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Sea Eagles v Bulldogs: Turbo good to go; Kikau, Mahoney debut
The Sea Eagles enter the Anthony Seibold era full of confidence after winning the Pre-Season Challenge.
www.nrl.com
Sea Eagles v Bulldogs: Turbo returns; Kikau, Mahoney debut
AuthorNRL.comTimestampMon 27 Feb 2023, 04:01 PM
The Sea Eagles enter the 2023 season on a high after winning the Pre-Season Challenge and the return of superstar Tom Trbojevic only adds to the positive vibes at Brookvale.
Trbojevic hasn't played since injuring his shoulder against Parramatta in round 11 last year but a trip to the USA to work with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles and a solid block of training since his return has the No.1 gun ready to go.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, enter the new season with high expectations after the recruitment of Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney to work alongside Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr, who were outstanding in 2022.
With former Raider Ryan Sutton and Englishman Luke Thompson in the middle and Kikau and Raymond Faitala-Mariner on the edges, the Dogs certainly boast the forward firepower to match it with anyone.
When the two sides met in the final round last year it was the Bulldogs taking the spoils 21-20 thanks to a Burton field goal, consigning Manly to a seventh consecutive defeat.
With a new coach in Anthony Seibold and a new Turbo in the garage after his Philadelphia tune up, Sea Eagles fans are hoping that's where the losing streak ends and 2023 is launched in style on home turf.
Match: Sea Eagles v Bulldogs
ROUND 1 - SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 3:00pm
home Team Sea Eagles
away Team Bulldogs
Match Centre
Match odds provider: sportsbetHome Team Sea Eagles Odds $1.74 Away Team Bulldogs Odds $2.10
Venue:4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters: Kayo & Foxtel
Team News
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic has passed a final fitness test and will line up for his first game since May last year in a massive boost to the Sea Eagles. Kaeo Weekes was impressive at fullback in the Pre-season Challenge and is set to fill the utility role off the bench. The absence of first-choice five-eighth Josh Schuster (calf) will see Cooper Johns partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves in his first NRL game for the club. Centre Brad Parker is expected to be available despite suffering a broken nose against the Roosters a fortnight ago.
Bulldogs: The major talking point is around the fullback role, with Hayze Perham likely to get the nod despite being below his best in the clash with the Sharks in the Pre-Season Challenge. Josh Reynolds staked a claim for the No.14 role with a brilliant return to Belmore in the trials but Fa'amanu Brown has the inside running. Big-name signings Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney will be unveiled but the pack will be without Tevita Pangai Junior (calf) for at least three games.
Stat Attack
FMD, Manly have not won a Round 1 game since 2013
Team Announced;
| No. | Player | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayze Perham | Waterview |
| 2 | Jacob Kiraz | Supporting Disabilities Australia |
| 3 | Jake Averillo | AIWC |
| 4 | Paul Alamoti | Guardian Venue Management |
| 5 | Josh Addo-Carr | Khalil Lawyers |
| 6 | Matt Burton | Zaffet Lebnen |
| 7 | Kyle Flanagan | AM PM Plumbing & Electrical |
| 8 | Max King | Dental on Evaline |
| 9 | Reed Mahoney | Accolade Wines |
| 10 | Ryan Sutton | Sydney City Building Group |
| 11 | Viliame Kikau | Amer Development Group |
| 12 | Ray Faitala-Mariner | MMX Projects |
| 13 | Fa'amanu Brown | Hockingstuart |
| Interchange | Recovery Partners | |
| 14 | Jayden Tanner | Hy-Tec |
| 15 | Corey Waddell | Penny’s Crispy Pork Crackling |
| 16 | Franklin Pele | Intello IT |
| 17 | Jacob Preston | Tender Loving Care Disability Services |
| Reserves | Recovery Partners | |
| 19 | Braidon Burns | |
| 20 | Josh Reynolds | |
| 21 | Andrew Davey | |
| 22 | Jackson Topine | |
| 23 | Jayden Okunbor |
Always a Bulldog
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