The final day of the NRL regular season is here, and both of Sunday's matches have serious finals implications.
Manly will host Cronulla at Brookvale Oval with a home final next week on the line for the Sea Eagles should they down the Sharks.
Later, the Knights and Dolphins will go head to head in front of a sell-out crowd in Newcastle with the winner to claim the final spot in the top eight.
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Hey team! It's the final day of the regular season but there's still plenty to play for.
First up we have Manly against the Sharks and the equation is simple - if the Sea Eagles win, they'll get a home final against Canterbury next week. If they lose, they'll be heading to Stadium Australia instead. The Sharks are locked into fourth regardless of what happens.
Then we have the big one - Dolphins, Knights, a sold out crowd in Newcastle and eighth spot on the line. The winner is in the eight, the loser is done for the year.....unless they draw, in which case Canberra will be in.
Unlikely, but this Raider can dream, can't he?
I'm Nick Campton, this is the NRL live blog, let's have some fun!
Anthony Seibold's side has won eight from nine at the venue this year and they can secure a home final in the opening week of the playoffs with a victory over the Sharks on Sunday. The match sold out days ago.
The club's record in finals games at 4 Pines Park is even better, Manly winning all three playoff matches played at the ground.
It's this record that has forward Jake Trbojevic so desperate to deliver a victory this weekend.
Manly's Home Ground Advantage
"It’s everything on the line this week," Trbojevic said. "For us to play at Brookie, that is motivation enough. We don’t have to win because we still play next week but we have to win because we want to play at Brookie next week.
"The Northern Beaches have really turned up for us this year, they’ve been phenomenal, they’ve made it a special place to play, we want to reward them with a final.
"You get 15,000 there and it’s unbelievable, 15,000 at other stadiums is just different. I don’t know how to explain it but it’s a special place to play football as a Manly player."
Manly fans have turned out in droves to support their team this season, with eight of nine games selling out.
The lone exception was a Round 9 clash with the Raiders in the Friday 6pm time slot. Perhaps not coincidentally, it's the only match the Sea Eagles have lost at the ground this season.
Former captain and coach Geoff Toovey is currently working in the club's development pathway and said a lot of time and energy has been put into strengthening the team's connection with the Northern Beaches community. The crowd numbers highlight how successful the strategy has been.
"There's been a lot of hard work done behind the scenes in getting the connection back with junior league and the fans," Toovey told NRL.com. "That's gone a long way to helping drive memberships and crowds at home games.
"The way they're going and the success we've had, I'm pretty sure that will continue."
Should they defeat the Sharks on Sunday, the Sea Eagles will play the loser of Saturday's match between Canterbury and North Queensland in an elimination final next weekend.
It would be the fourth post-season game played at Brookvale and the first since a 28-16 victory over the Sharks in 2019.
Manly legend Steve Menzies played in the first two finals matches, wins over South Sydney and St George Illawarra in 2007 and 2008.
The Significance of Brookvale Oval
The latter was the last game Menzies played at the venue, 15 years after he made his NRL debut as a 19-year-old at Brookvale.
The Manly icon grew up watching the team play at the stadium and went on to feature in nearly 150 games there throughout his career. So Menzies is well-placed to comment on the boost the team receives when they play at home.
"It's a large fan base on the Northern Beaches," Menzies told NRL.com. "There's no other clubs around, the history that the club's had and they've had success over a long time.
"I grew up going to games as a kid and sliding on the hill. Most people in that area have a connection to the ground. The fans create the atmosphere where you love to play, they're supportive and parochial and it makes it hard for other teams.
"A home ground is such a big advantage in this competition. To have a home semi-final is a big help, especially when you're going into round one of the finals. It's going to be knock out, you lose and you're out. To get any advantage is big, it's a massive advantage for the team."
Injury Concerns for Manly
Manly enter Sunday's game on the back of a costly 34-22 win over the Bulldogs last Friday night.
The victory was impressive, but fullback Tom Trbojevic and winger Jason Saab suffered injuries in the clash. Trbojevic hopes to be available for the opening week of the finals while Saab's timeline is less clear as he fights to overcome a syndesmosis injury.
Menzies has watched the side closely throughout the year and he's confident they can challenge the top teams in the competition if both men are able to return during the finals.
"I have no doubt we can compete with the best teams, we just need to do that for the whole 80 minutes," he said.
"Top four is an easier path but a home semi-final is the second easiest path for us so this week is super important. If we get a full team we can compete with the best teams."
A win for Manly will see them jump the Bulldogs into 6th on the ladder, while a loss would see the Bulldogs host them at Accor Stadium next week.
The Sharks’ hopes of hosting a final in week one are gone after wins by the Roosters and Panthers, but they will be looking to head into a clash with the Storm in week one in form.
For Manly Tolu Koula comes in for injured fullback Tom Trbojevic, with Clayton Faulalo to replace Jason Saab on the wing.
Ben Trbojevic is also set to make his return to the field after acting as 18th man last week.
The Sharks are set to field a full strength backline for the first time since Round 17, with Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien returning to the side.
Siosifa Talakai is also a chance to return from a calf injury after being named in the reserves.
The battle between Origin foes Daly Cherry-Evans and Nicho Hynes will go a long way towards deciding the match.
The Sea Eagles play the Sharks at 4pm today.
The Sharks' Perspective
The Sharks are looking to finish the season on a high, despite the implications of the game for Manly, and are determined to head into the finals with momentum. The Sharks have had a strong season, with their most recent performance against the Roosters highlighting their potential.
The Sharks are confident in their ability to take on the Sea Eagles, despite the pressure on Manly to secure a home final. The Sharks are also looking to make the most of their return to full strength, with the return of key players such as Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien.
The match is sure to be a thrilling one, with both teams looking to make a statement ahead of the finals. The Sea Eagles are motivated by the potential to host a home final, while the Sharks are looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs. This match is going to be one for the ages!
The Importance of Momentum
The battle for momentum in the lead up to the NRL finals is a crucial factor for both Manly and Cronulla. The Sea Eagles' strong home record at 4 Pines Park gives them a clear advantage, while the Sharks' focus will be on building momentum heading into their clash with the Storm in week one of the finals.
With a win over Manly, the Sharks could gain valuable momentum and confidence heading into the finals. The Sharks are aware of the importance of momentum in the finals series and will be aiming to gain a strong advantage in their final regular season game. The Sea Eagles, however, are just as determined to win, and secure a home final and the momentum that comes with it.
With both teams looking to make a statement ahead of the finals, this match is sure to be a tense and exciting encounter. The Sea Eagles and the Sharks are two of the most competitive teams in the NRL, and their clash this Sunday is sure to be a nail-biter.
What's Next?
The outcome of this match will have a significant impact on the NRL finals landscape. For the Sea Eagles, a win would ensure they play at home next week, while a loss would see them travel to Accor Stadium. The Sharks, however, are looking to build momentum ahead of their clash with the Storm and will be eager to finish the season strong.
No matter the outcome, this match is sure to be a thrilling encounter. The Sea Eagles and the Sharks are both looking to make a statement ahead of the finals, and this match is the perfect opportunity to do so.
With so much at stake, it's going to be a nail-biter. We're sure to see some great football on display. Stay tuned for what is sure to be a great final day of the NRL regular season.
