2019 NRL – St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles taking place? Saturday 20th April, 10:35
Where is St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles taking place? WIN Stadium
What channel is St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles?
St. George-Illawarra Dragons – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500022
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500002
THE TEAM NEWS
ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Head Coach: Paul McGregor
Starting 13: Dufty, Pereira, Aitken, Lafai, Ravalawa, Norman, Hunt, Graham, McInnes, Vaughan, Frizell, T. Sims, Lawrie – Interchanges: Latimore, Lomax, Host, Leilua – Reserves: Allgood, Field, Timm, Pearson
Unavailable: Jack de Belin, Gareth Widdop, Korbin Sims
- After two consecutive games won by a field goal, St. George were much more comfortable victors after they hammered Canterbury last week and will now look for a fourth consecutive victory as they host fellow in-form side Manly.
- The Dragons received some good news this week after in-form prop Paul Vaughan left the field with an ankle injury against the Bulldogs but has been passed fit to play and will start in the front row.
- Vaughan’s availability means that head coach Paul McGregor can name the same side that beat the Bulldogs and he will be hoping for the win here to cap off a good week personally having signed a new contract to remain at the Dragons until the end of 2021.
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Head Coach: Des Hasler
Starting 13: Elliot, Taufua, Suli, Parker, Garrick, Elgey, Cherry-Evans, Sipley, Koroisau, Taupau, Thompson, Sironen, J. Trbojevic – Interchanges: Fainu, Gosiewski, Waddell, Boyle – Reserves: Tanginoa, Smith, Hodkinson, Croker
Unavailable: Albert Hopoate, Dylan Walker, Tom Trbojevic, Addin Fonua-Blake
- Manly made it three wins in a row as they held off Newcastle Knights last week and will travel to Wollongong full of confidence with Des Hasler getting his side to play some good stuff in these early rounds.
- The Sea Eagles will be without Addin Fonua-Blake for a couple of games following a late shot on Newcastle's Mitchell Pearce with Toafofoa Sipley coming in to the run-on side in his place.
- The gap created in the winning Manly side by Fonua-Blake’s absence has been filled by Morgan Boyle who gets a chance to show what he can do in what will be his debut for the Sea Eagles.
THE PREDICTION
Two in-form teams meet here with the Dragons and Sea Eagles both winning their last three matches. The Dragons completely outplayed the Bulldogs last week whilst the Sea Eagles were too good for the Knights and with either team able to claim the win, this should be a great contest. Both will fancy their chances in what should be a close affair with points potentially difficult to come by but with the success the Dragons have had in tight games at the start of this season, they can edge it on home soil.
