Parramatta's season is on the line in their blockbuster clash with Manly.
Head to Head: Eels 45 Sea Eagles 82 drawn 4
Last clash: Round 3 2014 - Sea Eagles 22 bt Eels 18 at Brookvale Oval
Michael Chammas writes: This could be one of the games of the season. Parramatta's season is on the line and while they will be in the contest for 60 minutes, Manly's class will shine when it matters most.
Tip: Sea Eagles by 4
AAP writes: Following last week’s ‘‘ballboy-gate’’ incident, the Eels come up against Manly having suffered a 22-18 loss to the Sea Eagles in round three on the back of a controversial video referee call in the dying minutes of that match. Manly bounced back to the winner’s circle last weekend with a gritty, if unconvincing, win over Gold Coast. They’ve named centre Steve Matai to make a comeback from the shoulder injury which kept him out of the Titans’ clash but doubts remain over whether the Kiwi veteran will actually start. Parramatta know they need to win in the hunt for a finals spot following their loss to Canterbury last weekend and coach Brad Arthur has Junior Paulo back from suspension at prop while Peni Terepo returns from a knee injury in place of Pauli Pauli.
Key: Who else but Jarryd Hayne? Heavily marked against the Dogs, his stunning tap-on pass set up Semi Radradra as the NRL’s form player keeps on dragging the Eels to the line. Can he haul them past the ladder leaders?
EELS: Jarryd Hayne (capt), Semi Radradra, Will Hopoate, Ryan Morgan, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Isaac De Gois, Junior Paulo, Kenny Edwards, Tepai Moeroa, Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Peni Terepo, David Gower, Darcy Lussick, Ben Smith.
SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon (capt), Steve Matai, Peta Hiku, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Anthony Watmough, Tom Symonds, Jamie Buhrer. Interchange: Jesse Sene-Lefao, Justin Horo, James Hasson, Jason King.
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Alan Shortall.
Ladbrokes: Eels $2.60, Sea Eagles $1.50
Betfair: Eels $2.72, Sea Eagles $1.57
Welcome to a surprisingly clear night in Parramatta for the big clash between the Eels and Sea Eagles. Both teams are unchanged and are currently on the field warming up so don't expect a kick off any time soon. Stick around because we should be in for a big game.
Manly warming up ..
Sharp. As always. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/cPBXB3Fexs — Manly Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) August 22, 2014
Decent crowd at Parramatta...the Blue and Gold army flag is raised and we are almost ready to go.
Eels just leaving the ground...
There's a rumour going around that Friday night footy will kick off before the clock strikes midnight #NRLParMan http://t.co/Ve4ltW3a4r — LeagueHQ (@LeagueHQ1) August 22, 2014
Manly kick off and we are away.
Who wins? Manly or Parramatta? Thumbs up for Manly, thumbs down for Parramatta. I think the Eels are good things tonight.
Big vocal crowd here at Pirtek.
Manly on the attack again courtesy of a penalty.
Brett Stewart grubber forces a repeat set. All Manly here
Jamie Lyon slots it from the sideline. 6-0 after five minutes.
TRY ..Jorge Taufua. Back-to-back sets leads to a Manly try. A slick move down the left side finished off by Taufua. Danger signs for the Eels.
