Sea Eagles v Knights: Turbo No.1 gun; Phoenix rises at hooker
The Sea Eagles and Knights are separated by just one point on the competition ladder and both are coming off gutsy away wins as they head into a crucial Round 19 encounter.
With Daly Cherry-Evans coming through in the clutch yet again, Manly produced a golden point victory over the Cowboys to jump back into the eight, but their main man will be away on Maroons Origin duty this weekend.
The Knights had to dig deep to stave off the Raiders in Canberra, with Kalyn Ponga making an impressive return from injury, but the No.1 gun will also be in Maroons camp this week along with centres Bradman Best and Dane Gagai.
The depth of both sides will be tested although Manly are strengthened by the presence of Tom Trbojevic in his second game back from injury and back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu after he was left out of the Blues side for Origin Three.
With a storied rivalry that dates back to the legendary 1997 ARL grand final, the Knights and Sea Eagles have met 59 times with Manly holding a 35-23 advantage with one draw in Mudgee in 2023.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Knights
Team News
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic slides back to his customary fullback role with Tolu Koula facing a stint on the sideline with a knee injury. Tommy Talau moves to the centres and Lehi Hopoate comes in on the wing while Jamie Humphreys is the new halfback in Daly Cherry-Evans' absence. Karl Lawton and Nathan Brown join the back row in place of Jake Trbojevic (Origin) and Ben Trbojevic (head knock). Corey Waddell dropped off the bench in the 24-hour update, with Caleb Navale joining Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Clayton Faulalo on the interchange. No further changes on Sunday with Ben Condon the 18th man.
Knights: A new-look backline for Adam O'Brien with Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Dane Gagai on State of Origin duty and Enari Tuala nursing a calf injury. Fletcher Sharpe comes in at fullback, Krystian Mamapalangi on the wing and Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant are the new centres. Phoenix Crossland returns from concussion at hooker and Adam Elliott comes in at lock with Mat Croker reverting to the bench. The side will line up 1-17 on Sunday with Jack Hetherington the 18th man.
Match: Sea Eagles v Knights
Round 19 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Knights is number 2 Krystian Mapapalangi
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy TalauCentre for Knights is number 3 Dylan Lucas
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Knights is number 4 Thomas Cant
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Will Pryce
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamie HumphreysHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa SipleyProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh AloiaiProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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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 Karl Lawton2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Clayton FaulaloInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Gordon Chan Kum TongInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Caleb NavaleInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Ben CondonReplacement for Knights is number 18 Jack Hetherington
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won nine of their past 11 games against the Knights at 4 Pines Park.
- The Knights have won four of their past five away games.
- The Sea Eagles have won five from six at 4 Pines Park this season.
- Knights halfback Jackson Hastings will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won only one from five against the Knights.
Match: Sea Eagles v Knights
Round 19 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
away Team
Knights
10th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.P
