League legend Brad Fittler says there is a way Manly can stop the Penrith juggernaut in a blockbuster opening to round 24 on Thursday.
The table-topping Panthers have lost only one game since round nine, and are steaming towards a third straight premiership.
The Sea Eagles sit 11th on the NRL ladder and are one of several teams fighting for the few spots still up for grabs in the top eight before finals.
READ MORE: Ex Matildas skipper fumes at public holiday ‘legacy’
READ MORE: Lockyer’s fear for Broncos amid Haas pay saga
READ MORE: Four-time AFL premiership star announces retirement
A boilover against the Panthers in Brookvale on Thursday would go a long way to clinching September action, and Fittler says Manly’s hopes rest on halfback and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
“There is no doubt DCE losing the Australian job (to Nathan Cleary at last year’s World Cup) has set a spark under him,” Fittler told Wide World of Sports.
Cherry-Evans will go head to head with Penrith superstar Cleary on Thursday.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
Fittler says the Sea Eagles must take advantage of the height advantage on their right wing, where 199-centimetre flyer Jason Saab will be marked by his much shorter opponent Sunia Turuva.
“(Cherry-Evans) just kicks well there (at Brookvale) all the time, he knows the ground well,” Fittler said.
“They’ve got to go to Saab, he will be on Turuva’s side.
“DCE has done some things this year where as a halfback, if you kick well you can have as big an impact on the game as anyone. He needs to get it all right.”
While Fittler says Manly can win the game, both he and Andrew Johns are tipping a tight Panthers victory.
Here are Nine’s expert tips for round 24.
Stream the NRLW premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
Which past hero does your team need to win a Premiership? Freddy & The Eighth – EP22
ANDREW JOHNS: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Dragons, Warriors, Dolphins, Storm, Knights
BRAD FITTLER: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
DARREN LOCKYER: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
PAUL GALLEN: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Eels, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs
BILLY SLATER: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
PETER PSALTIS: Panthers, Titans, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Dolphins, Storm, Knights
DAVID MIDDLETON: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
MATTHEW THOMPSON: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
MICHAEL CHAMMAS: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs
THE MOLE: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
BEN GLOVER: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Storm, Knights
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
