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Sea Eagles v Knights: Turbo No.1 gun; Phoenix rises at hooker

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The Sea Eagles and Knights are separated by just one point on the competition ladder and both are coming off gutsy away wins as they head into a crucial Round 19 encounter.

With Daly Cherry-Evans coming through in the clutch yet again, Manly produced a golden point victory over the Cowboys to jump back into the eight, but their main man will be away on Maroons Origin duty this weekend.

The Knights had to dig deep to stave off the Raiders in Canberra, with Kalyn Ponga making an impressive return from injury, but the No.1 gun will also be in Maroons camp this week along with centres Bradman Best and Dane Gagai.

The depth of both sides will be tested although Manly are strengthened by the presence of Tom Trbojevic in his second game back from injury and back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu after he was left out of the Blues side for Origin Three. 

With a storied rivalry that dates back to the legendary 1997 ARL grand final, the Knights and Sea Eagles have met 59 times with Manly holding a 35-23 advantage with one draw in Mudgee in 2023.

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Team News

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic slides back to his customary fullback role with Tolu Koula facing a stint on the sideline with a knee injury. Tommy Talau moves to the centres and Lehi Hopoate comes in on the wing while Jamie Humphreys is the new halfback in Daly Cherry-Evans' absence. Karl Lawton and Nathan Brown join the back row in place of Jake Trbojevic (Origin) and Ben Trbojevic (head knock). Corey Waddell dropped off the bench in the 24-hour update, with Caleb Navale joining Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Clayton Faulalo on the interchange. No further changes on Sunday with Ben Condon the 18th man. 

Knights: A new-look backline for Adam O'Brien with Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Dane Gagai on State of Origin duty and Enari Tuala nursing a calf injury. Fletcher Sharpe comes in at fullback, Krystian Mamapalangi on the wing and Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant are the new centres. Phoenix Crossland returns from concussion at hooker and Adam Elliott comes in at lock with Mat Croker reverting to the bench. The side will line up 1-17 on Sunday with Jack Hetherington the 18th man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Krystian Mapapalangi 
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tommy Talau
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dylan Lucas
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Thomas Cant
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Will Pryce
  • Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamie Humphreys
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh Aloiai
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Karl Lawton
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai  Pearce-Paul
  • Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Nathan Brown
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Clayton Faulalo
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Caleb Navale
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Ben Condon
    Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jack Hetherington 

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sea Eagles have won nine of their past 11 games against the Knights at 4 Pines Park.
  • The Knights have won four of their past five away games.
  • The Sea Eagles have won five from six at 4 Pines Park this season.
  • Knights halfback Jackson Hastings will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won only one from five against the Knights.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.