NRL: Sea Eagles on course for finals return

Manly Sea Eagles are on course for a return to finals and will be keen to keep the wins coming when they face Wests Tigers on Thursday night.

The Sea Eagles last made the top eight in 2021, but finals will return in 2024 following a solid campaign so far.

Manly remain a dark horse for the Premiership in 2024 and can be backed at 15.00 to go all the way and win the 2024 Grand Final.

They can take nothing for granted however against a Tigers side that should be feeling good about themselves after beating South Sydney at the weekend.

The Tigers are still 1.30 to suffer most losses this season and pick up the wooden spoon, but the win over the bunnies has given them some hope.

They remain two points behind Parramatta and a shock win over the Sea Eagles could see them draw level with the Eels, who they play in the last game of the season.

. What: Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles
. Where: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
. When: 19:50 (AEST), Thursday 22nd August
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Wests Tigers 4.20, Manly Sea Eagles 1.22

Tigers boosted by Bunnies win

The Tigers picked up just their fifth win of the season when they edged out South Sydney by two points on Saturday.

A third wooden spoon on the bounce looked a formality following another disappointing campaign, but the win has handed them a boost.

The Tigers can also take heart from the fact they have a great record against the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval.

They have beaten them in the last four games at the iconic venue, and can be backed at 11.00 to win this latest meeting by 1-5 points.

Api Koroisau also loves the venue having scored five tries in seven appearances there, and will look to keep the good run going on Thursday night.

Lachlan Galvin and Heath Mason also stood out against the Rabbitohs, and the youngsters will be keen to shine again against the Sea Eagles.

Sea Eagles march on

The Sea Eagles are going well after losing just one game in the last six.

They saw off New Zealand Warriors 24-10 on Friday night to sit in sixth place on the ladder, and will be keen to keep the run going against the Tigers.

Despite having a poor record at Leichhardt, winning just three out of 12 trips there, they have beaten the Tigers in each of the last six meetings.

Anthony Seibold’s men will be confident of snapping the Leichhardt drought and can be backed at 7.00 to win by 16-20 points.

Manly do have concerns over the fitness of Tommy Talau and Gordon Chan Kum Tong, who picked up pectoral and shoulder injuries respectively against the Warriors.

Neither injury is serious, but the Tigers clash could come too soon.

Daly Cherry-Evans has 11 tries in 11 games against the Tigers and the skipper will be out to keep that good run going.