ELMO Match Preview: Sea Eagles vs Sharks

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Thu 29 Jul 2021, 02:00 PM

The 'Battle of the Beaches' heads to Redcliffe this Sunday for a clash against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

We take a look at some stats and fun facts ahead of the Round 20 Telstra Premiership match.

Daly gets his own Stadium

Sunday’s venue - Moreton Daily Stadium - has been the home ground of the Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League Club for over 70 years.

Originally called Dolphins Stadium, it is now known as Moreton Daily Stadium after a free community news website for the Moreton Bay Region.

Some Manly fans have already 'cheekily' changed the name to Moreton 'Daly' Stadium in honour of our great captain and half-back!

After all, it would be a fitting gesture as Daly was born in Redcliffe and started playing rugby league for the Dolphins at the age of five.

“I can’t believe I’m playing an NRL game back where it all started for me. It is so exciting,’’ Cherry-Evans said.

Climbing the ladder

With six rounds remaining before the finals, the Sea Eagles sit in sixth position on 24 points with 11 wins from 18 games.

Manly are just two competition points behind the fifth placed Sydney Roosters.

The Sharks are six points behind Manly in seventh place on 18 points.

The 'D' word

Whilst the Sea Eagles have piled on 214 points from four of their last five wins, it's their defence that has been the real focus.

Defensively, they have conceded 96, but leaked 24 in the win over the Tigers last week.

“Whilst we were happy to get the win, it definitely showed we’ve got so much work to do, especially if we compare ourselves to the top sides. Defence is definitely part of our game that we need to tighten up moving into the last six games,’’ said Cherry-Evans.

Spot on…give that man a stadium name!

The troops are back

The search is off, everyone can relax now...Curtis Sironen has been found!

The experienced back-rower has been named in the 21 man squad for a much-anticipated return from a knee injury after not being seen since round one.

Lachlan Croker and Dylan Walker will follow the team’s concussion protocols and need to pass final medical checks after leaving the field with concussion last week.

Second-rower Karl Lawton has also been named after missing last week’s win over the Wests Tigers due to a back injury.

A specialist hooker, 'Lawto' has certainly impressed in his seven games in the the back-row.

The Steve Rogers Trophy

Outside of the vital two premiership points, the two clubs will again play for the annual Steve Rogers Trophy.

Named after former Cronulla, NSW and Australian player Steve Rogers, the trophy is played for each time Cronulla and Manly meet in a premiership match.

Rogers had many great friends at Manly including the late Immortal Bob Fulton, Max Krilich and Paul McCabe.

First contested in 2006, the Sea Eagles have won 15 of the 20 matches.

The Sharks currently hold the Steve Rogers Trophy following their win on the Central Coast last year.

A great record

It’s a record that even the great Molly Meldrum would be happy to spruik!

Of the 105 matches played, the Sea Eagles have won 73 times.

Yes, that includes pre-season trials and midweek matches…come on, who didn’t enjoy the midweek Cups at old Leichhardt Oval.

Okay, let’s modernise it then…of the 32 games played since 1998, the Sea Eagles have won 22. Impressive!

Sing along to the classic 'History Never Repeats' song by Split Enz..

‘History never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
Don't say the words you might regret
I've lost before you know I can't forget’

Grand Final Glory

The Sea Eagles claimed their second premiership title with a 10-7 victory over the Sharks in the 1973 Grand Final.

1973 Grand Final Extended Highlights: Sea Eagles v Sharks

Two superb tries to brilliant centre Bob Fulton proved the difference in a match that will always be remembered for its vicious brawls.

Five years later, the Sea Eagles inflicted more pain on the Sharks, winning 16-0 in the 1978 Grand Final replay after a 11-all draw three days earlier.

Most tries vs Sharks

Immortal Bob Fulton heads the tryscoring list against the Sharks with 12.

Bob Fulton (Sea Eagle #175) joined Manly as an 18-year-old and in 11 years with the Sea Eagles never played anything other than first grade.

Should Kieran Foran or Tom Trbojevic cross for a try on Sunday, they will join Max Brown, Michael O’Connor, Craig Hancock, Steve Matai and Jorge Taufua as Manly players to have scored five tries in their careers against the Sharks.