Sea Eagles Prepare for Challenging Match Against Penrith
Following a week’s break, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are set to face off against the reigning premiers, Penrith Panthers, this Sunday in round 14 of the Telstra Premiership.
Currently, the Sea Eagles sit in seventh place with 15 points, while the Panthers are in third with 18 points.
Team Updates
The fitness of Origin players Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic, and Haumole Olakau’atu will be closely monitored leading up to the match to determine if they will play. The Panthers face a similar situation with their representative players who were active on Wednesday night.
**Single Fixture for Manly**
Sea Eagles fans can leisurely make their way to the game, as Manly is only playing in the NRL match at 4:05 PM. Gates at Penrith open at 1:30 PM. Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles’ NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg teams will be competing against the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday.
Previous Encounter
The last encounter between these two teams was memorable, with over 17,000 fans witnessing the Sea Eagles triumph over the premiers 32-18 on a remarkable Saturday night at 4 Pines Park in early April. Cherry-Evans set a new club record, surpassing Cliff Lyons for the most games played for Manly, as the Sea Eagles scored five tries to Penrith’s three, leading 14-6 at halftime.
Saab’s Celebration
Dynamic winger Jason Saab is expected to have a standout game against the Panthers, celebrating his recent contract extension with the Sea Eagles until 2029. Known as one of the fastest players in the NRL, Saab has scored 53 tries in 75 first-grade games, 68 of which have been for Manly. “This club has been good to me. I’ve made great memories here and I want to make some more,” said Saab.
**Talau’s Remarkable Season**
Tommy Talau has been in outstanding form in his debut season with the Sea Eagles, scoring seven tries in 10 appearances, including five in his last five games. He notably scored twice in the recent victory over the Storm. Though Talau will move back to the wing this weekend due to the return of centre Tolu Koula and the impressive debut of Lehi Hopoate at full-back, he remains a key player in Manly’s speedy and skillful backline, poised to challenge the Panthers significantly.
