VENUE & TIME: Brookvale Oval – Saturday, August 8, 5.35pm (AEST).
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 122 – Sea Eagles 67, Rabbitohs 55.
LAST TIME: Round 6, 2009 – Sea Eagles 24-8
WALKING WOUNDED: Both teams have stuck solid with the same line-ups from round 21, with Heath L'Estrange added to a five-man Manly bench after serving a two-match suspension. Brett Stewart conspiracy theorists still maintain the 'Snake' will return this week or next – but he won't. The Sea Eagles will more than likely ease him back with a 'softer' run against Cronulla at Brookie in round 25.
FORM: Manly had been in red-hot touch before being halted (only just) by the Wests Tigers on Monday night. The loss could have severe ramifications for the premiers' top four hopes, with three points now separating them from fourth spot. Still, there was plenty to like about the Sea Eagles as they clawed their way back from 18-0 down to finish a point behind the tiring Tigers. Souths started like one of those bunnies at Wentworth Park in last week's clash with the Bulldogs, racing to a 12-0 lead after as many minutes. Then it all came crashing down as the methodical Dogs worked their way back into the game and smothered the Rabbitohs' early momentum. Jason Taylor still insists his mob can make the finals but it's looking increasingly unlikely.
WHO'S HOT: DNA testing has apparently proved Anthony Watmough to be the perfect footballing specimen. He can run, tackle, pass and sink a dozen schooners at the Harbord Hilton without missing a beat. 'Choc' is a throwback to the days when footy players went hard on the field – and enjoyed life off it. He's over-done the partying in the past but seems to have found a happy medium. Good company on the field, but you don’t want to be up against him in his current mood. He could make Chris Sandow's life an absolute nightmare in this one. Let's hope Jason Taylor finds a spot for Heath Ledger look-alike David 'Caveman' Tyrrell. This kid's a real goer and one to keep an eye on for the future.
WE THINK: It's hard to see anything but a Manly victory – and a very big one if they stay interested. Des Hasler was proud of his team's comeback against the Tigers but remains deeply upset at the overall performance. Usually so composed, the Sea Eagles panicked after working their way into a winning position. That won’t happen here because Manly will surely be switched on and won’t let the Bunnies shoot out to a comfortable lead. Manly by 18
TEAMS:
Sea Eagles: Michael Robertson, Tony Williams, Ben Farrar, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford [c], Jason King, Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Hall, Glenn Stewart.
Interchange: Chris Bailey, Brent Kite, George Rose, Shane Rodney, Heath L'Estrange (one to be omitted).
Rabbitohs: Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi [c], Ben Lowe, Eddy Pettybourne, David Faalogo.
Interchange: Craig Wing, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Scott Geddes, Dave Tyrrell (one to be omitted).