Fittler reveals snub that can spur major upset win

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.

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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.

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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.

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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