Michael Carayannis - SMH
Michael Carayannis on how the Sea Eagles can win.
1. Big game experience
Only three Manly players named to start on Friday night are yet to taste premiership success. Most the Manly side have won at least one title and feature a side with a host of representative experience. Their halves, Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans have won premierships and represented their country. They know how to win big games and won't get into a panic should they need to chase points.
2. Brett Stewart
Manly are a different team with Stewart. Having missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, Stewart is expected to be fit for Friday. While rookie Peta Hiku performed strongly in Stewart's absence, they have missed their representative No.1's speed and threat from fullback. Will add an extra dimension to Manly's attack which has struggled in Stewart's absence.
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3. Metres conceded
Finals football is all about territory and building pressure. The Sea Eagles concede the fewest amount of metres in the NRL with 1238.2 metres per game. The Rabbitohs are ranked seventh in the NRL for metres conceded with 1360.
4. Their wingers
Jorge Taufua and David Williams are among the best wing pairing in the game. While they receive plenty of quality ball from centres Steve Matai and Jamie Lyon, they create plenty of chances on their own. Taufua tops the NRL for line-breaks with 32, while Williams is fourth on the list with 24. The duo are also ranked eighth and 11th respectively for top kick return metres in the game.
5. They dominated last time they played
According to Geoff Toovey, Manly were unlucky when they lost 22-10 against South Sydney when the teams last met last month. Toovey was fined $10,000 for his post-game comments after watching his side squander a 10-6 half-time lead. They dominated the opening 15 minutes of the second half and should have extended their lead.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/five-reasons-the-sea-eagles-can-win-20130927-2uhcg.html
