The Sea Eagles are out to prove last week’s loss to the Panthers was a mere hiccup as they return home to face the Broncos at 4 Pines Park.
The two-point defeat to Penrith ended Kieran Foran’s unbeaten start to his coaching career, however there were plenty of positive signs in a tense tussle.
Edge forward Haumole Olakau’atu continues to press his claim for an Origin jumper, while Lehi Hopoate has shown a knack for finding the try line.
The challenges don’t get any easier this weekend when the Sea Eagles host the defending premiers in a Saturday night blockbuster.
Brisbane are licking their wounds after a bruising loss to the Roosters, with Deine Mariner and Adam Reynolds joining an already bulging casualty ward.
A disappointing first half ultimately cost the Broncos and coach Michael Maguire will be out to ensure they burst out of the gates on Saturday.
Reece Walsh hit the ground running in his return from a facial fracture and is set for a fascinating positional battle with Sea Eagles fullback Tolu Koula.
The pair are two of the brightest young stars in the sport and have the ability to break a game open with fast footwork and a lightning blast of speed.
Team News
Sea Eagles: Manly have been dealt a blow, with halfback Jamal Fogarty set to miss a second-straight game due to a groin injury. Joey Walsh will start at halfback for the second-straight week as a result. “[Jamal] won’t play,” coach Kieran Foran said. “He was pretty close but we felt it was best for Jamal to give him another week. He wasn’t quite 100%, they can be tricky these groin injuries, it’s only Round 10 so we don’t want to further injure him.” Ethan Bullemor is set to start in the front row after Kobe Hetherington was placed in the head knock protocol. Zach Dockar-Clay is the new man on the bench as a result of Fogarty’s withdrawal. No further changes on game day, Josh Feledy dropping out of the squad.
Broncos: One more change in the 90-minute update, Preston Riki coming into the starting side and Ben Talty shifting back to the interchange. Ben Hunt has been cleared to take his place in the side and will make an early return from a knee injury suffered in Round 5. The veteran will start at halfback, with Tom Duffy shifting to the interchange. No further changes in Friday’s 24-hour update, with Josh Rogers and Kane Bradley dropping out of the squad. Hunt’s return is a major boost for the injury-hit Broncos, who have lost Adam Reynolds, Deine Mariner and Kotoni Staggs to injury and suspension from last week’s loss to the Roosters. Jesse Arthars is set to replace Staggs in the centres, while young gun Antonio Verhoeven comes on to the wing. Brisbane have not won at 4 Pines Park since 2010. Josiah Karapani did not train earlier in the week, with medical staff monitoring his progress from an ankle injury but he remains in the side and is on track to take his place on the wing.
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have conceded 18 points or less in all five games under interim coach Kieran Foran.
- The Broncos have not won at 4 Pines Park since 2010.
- Sea Eagles winger Lehi Hopoate has scored seven tries in his last five games.
- Only two Broncos (Jack Gosiewski and Jesse Arthars) have won an NRL game at 4 Pines Park.
- Sea Eagles captain Jake Trbojevic will play his 250th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
