Junior Reps: Finals Week 1 Preview

Manly’s Harold Matthews Cup side will take on the Sydney Roosters in Week 1 of the junior rep finals after finishing the nine round regular season in seventh place on the ladder.

Both teams finished the regular season with a 5-3 win-loss record, the Roosters occupying sixth place on the ladder with a better for-and-against.

The Sea Eagles enter the finals off a hard-fought 14–4 win over the Central Coast Roosters, while the Bondi club enjoyed a comfortable win over the Melbourne Storm in the final round.

There are a few changes for Manly ahead of this elimination final. Kaiden Grace has been named to make his season debut on the wing in place of Jack Smith. The forward pack has been reshaped, with Bailey Coxsedge and Khyanu Mason starting up front. Riley Carter shifts to hooker, Ryan Grigorian comes into the second row, and Noah Flakus moves into lock after previously featuring off the bench. 

These teams did not meet though the regular season.

SG Ball Cup (U/19 Men’s)

The Sea Eagles SG Ball Cup side finished the regular season fourth on the ladder, losing just one of eight games played.

It's been an impressive season for the U19s under the leadership of coach Lachlan Croker and his staff, and the job is not finished yet.

The Rabbitohs finished top of the ladder and were the only team to go through the regular season unbeaten.

Manly’s one and only loss was at the hands of the Rabbitohs at 4 Pines Park in Round 5. 

Coach Croker has made some slight adjustments to the team that was victorious last week, without changing the successful halves pairing of Onitoni Large and Beau Alexander.

If you aren’t able to make it to any of the games this weekend, you can tune on NSWRL TV with a valid subscription.