smith and Luke Keary unable to guide the team around the park - while the defensive lapses early in the first half proved too much for the tri-colours.
Having been pummeled in the middle early on, the return of Jared Waerea-Hargraves will bolster what was a sorry forward pack last week. Coming up against the likes of Taniela Paseka and a fired up Matt Lodge, the Roosters will need every ounce of JWH aggression to ensure they do not go out in straight sets.
Manly will be flying high after a thrilling 24-22 win last weekend over the Canterbury Bulldogs, with a Tolu Koula try sealing a brilliant come from behind win at Accor Stadium.
It looked like the Sea Eagles were gone for all money, but a masterclass second half from the Sea Eagles ensured they were able to walk into week two of the finals. Tom Trbojevic had sparks of brilliance coming back from injury, and will no doubt look to rekindle some of that form we've seen from him across the season against a Roosters defense that was leaky early on last week.
Luke Brooks will also look to keep his 100% finals record intact (1/1), playing a crucial support role that has seen him find some of his best form in 2024. Expect him to run the ball more this week, with the aforementioned Tom Trbojevic lurking to support through the middle.
Enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargeraves comes back from suspension in the nick of time, slotting straight into the front row while Naufahu Whyte steps into the starting side against the bruising Manly pack. Terrell May and Spencer Leniu are on the bench alongside Siua Wong, while Victor Radley remains an outside chance to return from injury on game day at the expense of Wong.
Manly have kept the same 17 that just got over the Canterbury Bulldogs last weekend at Accor Stadium.
Last meeting: Round 21 2024 - Roosters 34 Sea Eagles 30
Who to watch: It's a left field option, but Brandon Smith will be the man to lead from the front for the Roosters. When he was at Melbourne, he would shine during the clutch situations. That Smith needs to show up as the Roosters fight for their lives in 2024. A perennial sneak from dummy half, Smith will look to target the tiring forwards of Paseka and Lodge after 20 minutes. Do not be surprised if you see a Brandon Smith try sometime in the first half as the Sea Eagles forwards start to fall away.
I highlighted him last week and I will say the exact same thing again - but Tom Trbojevic has to be here for the Sea Eagles to want to progress. The last time Tommy Turbo came back from injury, it took a week for him to hit his stride before he absolutely obliterated the league. This would be week number two, with the Roosters the unlucky side to see the wrath of Trbojevic. There will be plenty of block plays left for Trbojevic to be on the end of, targeting Dom Young's wing.
FAVOURITE: The Roosters have the backing of the bookmakers for this contest.
MY TIP: The Roosters will come out firing, with Trent Robinson lighting a fire underneath his side at training this week. Tom Trbojevic will look to get involved early, with the spine of the Sea Eagles no doubt wanting to fire a warning shot early with some sweeping plays. The Roosters should be able to hold firm early - but the versatility of Manly will prove too much for a Roosters side missing their main playmaker. It will be Manly and Melbourne in the Preliminary final… start salivating over it.
