NRL Round 23 Preview and Prediction - Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles @ Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers (16th) v Manly Sea Eagles (7th) @ Leichhardt Oval
 
Preview - The Tigers are back at Leichhardt Oval for the 1st time in over 3 months as they take on the high flying Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers slumped to another defeat at Penrith last week, despite putting up a gutsy effort, in going down 28-14. The Tigers shot themselves in the foot on several occasions, turning over plenty of cheap ball to remain just 2 games ahead of the Knights in 15th place on the NRL ladder. The Sea Eagles got perhaps their most crucial victory of the season, coming from 14 points down to stun the Roosters 36-18 in front of a delirious crowd at Lottoland. Manly showed the character Trent Barrett has built within the side this season, by not crumbling and coming from behind, after conceding 90 points in their previous 2 defeats. 

History - These sides met just over a month ago with the Sea Eagles coming from behind to win 28-16. The Tigers led 16-8 with half an hour to way however conceded 3 straight tries late in the game. Last season when the sides met in the corresponding fixture at Leichhardt the Tigers stunned the Eagles winning 32-22. The Tigers have a good record against Manl at Leichhardt having beaten them on 5 of the last 7 occasions. 
 
Wests Tigers’ Scouting Report - The Tigers are unchanged from the side that went down to the Panthers last week. Luke Brooks is really at the crossroads of his career, having put in so many inconsistent performances over the first few years after so much was expected of him as a young player. His halves partner Tui Lolohea has shown more than the odd flashes of brilliance for the Tigers, however the Tigers look skinny for quality in key positions again heading into next year with the departures of James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses. 
 
Manly Sea Eagles’ Scouting Report - Addin Fonua Blake returns from suspension to bolster the Sea Eagle’s back row. One of the best last week for Manly was back tower Frank Winterstein who continues to go under the radar in having another impressive season. Tom Trbojevic has been in explosive form for the Eagles since returning from injury, and will relish going up against one of his rivals for the Origin fullback jersey long term in James Tedesco. 
 
Verdict - Eagles by 4-12 in a high scoring game

The Tigers won't be easy to beat here back at Leichhardt if they play with the same attitude they have for the last 6 weeks. When these sides met at Lottoland a month ago, Manly did not have things their own way, having to come from 8 points down midway through the 2nd half before eventually pulling away for a 10-point win. I think the Eagles have the sort of varied attack though, at their best, that is capable of causing the Tigers big problems, and with so much to play for it’s hard to see them dropping this game against the team running 15th. The Tigers are generally a 10-point better side at Leichhardt, so I think this game could be fairly close, but Manly have added quality and motivation and should win by a try or 2 in a high scoring and entertaining game.