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Sea Eagles v Roosters preview
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters
Brookvale Oval - Friday 7:45pm 
Last chance for Manly as wounded Roosters aim for Minor Premiership glory.
It doesn't get much bigger than this folks does it? An absolute must win for Manly against one of their bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters who themselves are fighting to take out their 18th Minor Premiership. Manly now have to rely on other results going their way to make the finals after last week's shock 20-16 home defeat against the Parramatta Eels. To make matters worse they lost hooker Matt Ballin with a torn ACL which has unfortunately ended his season and possibly his Manly career.
Their desire to win for embattled coach Geoff Toovey hasn't ceased but the strain and pressure they are under each game is really telling throughout each game. The burning question is whether the Sea Eagles can focus on winning their last two games (against very good opposition too) and give themsleves the best possible chance to play finals football for an 11th season in a row. The Sea Eagles will need a huge game from play makers Daly Cherry Evans and Kieran Foran as well as from their forward pack (look for Jake Trebovejic to have an impact).
In changes for Manly Ballin is out with that ACL tear and Blake Leary replaces him at hooker, Ligi Sao moves from prop to Lock and Willie Mason comes back into the side at prop.
The Roosters have been bitten by the injury bug after coming away with a stirling and gutsy 12-10 victory over Brisbane last weekend. In form prop Jared Waerea- Hargreaves's season is over with a severe knee injury, joining him is half back Mitchell Pearce who has hurt his hamstring and won't play again before the Finals Series. Add to this the one match suspension for NSW Centre Michael Jennings and the Roosters are certainly lacking some punch. They will be heavily reliant on boom youngster Jackson Hastings who seemed extremely confident and relaxed last week where he played 60 minutes at half back in place of Pearce. He will need to be at his best on Friday Night as I have no doubt that Manly will be targeting him all night long.
The Roosters have a few changes. Sam Moa returns at prop to replace the injured Jared Waerea Hargreaves, Jackson Hastings starts at half back for Mitchell Pearce and this means Matt Mcilwrick gets a spot on the bench, Suaia Matagi also joins the bench and Mitch Aubusson moves to Centre to cover Michael Jennings.
Last meeting: Round 16 2014 - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 Sydney Roosters 16
Manly have won the past 2 but did lose the previous 4 before that. At Brookvale against the Roosters Manly have won 37 of 49 games against the Tri Colours. History is against the Eastern Suburbs based club.
Who to watch: Big game for Manly and they need to get on the front foot early on. This will be heavily reliant on their forward pack. Jack Trbojevic has been fantastic in the forward's this year and his damaging ball running style has helped the Sea Eagles get on the front foot in many a game this year. Add to this his hard hitting defence and Manly have one of the best young forwards in the competition. Trbojevic will need to get over the advantage line and dent back the Roosters defensive line to give his halves the chance to attack.
For the Roosters without Mitchell Pearce they will need some injection in their attack and I am expecting this to come from Roger Tuivasa Sheck. RTS has set the record for most metres in a season by any player in the history of Rugby League. He is an immense talent and his jinking running style not only decives defenders but makes plenty of yardage. RTS will look for space and time on Friday and if Manly aren't on their toes then he will hurt them. He is one of the most lethal players to have chiming into the back line inside the opposition 20. RTS is NZ bound next year but for now he would love a premiership.
The favourite: Roosters are slight favourities with 10 wins on the trot.
My tip: Very hard to call this one folks, Manly at home yet the Roosters have won 10 on the trot. Both clubs have injuries and this will certainly play a part in Friday's proceedings. Going to tip Manly (not with confidence) in this clash mainly due to this being an absolute do or die game and it being at Brookvale where the Roosters have an horrendous record. Manly by 7.
1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Peta Hiku 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Blake Leary 10. Willie Mason 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Justin Horo 13. Ligi Sao
Interchange: 14. Jesse Sene-Lefao 15. Michael Chee-Kam 16. James Hasson 17. Josh Starling
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mitchell Aubusson 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Brendan Elliott 6. James Maloney 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Sam Moa 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Siosiua Taukeiaho
Interchange: 14. Matt McIlwrick 15. Isaac Liu 16. Kane Evans 17. Suaia Matagi 18. Willie Manu
Referees: Jared Maxwell, Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Jason Walsh; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;