Question marks over their depth have plagued the Sea Eagles in recent seasons - but early indications are that the club has plugged the gaps. Manly downed Souths 34-24 at Gosford on Saturday afternoon - and it was the players Anthony Seibold will be looking at as his 'back-ups' who did the damage. Wingers Raymond Vaega and Navren Willett looked sharp, nabbing two tries apiece, while the versatile Dean Matterson looked sharp at five-eighth, laying two on. Half Jake Arthur was outstanding, setting up two tries and producing three linebreak assists, and Clayton Faulalo caused Souths plenty of problems out wide with his power and pace. First-choice hooker Lachlan Croker will miss the start of the season. But his two understudies Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jake Simpkin were both busy and effective. New signing Sio Siua Taukeiaho showed he will add something up front with over 100 running metres. Souths scored a couple of flashy tries but overall, were disappointing. All eyes were on English halfback Lewis Dodd in his red and green debut and he was quiet, showing only a couple of glimpses of class.
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