General Sportal Warriors vs Manly Preview

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VENUE & TIME: Ericsson Stadium, Sunday - 12:00 AEDT
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 10, Warriors 5, Sea Eagles 5
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio
LAST TIME: Warriors 22 - Sea Eagles 20 at Brookvale Oval, round 25, 2005

WALKING WOUNDED
The Warriors will field the same 17 that defeated the Knights last week. Late withdrawal from that match, Epalahame Lauaki, has been ruled out for four months with a pectoral tear.
The Sea Eagles are injury-free at present.

FORM
It's taken just four rounds for the Warriors to wipe away their salary cap imposed deficit, but they did so with an unexpected win over Newcastle last Sunday. Admittedly the Knights were without the best player in the game, but Ivan Cleary's men still had to do the job in hostile territory against some of the form players in the NRL at present. It was refreshing to see their forwards use a bit of footwork in their charges.
The Sea Eagles secured their second win of the season with a come-from-behind performance against the Roosters. Down 0-12 early, Manly were on song in the second 40 minutes, particularly in defence where they didn't concede a try.

WHO'S HOT
Warriors skipper Steve Price. Made 154 metres in attack and tackled his heart out all day for his team. Was unlucky not have scored a try after performing one of his trademark charge-downs in the first half. Received maximum Dally M points for his efforts.
Sea Eagles fans have been waiting for prize recruit Matt Orford to fire and he finally came to the party last week against the Roosters. Scored a great solo try and controlled the game well when things got tight - something he has been criticised for failing to do in the past.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Nathan Fien v Matt Orford Clinton Toopi v Steve Bell
Steve Price v Jason King

LIKE TO SEE
Warriors fans come on board now that the side has freed itself from the burden of negative points on the ladder. There is a worry in New Zealand that the crowds will not come this year after the salary cap debacle, but that should change now it is obvious the Warriors are still well in the race for a finals berth after solid form over the past fortnight.

WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
Complacency creep into the Warriors' game after a successful couple of weeks.

WE THINK
The Sea Eagles are slowly, but surely gaining momentum now that Orford is growing in confidence and fitting in with the Manly style of play. They have a good recent record across the Tasman and the Warriors rarely string together three wins on the trot - having last done so back in 2003. Expect Orford to target Manu Vatuvei's wing with plenty of high ball near the line. Sea Eagles by 10.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Once again, Sportal tips against us and once again, they will be wrong.

 

[AmeriKiwi_old]

Let the sports writers predict the Warriors to lose all season long.... nothing serves as better motivation for a team than being trashed by all the "experts". Warriors win by 10 points.

 

[Warrior_Hot_Stepper_old]

Thats cool, Warriors play better with the underdog Tag, it brings the best out of them.
string a few more wins together and watch the Warriors confidence grow.
we have the side to beat anyone, its about confidence, i'm tipping Toopi Three tries this week.

 

[jono_t2000_old]

The Warriors wont ever be tipped as the favourites from any of the Aussie media except against maybe the Rabbitohs.

We have the tag of being too unconsistent for them to make a reliable prediction on us picking up a victory, however that could all change during the second half of the season.

 

[mosh_old]

The only reason we lost to the Panthers in 2003 was because we were favourites and we were up ourselves.
The only reason we beat the Broncos in 2002-2005 was because we were not favourites. And The only reason we reached the GF in 2002 was because everyone wrote us off.

So this is a good thing.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Typical to hear that sort of a prediction from that place and plenty others, we'll go on our own instincts I reckon.

 

[sebastian_old]

HEY SPORTAL, ONCE AGAIN KISS MY ARSE!!!!!!

 

[Jesbass_old]

I'm surprised people were expecting us to be favourites. I view us as underdogs for sure. Not by much, but underdogs nonetheless. The best thing about that is we perform best as underdogs.

 

[mattyj_old]

having last done so back in 2003. Expect Orford to target Manu Vatuvei's wing with plenty of high ball near the line. Sea Eagles by 10.

Does this clown from sportal actually watch any footy?

Bomb away Orford, bomb away son.

Vatuvai has been great under the high ball, sure he has dropped a couple but he has had about ten thousand launched at him.

Vatuvai has 12cm and 15kg on his opposite winger, one misplaced kick from Orford that goes straght to Vatuvai and creates a 1 on 1 and he's going to go 95m to score.

 

[Jesbass_old]

Yeah, I thought that was a bit odd too, mattyj. Hopefully Orford attempts to exploit this 'weakness'!