Sea Eagles v Knights: DCE, Jake backing up; Ponga a huge in
The Sea Eagles return to 4 Pines Park for a third consecutive match on Saturday night looking to get back into the top eight when they host arch-rivals Newcastle.
With a four-way logjam around eighth spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder, Manly have proven there's still life without Tom Trbojevic, stringing together three wins in their past month to remain in finals contention.
The Knights are coming off a high-scoring 40-28 loss in round 17 and look like a team who aren't completely on the same page despite several stars in their line-up.
Manly got the victory in the corresponding match in round five, a 30-6 win in Newcastle, and will be looking to make it two from two in 2022 on Saturday.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sea Eagles v Knights
The Rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: Origin stars Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic are both set to back up after Wednesday's decider, while Josh Aloiai returns from concussion and takes the place of Taniela Paseka in the team. With Aloiai starting at prop, Toafofoa Sipley moves back to the bench.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Jacob Saifiti and Dane Gagai have been named to back up after Origin III. Centre Bradman Best is out after suffering a new injury to his thumb in the loss to the Rabbitohs, while Kurt Mann has dropped out of the squad for Lachlan Fitzgibbon, which sees Mitch Barnett move to lock and Fitzgibbon start in the back row.
Leo Thompson was named in place of Pasami Saulo on the interchange when the squad was cut to 19 players on Friday.
Match: Sea Eagles v Knights
Round 18 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben GarrickFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Morgan HarperCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Sean KeppieProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh AloiaiProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Andrew Davey2nd Row for Knights is number 20 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa SipleyInterchange for Knights is number 14 Simi Sasagi
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Joshua SchusterInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin TaupauInterchange for Knights is number 18 Leo Thompson
Reserves
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Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Ben TrbojevicReplacement for Knights is number 19 Chris Randall
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Kieran Foran v Anthony Milford: Both veterans have proven to be handy for their sides in 2022 by taking pressure off their respective halves partners. Foran has turned back the clock in the past month particularly and has nine try assists overall this year. Milford has five try assists in six games since arriving to Newcastle, adding more potency to the side's attack.
Stat Attack
The Sea Eagles and Knights are in the NRL's top five for total kick metres in 2022, highlighting their ability to get out of territory in their own half. Manly (9026) are third behind Parramatta and Canterbury in this area while Newcastle are next on 8855, just in front of Penrith.
Match: Sea Eagles v Knights
Round 18 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
8th Position
away Team
Knights
13th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
