Match Preview: Round 4 vs Eels

Another sellout crowd will fill the fortress as the Sea Eagles aim to make it three from three at 4 Pines Park this season.

The Sea Eagles are on a seven-day-turnaround following last weekend’s 40-12 demolition of the Raiders.

The Eels enter the fortress chasing their first win of the season after going close against the Bulldogs last weekend, following heavy losses to the Storm and Tigers.

In team news the Sea Eagles welcome back Tom Trbojevic who sat out last weekend’s match after experiencing hamstring tightness against the Warriors in Round 2. 

Former Eel Nathan Brown also comes into the side for his first game of the season, following an Achilles injury to prop Taniela Paseka, with Josh Aloiai elevated the starting lineup.

Parra have made a couple of changes to the side that lost the Bulldogs with winger Sean Russell and bench forward Daniel Keir named in their 17.

Ahead of Manly officially opening its new 1947 Lounge on Sunday, it’s timely to revisit the very first game between these two sides, played in 1947. 

It was Saturday 31st May, here on Lot 47A, where Manly beat Parramatta 15-7 with 3200 spectators in attendance.

Stats:

• Sea Eagles have won 48 of 70 matches played against the Eels at Brookie
• Sea Eagles have won seven of their past eight games at 4 Pines Park.
• Eels have won only one of their past six games at 4 Pines Park.
• Tom Trbojevic has scored 16 tries in his last 16 games on home soil.
• Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored 13 tries in 12 games against the Eels
• Eels prop Joe Ofahengaue will make his 200th NRL appearance.