Wests will go into the Manly clash with two less days to prepare for the game and lose the services of backrower Bodene Thompson (suspension - 1 week) and five eighth Braith Anasta (injury). However on the flip side they will hopefully have both Captain Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods available despite having played for NSW in Origin III some 48 hours earlier.
Trips to Brookvale are never easy and the fact the Eagles are coming off a poor performance a week ago is cause for concern for the Tigers. However it's possible that there is in actual fact a window of opportunity for the Tigers to seize the moment and pressure the Eagles on their home turf. There's also the added incentive of backing up the statement made back in Round 5 when the Tigers ambushed the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval.
Interestingly, minus Bodene Thompson and Liam Fulton the Tigers forward pack will line up with its strongest look all season, at least in terms of size anyway. Prop James Gavet joins impressive debutant Matt Lodge on a bench that also includes the reliable Martin Taupau and Ava Seumanufagai. If the plan is to ambush the Eagles in forward pack, then at least they'll see it coming this time.
Truth be told this is an area of the park that concerns little. Of more concern this week will be the performance of the Wests outside backs. Pat Richards, Chris Lawrence and Keith Lulia all had poor moments in the weekend loss to Penrith and cannot afford another poor showing against a Manly backline that has class and confidence. The Eagles are often clinical out wide and where Penrith probably didn't make the best of the situation last week, you can be sure the Eagles won't make the same mistake.
So how do the Tigers get the job done on Friday night?? Plenty lies on the availability of Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods from Origin. Farah's inclusion will be key in particular. His direction and leadership gives the younger guys a confidence boost. The combination between Luke Brooks and Blake Austin will also be one to watch. It has promise and you just hope they aren't over awed by the occasion versus Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran. You can also add the combination between Brooks and fullback Mitchell Moses. We saw glimpses on the weekend of what it contains and their youthful enthusiasm is a danger for Manly.
Ultimately the Tigers need to be clinical and tight. Last weekend the ball security just wasn't good enough. Particularly as they threw the ball wide. Wests will not be able to waste those kind of chances against Manly. More respect needs to be shown for the ball and the opponent and keeping the penalties down will help a fair deal. Even then it'll be a tough night still. The boys cannot afford to make it any harder for themselves than it already will be.
WESTS TIGERS TEAM V MANLY SEA EAGLES
1. Mitchell Moses
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Keith Lulia
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Pat Richards
6. Blake Austin
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah (c)
10. Keith Galloway
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Dene Halatau
13. Adam Blair
Reserves
14. Matthew Lodge
15. Martin Taupau
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. James Gavet
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