By MARK CASHMAN

Eastwood will put the Sir Roden Cutler Shield on the line when they take on a resurgent Manly on Saturday and Woods coach Ben Batger has a simple message for his side.

“Sometimes you focus on the opposition too much and as a coach I think I have been guilty of that,” Batger said.

“We just need to focus on what we do well because I know if we execute our game plan and play to our strengths we are a good chance of winning.

“Its our first defence of the Sir Roden Cutler Shield so we are excited about the game and Manly are coming off a good win so it should be a good game.”

Batger added: “I expect Manly to bring a very physical approach similar to how they played against Warringah.

“They have an experienced and tough pack so that will be a good test for our forwards and Harley Attwater has certainly helped their attack in the last few weeks.”

Manly are fronting up the TG Millner Field with the chance to go three wins on the bounce for the first time in a long time and Marlins coach Matt McGoldrick knows it will no easy task.

“Eastwood are not unalike Warringah in many ways – they can score from anywhere, their outside backs are extremely dangerous and they are just a good well rounded team,” McGoldrick said.

“They have a good set piece and we will have to be on our game. This is far from the time to sit back and think about what we achieved against the Rats last weekend.

“That is gone and we have to refocus and confront what is in front of us. It will be a great challenge.”

The Marlins sit eighth on the Shute Shield competition table and quite simply need to keep on winning to remain in the race to make the top six playoffs.

The formula that they used against the Rats though will a good place to start if they are to win this one.

That means their scrum will have to dominate and Attwater will have to keep the Woods deep in their own territory for much of the game.

They will also have to keep a close eye of young Tane Edmed as he can make things happen if given enough space and time.

The Woods will be without two of their 2020 movers and shakers for the rest of the season with Michael Icely and Lachlan Shelley gone until 2021.

Iceley broke an arm while Shelley broke his wrist and that is sure to test the Woods depth for the rest of the season.

“But we have Mark N back from the Waratahs bubble and our depth in the back row is good so this week Ratu Tuiesse gets his first starting chance in first grade and it will be good to see how he goes,” Batger added.

This is one that could go either way.

EASTWOOD (1-15):
Willie Leoso, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Ratu Tuisese, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawasa, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

MANLY MARLINS (1-15):
Alefosio Tatola, James Hilterbrand, Conor Davidson, Max Douglas, Alex Dalzell, Harry Bergelin, Liam Ryan, Daniel Alley, Harry Emery, Harley Attwater, Fraser Toohey, James Parker, Michael Adams, Yool Yool, Jed Ibbotson.

LAST TIME: Eastwood W 40-24. 6 July 2019.

IMAGE: SERGE GONZALEZ / EASTWOOD RUGBY