Sea Eagles v Warriors preview

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Warriors Friday 6:00pm at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

It is a do-or-die clash for completely differing reasons as the Manly Sea Eagles take on the New Zealand Warriors to kick off Friday night football.

With every team inside the top six now having had their three byes, Manly are on the outside looking in - a top four finish and second bite of the cherry the reward that the Sea Eagles are chasing. The Warriors are all but dead in the water after last weeks' heartbreaking loss to the Dolphins in extra time, with goal kicking once again the deciding factor. 

Manly ran roughshod over the Canberra Raiders last week to not only leapfrog the Cowboys into 6th position, but crucially get a win away from the 8th placed Dolphins as a wall of teams chase after the last spot in the finals. Seven different players managed to get over the white line, with five tries between the 40th and 60th minute secured a much needed win for the Sea Eagles. 

Tom Trbojevic has been fantastic after returning from injury nearly a month ago, while Luke Brooks has arguably had his best ever season as the deputy to chief commanding officer, Daly Cherry-Evans. A win here puts increasing pressure on Sydney, Cronulla and Canterbury to win outright to finish the season - moreso for the final two teams there as both have to play Manly in the last two rounds of the season. 

The Warriors are all but dead and buried in 2024, with last weeks' painful loss to the Dolphins crushing the hopes and dreams of Wah nation. It was nearly a comeback for the ages as the Warriors, who ended up getting sunk by a Sean O'Sullivan field goal in the first period of golden point.

Te Maire Martin nearly dragged the Warriors home by himself, but it wasn't to be. The Warriors are still alive mathematically in the race for the finals, but they need a lot to go their way alongside winning out. There's also been questions raised about whether the Warriors are better with or without Shaun Johnson - something that will be put to the test on Friday in front of a sold out Brookevale Oval.

Last time these two teams met, it was a 22-22 draw at Mt Smart Stadium, with neither team able to land a winning shot in extra time. 

Manly have made one change to the team that downed the Raiders last week, as Josh Aloiai returns from a knee injury. Enforcer Nathan Brown moves to the bench as Toafofoa Sipley gets relegated to the reserves. 

The Warriors welcome back Shaun Johnson from injury, who starts his retirement tour at Brookvale Oval on Friday. Adam Pompey and Marcelo Montoya return after injury lay-offs, replacing Ali Leiataua (concussion) and Te Maire Martin (neck). 

Last meeting: Round 6 2024 - Warriors 22 Sea Eagles 22

Who to watch: It should come as no surprise here that Daly Cherry-Evans will be the main man that the Warriors have to shut down on Friday. While Tom Trbojevic is a crucial cog in the Manly attack, it is the Queensland halfback that continues to keep Manly firmly on his shoulders. 7 tries and eleven try assists don't stand out as amazing stats, but the kicking game of Cherry-Evans will continue to put the Warriors on the back foot . Cherry-Evans also scored a double last time these teams played in round 6, for those who may dabble this weekend. 

Shaun Johnson will need to pull out some old SJ7 magic if he wants to get the Warriors across the line and keep any chance of finals football alive. The running game of Johnson will need to be in full force, targeting the likes of Ben Trbojevic and Tommy Talau, giving space in the middle for Mitch Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake to put some tired Manly defenders through more work than normal. 

FAVOURITE: Manly are favoured to strengthen their finals spot.

MY TIP: Top 4 spot on the line for one side, finals football on the line for the other. Manly, in front of a sold out crowd at Brookevale Oval, will get the chocolates here. There's too many questions around the Warriors attack, or commitment to the team in the case of a few players. Add in a combination of Trbojevic, Brooks and Cherry-Evans who are finding their groove at the right time? Wahs nation can book their holidays in September. Sea Eagles by 12.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 15. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Tolutau Koula 19. Toafofoa Sipley

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 21. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 14. Freddy Lussick 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Demitric Sifakula 20. Taine Tuaupiki

Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Daniel Luttringer; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;