Match Preview: Sea Eagles vs Dragons

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Sun 17 Apr 2022, 08:47 AM

Manly Warringah Coach Adam McEwen knows the nucleus is there for a quality side. It’s just a matter of the pieces coming together.

The Sea Eagles sit in second last position on the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup ladder with just one win from five matches.

Last week, the Sea Eagles turned in a very ordinary effort in going down 20-0 to the Knights on a wet miserable night in Newcastle that probably reflected their attitude.

On paper, the Sea Eagles field a very talented squad with a strong forward pack headed by hardworking props James Uesele and Viliami Fifita.

Out wide, centre Jason Smyth and winger Cameron Brown can find the tryline and the side has a quality young playmaker in goal-kicking five-eighth Donovan Boney.

Unfortunately, skillful hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong has ben sidelined at times through injury but returns to play against the sixth-placed Dragons at 4 Pines Park this Sunday.

“We’re just beating ourselves. We are getting good opportunities but we are not good enough to take them at the moment,’’ McEwen said.

“When things go bad, the more harder you try, sometimes things just snowball.

“I think we were holding our breath in attack against the Knights at times, trying to get that first try. Had we got one, we probably would have relaxed more and it could have led to two or three more tries.

“Just with the ball in hand, we are own worst enemies. We are not taking the right options and are hoping someone does something.

“Defensively, we were too kind. We had some bad reads and there were some poor attempts. We need to show more resilience in defence on our line.

“The pieces are there for us to be a good side. Now is not the time to panic but we certainly just need to get better.”

The Dragons match has been transferred from Corrimal to 4 Pines Park. The Sea Eagles have recorded one win and a loss at home this season.