Manly v South Sydney, Saturday 5.30pm (EST), Brookvale Oval
The Adjudicator says: "The Adjudicator casts his mind back a year, when a 40-32 defeat of Manly at the hands of those pesky Bunnies saw the Sea Eagles lose hope of the minor premiership. What does it mean in 2009? Well, if the Sea Eagles are again more interested in scoffing fish and chips thrown at them on Manly Beach in the first half, they’ll find it tougher to claw back into contention against the Rabbitohs than against the Tigers. On the other hand, my worst dreams involve a fired-up Anthony Watmough. With him involved, the Bunnies will have to jump all over the park to stop him."
Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you're from.
LATEST COMMENTS FROM FANS
Manly fan Tobey Doctor of Bondi Beach says: "Ohh Craig theres just no way Manly will concede 2 losses in a row at this stage despite Souths havin a good go of it. Des is a good solid coach ( though he'd punch anyone for saying that with his radar phobia ) and he'll have Manly stampeding Souths from the very start. Now lets address todays folly - "but if Brett Stewart makes a comeback it'll be tough" ha! if Bretty boy did come back this week -which if you actually listened to Hasler/read the papers you'd know he aint - but if he did "tough" is one of the biggest understatements of the year, He scored 5 tries in 2 bloody games after not playin the first 4 rounds, practically led the highest try scorers ladder on 2 games! (wanna check the stats on that adjude cos i'm probably way off with my Sea Eagles bias ?) Tough, ha ha ! you get my class clown award of the week for that one sunshine. I'll go out on a limb safe in the knowledge that my little branch of the big tree that is Manly is safe cos i know that Souths will lose this one by 18+ it will be sheer dominance of a better side beating a lesser team thats had some good games....that will stop this weekend."
Manly fan Michael of Bondi says: "The loss to the tigers on Monday was hard to take. We need to push on from here, we shouldn’t just be aiming for top 8 because the way we have been this season we really need to be top 4 to have any chance of defending our title. The team needs its big players to step up, not just Anthony Watmough as it has been in the last few weeks. The forwards need to be going through more work so we can get better field position for our kicks in general play, and keeping pressure on teams at their own end of the field. This let us down badly on Monday night. Also Jamie Lyon needs to be moved back to the centres where he more affective, and this will hopefully improve the wolfmans game aswell which seems to have gone abit downhill since origin 2."
Rabbitohs fan Craig of Little Bay says: "There comes a time every year when an up-and-coming side travels to an imposing venue to do battle with a good side striving desperately to hang on to former glories. Whichever of Tigers, Eels and Souths can make the 8 will contest the grand final with St George (unless the Saints can lose the semi, which I wouldn't put past them). After the pointless second half last week, souths are looking mathematical, but they should give manly a good stuffing in this one to maintain the interest. Looking at personnell, if Pettyborne can score, souths will win, but if Brett Stewart makes a comeback (whether from jail, injury or suspension), it'll be tough. Souths by 14, manly to join brisbane, newcastle, canterbury and st george as teams that I'm willing to death-ride. Titans, Cowboys and Panthers never had a chance anyway. Melbourne are the dark horse."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25878371-5018866,00.html