Match Preview: NSW Cup Round 6 vs Dragons
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will be looking to build on their strong performance last week in the NSW Cup to return to the winners’ circle on Saturday.
Match: Dragons v Sea Eagles
Round 6 -
home Team
Dragons
4th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
13th Position
Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong
The Sea Eagles had to fight back twice last Saturday in their 26-18 loss to North Sydney Bears in a much-improved showing after back-to-back second half collapses prior.
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights | Round Five - Sea Eagles v Bears
In a Sea Eagles home game played at Lionel Watts Park, Belrose, Manly trailed 8-4 at half-time and then drew level before the Bears secured victory on full-time.
Manly NSW Cup Coach Brett Kimmorley was very happy with the performance against the Bears.
“We were certainly challenged but it was a significant improvement from the week before where we leaked a lot of points in the second half against the Roosters,’’ Kimmorley said.
“I thought their resilience and willingness to fight was good against Norths in an outstanding game of football, but unfortunately, we didn’t win it.
“At 18-all, we were a good chance of winning and coming over the top of Norths in the second half, but we came up with a couple of little mistakes in the last 10 minutes.”
Kimmorley is confident the team can produce a strong and full 80 minute performance against the Dragons in round six in Wollongong.
The Sea Eagles welcome back Clayton Faulalo and Josh Feledy after playing in last week’s crushing NRL win over the Dolphins.
It was a proud moment for Feledy after the local junior made his long-awaited club debut for Manly after coming through the club’s pathways program.
Experienced forward Nathan Brown and five-eighth Tex Hoy also return to the team from injury.
"We have a little bit more experience this week which will help young half Joey Walsh quite a lot,’’ Kimmorley added.
“A lot of the teams have bene ganging up on Joey and there is a lot of pressure on him for what people perceive as being the sole ball player.
“I feel like Joey is trying to do a lot, but he has been handling it very, very well for a player very young into his rugby league career.
“Tex will help him a little bit and Zac Dockar-Clay has been playing outstanding at dummy half and has been a good leader for us.
“Hopefully we can put it all together this week in an 80-minute performance.”
The Dragons sit fourth on the ladder with three wins from four. Manly have won one of their four games to sit 13th.
The match kicks off at 1pm on Saturday at Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong.
