NRL.com match preview: Round 19 v Sea Eagles
With seven rounds remaining, the Dragons and Sea Eagles are part of the dogfight for places in the bottom part of the top eight.
The Dragons have slipped from eighth to 11th in the past two weeks but with back-to-back games at their spiritual home ground they get an ideal opportunity to put themselves back in the mix.
Manly have won four of their past five games and will look to shore up their place in the eight by taking care of the Dragons (11th) and Roosters (9th) in the next two weeks.
Having conceded 86 points in their past two games the Dragons need to put some steel back in their defence if they hope to subdue a potent Sea Eagles side averaging 35 points per game in the past five matches.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Sea Eagles
The Rundown
Team news
Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Moses Mbye moves into the starting side in place of Moses Suli, who suffered an ankle injury against the Roosters. Jayden Sullivan takes Mbye's place on the bench. Tariq Sims returns from suspension on the bench so Aaron Woods drops to 18th Man.
Sea Eagles: Dylan Walker has been promoted to start at hooker an hour before kick-off with debutant Kaeo Weekes moving to the bench. Andrew Davey and Lachlan Croker are sidelined with COVID after Jake Trbojevic had tested positive early in the week. Ben Trbojevic comes into the back row and Toafofoa Sipley starts at lock. Taniela Paseka joins the interchange bench. Martin Taupau plays his 150th game for the Sea Eagles.
Match: Dragons v Sea Eagles
Round 19 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody RamseyFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick
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Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses MbyeCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Morgan Harper
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac LomaxCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau MogaWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau AmoneFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jack De BelinProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Sean Keppie
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake LawrieProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh Aloiai
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 18 Ben Trbojevic
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack BirdLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Toafofoa Sipley
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jayden SullivanInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Josh Schuster
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Tariq SimsInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Martin Taupau
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Francis MoloInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela Paseka
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh McGuireInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 21 Kaeo Weekes
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Aaron WoodsReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 20 Ethan Bullemor
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Ben Hunt v Daly Cherry-Evans: Two of Queensland's finest square off in the pivotal playmaking battle which holds the key to this one. Both men stood tall in Origin III and then rolled that into superb performances in Round 18 but Hunt's efforts were in vain as the Dragons were blown off the park by the Roosters. Cherry-Evans was supreme with three try assists, two line breaks and five tackle breaks in a big win over the Knights and he arrives at Kogarah full of confidence as he looks to lead Des Hasler's men into the finals for the third time in four years.
Stat Attack
When it comes to giving away penalties, the Dragons and Sea Eagles have shown plenty of discipline in 2022. Only Parramatta (85) have conceded less penalties than the Dragons (91). Manly have given up 96 penalties in 17 games, well down the list from the worst offenders Storm (123), Sharks (112), Raiders (110) and Roosters (108).
Match: Dragons v Sea Eagles
Round 19 -
home Team
Dragons
11th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
