NRL Rd 26 Preview: Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Wed 23 Aug 2023, 02:39 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will be looking to celebrate the NRL debut of a rising young hooker with a much needed victory at Homebush on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles tackle the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their final away game for the season at Accor Stadium. Kick-off 2pm.

Team News

Fullback Reuben Garrick suffered a fractured back against the Warriors. He has been named on the extended bench and will continue to be monitored. Tolu Koula moves to fullback. Brad Parker and Ben Trbojevic return to the team after missing the Warriors match with concussion. Gordon Chan Kum Tong has been named on the bench to make his NRL debut.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Sunday 27 Aug

Full Time

Bulldogs

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tolutau Koula
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Bulldogs is number 22 Hayze Perham

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
Centre for Bulldogs is number 24 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Jake Arthur
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Liam Knight

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Luke Thompson

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Sean Keppie
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Harrison Edwards

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kyle Flanagan

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Kelma Tuilagi
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Tevita Pangai Junior

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Aaron Woods
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jayden Okunbor

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Ethan Bullemor

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Jeral Skelton

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Dean Matterson

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 12/12/2023 11:06:29 PM

The Form

The Sea Eagles have certainly given their all over the past fortnight in pushing finals bound teams Penrith and the Warriors.

If the Sea Eagles can maintain that same intensity now with their finals aspirations over, they will go a long way to recording their first victory since the round 22 win over St George-Illawarra over a month ago.

The Bulldogs also recorded their last win a month ago, a 23-22 victory over the Dolphins.

It's Gordie's time

Hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong gets his opportunity to show his talents on the big stage when he becomes the 649th player to represent Manly in first grade on Sunday.

The 21-year-old displays a level of professionalism, competitiveness, and natural leadership well beyond his years after coming through the Sea Eagles Pathways Program since the age of 15.

It’s why he has held the roles of either vice-captain or captain of every Manly team he has played in. He has done a superb job as Blacktown captain in the NSW Cup this season.

Last Time We Met

It's been a long and tough road for the Sea Eagles since their opening round 31-6 win over the Bulldogs at 4 Pines Park in March.

Captain and half-back Daly Cherry-Evans crossed for a hat-trick in front of a crowd of over 17,000.