Knights v Sea Eagles preview

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Newcastle Knights v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Thursday 7:50pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

This time a month ago the Knights attack was entirely non-existant.

They were coming in to a match against Souths, having scored just 36 points in their past 5 NRL games. Then they came out and scored 30 against the Bunnies. The following week they lost to the Titans, but registered 20 points. It seemed like they finally figured out how to score points.

Then they were dominated by the bottom of the table Eels 28-6 before beating the woefully out of sorts Panthers 25-6. Maybe the Eels game was a hiccup? Last week though their attack was dreadful yet again, as they lost 20-6 against the inconsistent Dragons.

Last week confirmed that any time the Knights score more than 2 tries, it's a fluke. They have the dullest attack the modern game can dish up. Ruck runs and a kick to the corner. Sometimes they mix it up by just having a full set of one-outs or the occasional slow backline movement to stationary players with no extra man advantage.

It makes one wonder how a man who was a part of the coaching machine within the attacking juggernaut that is the Melbourne Storm, can have so much trouble getting his side to score points.

Manly on the other hand are an inconsistent mob, but one thing they aren't struggling with is scoring points. They've scored 133 points more than the Knights after just 12 games already. Manly have scored 168 points in their last 8 NRL games, winning only 3 of them. Hardly impressive. It would appear that the saga around their halfback stalwart Daly Cherry-Evans has had somewhat of an impact on performance. DCE struggled in Origin I, but for Manly he's been solid. Manly have looked better when he's on the field, but at the same time, he's not exactly playing at his usual consistent high quality.

Manly's running game up front is very strong, but this is the one area where the Knights do perform better than nearly every other side. The Knights discipline with the ball in hand is the worst in the competition, hence their inability to score points. The Knights are also one of the worst teams in the NRL for missed and incomplete tackles. The Knights are ripe for the picking here, Manly just need to turn up with some intent - which is half their battle.

Last meeting: Round 19 2024 - Sea Eagles 44 Knights 6

Players to Watch: Fletcher Sharpe has been a strong ball runner in recent weeks, covering both fullback and five-eighth duties. With Origin star Kalyn Ponga returning to the fullback role, Sharpe is set to return to the halves which could see the Knights attack improve notably. The powerful running winger Greg Marzhew will likely return for this game, adding some much needed x-factor to the Knights backline attack.

Lehi Hopoate has been a revelation for the Sea-Eagles this year on the wing and filling in at fullback, the latter of which he is expected to do again this weekend. Expect him to have a big game if the Knights pedestrian attack fails to put him under any pressure. Jake Trbojevic is also set to return for Manly, bolstering their middle immensely, helping to nullify the Knights one great strength in attack.

Favourite: Manly are the clear favourites in this game. Despite having won just 5 of their last 18 games at McDonald Jones stadium, the Knights have lost all of their last 4 games at their home ground.

My Tip: Manly to score points. Knights to bore us all to sleep. Manly by 20.

1. Kalyn Ponga 5. Fletcher Hunt 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 22. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 15. Thomas Cant 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Jackson Hastings

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 15. Jazz Tevaga 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 10. Toafofoa Sipley 14. Jake Simpkin 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam

Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Nick Pelgrave; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;