Coach: Des Hasler
Gains: Dean Whare (Dragons), Joe Galuvao (Eels), Matt Cross (Storm),
Terrence Seu Seu (Sharks)
Losses: Adam Cuthbertson (Sharks), Heath L’Strange (Bradford), Glenn Hall (Bradford), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Matt Orford (Bradford)
In 2009 Manly finished fifth during the regular season and exited during the first week of the finals.
2010 Squad: Chris Bailey, Matt Ballin, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Farrar, Kieran Foran, Trent Hodkinson, Will Hopoate, Jason King, Brent Kite, Darcy Lussick, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Vic Mauro, Junior Palau, Josh Perry, Michael Robertson, Shane Rodney, George Rose, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Andrew Suniula, Anthony Watmough, David Williams,Tony Williams
The Manly Sea Eagles draw for 2010.
In 2010, the Sea Eagles will…
…be hard to pick. The problem is obviously their halves with Orford’s departure. Lyon looks to be set to play five-eighth. A move that may work against weaker teams but when the pressure is on, Lyon can go astray.
As for half back, Kieran Foran and Trent Hodkinson will most likely fight it out. Foran is seen as a future star for NZ and his progress will be closely watched.
Whoever plays in the halves can expect a good platform from the Manly forwards. Watmough came of age last year after a great Origin series and forms part of a excellent back row. But the forward platform is of no use if the halves can’t kick and that is what keeps nagging at me. If things click then the Sea Eagles will be hard to beat. But an indifferent set of halves will hurt them in the big games.
That said, the Sea Eagles should still make the eight but are unlikely to win the comp.
2 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Feb 22, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Guessing Melbourne are next cab off the 2010 preview rank. Wondering if it may include a World Club Challenge preview (Sunday morning over here). Just a little bit rare that you see a W.C.C. rematch (of sorts). The Storm played Leeds Rhinos two years back. Rhinos won that one 11-4. The Predict-O-Gram I have received reads Storm 19 Rhinos 14.
Shaun // Feb 23, 2010 at 11:02 am
I’m not up on English Super League so a bit reluctant to do a preview of the game.
The English sides have the better of the game being some week into their season and they are used to the weather. But The Storm’s hit out against the Harlequins showed good form.
But Cronk is not playing and that will bring the Storm back quite a bit.
Nine won’t be showing the game but it will be on Fox Sports 2. I’ll make a note to remember to record it.