Sea Eagles v Eels: Aloiai back from ban; Sanders to debut
Two of the NRL's great rivals square off for the second time in five weeks with the Sea Eagles looking for revenge after a controversial loss at CommBank Stadium in Round 3.
After racing to an early 14-0 lead in that match Manly were reeled in by the Eels and then had a try denied at a critical time in the second half due to an obstruction call on Jake Trbojevic that had plenty of fans scratching their head.
To Manly's credit they didn't dwell on that call and despite losing to the Dragons the following week they have put together wins over the Panthers and Titans and a draw with the Warriors in the past three weeks.
With Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks striking up a potent combination in the halves, Manly's speed men Tom Trbojevic and Tolu Koula have feasted on the quality service to rack up eight tries between them for the season.
The Eels are coming off a humiliating loss to the Dolphins in Darwin and will have coach Brad Arthur's stinging post-match assessment ringing in their ears as they prepare for a daunting trip to 4 Pines Park.
With halfback Mitch Moses still another month away with a foot injury and Daejarn Asi overlooked, the Eels have come up with another different halves combination to try and mastermind a morale boosting victory.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Eels
Team News
Sea Eagles: The return of prop Josh Aloiai from suspension pushes Matt Lodge to the bench and Aaron Woods to 18th man. Nathan Brown (knee) is also back on deck so Dean Matterson makes way. Jakob Arthur drops from the extended bench in the only change before kick-off.
Eels: In a late swap before kick-off, Junior Paulo moves to the bench, with Joe Ofahengaue to start. Youngster Ethan Sanders will make his NRL debut at five-eighth in place of Daejarn Asi, while Fijian flyer Maika Sivo has been recalled on the wing. Bryce Cartwright will miss the match with a rib cartilage injury. Three new faces on the bench with Kelma Tuilagi, Brendan Hands and Makahesi Makatoa all coming in. Ryan Matterson moves into the starting side while Sean Russell is 18th player.
Match: Sea Eagles v Eels
Round 8 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Eels is number 4 Morgan Harper
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ethan Sanders
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh AloiaiProp for Eels is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Karl LawtonInterchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Eels is number 14 Brendan Hands
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Eels is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan BrownInterchange for Eels is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron WoodsReplacement for Eels is number 18 Sean Russell
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have scored 107 points in their past three games at 4 Pines Park.
- The Eels have won four of their past five games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored four tries in his past five games.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored 40 points in his past four games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored 11 tries in 11 games against the Eels.
Match: Sea Eagles v Eels
Round 8 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
4th Position
away Team
Eels
14th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
