VENUE & TIME: Skilled Park, Friday 4 July - 7:45pm AEST
COVERAGE: Channel 9
LAST TIME: Sea Eagles 20 - Titans 6 at Brookvale Oval, Round 6, 2007.
WALKING WOUNDED: Titans half-back Scott Prince broke his arm in Queensland's State of Origin III win and probably won't play again this year. That means curtains for the Gold Coast's playoff hopes. The capable Brad Davis will fill-in for the rest of the year. Manly full-back Brett Stewart only played about three seconds of Origin and will back up. The Sea Eagles lost Luke Williamson (cheekbone) for six weeks but are pretty much at full strength.
FORM: Manly coach Des Hasler likes his team to fly under the radar but after winning eight from its last nine matches to hold down first place (on for and against) there is nowhere to hide for this impressive Sea Eagles unit. They weren't great against Newcastle last week but were always in control. Gold Coast has got the hippy, hippy shakes after a terrific start to the year. Lack of depth is beginning to catch up with the Titans and the loss of Prince is a massive blow. The only positive is this one is at home.
WHO'S HOT: Josh Perry's ambitions to make his way back into the Origin arena have passed him by - for this year at least - but he must have been awfully close to a recall. After escaping the train wreck that was Newcastle last year, Perry has played like a locomotive since shifting to the northern beaches. He is one of the leading metre-eaters in the comp and possesses a neat off-load.
WE THINK: The Titans have the look of a team about to go out the backdoor as far as the finals are concerned. They blotted their perfect home record against the Saints and need to get back on track here if they are to stay in touch with the leaders. The return of Origin duo Anthony Laffranchi and Ashley Harrison will aid and abet that cause. But Manly look too strong across the park and should continue on its winning way. Manly by 18.
TEAMS:
Titans: Preston Campbell, Ben Jeffery, Luke O'Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Jordan Atkins, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (capt), Michael Henderson, Nathan Friend, Michael Hodgson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: James Stosic, Brad Meyers, Daniel Conn, Josh Graham.
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (capt), Brent Kite, Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Steve Menzies. Interchange: Heath L'Estrange, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Mark Bryant, Michael Bani (one to be omitted)