No excuses for rested Sea Eagles

Determined ... Manly are eager to break a recent pattern at Kogarah. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Daly Cherry-Evans is confident a 10-day turnaround can work wonders for Manly in Monday's clash against St George Illawarra at Kogarah.

Manly have an appalling away record against the Dragons, having not won on their travels against the Red V since 2003.

And they lost for only the second time this year in an absorbing encounter against South Sydney nine days ago at Brookvale Oval in a game that left players from both sides counting their bruises.

"When you have a game like that it does take a few days to shake it out of the legs," Manly halfback Cherry-Evans said.

"But we've had plenty of time to prepare for this game and we'll go there with plenty of confidence."

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Tune into Monday Night Football LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD from 6.30pm (EST) tonight as the Dragons host the Sea Eagles.

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The Sea Eagles will be without prop Richie Fa'aoso, who is starting an eight-game ban for two spear tackles on Souths fullback Greg Inglis.

Serial offender Steve Matai is also suspended for his high shot on George Burgess, forcing Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey to name back-rower Tom Symonds in the centres.

And co-captain Jason King is also missing with a shoulder injury, allowing George Rose to return to the side for the first time this season.

The Dragons have struggled for most of this year and were blown away by the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day.

However, Cherry-Evans believes Steve Price's men are better than their form has shown.

"I think you have to not take any notice of their recent results," he said. "They have some great players and as so many teams are in the NRL, they will be very dangerous coming into the game on the back of a loss.

"Teams are always more enthusiastic and with the home crowd behind them it is going to be very tough."

Dragons winger Brett Morris said the 34-10 loss to the Roosters was a big incentive to improve in front of their home supporters.

"Obviously when you have a loss like the one we did against the Roosters, you just want to get back out on the field as quickly as you can," Morris said.

"We are definitely going to have to be on our game." 

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