Unstoppable . . . Anthony Watmough of the Sea Eagles.
Photo: Getty Images

Saturday, Brookvale Oval, 5.30pm
Referees: Ben Cummins, Brett Suttor
Head to head: Sea Eagles 67, Rabbitohs 55
Last clash: Sea Eagles 24-8 at ANZ Stadium (Rd 6, 2009)
TAB Sportsbet: Sea Eagles $1.25, Rabbitohs $3.75
FootyTAB: Rabbitohs +10.5 points

Tough one for the Rabbitohs. You really don't want to have to play the Sea Eagles when they will be smarting from their loss to the Tigers on Monday night and get the chance to return home to play at Brookvale. The Sea Eagles had won six of their previous seven and eight of 10 before starting a bit slowly against the Tigers and paying the price. The Tigers got out to an 18-0 lead in the first half, and although the Sea Eagles finished the better they couldn't quite overhaul the opposition and lost 19-18. That saw them drop a couple of spots back to seventh, and they will be highly motivated to get a win on Satruday night.

The Rabbitohs will be desperate. They had a great chance to add to a three-game winning streak and push closer to a top-eight spot when they led the Bulldogs last weekend, but they mismanaged the second half and the Bulldogs got them, 26-18. That left the Rabbitohs three points outside of the top eight with five games to play, so the heat really is on them to win to keep their finals hopes alive. The Sea Eagles have been disrupted over the last couple of months, with State of Origin commitments, injury and suspension significantly affecting their lineup, but they are at very close to full strength for this game. Fullback Brett Stewart, still out injured, is the only regular missing. The Rabbitohs are also still missing their fullback, Rhys Wesser.

The Sea Eagles, who are on a five-day turnaround, have a win-loss record of 6-3 at home this season. The Rabbitohs have done fairly well away, winning four, losing four and drawing one, but this is the ultimate test. The Sea Eagles have won six of the last eight clashes between these two, including a 24-8 victory at ANZ Stadium in round eight.

SEA EAGLES: Michael Robertson, Tony Williams, Ben Farrar, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (capt), Jason King, Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Anthony Watmough, Glenn Hall, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Chris Bailey, Brent Kite, George Rose, Shane Rodney, Heath L'Estrange (one to be omitted).

RABBITOHS: Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Ben Lowe, Eddy Pettybourne, David Faalogo. Interchange: Craig Wing, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Scott Geddes, Dave Tyrrell (one to be omitted).