NRL Round 17 Preview and Prediction - Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors @ NIB Stadium Perth

Manly Sea Eagles v New Zealand Warriors @ NIB Stadium Perth
 
Preview - The highflying Sea Eagles are looking for a 5th straight win and to maintain their spot in the Top 4 when they take a home game to Perth to take on the Warriors on Saturday afternoon. Manly have been perhaps the biggest surprise packet this year, and they were ultra impressive once again as they dominated the Sharks from start to finish, with their 35-18 victory maintaining their perfect 6-0 record away from Brookvale Oval this season. The Sea Eagles scored a number of very silky tries, with their attack one of the best, currently ranked 3rd in the League. The Warriors are putting together a typical Warrior-like season, with the side having won 3 of the past 4 and starting to make their usual surge during the Origin period. The Warriors won their 6th straight game at Mount Smart Stadium last week by grinding out an impressive 21-14 victory over the Bulldogs, to keep them within touching distance of the Top 8 in 10th spot. 
 
History - The Sea Eagles generally love playing the Warriors, having lost just 4 times to them since 2004. Last season, Manly won both clashes, with a convincing 34-18 victory at Mount Smart Stadium followed by a tense 15-14 victory in Perth in the corresponding fixture later in the season. The Warriors have a disastrous record in Perth with no wins and 8 losses, which is probably why teams keep dragging them across there. The Sea Eagles have fared a lot better in Perth, with 3 wins from 5 attempts. 
 
Manly Sea Eagles’ Scouting Report - A devastating blow for in-form back rower Curtis Sironen who has been ruled out for the season with a pec injury he suffered against the Sharks. Former Warriors’ player Lewis Brown is promoted to the Eagles starting side after falling out of favour this year, with Cameron Cullen joining the bench. Daly Cherry-Evans continued his sparkling form this season with a couple of sublime passes which led to tries in the Eagles’ thumping win over the Sharks last week. 
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - The Warriors are largely unchanged from the side that disposed of the Bulldogs last week with Ata Hingano dropping back to the bench for the anticipated return of lynchpin Kieran Foran at five eight. Bunty Afoa replaces Sam Lisone on the interchange bench. Key Warriors players Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Isaac Luke have rediscovered their running game in the past couple of weeks, making the Warriors a much more dangerous side. 
 
Verdict - Manly by 1-6 in a high scoring game

This is a long road trip for the Warriors so it's hard to tip them given the 10-hour flight over to Perth and the travel involved. I’d like the Warriors at this time of season as the last 4 or 5 years they always get a roll on during the Origin period and this year looks no different with a couple of really strong victories in the last couple of weeks. However, Manly are flying right now and this will be the strongest side the Warriors have played for a month and I expect Manly to cause them problems defensively. Manly are riding a 4-game winning streak and, at close to full strength, I think they can win this game. However, I think the Warriors will put in one of their better displays the year. Over in Perth we should get a quick surface which will suit the attack and I expect both sides here are capable of scoring 20 points, however Manly just look like a stronger team across the park for mine.