Preview: Sharks v Sea Eagles
Venue & Time: Toyota Park, 7:30pm AEST, Friday July 20
Head to Head: Played 71, Sea Eagles 48, Sharks 21, draws 2
Last Time: Sharks 15 - Sea Eagles at Toyota Park, round 15, 2006
Coverage: Channel 9, ABC Radio (NSW & ACT), 2GB
Walking Wounded:
The Sharks' mounting injury toll worsened on the weekend with Origin star Greg Bird suffering a broken thumb which could see him miss the remainder of the season. His injury comes on top of ailments to skipper Brett Kimmorley (knee - round 22), second-rower Lance Thompson (knee - round 21), five-eighth Adam Dykes (quads - round 20), winger Luke Covell (ankle - round 20) and utility Brett Kearney (quads - round 20). There are also several players out through suspension including Paul Gallen, Ben Ross, Anthony Watts and Misi Talaupapa. The lack of numbers has forced coach Ricky Stuart to call upon little known nightclub bouncer Eddie Su'a to warm the bench.
The Sea Eagles will have Steve Matai available after his judiciary hearing was favourable but centre Steve Bell is a slight doubt with the corked thigh that forced him to leave the field early last week. Prop Jason King is out for a further five weeks with a knee injury suffered at training, but Townsville-bound youngster Travis Burns returns on a five-man bench from injury and could start depending on Matai's availability.
Form:
The Sharks are heading southward at a rapid rate after their 11-point defeat to the previously clueless Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium last Saturday night. It was their fourth loss on the trot and one that saw many of their players struggling for discipline, most notably makeshift skipper Paul Gallen who copped 10 minutes in the sin-bin for fighting and a one-match ban for a contrary conduct charge (head-butt). Even the normally resolute defensive wall of the Sharks showed signs of frailty as they went on to miss 45 tackles in the match.
Since emerging from a mini-slump of three losses in four weeks, the Sea Eagles have been tremendous, pummeling the Roosters by 56 points in round 17 and smashing the Tigers 34-4 at home last Friday. The second-placed club was keen to make a statement last week after being labeled the NRL's most overrated side in a recent players poll and that they did. They are one of a select few clubs who have not been ravaged by injury of late which can only improve their odds of appearing at Telstra Stadium on Grand Final night.
Who's Hot:
For the Sharks, prop Luke Douglas didn't shy away from his task last week, completing 30 tackles and making 152m from 18 strong hit-ups. He is still to rediscover the consistent form of last year, but the recent signs are promising.
For the Sea Eagles, Jamie Lyon, Adam Cuthertson and Steve Menzies all played impressive roles in the win last week, but street-smart hooker Michael Monaghan was the stand-out player on the field, particularly in the first half. 'Monnas' proved just what a loss he will be to the NRL next season with a stellar performance that included an early line-break followed by a try-assist and then a wonderful 15m dash from dummy-half which saw him avoid at least five Tigers players to score. Warrington's gain is Manly's loss.
Who's Not:
Paul