Matchday Details
Saturday 9 May – 7.35pm (AEST) – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Foxtel/Kayo
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 1. Tolutau Koula, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Clayton Faulalo, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Brandon Wakeham, 10. Ethan Bullemor, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic (c), 14. Jake Simpkin, 15. Nathan Brown, 16. Jackson Shereb, 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 18. Blake Wilson, 19. Joey Walsh, 20. Josh Feledy, 21. Zach Dockar-Clay, 22. Simione Laiafi
Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Antonio Verhoeven, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Thomas Duffy, 8. Ben Talty, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Jack Gosiewski, 11. Xavier Willison, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan (c), 14. Josh Rogers, 15. Preston Riki, 16. Va’a Semu, 17. Aublix Tawha, 18. Hayze Perham, 19. Phillip Coates, 20. Jaiyden Hunt, 21. Ben Hunt, 22. Kane Bradley
Match Preview
It will be a tense battle for a top eight spot when ninth-placed Brisbane Broncos travel to Sydney to face the seventh-placed Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park on Saturday night.
The last time these two teams met in 2025, the Sea Eagles crushed the Broncos 34-6 at 4 Pines Park.
Following a narrow 18-16 loss to the top-of-the-table Penrith Panthers last weekend, the Sea Eagles will be confident that they have the proven ability and home ground advantage to defeat the Broncos this weekend at the very same venue where they defeated them in 2025, given the fact that the Broncos have not won at 4 Pines Park since 2010.
Coach Kieran Foran is confident in his team’s performance throughout the past month of football. Prior to this latest setback, they had won four straight games since Foran took over as coach, with four losses and one bye this season, and had conceded 18 points or fewer in all five games under Foran. The most recent victory came in Round 8, when they defeated the Parramatta Eels 33-18 at 4 Pines Park.
While the Broncos have won five games and lost four this season, they will be aiming for a victory this weekend to recapture their winning form from earlier in the season, when they had a run of three wins in a row.
Their 38-24 loss to the Sydney Roosters last weekend, as well as the loss of key players, may have eroded their confidence. The Broncos last won at home against the Canterbury Bulldogs (32-12) in Round 8, but they may not have luck on their side at 4 Pines Park.
The Sea Eagles have only conceded 176 points this season, averaging 22 points per game. In their Round 9 meeting against the Panthers, they conceded 18 points. Their overall defensive record has kept them in the top 5-7 positions on the ladder. The Broncos have conceded 209 points this season, with an average of 23 points per game.
The Sea Eagles’ starting line-up appears to be reverting to normal, with Jamal Fogarty at halfback and Joey Walsh retreating to the bench. Ethan Bullemor will replace Kobe Hetherington, who sustained a head injury last week.
While the Broncos make a major reshuffle due to injury and suspension, Tom Duffy will stand in for Adam Reynolds after suffering a head knock, Jesse Arthars will replace Kotoni Staggs in the centres, and young gun Antonio Verhoeven will replace the injured Deine Mariner. Preston Riki will be on the interchange bench following his return from suspension, with Ben Hunt named in the reserves.
The Sea Eagles tend to move through the middle of the field, which has been the Broncos’ weakest defensive position. While the Broncos work across the field, they will rely on finding gaps in the Sea Eagles’ defence.
The Sea Eagles have an intimidating backline that might result in a clash between the halves, Tolutau Koula, and the Broncos’ Reece Walsh, with Fogarty poised to make an impact upon his return.
Koula’s speed is outstanding, and he can break the line flawlessly. So far this season, he has three tries, four Try Assists, seven Line Breaks, 36 Tackle Breaks, and an average running distance of 180 metres. Meanwhile, Walsh has five tries, three Assists, three Line Breaks, and 33 Tackle breaks, with an average running distance of 130 metres. Walsh may have catching up to do. Regardless, the battle between the two should be entertaining.
In the forward pack, there could be a tough clash between the Sea Eagles’ Haumole Olakau’atu and the Broncos’ Xavier Willison. They were quite the standout players in last weekend’s clashes.
Olakau’atu appears to be the talk of the town as he competes for Origin selection. His performance left an impression: three tries, four Line Breaks, and an average running distance of 165 metres. He is an intimidating force in the Sea Eagles’ forward pack. While Willison may continue to astound after last weekend’s incredible effort. He possesses quick, fancy footwork and runs about the field with ease, and he has a perfect record this season, with three tries, 15 Tackle Breaks, 395.7 Post Contact metres, and 112 Average Running Metres.
The key for the Broncos could potentially be young gun winger Antonio Verhoeven, who has only made one appearance this season but has the potential to put in a sensational performance on the wing. It would be interesting to see if he can compete with Sea Eagles winger Lehi Hopoate, who has scored seven tries in his last five games.
The Sea Eagles captain, Jake Trbojevic, will play his 250th NRL game and hopes to make it memorable and impactful.
As both teams battle this weekend, their defence, focus, and cohesiveness will be key to their chance of retaining a top eight spot.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Sea Eagles by 14.
Bold call: Hopoate to score in the first 10 minutes.
Related
- NRL Round 9 Review
- NRL Round 10 Predictions
- NRL Round 10 Team Lists
- NRL Round 10 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
