Matchday Details
Saturday, August 30 – 5:30 pm (AEST) – Jubilee Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Adam Gee | Bunker: Jon Stone
Dragons
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Jacob Halangahu 12. Jayden Su’a 13. Jack De Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga
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
Match Preview
When you think the Sea Eagles are down and out, they pull out a big victory to still give them a shot at making the top eight. On their day, the Sea Eagles can mix it with any team, like they showed against the Dolphins. But this season, they have also looked like a team worthy of being closer to the bottom of the ladder. They need to play these last two games of the season like they did against the Dolphins, otherwise it will be a season of what could have been.
Coach Anthony Seibold has stuck with the same 17 players who racked up 58 points against the Dolphins. Exciting half Joey Walsh has been named at 18th man. In 14 appearances in the NSW Cup, Walsh has scored five tries, had 15 try assists, and 11 line break assists. Even with Jamal Fogarty coming to the club next season, it looks like the future is in good hands on the Northern Beaches.
While the Dragons have pulled out some good wins over top eight teams (such as the Sharks, Broncos, and Raiders), losing to the teams they were meant to beat, like the Tigers and Rabbitohs, have seen them languish at 13th on the ladder. Last week against the Rabbits was a night they would rather forget, losing 40-nil. While they can’t make the finals, they can strike a significant blow to the Sea Eagles’ finals hopes.
Jayden Su’a returns from a knee injury, while both Jack De Bellin and Hame Sele return from concussions. Tyrell Sloan returns on the wing, which sees Corey Allan drop to the reserves. Luciano Leilua moves to the bench, with Ben Murdoch-Masila dropping to the reserves as well. Damien Cook moves back to hooker, forcing Jacob Liddle back to the bench.
One of Shane Flanagan’s problems this year has been some of the decisions he has made surrounding his side. Last week, Cook played at lock, and Tyrell Sloan was the 18th man for the second week in a row. We have seen small players, such as Cook, play as a middle forward with success before, but that doesn’t mean it will work for every team. As for Sloan, after being in-and-out of the top grade at fullback, it seemed that he had finally found a place on the wing. He is a proficient try scorer, so for Flanagan to have a strike weapon like him as the 18th man is baffling.
Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks know how to put on a show, and they look good when they are playing to their full potential. They have the experience over their opponents Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkan King-Togia. The two young Dragons halves will need to stand up if they are to beat the Sea Eagles, but their forwards also need to get over the advantage line if Flanagan and King-Togia are to weave some magic.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sea Eagles by 16.
See our full Round 26 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 26 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
