By Adam Lucius

One game into the second half of the season and who would have bet we'd be talking about Manly and Southern Districts meeting in a 1 v 2 clash?

Yet, top-of-the-table status is the tag afforded Saturday's long-awaited clash at Manly Oval  - and deservedly so.

The Rebels have dropped just the one game all year, going down to Eastwood in round 11.

The Marlins have tasted defeat three times – two one-point losses and a heart-breaking last-gasp loss to the Students by four.

One of those defeats was to Souths back in round two when Manly led all the way only to be over-taken in the 77th minute.

Those down the bottom of Sydney Rd are still smarting over that one.

"I think this is the challenge both teams have been waiting for for quite a while," Manly coach Phil Blake said.

"I know it's a game our guys have had circled for a long time, not for revenge reasons but just as another test of where we're at."     

With perennial champs Sydney Uni yet to visit the top six this year and Randwick 19 points off the pace, there is a new world order in the Shute Shield.

Souths skipper Josh Gamgee, an ex-Marlin, is not shocked to see his old club up near the summit.

"They are playing some good footy and it doesn't really surprise me to see where they are on the table," he said.

"I think it’s a natural progression from last year. They kept most of their players and have been together a number of years."

Gamgee expects a rugged afternoon at the Village Green – on and off the field.

"We got away with it at the death by one point in the first round. It was a lucky escape," he admitted.

"It's always enjoyable but hard to play down at Manly Oval.

"They get such a good and vocal crowd who get right behind the team.

"I'm expecting a lot of verbal abuse coming from the hill and a really good contest out in the middle."

Blake said of the Rebels: "They are very, very physical, strong at set pieces and possess a number of good ball carriers.

"We need to step it up to meet the challenge."

Manly welcome back Australian under-20s second-rower Greg Peterson and Brumbies centre Tyrone Smith.