Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
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90 mins ago | Robert Crosby
Bulldogs v Sea Eagles preview
Sunday's top of the table clash sees the second placed Bulldogs needing a win to stay in the hunt for the Minor Premiership, taking on the seventh placed Manly who are in a precarious position as a loss could see them drop out of the top 8.
Manly's predicament isn't just this game. The Sharks are equal on competition points but still have a bye in hand and are playing the injury-riddled, out-of-form second last Rabbitohs this week and the next team below them on the ladder, just 2 points behind, is the Dolphins who have a bye this week, the Dolphins points differential is vastly superior to both Manly and Cronulla. Also on 22 points is the Roosters, who this week play a somewhat out-of-form Melbourne. Manly cannot afford a loss and if they do lose, it can't be a heavy loss.
The Bulldogs have seemingly hit a reset button after their Round 13 bye. No one really knows why the team running first had to do a reset for, but it's not worked out. Lachlan Galvin arrived at the club for their Round 14 win over lowly Parramatta and their Round 15 win over lowly Souths. The Dogs lost their next 2 games against Penrith and Brisbane, which saw Galvin dropped for Round 19. The Dogs beat the Cowboys in a miserable performance by both sides. Galvin returned last week for the match against the struggling Dragons and the Dogs snuck home courtesy of a Galvin pass that put Jethro Rinakama over for the match winning try.
But lets be honest here, because while the media talked up Galvin for the play, the fact was Tyrell Sloan rushed a long way up and in way too early and essentially created the play for Galvin. Galvin's arrival has had a negative impact on the Bulldogs attack so far, not solely because of him, but because the team was functioning effectively with Matt Burton at five-eighth and Toby Sexton at halfback. Now they've brought in a new five-eighth and they're trying to figure out which of their halves to displace to accommodate Galvin, whose style is different to both the Bulldogs halves.
Manly last week scraped home in a gallant effort against the Storm in Melbourne, but their attack was at times a clumsy mess. Luke Brooks had a strong game and was the best performing half on the field. Daly Cherry-Evans was heavily targeted by the Storm defence and was almost relegated to being a catch and pass player who also kicked at the end of sets.
If the Sea Eagles can improve their attack via some better mobility through the middle, especially towards the end of their sets, so as to give Cherry-Evans some space, their defence is good enough to withstand the disjointed Bulldogs attack. If both these sides perform this weekend the same way they did last weekend, Manly may well sneak away with another victory.
The Bulldogs club though are eyeing a massive milestone here and that might be enough to motivate them for a victory, because a Bulldogs win here will be the 1000th for the club in its first grade history. The match is being played at Allianz Stadium to mark the 30th anniversary of their premiership triumph over Manly in the 1995 ARL Grand Final.
Last meeting: Finals Week 1 2024 - Bulldogs 22 Sea Eagles 24
Who to watch: All eyes will be on Lachlan Galvin whose running game is his biggest asset. Look for him to capitalise on lazy markers and tired defenders on the edge.
For Manly, their rookie fullback Lehi Hopoate has been a revelation, so much so that he's forced Tom Trbojevic out of his custodian role and into the centres. His ball playing skills are improving every week making him a vital link man on either edge. Siosiua Taukeiaho had a massive game last week, running for over 200 metres against the Storm. He'll be tough to handle in the middle again.
Favourite: The Bulldogs are favourites but not commanding favourites. Manly have a lot of recent success against the Bulldogs having won 12 of their last 14 clashes since 2017.
My tip: The Bulldogs wins of late have been against struggling sides and those wins have not been convincing. Manly have now won 3 straight with their last win coming against the Storm in Melbourne - a rare feat for any team to achieve. This will likely be close, so I'll pick the roughie for fun.
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 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. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Drew Oultram; Video Referees: Chris Butler;