BIRD A CERTAIN STARTER FOR GAME AGAINST THE EAGLES
14.03.08 15:14 Age: 4 min
Sharks international five eighth Greg Bird has come through the Sharks final training session with flying colours, dispelling rumours of a hamstring problem and the possibility that he may not play in the round one match against the Sea Eagles.
Bird completed the full session on Friday morning ahead of the Manly clash and is a certain starter in the lock forward position, with Brett Seymour, who has been impressive in the trials, to run out in the number six jersey at five eighth.
"They are all fit to play, we are as per the program, which is a good thing," Stuart said. "Manly at Manly with a packed house at Brookvale is a game that players and coaches look forward to and Saturday will be one of those occasions."
Stuart however has delayed naming his final four-man interchange bench, with one of Adam Peek, Bryan Norrie, Fraser Anderson, Kevin Kingston or Jacob Selmes to be sent to Kogarah Oval, rather than Brookvale, to play for the Cronulla Cobras in their first round match against the Newtown Jets.
The Sharks will travel to Manly’s home ground trying to win back the Steve Rogers Trophy, with their opponents the current holders after beating the Sharks late in the 2007 season at Toyota Stadium. The Steve Rogers trophy was instigated after the sudden death of the Sharks club legend and CEO in early 2006 and recognises the keen rivalry between the two seaside clubs.
Manly in fact won both encounters between the two teams last season and coupled with the fact that they were able to play their way through to the 2007 Grand Final, will see them start Saturday nights match as warm favourites.
After an encouraging off-season however and with no injury concerns amongst their side to play this weekend, the Sharks will travel north of the harbour quietly confident of performing strongly causing an upset.
The bookies have the Sharks getting 8 ½ points start, with Manly most recently quoted at $1.35 and the Sharks at $3.00.
The referee for the game will be Jarred Maxwell, with Fox Sports to televise the match live.
The Sharks v Manly match in the NRL kicks off at Brookvale Oval at 7.30pm. It will be preceded by the NYC Toyota Cup clash, again matching the Sharks and Sea Eagles, while the NSW Cup match is set down to the played at Kogarah Oval.
The Cronulla Cobras, the club affiliated with the Sharks in 2008 in the NSW Cup (formerly the Premier League) competition, play the Newtown Jets at Oki Jubilee Oval, with that match getting underway at 4.30pm.
