The second top 2 battle on junior representative grand final day sees the Illawarra Steelers facing the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the UNE SG Ball Cup decider at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday 4 May. With both of 2019’s most exciting teams meeting in the biggest game of the year, this matchup should have no shortage of fireworks.
What makes for even more interesting viewing is the fact the Steelers and Sea Eagles are yet to face each other this season after being placed on opposite sides of the draw in the 17-team competition at the start of the season. With plenty of offensive prowess in both line-ups who score at an average of 35 points per game, there is a lot to look forward to when they square off at Bankwest Stadium.
The Steelers captain and halfback Jayden Sullivan - one 2019’s most dangerous halves - will be a threat to the Manly-Warringah defensive line with his speed, quick footwork and a strong short kicking game. The Sea Eagles will also need to contain the twin right edge of Max and Mathew Feagai, the pair who scored 5 tries between them in their preliminary final win.
For Manly, there is NSW representative and centre Ben Trbojevic, who links up well with winger Daniel Ala and strong enough to find the line himself. The Sea Eagles will look to their in-form No. 6 and captain Joshua Schuster to give some direction alongside halfback Jamie Lawler, while his deceptive footwork with a strong frame makes him hard to stop if he takes on the line. Another key matchup is between fullbacks Kaeo Weekes and Treigh Stewart who are both threatening in broken defence and anticipating scoring chances behind the play.
