Sea Eagles v Sharks Brookvale Oval Saturday 7.30pm

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Berkeley_Eagle

Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Sea Eagles v Sharks
Brookvale Oval
Saturday 7.30pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50025

WITH this season looming as one of great expectation for both sides – Manly hoping to go one better after matching motors with the Storm for much of 2007 and the Sharks looking to arrest the worrying decline that has derailed their finals campaigns in each of the past two years – this game will help propel one club on what they hope will be a succession of winning ways.

The fact it’s being played at ‘Fortress Brookvale’ is an enormous boost for the home side – they’ve had their colours lowered by the Sharks at Brookie just four times in their past 32 games!

Both sides have had patchy pre-season preparations. In their two trials, Manly were thumped by their Grand Final nemeses Melbourne 56-10 in their first official hit-out –although they went point for point in the middle 30 minutes when they fielded their best players.

They then swamped the Warriors 24-16 at Gosford, with young winger Michael Bani, who will wear the No.5 jersey vacated by the Super League-departed Chris Hicks in 2008, crossing for three tries.

Meanwhile the Sharks were mauled 44-0 by the Rabbitohs at Gosford, although they fielded an experimental side minus the likes of Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Luke Douglas.

They were more competitive in their final trial, skipping out to a dominant 24-4 lead against the Knights at Cessnock before coach Ricky Stuart benched his big guns; unfortunately the remaining troops were overwhelmed by a Kurt Gidley-led revival and they fell 26-24.

Watch out Sea Eagles!: The Sharks’ left-side combination of centre Ben Pomeroy and wing Luke Covell are one of the most punishing in the game – Pomeroy was the Sharks’ leading try-scorer last year and Covell topped the league for average metres gained on kick returns, with 12.7 a time (meaning Matt Orford will need to be pinpoint with his clearances).

Covell was also in the league’s top 20 for dummy-half breaks and tackle breaks; the Kiwi rep has plenty going for him.

Watch out Sharks!: You’d think Michael Monaghan’s exit from the Sea Eagles would be a plus for opposition sides – but all it means is former Golden Boot Jamie Lyon now steps up to the plate to take on more of a dominant playmaking role.

It’s a definitive season for Lyon, who saw his Australian rep jersey yanked from his grasp late last year.

He seemed a little unsettled at club level in 2007, unsure of his role in the backline. But now it’s all clear: make things happen. And he’s too good a player not to be able to do just that when his side now needs him.

Where it will be won: This should be a great battle of creativity and skill. It features two sides with some of the best offloading exponents in the NRL – Manly had three players in the top 15 for the category in 2007 with Glenn Stewart (42), Anthony Watmough (38) and Brett Stewart (33).

The Sharks were equally as damaging, thanks to Paul Gallen (58 – ranked 3rd) and Greg Bird (36). With talent like that this game is bound to be fast and furious; whoever keeps the mistakes at bay will go a log way to coming up trumps.

The History: Played 72; Sea Eagles 49, Sharks 21, drawn 2. The honours are split four games apiece since 2003. The last time they played the Sea Eagles limped home 29-22 in unconvincing fashion at Toyota Stadium.

Conclusion: In past years first-round games have been a little like feeling your way around in the dark. But all that’s changed in the modern game – expect both these sides to hit the ground running.

That being the case, the Sea Eagles’ momentum from last season, plus the formidable home ground advantage/record, should get them home… albeit narrowly.

Match Officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials – Michael Jones & David Abood; Video Ref – Phil Cooley.

Televised: FoxSports 3 – Live 7.30pm
 
Head to head
Overall 72... Sea Eagles 49-21 (2 drawn)
At Brookvale 34... Sea Eagles 28-5 (1 drawn)
Last 20... 10-all
Last met
2007 R19 :: Sea Eagles 29-22 @ Toyota
Big wins
Cronulla 68-6 @ Toyota, 2005
Sea Eagles 50-14 @ Brookvale, 1984
 
It says something about a side when Luke Covell is listed as one of htier major "weapons" .  Maybe they could see if Paul Carriage or Darryl Halligan is still available to play on the other wing. 
 
This, and the Eels game, are the only two games that I REALLY, REALLY, want us to win each season. I hope we win convincingly.
 
clontaago link said:
*Waits for Luke Covell to put 3 on us tomorrow night thanks to the Matabele curse*

*waits for Clontaago to trash Gronk's house like a rock star in a hotel when the above happens*
 
The Gronk link said:
[quote author=clontaago link=topic=177070.msg179341#msg179341 date=1205447635]
*Waits for Luke Covell to put 3 on us tomorrow night thanks to the Matabele curse*

*waits for Clontaago to trash Gronk's house like a rock star in a hotel when the above happens*


[/quote]

I'll be sure to bring my Kate Langbrook manikin so everytime something bad happens I can punch it in the face.
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
3 2 1 45 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 22 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
3 2 1 10 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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