The high-flying Sea Eagles get another test of their credentials when they head to CommBank Stadium to face an Eels side eager to rebound from a loss to the premiers.
With Luke Brooks slotting in seamlessly at five-eighth and their forwards laying a sensational platform, the Sea Eagles have opened 2024 with impressive wins over heavyweights the Rabbitohs and Roosters.
Even the most ardent Sea Eagles fan couldn't have expected Brooks to hit the ground running in such spectacular fashion with his running game proving a constant threat and his ability to play either side of the ruck creating space for runners on both edges.
Having lost their past two clashes with the Eels at CommBank and lost Tom Trbojevic to a season-ending shoulder injury there in 2022, Manly will be hoping for a change of fortune as they look to go 3-0 to start the season.
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The Eels were highly competitive in the opening half against the Panthers and led by two points at the break but two tries in two minutes to Sunia Turuva and Izack Tago took the wind out of their sails.
The loss of Bailey Simonsson to a head knock and Kelma Tuilagi to a shoulder injury tested the Eels' depth and as the game wore on but they were able to hang tough and will have taken plenty of positives out of the match.
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Team News
Eels: A late switch sees Junior Paulo revert to the bench, with Joe Ofahengaue coming in to start alongside Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who brings up his 200th career game, in the front row. At the other end of the experience scale Blaize Talagi makes his NRL debut in the centres, with Morgan Harper pushing to the wing to cover for Bailey Simonsson (concussion). The 17 is as named on Tuesday, with Brendan Hands the replacement player.
Sea Eagles: No changes an hour before kick-off, after Tommy Talau dropped out when the squad was culled 24 hours before kick-off after suffering an ankle injury against the Roosters. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega comes in on the wing. Prop Taniela Paseka celebrates his 100th NRL game. Jake Arthur is the 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Eels have won three of their past four games against Manly.
- Manly winger Jaxson Paulo has scored seven tries in six games against the Eels.
- The Eels have won eight of their past 10 games at CommBank Stadium.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick requires 14 points to bring up 1,000 points for the club.
- Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.