Saturday has three NRL matches with the third game for Round 25 is between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm with the opening kick to commence at 7:30pm local time. The game is to be played at Brookvale Oval with the favourite for the match being Melbourne Storm. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm.
WHERE AND WHEN: Brookvale Oval, Saturday, 31st August, 7:30pm
Opening odds comparison:
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| Manly Sea Eagles | 1.97 | 2.00 | 2.25 | 2.00 | 1.97 | 1.98 |
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Melbourne Storm
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1.83 | 1.80 | 1.67 | 1.80 | 1.83 | 1.85 |
Preview:
The Manly Sea Eagles take on the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night, 7.30pm at Brookvale Oval. This looks like a close encounter, with Melbourne slight favourites to
take home the points. With the 3rd placed Storm playing a 4th placed Manly, and so much history between these two sides, this looks like a great game. While the
Sea Eagles are yet to secure their top four position, they have not beaten another top four side all year, and the Storm will not be easy. Both sides are in great from, with
the Storm winning four of their last five and Manly winning seven of their last eight.
Teams:
Manly Sea Eagles:
Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, George Rose, Jamie Buhrer, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Richie Fa’aoso, James Hasson, Tom Symonds, David Gower 
Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Maurice Blair, Justin O’Neill, Brett Finch, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, Kenneath Bromwich, Tim Glasby 
Manly suspend Taufua until NRL finals
Manly winger Jorge Taufua has been suspended for the final two games of the NRL regular season after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer on the Gold Coast last October.
Working in conjunction with the NRL, the Sea Eagles took action after Taufua changed his plea in relation to allegations he spat at a police officer outside a Surfers Paradise nightclub in the early hours of October 19.
The matter is headed back to the courts on Wednesday.
“After careful deliberation, and a recent changing of legal firms, Jorge has chosen to plead guilty, but with strong mitigating circumstances,” a statement put out by the Sea Eagles read.
“At the time of the incident, the club took no official sanction as the matter was under due investigative process and Jorge had not offered any plea.
“But after the latest consultation with his legal representative and the NRL, resulting in a guilty plea, the club believes it is now appropriate to make an announcement.”
It is a timely call by the Sea Eagles, with Taufua set to be available for Manly’s opening finals game.
The Sea Eagles are already guaranteed to play finals football and need to win just one of their last two games to secure a top four finish.
Manly coach Geoff Toovey admitted on Wednesday morning there was already doubt over Taufua’s availability for Saturday night’s encounter against Melbourne with the bullocking winger struggling with a cork.
Taufua has apologised for his role in the incident and is seeking counselling through the NRL’s endorsed counselling service.
“Since the incident, Jorge has shown unconditional remorse and regret, and has vowed to learn from such a setback,” Manly general manager David Perry said.