Round 21 NRL Preview: Sea Eagles vs Sharks

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Sat 22 Jul 2023, 08:23 AM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will be out to keep their finals campaign alive in a vital clash with old rivals Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Pointsbet Stadium this Sunday.

The 'Battle of the Beaches' always produces a great contest as these two proud clubs go head to head once again in Cronulla.

Team News

Matt Lodge will make his Club debut after making an immediate impact for Blacktown Workers in his first appearance for the Sea Eagles last Sunday.

On a train and trial contract, Lodge ran for 198 metres from 22 runs for 82 post contact metres. He also made 12 tackle breaks, 19 hit ups, and three offloads against Canberra.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Saturday 15 Jul

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua Schuster

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 17 Josh Aloiai

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley

Interchange for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dean Matterson

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Aaron Woods

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Jake Arthur

Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:58 PM

The Ladder

With seven rounds remaining before the finals, the Sea Eagles sit in 11th place on 21 points, three points behind the eighth-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Sharks are in sixth position on 26 points.

Time to make amends

The Sharks have won four of their past five games against the Sea Eagles.

Manly's last win over the Sharks in Cronulla was a 24-14 victory in 2019.

The Sea Eagles have won only two from seven away games this season.

Hot Half-backs

Cronulla half-back Nicho Hynes takes on Manly's champion number seven in captain Daly Cherry-Evans.

Hynes will be out for a big game against the Queensland half-back. Manly will be looking to win the battle up front to allow Cherry-Evans to dominate with his clever play and slick kicking game against the reigning Dally M Medallist.

Head to Head

Played 97: Manly 67, Cronulla 28, drawn 2

Last Time We Met

The Sharks snatched a 14-10 victory over the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park earlier this season in round 11.

Honouring a Great Man

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

Manly has won 20 of the 28 premiership matches contested for the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy.

Game Day details

Sunday, July 23, Pointsbet Stadium

11.35am Jersey Flegg: Sharks vs Sea Eagles

1.50pm NRLW: Sharks vs Raiders

4.05pm NRL: Sharks vs Sea Eagles