Matchday Details
Saturday, August 23 – 3pm (AEST) – 4 Pines Park
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Ashley Klein | Bunker: Liam Kennedy
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Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Joey Walsh 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Trai Fuller 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Peter Hola 21. LJ Nonu 22. Jon Fineanganofo
Match Preview
It’s last chance saloon for both the Manly Sea Eagles and Dolphins for finals hopes in 2025 heading into Saturday afternoon’s game at Brookvale. For the home side Manly, it might already be too late. But beating the Dolphins at Brookvale in the early Saturday kick off will keep their wafer-thin finals hopes alive for another week. They will need to turn around their current form, entering this game on a run of four straight losses and averaging just eight points scored a game in that run.
The Dolphins had the perfect draw to cement their finals hopes, playing three of their closest rivals for a first finals berth (in their short NRL history) in consecutive weeks, but after a record loss to the Roosters two weeks ago, and throwing away a 14-point lead to the Broncos in last weekend’s Battle of Brisbane, they have let that golden chance slip. As well as their huge for-and-against advantage.
This weekend is the third game of that run, and a win will certainly end Manly’s run, but it also may not even be enough for the Dolphins. They need to win their last three and hope the Melbourne Storm can beat either or both of the Roosters and Broncos in upcoming clashes.
At their best, the Dolphins are certainly worthy of a finals berth, and have beaten four of the current top five teams in 2025, so could be a real nuisance come finals time, but that free-wheeling, team-destroying form has slipped away, winning just three of their last seven games. The late season drop-off hasn’t been as bad as their first two seasons, and their injury list gives them plenty of genuine excuses, and they have done well all things considered, but the Dolphins have really let this finals chance slip.
Team news sees Reuben Garrick replaced by Tommy Talau, a potential season-ending shoulder injury to cause for absence for Garrick. Tom Trbojevic remains at fullback, setting up a nice clash with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The Dolphins receive a very welcome boost of firepower up the middle with Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo both returning. Their inclusions have forced a shuffle of the Dolphins forward pack with Aublix Tawha dropping to the reserves, and Kristian Woolf risking the wrath of leaving Ray Stone out of the top 17. Max Feagai returns to the centres, which means Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moves back to fullback, but thankfully Trai Fuller stays in the match day squad in the number 14 utility role, which should provide a lot of excitement and a move many have been calling for since Fuller recovered from injury.
The game could be potentially won or lost in the key position of halfback, with a headline match-up of the NRL’s most experienced halfback Daly Cherry-Evans (playing his 350th NRL game for Manly this weekend), and one of the brightest young stars in Isaiya Katoa. Rumours abound of Cherry-Evans potentially retiring this season instead of the widely reported move to the Roosters, so this could be one of his last game at Brookvale if true. Interestingly rumours were suggesting the Dolphins were interested at one stage, but Katoa’s form this season probably put a stop to that, given there was no need to upset one of the best halfbacks in the competition.
Stats slightly favour Manly, although neither team are in sparkling form. Manly have won both of their home games vs Queensland sides in 2025, and Manly are W5 L2 on a Saturday this season. The Dolphins are W3 L5 on a Saturday this season and historically the Dolphins have lost all three games away to Sydney sides in Sydney on a Saturday. Their away record in Sydney isn’t great either as the Dolphins are W3 L8 for games away to Sydney sides in Sydney.
At their best, which wasn’t that long ago, you could suggest the Dolphins would win this by plenty, and at least Manly’s most recent form is worse, but questions remain over the Dolphins’ record in Sydney, and whether they have run out of steam once again in the late part of the season. But with the prospect of a finals appearance disappearing with a loss, the away side might just edge it.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 4.
See our full Round 25 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 25 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- Round 25 Late Mail
- 2025 NRL Round 24 Injury List
