Smith--------------------B Stewart
Donald-------------------Robertson
Ablett--------------------Lyon
Senior--------------------Matai
Hall-----------------------D Williams
McGuire------------------Bailey
Burrow-------------------Orford
Leuluai-------------------King
Diskin--------------------Ballin
Peacock-----------------Perry
Lauitiiti-------------------Hall
Jones-Buchanan---------Watmough
Sinfield-------------------G Stewart
Subs from:
Burgess-----------------L'Estrange
Kirke--------------------Rose
Bailey-------------------Rodney
Watkins-----------------Cuthbertson
McShane----------------Waerea-Hargreaves
Gibson------------------ n/a
OK, lets start with the traveling team... The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
These guys have come to play. They have spent 2 weeks in the country and had a nice warm up against the Quins last week. Their team is littered with class players and if the backs can receive decent ball then I can see them causing Leeds a lot of problems throughout the game.
Leeds on the other hand may have had 3 league games but for me it hasn't showed us much because of the teams we have had on the field. The forwards will be defence hardened but the backs have had no time to settle plus the fact we have only had 1 half back playing means that we have had no time to practice the combinations in attack.
Players/Match-ups
For me Brett Stewart is the best attacking FB in the world at this moment in time. If they can get good field position look for him hitting the line from deep and his speed is usually enough to beat the centre.
Lyon and Matai are two very good centres. They are skillful and quick and I feel Ablett will have a tough time having to mark Matai all evening. As we have seen already over the last 12 months Ablett has struggled in defence when he plays in the centre and Matai will be the best he has ever faced. Add to this Robertson's speed against a much slower Hall and they could have a field day on that side. Maybe Leeds should revert to swapping Hall and Donald around ala last season to give this team a more ballenced look. On the other side I feel Seniors strength will be enough to cope with Lyon as was proven for the majority throughout Lyon's 2 years in SL. I feel the Leeds attacking line will have to be deeper than normal though to give us chance of getting around the outside of the Manly team.
As far as the half backs go this will all depend on how Bailey plays. As good as Orford is he seems to struggle when everything is on his shoulders. I think back to a game in the last few rounds of last season at Brookvale against Melbourne where Lyon was out and Menzies played at 6. Manly dominated the game but just couldn't create and ended up losing. Orfords kicking game was all over the place and in a defense orientated game, which I believe Sunday will be too, he came up wanting. This time though Lyon is in the team and can take the weight of Orford's back if things aren't going right. As for Leeds a lot will depend on the fitness of Burrow. He hasn't played since the Salford game in January so may be a bit off the pace. The good thing though is that Leeds will finally have a good attacking Half Back partnership on the field and I think that has shown in the last 3 games.
Leeds seem stronger up front than Manly and I see this as a key to the game. If the forwards can get on top and stop Orford getting decent ball to the outside backs then I can see Leeds taking the game. It will also allow Burrow to do what he does best, and play behind the line. I am a tad disappointed to not see Kite playing because I class his as the best front rower in the World at the moment and his match up against Jamie peacock would have been worth the entrance money alone.
For me the back row is pretty even with Hall, Watmough and Glenn Stewart up against Lauiti'iti, Jones-Buchanan and Sinfield. Both sets are creative and are powerful runners of the ball. Also all are solid defenders. If Ali Lauiti'iti can do his magic though they may find it hard to cope with him.
My players to watch are:
Matt Diskin
If he can control the ruck like previous weeks and get a roll on the Manly forwards may struggle to keep the pace.
Matt Orford
If he gets good ball and is able to dictate play then Manly will have the upper hand all night.
My Verdict:
I can see 2 outcomes on Sunday (duh, thats obvious you say
but hear me out).
If Leeds forwards get on top and stop the outside backs from being able to play then I can see Leeds winning by 6.
If the opposite happens and Manly get the chance to show their flair then I have Manly to win by 16.
Anyway good luck to both teams and I hope it's an entertaining game.
