Game Preview - 2018 Round 3

By Samuel Lindsayvs Manly marlins (H) Southern Districts and Manly Marlins have equally experienced a mixed start to the 2018 season, following wins in Round 1 against Penrith Emus and Eastwood respectively. Whilst both clubs were defeated in Round 2, they collected bonus points for their less than seven point losses. with Souths also managing to pick up a four try bonus point for their efforts. The team's three previous encounters saw the clubs take to the field in Round 1, but this year Manly will vist Forshaw Rugby Park in Round 3. Both teams won their away fixtures against each other in 2017, with Southern Districts own Rohan Saifoloi converting in dramatic circumstances to clinch victory after the siren at Manly Oval in Round 15. Despite last week’s defeat at the hands of West Harbour, there were plenty of positives to take away, in particular Jamie Verran’s pivotal performance which saw him score a hat-trick. The return of 2017 Favourite Son Award winner and Southern Districts Top Try Scorer, Luke Smart from the bench was a huge boost for Matt Barr’s side, and Smart will return to the starting line-up this weekend as part of a reshuffled backline. Christian Kagiassis will shift to five-eigth, following the departure of Bayley Kuenzle as he joins the Wallabies U20’s camp. The 2017 Minor Premiership winners always prove to be formidable opponents, and Southern Districts now enter a few physical weeks with Eastwood and Warringah next on the fixture list. Matt Barr will be desperate to get back to winning ways before heading to TG Millner next week. This weekend is certainly not a game to be missed! 1st Grade will kick-off at 3pm with the first game of the day, 4th Grade getting underway at 10:45am.SDRC TEAM NEWSBayley Kuenzle has linked up with the Australian U20's squad, Christian Kagiassis shifts to five-eighth and Luke Smart starts on the wing after returning from injury. Starting Line-up1. Matt Gibbon2. Liam Dwyer3. Shambeckler Vui4. Angus Ryan5. Fili Tufui6. Alex Perez7. Conor Mitchell8. Marcus Carbone (c)9. Eli Pilz10. Christian Kagiassis11. Rowland-Keni Kotabalavau12. Denny Godinet13. William Latu14. Luke Smart15. Jamie Verran STATSForm – Last 5 matchesSouthern Districts W W L W LManly Marlins L L L W LSouthern Districts vs Manly Marlins at Forshaw Rugby Park – Past 5 years2017 Round 2 Southern Districts 17 – 35 Manly Marlins2016 Round 18 Southern Districts 23 – 17 Manly Marlins2014 Round 10 Southern Districts 28 – 43 Manly Marlins2013 Round 9 Southern Districts 25 – 14 Manly MarlinsSouthern Districts 5 year record vs Manly Marlins P W L F AForshaw Rugby Park 4 2 2 93 109Manly Oval 5 1 4 88 130Total 9 4 3 181 239