Telstra Premiership action returns to Mudgee this Saturday when the Sea Eagles host the Knights at their home away from home at Glen Willow Oval.
Despite suffering their first loss of the year last week, in heartbreaking fashion in golden point against the Rabbitohs, the Sea Eagles remain second on the ladder and likely won't have lost any confidence from failing to get the points in Round 4.
The Manly backline continues to be a big strength for coach Anthony Seibold, with each of their back five running for over 100 metres last week and Tom Trbojevic (194) and Reuben Garrick (198) coming very close to cracking 200.
The Knights meanwhile kept Canberra scoreless through the second 40 minutes last week to overcome a 14-8 half-time deficit and claim win number two for 2023.
Fullback Lachlan Miller was among Adam O'Brien's best players for the second week in a row, setting up two of their five tries and putting his hand up for a game-high 28 carries.
Both of the games between these two sides last year belonged to Manly, with the Sea Eagles outscoring the Knights 72-18 in those fixtures.
Manly have also won both of their previous two games at this venue, beating the Raiders last year and the Titans in 2021.
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Team news
Sea Eagles: Five-eighth Josh Schuster was ruled out on Thursday after succumbing to a quad injury he suffered against Souths and is replaced by Cooper Johns. In the centres, Morgan Harper will play his first game of the season in place of Tolu Koula (knee). Hooker Lachlan Croker returns from the shoulder injury which kept him out of Round 4, taking the place of Karl Lawton who will serve as the replacement player. There were no further changes an hour from kick-off.
Knights: No late changes for the Knights after Dominic Young replaced Hymel Hunt on the wing earlier in the week. With Kurt Mann out under the 11-day stand-down period Jack Johns starts at lock. Centre Dane Gagai will make his 250th appearance at NRL level.
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Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles outscored the Knights 72-18 in home and away wins in 2022.
- Only five Knights players have played previously at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium.
- Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick has scored 32 points in two games in Mudgee.
- Knights centre Dane Gagai will make his 250th NRL appearance.
- The Sea Eagles have claimed decisive wins over the Titans and Raiders in two games in Mudgee.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.