Sea Eagles ready for big showdown against Souths

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Wed 17 Mar 2021, 07:21 PM

The chance to make amends on their own turf against a premiership heavyweight is the exciting challenge facing the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland this Saturday.

Following a very disappointing first round performance against the Sydney Roosters last Saturday, the Sea Eagles will be determined to show their true ability in their first home game for 2021 as part of the Club’s 75th year anniversary.

After some heavy soul searching and video review of the Roosters match, in which 38 tackles were missed, Saturday can’t come fast enough for Coach Des Hasler and his men as they try to make amends.

Their pride was hurt and the Sea Eagles players know there is no better way to address that than turning in a big performance against the Rabbitohs.

Souths will also be looking for a better performance after being blown off the park in the first half by reigning premiers Melbourne Storm last week.

Fortunately for the Sea Eagles, the Rabbitohs clash is at home and it will be a huge lift for the team knowing the faithful Manly Members are behind them.

It will be an absorbing contest between two big forward packs who will be looking to gain that upper hand early to allow their big game players to shine.

In the forwards, look out for the battle between NSW Origin team-mates Jake Trbojevic and Cameron Murray.

Both are outstanding lock forwards with a never-say-die work-rate. Trbojevic made a whopping 43 tackles against the Roosters.

As for the backs, what a halves battle it will be between Manly’s Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans against South Sydney’s Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds.

For Foran, the match is going to have an extra special feeling as he runs out onto Lottoland for the first time in the maroon and white jersey since his last home game for Manly on August 28, 2015.

And as for Cherry-Evans, you can’t keep a champion player down for long. The Queensland and Australian half-back will be hell-bent on making up for an ordinary opening game. Look out for a special one from the Manly captain.

For South Sydney, it will be the Rabbitohs’ first game at Lottoland since April 6, 2019.

On that Saturday afternoon, Cherry-Evans got the Sea Eagles home 13-12 in an absolute thriller with a field goal in golden point.

The scene is set for a cracker of a match as both sides look to secure their first two competition points for the season.

Prior to the NRL match, the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles will be out to make it two wins in a row in the NSW Cup after an impressive opening round 48-20 win over North Sydney Bears under Coach Matt Ballin.

The Rabbitohs went down 36-26 to Penrith in another high scoring encounter, so there should be plenty of attacking football on display.

Tickets are still available, so show your passion for the Sea Eagles. The long wait to return to Lottoland is almost over!