4 Pines Park will play host to Saturday's Round 1 NRL game between Manly Sea Eagles and Canterbury Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Manly Sea Eagles heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Manly Sea Eagles vs. Canterbury Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday March 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Where: 4 Pines Park
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
Manly and Canterbury head into 2023 with changes at the top, Anthony Siebold a controversial choice to replace axed Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler and the Bulldogs getting the hottest prospect in the game in Cameron Ciraldo.
Manly’s 2022 season went up in flames, losing their last seven to finish 11th.
Meanwhile, Kieran Foran is gone and mooted No.6 replacement Josh Schuster is out this week, leaving Cooper Johns to partner linchpin Daly Cherry-Evans.
The big plus is Tom Trbojevic’s return for the first time since last May in a handy back-five. Jake Trbojevic starts at prop with Martin Taupau moving on, Sean Keppie is at lock.
The Bulldogs’ big signings, Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau, will make their club debuts along with Hayze Perham, who is the surprise fullback pick in a very green backline.
Luke Thompson’s long-term injury is a blow on the eve of the season; Max King and Ryan Sutton now front a thin middle rotation.
Led by Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr, the Bulldogs transformed into an effervescent attacking outfit midway through 2022 after cutting Trent Barrett loose, while Ciraldo should help shore up their defensive frailties with some borrowed ideas from Penrith.
Both matches between the clubs in 2022 were decided by a point. Cherry-Evans booted Manly to a 13-12 home win in Round 3.
Canterbury snapped a seven-match losing streak in the rivalry in Round 25 with a 79th-minute Burton field goal sinking the embattled Sea Eagles 21-20.
The Sea Eagles claimed the Pre-season Challenge with a pair of eye-catching wins, while the dawn of a new Bulldogs era received a reality check courtesy of a 36-16 final trial loss to the Sharks. Manly is the $1.60 favourite at home but this has the makings of another nail-biter.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Manly Sea Eagles to win at $1.60 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Josh Addo-Carr at $9.25.
Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs Teams
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Cooper Johns 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Sean Keppie 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai 18. Toafofoa Sipley 19. Ben Condon 20. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 21. Morgan Harper 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Bulldogs team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Fa’amanu Brown 14. Jayden Tanner 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Jacob Preston 19. Braidon Burns 20. Josh Reynolds 21. Andrew Davey 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Okunbor