The Broncos have a big point to prove to themselves and their fans after last week's hiding from the Rabbitohs.
Maybe all the pre-season talk about them being title contenders was way off and they just aren't good enough.
It always seems obvious in hindsight, but perhaps this team is simply too young and green to succeed in the NRL on a weekly basis.
The bottom line is there's a lot of questions which the Broncos have yet to answer.
Manly continue to show their top eight aspirations have to be taken seriously and will like their chances on Friday night, despite being on Brisbane's home turf.
Match: Sea Eagles v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
away Team
Broncos
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: In a series of changes made 60 minutes before kick-off, Abbas Miski (No.18) will start on the wing, Curtis Sironen (No.12) at five-eighth and Apisai Koroisau (No.6) at hooker. Jack Gosiewski goes from the bench into the starting side and Manase Fainu drops back to the bench. Jorge Taufua and Cade Cust were the two players left out 60 minutes before game time. Zach Dockar-Clay and Taniela Paseka were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Manly have won five of their past six games.
Broncos: Anthony Seibold has made all his team changes earlier in the week with no Andrew McCullough (knee), James Roberts or Jamayne Isaako (both dropped) for the clash. That was confirmed an hour before kick-off when Isaako and Cory Paix were the two players omitted. Jaydn Su'a and Sean O'Sullivan dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Brisbane have scored 24 points or more in their past six games against Manly.
Match: Sea Eagles v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Brendan ElliotFullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben GarrickWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Brad ParkerCentre for Broncos is number 4 Jack Bird
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 18 Abbas MiskiWinger for Broncos is number 5 Gehamat Shibasaki
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Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis SironenFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Kane ElgeyHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa SipleyProp for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 6 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin TaupauProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jack Gosiewski2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Matt Gillett
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Broncos is number 13 Thomas Flegler
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 9 Manase FainuInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Patrick Carrigan
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Kelepi TanginoaInterchange for Broncos is number 15 David Fifita
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Corey WaddellInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Morgan BoyleInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Joe Ofahengaue
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Darius Boyd needs a big bounce-back performance after struggling through his 300th NRL game last week. If the Broncos are going to turn their season around Boyd has to hold his form from week to week and his clash with Manly fullback Brendan Elliot is a good opportunity to get the ball rolling.
For the Sea Eagles to win
Des Hasler is making a compelling case for Coach of the Year honours. If he can keep the Sea Eagles on this path and continue to overcome injuries and other obstacles, he's as good a chance as anybody. Manly have to stick to the processes that have worked for them thus far and exploit any signs of weakness from the wildly inconsistent Broncos.
For the Broncos to win
It's technically a home game for Manly but that shouldn't bother the Broncos. They might take a few weeks to adjust to the departure of Kodi Nikorima to the Warriors but really don't the luxury to take their time after such a poor start to the season. They have to put last week's nightmare behind them and build a game based on defence and working for each other.
Brett Kimmorley says
Dessie has the Eagles flying – he is such a great defensive coach. Manly don’t make many poor decisions or leak many poor defensive tries. Manly’s big pack of forward will want to take the more highly-talented Brisbane pack apart. Brisbane need to start winning – you can have all the talent in the world but if you aren’t willing to fight tooth and nail you aren’t going to win many games. Their season is nearly all over. Broncos by 2
Stat Attack
Corey Oates is equal first in the NRL in line breaks (8), while Broncos teammate Jack Bird is third in tackle breaks (44). Anthony Milford is the runaway leader in kick metres (3,574) and hooker Andrew McCullough is second (386) among the top tacklers. Brisbane have more ineffective tackles than any team (157).
And another thing ...
The inconsistent Sea Eagles side that lost their first two games in 2019 didn't look much different to the version that finished 2018. But something happened in their 46-12 rout of the Warriors in round three and they haven't looked back, despite losing Origin stars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans to injuries. A lot of diehard Manly fans reckon it's simply the Hasler factor and it's hard to argue. The Sea Eagles play with the same competitive spirit that Hasler displayed during a 16-year playing career.
