We take a look at what this week's opponents, South Sydney Rabbitohs, had to say about the Sea Eagles in the lead up to Saturday night's game.
Kick-of at Accor Stadium, Homebush, is 7.35pm.
Coach Jason Demetriou
On the battle between Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic.
"Tom's an outstanding player. I'm really looking forward to how that battle plays out. They're great mates as well. They get on really well and I'm sure they will want some bragging rights when they get into Origin camp later in the year."
on shutting 'Turbo' down
"For us, it's field position. Putting the ball in areas where we know we can get our defence on. It's not so much about Tommy, it's about their whole team. They have got some really exciting outside backs who start their sets off really well for them. It's important we improve on what we did last week. We can't give the ball away so cheaply and expect to defend our line for long periods of time because there is too much strike in that Manly team."
on Manly's start to the season
"It's been good. A big home win to start the year into a he bye and then a really impressive 70 minutes against Parramatta. They will probably admit they switched off the last 10 but the game was over. They look like they are enjoying their footy and 'Seibs' has done a great job to get in there and change a team that was probably down at the back end of last year."
Hooker Damien Cook
- On Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic.
“They are two of the great full-backs of our game right now. I look forward to us getting our big fella (Mitchell) in good positions and letting him do his thing. But Turbo’s definitely one to watch this weekend. I feel like Manly are more of a complete side this year. They are playing really good footy as a team and it’s not just him saving them. He had a great season a couple of years ago where it was almost off the back of him. I feel like he is doing his thing but everyone else is. They are humming at the moment, Manly.
When he (Tom) is in attack, he is a powerful runner of the ball. We saw on the weekend, a quick play the ball and (Josh) Schuster jumped out and just hit him, and he barged over. We have to make sure we are just ready for anything on the weekend. Wherever he is, there’s a good chance where’s the ball going.”
Half-back Lachlan Ilias
“Manly have obviously got a really good attack and that’s a good challenge for our defence to see where we are at. Turbo is looking good. He’s obviously a great player (who) won the Dally M a couple of years ago. We are going to have a game plan around him. All eyes will be on him and their halves.”
Centre Isaiah Tass
on Manly's form
"They have come out strong this year. They’re a good side and we have got to match them. We have got to come back with that same intensity that we had all through the start of the season and just get over the top of them."
- on stopping 'Turbo'
“Their team is sort of built around him. Our focus is to just take him out of the game early, pressure him, and make him make the mistakes. We have to take the pressure to them and limit his touches in the game."
Secure your tickets here for the Souths clash. Kick-off 7.35pm.
