Schick Hydro Preview: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Warriors
nib Stadium
Saturday, 3.30pm AWST, 5.30pm AEST, 7.30pm NZT
The Sea Eagles and Warriors embark on a big trip out west this Saturday night to meet in Perth for the third time in their NRL Telstra Premiership history, in what will be a home fixture for the Sea Eagles.
Both come off last-up victories, with Manly steamrolling the Cronulla Sharks 35-18 on the road and the Warriors grinding past the Canterbury Bulldogs 21-14 in Auckland.
Curtis Sironen is out with a pectoral injury, which sees former Warrior Lewis Brown promoted to start in the Manly back row with Cameron Cullen joining the bench.
For the Warriors, Kieran Foran (quad) remains under an injury cloud but is named to start, while Nathaniel Roache replaces Issac Luke (shoulder) at hooker.
Ata Hingano drops back to the bench and Bunty Afoa replaces Sam Lisone on the interchange.
Why the Sea Eagles can win: Manly are on fire in attack right now and heading into Round 17 sit in the NRL's top three for both tries scored and line breaks made. On average the Sea Eagles get over the try-line four times per game this year, while they sit tied with the Melbourne Storm for the most average line breaks made, at a rate of 4.9 per match. Led by Daly Cherry-Evans the Sea Eagles can really punish the Warriors with the ball in hand this Saturday.
Why the Warriors can win: In three of their last four games the Warriors have restricted their opposition to under 15 points, while leaking a total of just seven tries through those three matches. The Kiwi side have plenty of belief in their defence right now and if they show up with the right attitude in Perth they can really make life difficult for Manly.
The history: Played 29; Sea Eagles 21 wins; Warriors 8 wins. If you're a Manly fan there is plenty to like about the head-to-head record ahead of this week, and since May 2004 the Sea Eagles have lost only four times to the Warriors. In games played in Perth the Sea Eagles have won three from five, while the Warriors are 0-8.
What are the odds: Manly have been the best backed team of the round with Sportsbet. 85 per cent of money is with the Sea Eagles in the head-to-head market, while there’s more wagered on them to win 13-plus than there is on all of the other winning margin options combined. Latest odds at sportsbet.com.au.
Match officials: Referee: Gavin Badger. Assistant referee: Tim Roby. Sideline officials: Russell Turner and Adam Reid. Review official: Steve Chiddy. Senior review official: Luke Patten.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live coverage from 3.30pm (AWST), 5.30pm (AEST). Sky Sports - Live coverage from 7.30pm (NZT).
NRL.com predicts: Manly are arguably the form team in the competition right now and show no signs of slowing down. The Sea Eagles would be favourites regardless of where this match was being played, but the fact that it's happening in Perth, where the Warriors have never won a match, means Manly are commanding front-runners from the get-go. Expect the Warriors to have a strong first half but fade away late. Sea Eagles by 10.