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Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles: Chee Kam swung into centres; Aloiai to start

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What a difference Tom Trbojevic's return made to Manly's attack last week. The question now is if "Turbo" and the revitalised Sea Eagles can sustain that winning feeling for a third straight victory.

The Wests Tigers, in contrast, are still trying to fight their way out of a slump. They lost to the Rabbitohs in extra time last week, after scoring two late tries but falling short against the Cowboys a fortnight ago.

Maybe a change of venue could help - it's their first visit to Bankwest Stadium this year. Then again, the Wests Tigers didn't have much luck there last season with only three victories from eight visits.

Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles

The rundown

Team news

Wests Tigers: Michael Maguire's team will start 1-17 with Joey Leilua the 18th man. Veteran utility Michael Chee Kam has moved into the centres to replace Asu Kepaoa, with the youngster facing six to nine months on the sideline after suffering an ACL tear against the Rabbitohs.

Joey Leilua (head knock), returning after missing a week, has taken Chee Kam's spot in the reserves while Alex Seyfarth will move from the reserves to the interchange in a swap with Thomas Mikaele.

Jacob Liddle and Tom Amone dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off.

Wests Tigers have won only one of their past six games at Bankwest Stadium.

Sea Eagles: In a couple of positional changes announced an hour before kick-off, Josh Aloiai and Sean Keppie move from the bench into the starting 13 with Martin Taupau and Haumole Olakautu doing the opposite. Tevita Funa is the 18th man, while Zac Saddler the last player omitted.

There would have been much holding of breath and crossing of fingers when Tom Trbojevic finally made his return to action but the fullback's comeback could not have gone any better.

Back-rower Curtis Sironen (knee) remains sidelined and Morgan Boyle (shoulder) is yet to have his situation clarified. 

Christian Tuipulotu and Ben Trbojevic dropped off the extended bench on Saturday.

The Sea Eagles have won 15 of their past 20 games with Tom Trbojevic in their line-up.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
    Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James Roberts
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Michael Chee Kam
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy Talau
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
    Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
    Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans 

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
    Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Aloiai
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Joe Ofahengaue
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Josh Schuster
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 16 Sean Keppie
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
    Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Moses Mbye
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Luke Garner
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Cade Cust
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Zane Musgrove
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves

  • Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jacob Liddle
    Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Tevita Funa

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Key match-up

James Tamou v Josh Aloiai: Manly prop Aloiai gets to butt heads with the club he spent five years and 90 NRL games at. His tussle with the Wests Tigers front-row recruit and new skipper Tamou will help determine which forward pack gains the early momentum. Aloiai's form has earned him a starting spot the past two weeks, relegating Marty Taupau to the bench.

Stat attack

Reuben Garrick moved from 22nd spot to sixth in the individual pointscorers list with his 20-point haul in the demolition of the Titans last week - two tries, five conversions and a penalty goal.

 

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