Sharks v Sea Eagles preview

Embed from Getty Images

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Saturday 3:00pm at Optus Stadium, Burswood / Whadjuk

A clash that should be great to watch however due to recent form, this contest is nothing but a massive question mark.

The Sharks defence has confused itself and got lost somewhere. There's been communication breakdowns on the edges of the ruck and they were exploited by the Bulldogs and Raiders - two sides that posses strong running games for their edge forwards and centres; and a department that this Manly side is also no slouch.

The Sharks attack was pedestrian against the Bulldogs in Round 4. Last week though, their attack was much improved, which coincided with halfback Nicho Hynes running the ball more and five-eighth Braydon Trindall getting more ball than Hynes. The club needs to stop pretending that Hynes is a halfback and put him in the 6 jumper already and allow hooker Blayke Brailey and fullback William Kennedy to start working more regularly with Trindall - who looks like a much more competent organiser than Hynes. While Hynes' strength - his running game - gets put on the shelf as he tries to be a halfback.

Brailey too need to back himself more and not be too reserved when it comes to running from dummy half. Its an absolute strength for him, but last week he only made 3 runs. He has so many great ball running options all round him in the middle and the luxury of a recognized hooker in Cameron McInnes playing at Lock, who can come into dummy half at the drop of a hat.

Manly last week looked like a side in mourning, over the injury to fullback Tom Trbojevic the week before. Replacement fullback, Lehi Hopoate was very good and is only going to get better every week. The Sea-Eagles edge running game was in strong form last week despite the heavy loss to the Storm. Centres Tolutau Koula and Reuben Garrick made 143 and 93 metres respectively, while back rowers Haumole Olakau'atu and Ben Trbojevic made 141 and 124 metres respectively.

Manly will be aiming to make the bulk of their metres in the middle of their sets on the edges, targeting Mawene Hiroti more often, while halves Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans will likely pepper Sam Stonestreet and Jesse Ramien with kicks.

Last meeting: Round 27 2024 - Sea Eagles 20 Sharks 40

Who to watch: Briton Nikora was huge last week and will be keen to back the performance up again here. If Kennedy or Hynes can hang around him more when he is doing ruck runs, the chance of second phase play will increase, which is something the Sharks are very good at turning into points. Addin Fonua-Blake has also been immense for the Sharks this year and he'll be keen to rip in even harder against his former club.

Haumole Olakau'atu will be used frequently in Manly attacking raids. His powerful running game, good offloads and fast play-the-balls make him a massive asset on the edge. Luke Brooks was also good last week and if he is given space to run, he can be quite devastating.

Favourite: The Sharks come into the match as favourites, with Siosifa Talakai and Teig Wilton both returning to beef up their pack, however Manly will see Josh Aloiai, Tommy Talau and Lachlan Croker all returning which could have a bigger positive impact on their lineup.

My tip: Sharks will have been doing nothing but defence training all week and will be out to prove a point in this match, which could see them get the job done. Sharks by 8.

1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Billy Burns

1. Lehi Hopoate 18. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 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. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Aaron Schoupp

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Kieren Irons; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;