Sea Eagles v Broncos: Olakau'atu, Davey boost; Haas, Capewell return
The Sea Eagles travel to Suncorp Stadium on Friday night to host the high-flying Brisbane Broncos who have won three straight and are looking to knock off another prized scalp in the competition.
Manly are coming off an impressive win of their own against the Wests Tigers at 4 Pines Park with a dream starting debut for Ben Trbojevic alongside his brothers Tom and Jake.
Both sides have only played each other once in the past three seasons for a 2-1 split in favour of the Sea Eagles. They pummelled the Broncos 50-6 in the corresponding clash last year with Tom Trbojevic scoring a double.
However, this Broncos side has proven with improved defensive performances and under the guidance of chief playmaker Adam Reynolds, they're a completely different side to the one that ran out onto Lang Park a year ago.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sea Eagles v Broncos
The Rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: Manly are 1-17 with no late changes. Haumole Olakau'atu returns after withdrawing last week due to illness. Ben Trbojevic and Ethan Bullemor maintain their spots in the starting side with Morgan Harper the 18th man. Andrew Davey is the new man on the bench after overcoming a shoulder injury, in place of Kurt De Luis.
Josh Schuster (calf) was included in the extended squad on Tuesday but dropped out on Thursday when the squad was cut to 19.
Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no late changes. Payne Haas (shoulder) and Kurt Capewell (neck) are back, which means a reshuffle in the engine room with Patrick Carrigan moving to lock, Kobe Hetherington to the bench and TC Robati dropping out. Brenko Lee is 18th man.
Match: Sea Eagles v Broncos
Round 10 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Broncos is number 1 Te Maire Martin
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Ben TrbojevicCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben GarrickWinger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Sean KeppieProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ethan Bullemor2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Andrew DaveyInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe Hetherington
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin TaupauInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Thomas Flegler
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa SipleyInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Keenan Palasia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Morgan HarperReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Brenko Lee
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Josh Aloiai v Patrick Carrigan: Both big men returned for their respective sides last week and didn't disappoint. With a couple of key forwards out through injury and illness, Aloiai and Carrigan were dominant in the middle to provide a platform for their halves to play off. Aloiai crossed for a try while Carrigan never missed a beat to lay on one for Adam Reynolds in the first half.
Stat attack
The kicking games for both teams will be on full display with Adam Reynolds and Daly Cherry-Evans among the game's best with the boot. Reynolds has the Broncos sitting on top of the competition for most kick metres with a total 5,361 for the season while the Sea Eagles sit fourth with 4,998. If the game goes down to the wire, expect DCE and Reynolds to step up for the one-pointer with 47 field goals between them.
Match: Sea Eagles v Broncos
Round 10 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
away Team
Broncos
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
