Sea Eagles v Eels preview

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels Sunday 4:05pm at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

Sunday afternoon football returns to Brookvale Oval this weekend as the Manly Sea Eagles look to soar over a struggling Parramatta Eels

It really has been two very different starts to the season for both sides, as one teams looks to continue on a wave of momentum while the other is searching for something to latch onto in 2025

This very previewer last week predicted that Manly would struggle against the Canberra Raiders and boy, wasn't I proven wrong. It may have taken the sin-binning of Corey Horsburgh to get the Manly attack going, but once it started, they didn't stop once the scoring began as the Maroon and White went on to score 40 points in half an hour to end up winning 40-12. 

With the questions surrounding how Manly would handle losing Tom Trbojevic, Manly proved that he isn't the only attacking threat as Reuben Garrick scored 28 on their points while Daly Cherry-Evans guided the team with gusto - something he now won't do past the end of 2025.

Parramatta, on the other hand, could not get the job done against a Bulldogs side that did everything in their power to let the Eels take the game away. 

It's quickly becoming a re-rebuilding year for the Eels, with Dylan Brown leaving at the end of the season, Mitch Moses out for what already feels like an eternity and the roster rotating more than a restless child! 

It is looking incredibly ominous for the Eels, as they venture into enemy territory on Sunday with a team that at the best of times, struggles to win at Brookvale - never mind undermanned.

In great news for Sea Eagles fans, and abysmal news for Eels supporters, Tom Trbojevic has been named as a "certain starter" by Anthony Seibold this week. He shifts Lehi Hopoate to the wing and Clayton Faulalo out of the side. Josh Aloiai also comes into the starting line up for Taniela Paseka, who will be out for the season with a torn achilles. Nathan Brown returns to the line-up via the bench. 

The luckless Eels have brought Sean Russell (wing) and Dan Keir (bench) back into the team, with Jordan Samrani and Sam Tuivaiti named in the reserves. Notably, Brendan Hands is not named at all in the top flight this week - named at 9 for NSW Cup alongside Ryan Matterson (bench, NSW Cup).

Last meeting: Round 8 2024 - Sea Eagles 32 Eels 18

Who to watch: Tom Trbojevic, fresh off a week watching his Sea Eagles tonk the Raiders, will be looking to pile on the pain against the Eels. Supercoach players will be looking to put the C on him this weekend, while Manly fans just expect Turbo to turn his form around after a disappointing last game in Auckland. It is also worth noting that Trbojevic has scored in each of the last three games he has played against the Eels.

Isaiah Iongi has been one of the very few shining lights over the first three weeks in the blue and gold. He's had moments of absolute brilliance, without shirking the responsibility of running hard from the back to try and get his side on the front foot. While it is obvious that his combination with Dylan Brown isn't quite there yet, there is something with this kid that, if Manly take him lightly, could break open the game for the Eels. 

Favourite: Manly's scintillating performance last week, coupled with the Eels' 0-3 record... this is an easy one.

My tip: A near full strength Manly side, against an Eels side that is yet to put a scare into their opposition this year. Tom Trbojevic is fully fit, Daly Cherry-Evans will want to show the fans that he is still committed to the end of the year, and the Eels just aren't showing enough to scare Manly. This could get very ugly… Manly by 20.

1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Clayton Faulalo

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 16. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 17. Dan Keir 18. Sam Tuivaiti 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Joash Papali'i

Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;