Neds Match Preview: Round 1

Author: Caitlyn Grant
Timestamp: Thu 14 Mar 2019, 06:05 PM

Wests Tigers will be looking to kick off 2019 on a winning note when they take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles this week.

After a gruelling pre-season under new Coach Michael Maguire, Wests Tigers are no doubt determined to start the season with a win in front of a packed out crowd at Leichhardt Oval. Both sides come in to the game with transition in the off-season within the coaching ranks, with Maguire joining Wests Tigers while former Sea Eagles Coach Des Hasler has returned back to the Northern Beaches.

The home side will come in to the game missing key players including captain Moses Mbye, David Nofoaluma and Chris Lawrence, but will see three club debutants in Paul Momirovski, Robert Jennings and Ryan Matterson. Young gun Thomas Mikaele will also make his first-grade debut after being named as part of a four-forward interchange bench that includes Russell Packer, Josh Aloiai and Michael Chee Kam.

For the visitors, Brendan Elliot will replace the injured Tom Trbojevic at fullback while Reuben Garrick will make his first-grade debut after being named on the wing. Kane Elgey will partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves instead of Trent Hodkinson, who has been named on the interchange bench in jersey 14.

Wests Tigers will be looking to secure their fifth consecutive Round 1 victory and fourth straight win over the Sea-Eagles, after a record-winning margin was reached last year for Wests Tigers with a 38-12 victory against Manly at Lottoland.

Last time the two faced each other at Leichhardt Oval, Wests Tigers came back in the dying moments to score a memorable 30-26 victory and have not lost to the Silvertails at the suburban ground since 2007.

Mikaele speaks ahead of NRL debut

MATCH DETAILS

Date — Saturday, March 14, 2019

Time — 5:30pm AEST

Venue — Leichhardt Oval

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION

TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 2GB 873

Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, NRL Digital Pass, Watch NRL Streaming (int.)

LATEST NEDS ODDS

H2H — Wests Tigers ($1.65), Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ($2.24)

Odds correct on Thursday, March 14 at 3:00pm — 18+ only and gamble responsibly

TEAM LISTS

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey Thompson

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Brendan Elliot
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Mahe Fonua

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Paul Momirovski

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Brad Parker
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Robert Jennings

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kane Elgey
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Ben Matulino

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Ryan Matterson

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Russell Packer

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Trent Hodkinson
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Jack Gosiewski
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Josh Aloiai

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Kelepi Tanginoa
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley