Sea Eagles v Storm preview

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm Saturday 5:30pm at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

Top four spot on the line as Sea Eagles look to topple Storm once more

After outlasting the Raiders in the nation's capital last week, the Many Sea Eagles have the perfect opportunity to further prove their premiership credentials this week against the soon-to-be crowned minor premiers.

It was another gritty performance from the reborn Sea Eagles who lost Joel Thompson and Moses Suli to injury in the first half.

They say that it is better to face the best teams in the lead-up to the finals as it prepares you well for what to come.

Being well-prepared is one thing though. Winning those games against the best teams is another - it builds confidence and in the case of the Sea Eagles, a level of arrogance that carried them to success a decade ago.

Suli is fine to go around this week but Thompson suffered a broken arm and may not play another game in 2019, depending on how deep into the finals Manly go.

They are bolstered by the return of edge backrower Curtis Sironen though, who is a direct replacement for Thompson.

The Melbourne Storm may have won last week but it was by no means a convincing victory. Craig Bellamy's men scrapped their way to a 24-8 win over the last-placed Titans in a game they were expected to have won well before half-time.

It was an underwhelming result considering they were coming off a loss to the Raiders - their first taste of defeat since going down to Manly earlier in the year.

The Storm have the perfect chance to make up for it this week even though they may have little to play for with the minor premiership wrapped up.

Jahrome Hughes remains in the halves with Brodie Croft potentially on the outer despite playing a part in Melbourne's rise to the top of the table throughout the season.

Last meeting: Round 19 2019 - Storm 10 Sea Eagles 11

Who to watch: The battle of the fullbacks shapes as one of the most exciting aspects of Saturday's game. Tom Trbojevic put in a typically strong performance against the Storm earlier in the year, running for 227 metres, busting three tackles and breaking the line twice. Against the competition's best defence he will need to use all of his attacking prowess, capitalising on his combination of both size and flair.

Look for Ryan Papenhuzyen to cement his place at the back with Hughes in the number seven jersey. While Hughes fit seamlessly into the Melbourne side following Billy Slater's retirement, Papenhuyzen brings something different. He is explosive and adds an air of unpredictability in attack. In his four eighty-minute performances this year he averages a ridiculous 257 running metres, seven tackle busts and has scored in each.

The favourite: Melbourne are still well-backed to win Saturday's game. 

My tip: Manly would have put a lot of energy into last week's victory and it may be hard for them to get up enough against a Storm side with plenty to prove despite an all-but-guaranteed first-place finish. Melbourne by 16.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jorge Taufua 20. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Dylan Walker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Manase Fainu 15. Corey Waddell 16. Morgan Boyle 17. Taniela Paseka

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui 16. Max King 17. Tom Eisenhuth

Referees: Ben Cummins, Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;