Round 1 - Sea Eagles vs Storm
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 8:58 am
Sea Eagles v Storm: Round 1 preview
NRL.com
Mon 9 Mar 2020
One of the great modern rivalries, there is usually drama when the Sea Eagles and Storm clash.
That was certainly the case in their first meeting last season when Manly won a golden point thriller 11-10 to announce their premiership claims.
Melbourne recorded a big win in the rematch, but Sea Eagles winger Jorge Taufua produced the main highlight by demolishing Cameron Munster with a trademark hit.
Reigning minor premiers the Storm are looking to continue their dominance despite losing some backline power, while Manly are expected to be among the top teams in 2020.
The Rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: Influential lock Jake Trbojevic is all but certain to be out as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Prop Addin Fonua-Blake (shoulder) is racing the clock to be fit, while Taniela Paseka (ankle) will be watching from the stands. Jack Gosiewski has a back disc infection.
Storm: Interchange hooker Brandon Smith suffered a facial fracture in the All Stars game and won't be back for a few weeks. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) is expected to be fit, while Christian Welch (knee) is out.
Key match-up
Tom Trbojevic v Ryan Papenhuyzen. The fullbacks hold the key to their team’s attack at Lottoland. Trbojevic is on the comeback trail from injury while Papenhuyzen is coming off a breakout year at the back for the Storm and will be targeted a lot more by opposition sides in 2020.
For the Sea Eagles to win
Manly's selective offloading ability was a point of difference in their attack last year. Second-phase play could be what's needed to open up the notoriously tight Storm defence.
For the Storm to win
As always, the two Camerons – Smith and Munster – are integral to Melbourne's hopes. Their impact – or lack of – might be what decides the result.
Brett Kimmorley says
Manly are no longer flying under the radar after a wonderful 2019. The home ground advantage is big and I think they'll cause an upset thanks to a Des Hasler coaching masterclass. It's interesting how the Storm keep having to develop players and they lost a few again this year. They couldn't settle on a halfback last season, so I look forward to seeing who plays where for Melbourne and what style they employ in the opening weeks. Sea Eagles by 2.
Stat Attack
Daly Cherry-Evans was the NRL's top 40/20 kicker in 2019, finishing with five. The Storm were the leading team for kick return metres (5,876) and supports (3,631).
And another thing ...
There have been a series of closely-fought battles between these teams but Manly's 40-0 win over Melbourne back in 2008 broke the record for the biggest winning margin in a grand final. The rivalry between the teams is so big there is a Wikipedia page dedicated to it (and a separate one for the "Battle of Brookvale").