By MARK CASHMAN

Manly Marlins coach Matt McGoldrick has no illusions about the challenge that West Harbour will be for his side on Saturday.

Wests have been that side that have looked more than handy on paper but just haven’t been able to get the results on the board and McGoldrick wants to make sure that this week isn’t a turning point.

Across the field both sides match up quite well and it certainly looms as a game that will have lots of robust contact and if we can take a form line from the last time they played a fair whack of points.

McGoldrick has also rewarded a number of their reserve grade side who have looked pretty good at times with Gafa Sua getting a start at hooker with James Hilterbrand dropping back to the bench and Jed Ibbotson the starting No.15.

The other significant change is the inclusion of Harry Emery at scrum half and the selection marks his return after a niggling battle with a quad injury.

“We’ve had a decent week of training and Harley (Attwater) will have had another week in the saddle learning the way that we want to play,” McGoldrick said.

“Wests will be tough that’s for sure but the key to us getting a good result will be to nail our basics for longer periods.

“Get our attack moving forward, limit their opportunities. You know all the usual stuff.”

West coach Mark Gudmunson see sthis game as another oppsotunriy to get his side’s season underway.

“We have had another really good week on the field,” Gudmunson said.

“There have been a few niggles but at the end of the day that just gives an opportunity to someone else to make their mark.

“Manly are improving each week and we will need to be on to challenge them.

“We will continue to improve each week and keep working hard. We can’t wait.”

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
Sonny Satuala, Tonga Tangitau, Cameron Betham, Visiano Vaheo, Etienne Oosthuizen, Damien Flemming, Kaliova Nacina, Francis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Patrick Pellegrini, James Turner, Tavite Gadeisuva, Connor Chittenden, Rod Davies, Josh Petero.

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):
Alefosio Tatola, Gafa Sua, Conor Davidson, Max Douglas, Alex Dalzell, Harry Bergelin, Mitch Tye, Dan Alley, Harry Emery, Harley Attwater, Fraser Toohey, Hutana Coffin, Dennis Pili-Gaitau, Yool Yool, Jed Ibbotson.

LAST TIME: 42-42 draw July 27, 2019.

IMAGE: ADAM MCDONALD / MANLY MARLINS