What’s gone right, wrong at every club as grades revealed: NRL mid-season report card
What’s gone right, wrong at every NRL club as grades revealed: Mid-season report card
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SEA EAGLES
Ladder: 10th (6-0-7, -28)
What’s gone right: Des Hasler’s band of young guns have fired so far in 2022. Tolutau Koula has lived up to the hype, after shining in pre-season trials. The 19-year-old, who is naturally a fullback, has slotted into the centres and has been strong. Many would have expected his attack to be his strong point, but his defence has been crucial for the Sea Eagles. Winger Christian Tuipulotu has also performed, scoring five tries in nine appearances, forming a strong partnership with Koula on the right side of the field. Meanwhile, Haumole Olakau’atu has been outstanding on the right edge, consistently terrorising the defensive line and making big tackles. While the Sea Eagles are looking for immediate results, moving forward their young guns will hopefully lay the platform for star fullback Tom Trbojevic to shine. This season hasn’t been up to Manly’s usually high standards but injuries have hampered their season and after a strong performance against the Warriors without Daly Cherry-Evans, they will be hoping to improve.
What’s gone wrong: Sea Eagles fans were hoping and praying Tom Trbojevic’s shoulder injury wasn’t season ending. The reigning Dally M winner was ruled out for 2022 in a huge blow to Manly’s premiership chances. Trbojevic’s impact cannot be understated and he is arguably the best player in the competition, but the Sea Eagles will have to go without for the rest of the year.
The star: Daly Cherry-Evans has been outstanding in 2022 and his kicking game has gone to a new level. The Maroons halfback has always been an elite playmaker, but his poise and experience has been on show so far this season. Forming a formidable partnership with gun backrower Haumole Olakau’atu on the right, Cherry-Evans has recorded 10 try assists in 12 games, while also sitting third in total kick metres behind only Matt Burton and Mitchell Moses.
Needs to lift: Jason Saab has been quiet in 2022. Last year the speedster benefited from the brilliance of Tom Trbojevic, scoring 23 tries in 25 games often from open play. This season the winger has only recorded two four-pointers in nine appearances. Saab’s blistering pace is a hallmark of his game, but at times the former Dragon has gone missing and has been unable to make a mark in the opposition defensive line. Now that he’s back from a toe injury it’s time to step things up a notch.
Top-eight chances: Fighting for a spot.
Grade: C
