SEA EAGLES 21 ROOSTERS 14

KEY POINTS

MANLY, IS IT TIME TO BELIEVE? The Sea Eagles produced some of the best 80-minute performances of 2023 before managing to miss the finals, so scepticism is warranted. But the defensive bash-up dished out at times to the likes of Lindsay Collins, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Joey Manu was just as impressive as the carve up with ball-in-hand. And on that, Haumole Olakau’atu looked, once again, like the type of back-rower you simply have to have in a sky blue jersey.

Again, like Manly throughout last season, the big man’s form yo-yoed alarmingly at times. But with Daly Cherry-Evans marshalling him superbly, Taniela Paseka aiming up and Tom Trbojevic an ever-present threat in a backline brimming with pace and talent, there’s something in this Manly mob. And they might just be ready to piece it all together.

LUKE WHO’S TALKING: Luke Brooks is a new man in maroon and white. The change of scenery for the former Wests Tigers punching bag has the 29-year-old sending teammates through holes, putting hits on and playing both sides of the field in an already very promising combination with Cherry-Evans. But for one toe sliding into touch, he’d have finished the day with a well-earned try, but he’s only going to get better the longer he and Cherry-Evans play together . Manly’s $3 million investment already looks a sound one.

KEARY CONCERNS AS CHOOKS COOK THEMSELVES:

Luke Keary was up and about in the Roosters sheds “in a fairly good way” according to Trent Robinson after copping a heavy head knock late in the contest from a collision with Tom Trbojevic. Club officials were coy on whether Keary had passed his subsequent HIA - a failed test would rule the veteran half out of Friday’s marquee clash with his old Rabbitohs side.

Meanwhile, thanks to 19 errors and a 9-4 penalty count against them - with a couple of very soft offside and blocker efforts on kicks, the Roosters were perpetually stuck in the mud. Even with Manly firing, a large portion was of the Tricolours’ own making. To their credit, most other teams would have submitted to an absolute demolition having to make an extra 99 tackles.

KEY STATS

WHAT THEY SAID

ROOSTERS COACH TRENT ROBINSON: “We were playing catch up for most of the game and we were a long way from them for most of the game. It was a bit disjointed there from us. I felt like the left hand wasn’t speaking to the right hand at times and we couldn’t get any rhythm at any point. That’s a credit to the opposition, they created that through their ruck speed and carries. It made it really difficult to compete against.”

Robinson also expects injured centre Billy Smith to return from a hamstring injury, raising a five into four scenario out wide with Smith, Dominic Young, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Daniel Tupou all available.

SEA EAGLES COACH ANTHONY SEIBOLD: ”[Brooks] was great. He’s done a really good job the first few weeks.

“He’ll only get better too. He’s made a really good start with the connection and cohesion with Chez (Daly Cherry-Evans) and Turbo (Tom Trbojevic).

“They’re the guys who lead us around. We don’t need Brooksy being that organiser, we just need him to bring his weapons.”

Scans on Monday will confirm whether Tommy Talau has suffered a broken ankle or a dislocation.