Saturday, Toyota Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Jason Robinson

What a hell of a game this should be. Both teams have won five in a row. Both are on 26 points, with the Sea Eagles in first place and the Sharks in third. The Sea Eagles have conceded just 197 points to have the number one-ranked defence in the competition, while the Sharks are third in that category, having conceded 247. The appreciable difference comes in attack. The Sea Eagles have scored more points than anyone, with 380 at an average of 25.9 per game. The Sharks are way down in 14th place in that category, with 292 at an average of 19.5, although it must be pointed out that the Sharks have improved in that area recently. They have scored at an average of 25.3 points in their last six games. Defence is going to rule this game and unless pure luck intervenes it is going to take sheer class - or a missed tackle or two - to lead to tries.The Sharks are going to miss the skill and toughness of their injured lock, Greg Bird, in a game like this, but they do get fullback Brett

Brett Kearney is back from injury and he was one of their best performers before getting hurt. The Sea Eagles will be pumped up for this game. They will play it tough and uncomprimising and look for their big forwards to create enough space for halves Matt Orford and Jamie Lyon to set the outside backs free. The Sea Eagles, despite being on the road, deserve slight favouritism, but don't doubt the ability of the Sharks to hang tough and take it down to the wire.

LATE MAIL
Manly centre Steve Matai is in doubt for tomorrow night's clash with Cronulla as he has not yet been cleared to play after suffering a serious chest injury that had him coughing up blood. Matai will have a final fitness test tonight. The Sharks welcome back fullback Brett Kearney from an ankle injury as the teams prepare to battle it out for the Steve Rogers Memorial Trophy.
Nathan Ryan

SHARKS: Brett Kearney, Misi Taulapapa, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Ross, Isaac De Gois, Luke Douglas, Grant Millington, Fraser Anderson, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Danny Nutley, Kade Snowden, Adam Peek, Blake Green

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Robertson, Steve Bell, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (capt), Brent Kite, Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart, Steve Menzies. Interchange: Heath L'Estrange, Mark Bryant, Adam Cuthbertson, Glen Hall