Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NSW Cup Coach Luke Williamson knows the dangers the Bulldogs bring to Brookvale Oval this Saturday, August 15.
A 34-20 victory over Wentworthville Magpies on Sunday saw the Sea Eagles move into ninth place on the ladder with three rounds remaining before the finals. A draw the day before between Newtown (10th) and Wests Tigers (11th) also worked in favour of the Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles are on 22 points with eighth-placed Illawarra Cutters but are behind on differential points. Illawarra face a tough run home against competition leaders Mounties, Bulldogs (6th) and Penrith (third).
Fortunately for the Sea Eagles, they play the Bulldogs (6th), Wentworthville (12th) and Newcastle (5th) at Brookvale Oval over the next three consecutive Saturdays, giving the side a huge home ground advantage.
“It was good to get the win as Ringrose Park can be a hard ground to play at,’’ Williamson said.
“The Bulldogs will be very tough. They are four points ahead of us on the ladder and this is another important match for us.”
The Sea Eagles will take plenty of confidence into the Bulldogs clash after scoring 22 unanswered points against Wentworthville after trailing 16-12 at half-time.
Former premiership winning winger David Williams scored two tries in the win while Delroy Berryman, Jayden Hodges, Jack Littlejohn and Manaia Rudolph also crossed for four pointers. Dylan Kelly kicked three goals. The Sea Eagles will play Wentworthville again in round 24.
The Bulldogs go into the match on the back of a 29-22 away win over Wyong on Sunday.
Sea Eagles run home
Rd 23: v Canterbury, Brookvale Oval, Saturday, August 15, 3pm
Rd 24: v Wentworthville, Brookvale Oval, Saturday, August 22, 3pm
Rd 25: v Newcastle, Brookvale Oval, Saturday, August 29, 3pm
