Dominic Brock | rugbyleaguelive.com | 08/08/08 | 0
Manly Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm
Friday 8th August, 7.35pm
Brookvale Oval
Referee: Tony Archer
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 12; Storm 7 wins, Sea Eagles 5 wins.
FORM GUIDE
Sea Eagles: LLWWLWWBWWLWWBWWWWWLW
Storm: WLLWWWWBWLWWLBWLWWWLW
A massive game, between the two teams tipped by most to be there on grand final day.
Manly lead the NRL table, have scored more points than anyone else in the comp, are fresh from a fantastic 30-10 win and are playing at home.
And they’ll be the underdogs.
It’s a huge game for the hosts, who need to beat Melbourne simply to prove they can go all the way in 2008.
The Storm have the wood on the Sea Eagles in recent times, notching comfortable victories earlier this year and, obviously, in last year’s grand final.
Both sides looked great last week, and it’ll be a battle between Manly’s well-oiled all-round team and the Storm’s squad of superstars.
Greg Inglis and Israel Folau were devastating for Melbourne against the Titans, and on top of their star-studded attacking side the visitors are also the best defensive team in the NRL.
Meanwhile Anthony Watmough is a late inclusion for the Sea Eagles in a big boost for the home side.
Forget the NRL’s off-field dramas on Friday night and saddle up for what should be an absolute beauty.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Can Manly get the monkey off their back and prove they can beat Melbourne to the title in 2008?
KEY MATCH UPS
Brett Stewart v Billy Slater
Two of the most electrifying broken play ball-runners in rugby league today, both boasting great speed and a superb ability to find the tryline.
Stewart is a freak at Brookvale Oval, seemingly scoring tries at will in front of the Manly faithful.
Slater has made 18 line breaks this season – five more than the next best – and is the most dangerous fullback in the game.
This looms as a sensational battle between two of the NRL’s best entertainers.
Steve Menzies v Greg Inglis
The aging champion against the up-and-coming superstar.
Menzies has shown in recent weeks he’s still got it – despite this being his final season in Australia.
He was terrific against Penrith last week, proving a constant threat on the fringes, setting up one try and scoring another.
Inglis was equally good in scoring a double against the Gold Coast, and has proved he is one of rugby league’s elite after playing a big part of Queensland Origin series win this year.
But the NRL’s longest serving player will be out to show the new kid on the block a thing or two on Friday night.
COACHES CORNER
These are probably the two most potent attacking teams in the competition – it’s no surprise to see opposing halfbacks Cooper Cronk and Matt Orford lead the league in try assists.
With both sides filled with attacking talent, defence will become priority number one for both coaches.
Des Hasler will try to starve the likes of Slater, Israel Folau and Inglis of possession in broken play, and may get Orford to look for touch-finding kicks often to cut down Slater’s kick-returns.
Manly will need to watch the likes of Menzies, Watmough and Glenn Stewart on the fringes, and will also be keen to erase any memory of the sloppy performance against the Warriors of a fortnight ago.
If Melbourne commit the errors they did against the Kiwis here, the ever-consistent Manly will punish them.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Sea Eagles $2.20 – Storm $1.65
Melbourne look good things on paper, but then again they look good things against anybody on paper these days.
Sure, they have more star power, a better defensive record, and a proven record of winning the big games.
But Manly won’t get a much better chance of beating the premiers.
With Watmough back in the side, a home crowd behind them and with arguably more to play for (in spite of their lofty place on the ladder), the Sea Eagles should go close.
We think the Storm will probably win, but Manly with the start could be the way to go – and an upset win by the home side is by no means out of the question.
CASUALTY WARD
Sea Eagles: Jamie Lyon – knee (Rnd 25), Jason King – ankle (Rnd 23), Michael Bani – shoulder (Rnd 24), Anthony Watmough – knee (Rnd 23)
Storm: Ben MacDougall – knee (season), Danny Vaughan – knee (season), Dane Nielsen – shoulder (season), Will Chambers – knee (season)
BAD BOYS
Sea Eagles: -
Storm: -
TEAM LISTS
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Matai, David Williams, Steve Menzies, Matt Orford (capt), Brent Kite, Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Luke Williamson, Glenn Hall, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Heath L'Estrange, Mark Bryant, Adam Cuthbertson, Jack Afamasaga
Storm: Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Cameron Smith (capt), Brett White, Michael Crocker, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Antonio Kaufusi
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