The Stats Zone
August 6 2021, 10:35 · Ash Wheldon

2021 NRL – Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction

2021 NRL – Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction
Post Share

Select the sports you want to hear about and TSZ will send the best previews, analysis and predictions straight to your inbox. Sign up today!

THE FACTS

When is Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Saturday 7th August, 2021 – 10:35 (UK)

Where is Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Where can I get tickets for Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches

What channel is Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here

Where can I stream Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL

THE TEAM NEWS

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Starting 13: T. Trbojevic, Saab, Parker, Harper, Garrick, Foran, Cherry-Evans, Paseka, Croker, Taupau, Olakau’atu, Schuster, J. Trbojevic – Interchanges: Walker, Lawton, Aloiai, Sipley – Reserves: Suli, Cust, Sironen, De Luis

Unavailable: Manase Fainu (Suspended), Andrew Davey (Injured), Morgan Boyle (Injured), Zac Saddler (Injured), Sean Keppie (Personal Reasons)

  • Manly Sea Eagles showed their attacking prowess once again as they closed the gap on the top four with a comfortable victory over Cronulla Sharks last week to make it three consecutive wins.
  • They now take on top of the ladder Melbourne Storm in what should be a real test of their Premiership credentials with many believing that the Sea Eagles could compete for a spot in the Grand Final with in-form Tom Trbojevic continuing to produce an outstanding individual season.

MELBOURNE STORM

Starting 13: Hynes, Ieremia, R. Smith, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich. B. Smith, Welch, Lewis, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: H. Grant, Eisenhuth, J. Grant, Papenhuyzen – Reserves: Loiero, Moeroa, Lumelume, Johns

Unavailable: Max King (Injured), Ryley Jacks (Injured), Brenko Lee (Injured), George Jennings (Injured), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Injured), Felise Kaufusi (Suspended)

  • If Melbourne Storm had not already laid down a marker for the year because of their current winning streak, they certainly did last week as they were impressive winners over second-placed Penrith Panthers.
  • That victory was Melbourne’s 16th in a row which cemented their spot at the top of the ladder, creating daylight between themselves and their opponents and they will be eager to maintain their winning run against another side deemed to be a Premiership contender.

THE PREDICTION

This should be a superb contest between the NRL’s in-form attacking teams as Manly Sea Eagles take on top of the ladder Melbourne Storm. Manly moved closer to a top four berth with their third win in a row last weekend and a win here could even see them finish the round in the top four should other results go their way. They face an almighty task however with the Storm winning their last 16 matches. They blew second-placed Penrith Panthers away last week and looked set to nil them until conceding two late consolation tries. Manly have the attacking shape to threaten the best defences in the league but their own defensive efforts could cost them here and Melbourne can record yet another victory.