Sea Eagles v Titans preview

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Gold Coast Titans Sunday 4:05pm at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

Mad Scientist Returns as Manly look to swoop on purple patch

The man known as the Mad Scientist in Des Hasler will prepare his troops to take on the Harvard graduate in Anthony Seibold in what promises to be a heated Sunday arvo at Brookvale Oval. 

For Manly, this season has been one of confusion. We say that because there's been occasions where they have beaten the best in the comp, they have beaten the top three teams this season. But then the next, they are in an arm-wrestle and lose to a team that is inferior to them on the ladder. They have started to find their groove in recent weeks and having Turbo at the back last start certainly helped. 

The question for Manly is how do you frustrate an improved side in the Titans against a coach that will be searching for revenge. It's quite simple, win the middle and earn the right to play good ball footy. That's what Manly's middle did last weekend and earlier in the season on the Gold Coast. They also need to shut down David Fifita, he will be looking for a point to prove regardless of the outcome of Origin III to prove Billy Slater wrong for not picking him. Manly also need to match the energy that comes from Randall, we all know what a back-fence bandit Nathan Brown is. So the challenge is on him, to reduce Randall's scheming through the middle.

Onto the team cards, DCE and Jurbo will back up which means no room for debutant hero Jamie Humphries. Brown reverts to prop while Tof Sipley moves to the bench. Ben Trbojevic returns from concussion protocols on the bench and Taniela Paseka is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a thumb injury.

Des Hasler left the Eagles in what could be described as controversial circumstances two seasons ago. While we could go into that sordid affair once more, it's time to focus on the football. The Titans started the year poorly as they battled injuries and inconsistency. But now, there is starting to become a blueprint in how the Titans play football and that goes on defence. For the last few seasons, there's been no denying that the Titans are a great attacking team, it's just defence that let them down. But, since their first win of the season, the club has only conceded over 30 points on two occasions which they deserve immense credit for.

To beat Manly, they need to shut down their speed-men of Saab, Garrick and Turbo. Much like the Titans did against Parramatta, they were able to massacre an opposing team's edge with speed, speed and more speed. Alofiana Khan-Pereria will be opposite Saab this time around, so we might get one heck of a sprint race at Brookvale. However, their attack has improved and their middles have lifted in the absence of Tino and Jaimin Jolliffe. Chris Randall has improved out of sight, being a constant energiser bunny through the middle while Sam Verrills is crafty as ever out of 9.

Onto the team cards and Mo Fotuaika will back-up following the decider and he's named at prop. Elsewhere, Josiah Pahulu reverts to the bench while Keano Kini moves back to fullback while the club takes a cautious approach with AJ Brimson.

Last meeting: Round 7 2024 - Titans 30 Sea Eagles 34

Who to watch: Let's focus on Tommy Talau. Unwanted by the Tigers in 2024, Talau took a significant gamble by joining the Eagles. Since winning a spot in the team back in Round 2, he hasn't taken a backward step being one of Manly's unsung heroes of the 2024 season. Talau has averaged 141 metres along with 38 tackle-breaks this season. Watch for Talau to work hard on his own end and add to his try tally of 12 in 15 matches.

For the Titans, I am going to be focusing on Sam Verrills. Verrills has had an up and down time on the Coast and it's been a slow burn for him. He had a limited role on the bench to start, but given Randall's emergence through the middle, it has allowed Sammy to go back and play his natural position with great results. Verrills has caused headaches for opposition teams around the play the ball and it allows guys like Campbell, Foran and Brimson to cause carnage out wide for opposition teams. Look for Verrills to inflict some pain on his junior club. 

FAVOURITE: Given Manly is at home where they have been great in 2024, they go into this deserved favourites. Gold Coast did spring an upset here last season by the tune of 26-10. 

MY TIP: It's a really interesting affair this one, I can sense it going either way but I believe with Manly just hovering around the bottom half of the eight and needing a win to get some security. This is the match to stand up, Des will have his boys primed for a Brookvale ambush so I am expecting a physical and close encounter. Manly by 4.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 17. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 15. Ben Trbojevic 12. Karl Lawton 13. Jake Trbojevic 8. Nathan Brown 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 16. Ethan Bullemor 22. Taniela Paseka 20. Jamie Humphreys

1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Josiah Pahulu 20. Tanah Boyd

Referees: Liam Kennedy; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;