Round 11 Match Preview vs Eels

So, here we go again, Manly and Parra.

We take a look at this Friday night's big match at CommBank Stadium between two of the game's fiercest rivals.

The Form

Beware the wounded Sea Eagle! Friday night's clash can't come quick enough for the Manly boys who will be hell bent on setting things right again following a very poor 38-0 loss to Brisbane in their Magic Round match. The Sea Eagles have won two of their last five games to sit in ninth position.

The Eels have also won two of their last five premiership matches to sit in sixth position with six wins from 10 games. They came home strongly in their 31-24 loss to the Sydney Roosters in Magic Round. Former Manly player and current Eels captain Clint Gutherson will play his 150th NRL game.

Head-to-Head

Played 145: Manly 87, Parramatta 54, drawn 4

Last 5 vs Parramatta

Rd 25, 2019: Parramatta 32 Manly 16, BankWest Stadium

Rd 4, 2020: Parramatta 19 Manly 16, Bankwest Stadium

Rd 10, 2020: Manly 22 Parramatta 18, Brookvale

Rd 11, 2021: Manly 28 Parramatta 6, Bankwest Stadium

Rd 22, 2021: Manly 56 Parramatta 10, Sunshine Coast Stadium

Old foes

Both clubs entered the NSWRL competition in 1947 and have gone on to be powerhouses at different times.

They have fought out three first grand finals and have also won 12 first grade premierships between them.

Manly's first ever win came against Parramatta at Brookvale Oval on May 31, 1947, with Johnny Bliss and Gordon Willoughby scoring two tries each for the home side.

Cherry’s ready to ripe

Manly captain and half-back Daly Cherry-Evans will be out to make amends after a tough night against the Broncos. On a wet and miserable night, Cherry-Evans struggled to get the Sea Eagles attack flowing at Suncorp. You don’t keep champion players down for long, so look out for a big game from the inspirational skipper.

Last Time We Met

Goal-kicking winger Reuben Garrick recorded a personal haul of 28 points in the 56-10 win at Sunshine Coast Stadium in August last year.

Garrick crossed for a hat-trick of tries and kicked eight from 10 goals in the 10 tries to two romp.

Happy Hunting Ground

The Eels’ home ground may undergone some name changes in recent times but the venue holds no fear for the Sea Eagles.

Since the opening of the new stadium in Parramatta, the Sea Eagles have won three of their five matches played there, including some big wins over Wests Tigers, Parramatta, and Canterbury.

Manly’s last loss at the ground was a 19-16 defeat to Parramatta in 2020 after the Sea Eagles were denied a late try to winger Reuben Garrick after a touch judge ruled a Tom Trbojevic pass floated forward. 

Remembering Bob Fulton

Friday's match will be almost 12 months to the day since the Sea Eagles were rocked with the news that Club Immortal Bob Fulton passed away on the morning of the Parramatta match at the age of 74.

Fulton played 213 first grade games for Manly and is the only person to both Captain and Coach the Sea Eagles to first grade premierships.

One of the game's original 'Immortals’, Fulton holds the unique distinction of winning premiership titles and Ashes series as a player, captain and coach.

This Monday, May 23, will mark the one year anniversary of Fulton’s passing.