Sea Eagles ready for semi-final showdown with Roosters

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Wed 18 Sep 2024, 10:51 AM

The self-belief and confidence is high and the mighty Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will be ready to fire at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

It's going to be a huge occasion when the Sea Eagles tackle the Sydney Roosters in the Telstra Premiership Elimination Semi-Final, with a spot in the preliminary final against Melbourne on the line.

With the Sea Eagles Supporter Bays sold out, Manly fans are encouraged to buy tickets into the Northern End (Bays 20-30).

Team News

Coach Anthony Seibold has named the same starting 17 that beat the Bulldogs 24-22 in the Elimination Final at Accor Stadium last Sunday.

Finals Week 2 - Finals Week 2 - Saturday 21 Sep

9:50 am

Roosters

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Tommy Talau
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Matthew Lodge
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Siua Wong

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Zach Dockar-Clay

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Fetalaiga Pauga

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jamie Humphreys
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Blake Steep

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Toafofoa Sipley
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Michael Jennings

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Victor Radley

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Corey Waddell

Blake Steep
Fetalaiga Pauga
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Victor Radley

Corey Waddell
Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Jamie Humphreys
Toafofoa Sipley

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/18/2024 5:40:24 AM

Form Guide

Ladder position: Sea Eagles 7th (33 points); Roosters 3rd (38 points)

Head to Head since 1998 (NRL era): Played 42: Sea Eagles 22, Roosters 20

Past five games record: Sea Eagles 3 wins, Roosters 3 wins

Points scored: Sea Eagles 658, Roosters 748

Points conceded: Sea Eagles 543, Roosters 493

Previous Meetings

Both teams head into the semi-final showdown with one win apiece against each other this season.

The Sea Eagles took care of the Roosters 21-14 in front of a sold out crowd at 4 Pines Park in round two.

Manly led 12-10 at half-time with Reuben Garrick's goal kicking proving vital before a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal got the Sea Eagles home.

Luke Brooks splits the Roosters defence in his first game at 4 Pines Park in round two ©NRL Photos

The Roosters returned serve in round 21 with a 34-30 win in an 11-try thriller at Allianz Stadium after Manly missed the kick early before fighting back late after losing Jason Saab and Garrick to concussion in the first half.

Try time for Talau

There's been plenty of talk about buys of the years. Surely, Manly winger Tommy Talau is in the top three.

Talau has been absolutely outstanding in his debut season for the Sea Eagles. The change of scenery and a happy life off the field has done wonders for this well spoken and polite young man.

And as for his form, it speaks for itself, with Talau scoring 12 tries in his past 13 games. At just 24, Talau is only going to get better and better for the Sea Eagles.

What a season for Tommy Talau ©NRL Photos

Finals Flashback

The last time Manly met the Sydney Roosters in a semi-final was in the COVID-affected 2021 season when the Sea Eagles advanced to the preliminary final following a 42-6 victory in Mackay.

Manly ran in seven tries to one with full-back Tom Trbojevic scoring a double and winger Reuben Garrick kicking seven from seven.

Tom Trbojevic takes on the Roosters in Mackay ©NRL Photos

Nine players from that winning Manly team will line up on Sunday against the Roosters in Tom Trbojevic, Garrick, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Aloiai, Lachlan Croker, Haumole Olakau'atu, Jake Trbojevic, Karl Lawton and Taniela Paseka.

101 and counting

The Sea Eagles will pass South Sydney's record of most finals appearances when they take on the Roosters this Sunday.

Last week, Manly became just the fourth club to play 100 finals game behind Easts/Roosters (116 games), St George Dragons (109) and South Sydney Rabbitohs (100).

Bring on final number 101, and may there be many more great Manly wins!

The Sea Eagles celebrate their win over the Bulldogs in their 100th finals match ©NRL Photos

Manly fans, take a bow!

We might have been outnumbered on Sunday against the Bulldogs in terms of crowd support, but one can never question the passion and loyalty of Sea Eagles fans. A big thank you to all who travelled.

So, now we need to show up again, and there is no doubt Manly fans DO TRAVEL.

Stronger together...Manly fans do travel! ©NRL Photos

Our players often talk about the passion and the energy Manly fans bring each game and it's truly appreciated by everyone. There's nothing like seeing a sea of maroon and white. so let's outnumber the Roosters fans this time on their home turf.

Let's get that famous 'M.A.N.L.Y, M.A.N.L.Y' chant echoing around the ground.

See you there for another cracking finals game. Go Manly!