Rd 12 Match Preview vs Storm
The Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm have shared a fierce rivalry since the 2007 and 2008 Grand Finals.
Another chapter will be written when the two clubs battle it out in round 12 of the Telstra Premiership at AAMI Park this Thursday night.
The Form
The second-placed Storm will be out to end a shock two game losing streak at home following losses to competition leaders Penrith and third placed Nth Qld Cowboys. AAMI Park is a hostile ground at the best of times and you can be assured it will be no different this time around in front of their vocal home crowd.
The Sea Eagles have also lost their last two games and will be fired up for this one after coming so close last week to capturing a win against the Parramatta Eels despite a controversial ending and a heavy penalty count against the side.
The critics will say the Sea Eagles will struggle now following the dislocated shoulder injury to champion full-back Tom Trbojevic but don't panic.
There is no denying it will be a tough challenge but the one thing the Sea Eagles do well is thrive on adversity when written off, so expect to see an even more tighter Manly outfit.
'Foz' milestone
It will be a proud night for 2011 premiership winning five-eighth Kieran Foran, who will play his 250th NRL game. Foran has played 183 games for Manly and has had to overcome some serious injuries during a superb career that began at the Sea Eagles in 2009. The milestone will no doubt be used as extra motivation by the boys to ensure the much loved Foran leaves the field as a winner.
Jorge is back!
Popular and respected clubman Jorge Taufua will play his first NRL game for Manly since Round 17, 2020, after suffering an achilles injury against the Wests Tigers. The hard running winger is in his 10th season with the Sea Eagles and will be looking to make the most of his opportunity again in the top grade after playing in the centres for Blacktown Workers in the NSW Cup this season.
Last Time in Melbourne
The Sea Eagles venture to AAMI Park for the first time time since July 27, 2019.
On that particular night, a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal gave the Sea Eagles a thrilling 11-10 victory over the competition leaders the Melbourne Storm in Golden Point.
The Sea Eagles turned in one of their best first half defensive performances to take a 10-0 lead before the Storm hit back to lock the scores at 10-all at full-time.
Cherry-Evans then stepped up to land a clutch field goal with 37 seconds left in the second period of Golden Point to secure victory.
History lesson
Two grand finals and many great battles is the story behind these two proud clubs.
The Storm beat the Sea Eagles in the 2007 Grand Final before having the title stripped off them in 2010 for salary cap breaches.
In 2008, the Sea Eagles smashed the Storm 40-0 to record the game’s highest ever grand final winning margin. It remains the most sweetest grand final victory of the eight titles for many Manly fans.
And then there was the infamous ‘Battle of Brookvale’ on August 26, 2011, when the two clubs were involved in a nasty brawl in a spiteful 18-4 win to Manly. Ten players were later suspended.
Melbourne vs Manly Head to Head
Played 40: Won 15, Lost 24, Drawn 1
Played In Melbourne: 16 games: Storm 12, Sea Eagles 4
Manly's wins in Melbourne: Rd 24, 2009: 20-16; Rd 8, 2015: 12-10; Rd 11, 2018: 24-4; Rd 19, 2019: 11-10.
