2025 Draw

[Phobia]

It will probably impact where Manly finish, as normally Manly are made play away against every Sydney team the NRL jam into the season. Most Sydney away grounds are graveyards for Manly, especially when compared to Manly visits to non-Sydney grounds.
In 2024 Manly were made visit every Sydney club (including W'gong).
Meanwhile there's plenty of Sydney teams who've managed to avoid Brookie year after year.

Had a look at this:

We haven't played the following teams at Brooky since...

Broncos: Round 21 2014
Souths: Round 2 2021

2023:
Phins
Cowboys
Tigers
Bulldogs

I have no idea why Souths have escaped for so long. Probably reasonable to assume these teams will comprise 6/12 of our home games this year.

 

[StuBoot]

Had a look at this:

We haven't played the following teams at Brooky since...

Broncos: Round 21 2014
Souths: Round 2 2021

2023:
Phins
Cowboys
Tigers
Bulldogs

I have no idea why Souths have escaped for so long. Probably reasonable to assume these teams will comprise 6/12 of our home games this year.

Probs haven't played Souffs at home as they generally play on a Thursday or Friday night at Accor or Allianz.
They wouldn't want the pride of the leagues fans unable to attend due to our outdated suburban grounds crowd capacity.

 

[StuBoot]

Full story

NRL 2025: Manly Sea Eagles formally request to play Brisbane Broncos at Brookvale for first time in 10 years​

The Broncos’ 10-year streak of not playing at Manly’s home ground could be set to change, with the Sea Eagles requesting Brisbane head to Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 2025, along with two other big clubs.

We want the Broncos back at Brookie – along with the Eels and Roosters.
Manly has formally requested that the NRL send Brisbane back to Brookvale Oval for a sellout game this coming season after a whopping ten-year absence.
It is the longest period that an opposition side hasn’t played a rival team’s regular home venue.
Manly has been financially compensated for taking home games to Brisbane since 2016.
But that deal has now elapsed and Manly hopes the star-studded Broncos will be directed to Sydney’s Northern Beaches when the NRL draw is released next week.
“We want the Broncos to play at 4 Pines Park,” confirmed Manly CEO Tony Mestrov.

Manly have declared they want the Broncos back at Brookvale in 2025. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The last time Brisbane played at Brookvale was August 1, 2014.
This masthead can also reveal the Sea Eagles have asked the NRL that Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters play games at 4 Pines Park next season.
They are three games Manly insist will be immediate sellouts.
With Manly fans having flocked to Brookvale this year, the club doesn’t require the financial inducement of taking more home games to Magic Round.
“We haven’t played Brisbane at 4 Pines Park since 2014 so we have put in a request to play them at home. It would be exciting to play the Broncos at Brookvale,” Mestrov said.

Kieran Foran in action for the Sea Eagles the last time the Broncos played at Brookvale in 2014. Picture: AAP Image/ Action Photographics, Grant Trouville

“We definitely put the Broncos forward because we haven’t played them at home for so long. I dare say that would be a sellout.
“This coming season, we won’t be playing a home game at Magic Round. Parramatta and the Roosters are also historic games for us.
“They would be big crowd pullers. We are looking for home matches where we will get a big following. Parramatta is always massive and would be a sellout.

Manly has been playing home games at Suncorp Stadium against the Broncos since 2016. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Every club gets requested by the NRL to nominate what home games they would like to play. We also let the NRL know that our contract for Magic Round had ceased.”
While plans are still in their infancy, Mestrov did say talks were gently progressing around the possibility of increasing the crowd capacity at Brookvale.

Manly have 12 home games at 4 Pines Park next season. Picture: NRL Photos

All clubs are encouraged to submit preferred games and dates to the NRL before the draw is announced with the governing body attempting to accommodate as many requests as possible.
Manly attracted 164,728 fans through the 4 Pines gates this season for an average crowd of 16,473.
The Sea Eagles failed to post more than 16,000 just once this year – a wet round nine game against Canberra.
Manly will now play 12 home games at 4 Pines Park next year.
The Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels always enjoyed a fierce rivalry during the 1980s.
Further details of Manly’s proposed Brookvale Oval redevelopment will emerge over the next year.

I heard an interview with Mestrov where he flagged the idea of having a members only game, wouldn't be surprised if it's v the Broncs.
Would make sense.

 

[Brookie4eva]

I heard an interview with Mestrov where he flagged the idea of having a members only game, wouldn't be surprised if it's v the Broncs.
Would make sense.

I'm not sure on the Member numbers we have, and how many turn up to each game, but that doesn't make sense to me unless they would be near a sell out, why throw away money for Members to sit in a half empty ground? Though the beer queues would be much better.

 

[Ben]

I heard an interview with Mestrov where he flagged the idea of having a members only game, wouldn't be surprised if it's v the Broncs.
Would make sense.

Might not be a bad idea to get more members to sign up. Would definitely be a small sacrifice for gate takings for the game but could well and truly benefit the club long term with ongoing renewals.

 

[ManlyArmy]

Whispers going around we've got the bye for Magic Round.

 

[Hertera]

NRL 2025: Magic Round draw released, Broncos bumped from prime time, Roosters face Dolphins, Sea Eagles miss out​

The Broncos have lost their prime time Magic Round slot to their bitter rivals, while the Sea Eagles have missed out on rugby league’s showcase entirely in 2025. SEE WHO YOUR TEAM PLAYS.

The legend of Arthur Beetson will help launch Magic Round with the Roosters and Dolphins usurping a Broncos-Panthers blockbuster for the prized Friday night timeslot at Suncorp Stadium.
This masthead can reveal the full 2025 Magic Round draw, which will go ahead without Manly after the Sea Eagles were left without a seat at rugby league’s showcase weekend.
It comes as Queensland NRL Immortal Beetson’s beloved Roosters and Dolphins help kick off the sixth instalment of the eight-game Suncorp carnival.
Cronulla and Jason Ryles’ Parramatta Eels will open the event at 6pm on Friday night, before Roosters and Dolphins stars square off for the Artie Legacy Medal in game two at 8pm.
The Broncos have headlined five consecutive Magic Round contests against Manly in the prestigious Friday night timeslot, which is a proven ratings bonanza for broadcasters Channel 9 and Fox Sports.
But for the first time since the birth of Magic Round in 2019, Brisbane are no longer Friday night specialists. As this masthead revealed last month, Michael Maguire’s Broncos will face defending premiers Penrith at 4.05pm on Sunday afternoon.

Brisbane’s traditional Magic Round rivals, Manly, will be the only team to not attend, having been given the bye after five consecutive fixtures against the Broncos.

The 2023 grand final replay will be shown on free-to-air and pay TV platforms and will be the penultimate game of the weekend before Melbourne face Canberra at 6.25pm to draw the curtain on Magic Round.

The Dolphins and Broncos are waging a fierce sporting turf war in Queensland and Redcliffe’s Friday night timeslot is a major coup for the fledgling organisation in the Battle of Brisbane rivalry.

The Beetson-inspired showdown between the Roosters and Dolphins will be a chance for the Bondi glamour club to exact revenge following their shock loss to Redcliffe at the same venue two years ago.

In one of the greatest moments in the code’s history in 2023, Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins shocked the league, upsetting the Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp in their historic first game as an NRL franchise.

Brisbane relish being Friday night TV darlings with broadcasters, but their move to the Sunday slot will give their army of fans the rare chance to see the Broncos playing afternoon football at Suncorp.

On Saturday, day two of NRL action will begin with the Rabbitohs and Knights in a 3pm clash that could see South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell wage a fullback duel with Newcastle skipper Kalyn Ponga.

The Souths-Knights clash will be followed by the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys at 5.30pm, before St George Illawarra return after last year’s Magic Round bye to face Wests Tigers in the final game of the evening at 7.45pm.

On Sunday, the final day will commence with an old rivalry – Gold Coast mentor Des Hasler will take on the Canterbury club he coached to two grand finals in 2012 and 2014 at 1.50pm before the Broncos-Panthers marquee clash.

The Bulldogs (0-5) and Dragons (0-4) are the only teams never to win at Magic Round and will be out to break their Suncorp hoodoos.

Last year’s event attracted a record 149,196 fans and the NRL will be hoping to crack the 150,000 mark in 2025 as Magic Round becomes a multimillion-dollar economic bonanza for Queensland.

 

[Stewbojevic]

Interesting that we request not to play the Broncos and they slap us with the bye. Seems almost petty from the NRL.

It’s a showcase event that attracts new fans to the game and disappointing we aren’t involved.

In saying that, Suncorp is a goat track by Sunday and at least we avoid injuries that week!

 

[rj90]

Sea Eagles to miss Magic Round in 2025

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have been allocated the bye in the 2025 NRL Magic Round in Brisbane.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[LeonardCohen]

I fail to see how it’s drawing the short straw…it’s a terrible event on the calendar that I’m scarred by…how many years of hosting a home game against the home team? Ludicrous. Personally, I’m doing cartwheels that we are not involved. It’s one thing to concede a home match in general but it was another kind of stupid from all involved to have the Broncos play away from home during a weekend of football at the home ground?!

 

[The '47ers]

I fail to see how it’s drawing the short straw…it’s a terrible event on the calendar that I’m scarred by…how many years of hosting a home game against the home team? Ludicrous. Personally, I’m doing cartwheels that we are not involved. It’s one thing to concede a home match in general but it was another kind of stupid from all involved to have the Broncos play away from home during a weekend of football at the home ground?!

The Broncos have come out of it even better, they play Penrith but with the Broncos still the "away" team meaning obviously they avoid a trip to Penrith later.

 

[Waz13]

The Broncos have come out of it even better, they play Penrith but with the Broncos still the "away" team meaning obviously they avoid a trip to Penrith later.

It’s honestly laughable. Even my broncs supporting mate concedes they should be the hone team. That said, I’m fine with us missing out. Though surely the wooden spooner should miss magic round.

 

[sheridanstand78]

Never liked magic pudding round, time Sydney gets a chance to host it!!

 

[The '47ers]

Never liked magic pudding round, time Sydney gets a chance to host it!!

If you don't like it why would you care where it's played 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Think of the positive , it’s a guaranteed 2 points

 

[JakeyB789]

Ehhh I'm a little bummed by it. Having missed the last couple of years I was pretty keen to make the trip up again, it's a great weekend away but not to be I guess. I know it's Magic Round and the NRL would expect crowds to show up anyway, but they also couldn't have put on a more bland round of matchups if they tried. Tigers Dragons as the Saturday night feature game??

Can see why some are happy about it from a football perspective but we've literally given our home game away to the only team that actually has Suncorp as it's home ground. Couldn't have been too hard to give us an away game like the Squeels/Knights/Dogs/Raiders have but the writing was on the wall once we decided to stop giving the NRL favourite Donkeys such a big advantage

 

[sheridanstand78]

If you don't like it why would you care where it's played 🤷🏻‍♂️

Don't like that's it's always in Brisbane!!

 

[Frogz]

I laugh how the media are saying loud and clear "Manly has been dumped". You know we only got the bye. Someone has to miss out and really, who cares if we aren't giving up a home game to the host team. Its a great week off to rest, relax and recuperate, SOO is 3 weeks after this.

 

[Waz13]

Ehhh I'm a little bummed by it. Having missed the last couple of years I was pretty keen to make the trip up again, it's a great weekend away but not to be I guess. I know it's Magic Round and the NRL would expect crowds to show up anyway, but they also couldn't have put on a more bland round of matchups if they tried. Tigers Dragons as the Saturday night feature game??

Can see why some are happy about it from a football perspective but we've literally given our home game away to the only team that actually has Suncorp as it's home ground. Couldn't have been too hard to give us an away game like the Squeels/Knights/Dogs/Raiders have but the writing was on the wall once we decided to stop giving the NRL favourite Donkeys such a big advantage

Could not have come up with a worse round of match ups imo. What bog average fixtures. Confirms I will likely not watch any of it.

 

[danny-boy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1858964566568562785