Sea Eagles followers higher begin organising their ‘Brooksvale’ banners.
Anthony Seibold has spoken all pre-season about how he doesn’t need new recruit Luke Brooks to be the principle man in a group stacked with attacking stars.
But for 40 minutes on a cloudy afternoon in Gosford, the previous Wests Tigers halfback had his fingerprints on all the pieces as Manly thumped a South Sydney facet predominantly made up of reserve graders 68-6.
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“Brooksy was good,” Seibold mentioned.
“We just wanted him to put a Manly jersey on. He’s had a good pre-season and we feel like the No.6 jersey for him will take some pressure off him with having Chez (Daly Cherry-Evans) and Tom (Trbojevic) in key positions around him.
“We want him to use his natural ability which is to take shortsides, take the line on and use his kicking game.
“We saw pieces of that today which was pleasing.”
The man who by no means performed finals footy throughout his 11 seasons with the Tigers will comfortably finish that drought primarily based on what we noticed in a trial recreation that wasn’t formally a part of the NRL’s pre-season problem.
The Sea Eagles had been up 24-6 at halftime with Brooks organising three tries earlier than he was given an early mark.
It took only a few minutes for the five-eighth to weave his magic when he toed by means of a unfastened ball for Manly’s first strive, whereas he mixed properly together with his teammates on the left edge to arrange the primary of Ben Trbojevic’s three first-half tries.
He saved the very best for final with a peach of a brief ball for his back-rower to walk over on the stroke of halftime, with Brooks solely set to get higher with Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and Manly’s different large names again within the facet.
Read below for the three main speaking factors from Sunday’s trial!
OH BROTHER
Josh Schuster was meant to be the person to play exterior Brooks on the left edge, however Ben Trbojevic’s efficiency on Sunday will make Seibold suppose twice when he names his squad for Las Vegas.
It’s been a irritating few weeks for Schuster who has battled chickenpox, a damaged finger and a calf harm, and he now faces stiff competitors from the person who simply inked a brand new deal to stick with his brothers.
Trbojevic has lengthy been overshadowed by rep stars Tom and Jake, however he has had an enormous pre-season and it’s paid off with the back-rower crossing thrice within the first half.
The lanky teenager has already struck up mixture with Brooks and is one good trial away from profitable a beginning spot, whereas Jamie Humphreys has put his hand up for the bench utility spot after he scored twice within the second half.
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ON THE RAY-DAR
While new recruits Jaxson Paulo and Tommy Talau have been the discuss of the city within the low season, powerhouse winger Ray Vaega reminded them he’s Manly’s incumbent winger for a motive with a powerful show in Gosford.
He will not be the tallest man on the planet, however Vaega – who performed the ultimate 5 video games of the 2023 season – scored two tries on Sunday and broke the road numerous instances.
Vaega additionally put in a stunning kick for Jake Arthur to attain within the second half which should have drawn a smile from Brad Arthur who was one in every of a number of high-profile faces within the crowd.
Given winger Jason Saab is within the group for his velocity and peak, and never his yardage, Vaega looms as a real likelihood to begin the brand new season as a result of he’s the man who can get them on the entrance foot when popping out of hassle.
“I thought he was really good today,” Seibold mentioned.
“It’s one spot where there’s a really strong competition for spots…that jersey is up for grabs with that left edge back row spot.”
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CENTRE OF ATTENTION
It was a tricky slog for Souths who solely introduced a few their prime 30 gamers to the Central Coast, though it is going to be a memorable day for Adam Christensen who scored their solely strive within the second minute.
While he had a second to have fun on the left, centre companion Taane Milne missed the possibility to push his case for the NRL facet because the Rabbitohs look to interchange the injured Campbell Graham.
Milne could be very skilled however Isaiah Tass is the person almost definitely to begin the season within the backline.
The Fijian worldwide performed proper centre, wing and within the again row on Sunday however barely touched the ball as Manly’s left edge scored a stack of factors down his facet of the sphere.
The Rabbitohs will look a complete lot completely different on Saturday when a few of their large runs return for the Charity Shield, however they’ll be with out Cody Walker who may miss the journey to Vegas with a calf pressure.
“Taane was good,” coach Jason Demetriou mentioned.
“He’s been outstanding during the pre-season and got some good minutes under his belt.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
