Match Preview: Sea Eagles v Eels

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 16 Mar 2023, 02:25 PM

A new chapter will be written in one of rugby league’s most historic rivalries this Thursday as the Eels travel to Manly to tackle the Sea Eagles.

Parramatta and Manly faced in three Grand Finals in the 20th century, with the Eels lifting the trophy twice during their famous, early-80s threepeat. Recent seasons have seen the two clubs play out some thrilling matches, with another on the cards in this Round 3 clash.

Classic encounter: Eels v Sea Eagles

Team News

Breakout star J’maine Hopgood continues in the lock forward role, while fellow new recruits Josh Hodgson, Matt Doorey, Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie also retain their positions.

Meanwhile, Manly have made one change to their side which beat the Bulldogs in Round 1; Josh Schuster returns from injury to play five-eighth in the place of Cooper Johns.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Thursday 16 Mar

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick

Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Josh Schuster

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Jake Trbojevic

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Josh Aloiai

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Kaeo Weekes

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Jirah Momoisea
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ben Trbojevic

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jack Murchie
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu Greig
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Karl Lawton

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Peter Gough
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:55 AM

Recent History

The Eels enjoyed two wins over Manly last season. First, a thriller at CommBank Stadium decided by Mitchell Moses’ late heroics, and then a convincing victory later in the season at this week’s venue, 4 Pines Park.

Match Highlights: Sea Eagles v Eels

The honours have been split evenly across their last ten meetings, with the Eels and Sea Eagles winning five each since 2017.

Form Guide

The Eels have been unfortunate not to taste victory yet this season, suffering close defeats in the opening two rounds. The Eels went down by a single point to Melbourne in the season-opener, and by four to Cronulla last week.

The Sea Eagles kicked off their season with a convincing 31-6 win over the Bulldogs in Round 1, before enjoying a bye in Round 2. With two courtesy points from their bye last week, Manly sit atop the premiership ladder.

Key Stat

In both Eels matches this season, Parramatta scored an equal number of tries as their opponents. They were bettered only by a golden point field goal in Round 1 and a pair of conversions in Round 2.

Key Match-Up

Eels halfback Mitchell Moses during his 200th NRL game last week.

With Parramatta finding themselves in two close contests to kick off the year, another game of fine margins looks likely in Round 3. As such, it will be up to halfbacks Daly Cherry-Evans and Mitchell Moses to ice the big moments when they arise.