Pre-Game Knights V Manly [Round 14, 2025]

[Jethro]

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

01. Lehi Hopoate
02. Clayton Faulalo
03. Tolutau Koula
04. Reuben Garrick
05. Tommy Talau
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans

08. Ethan Bullemor
09. Lachlan Croker
10. Toafofoa Sipley
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Jazz Tevaga
16. Corey Waddell
17. Nathan Brown


Replacement:

18. Michael Chee Kam.

Reserves:

19. Jakob Arthur
20. Navren Willett
21. Chris Patolo
22. Matthew Lodge.


Officials not yet announced.

Knights v Sea Eagles

Newcastle Knights versus Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles match centre includes live scores and updates. Includes official live player and team stats. Run metres, fantasy points scoring.

www.nrl.com

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-nrl-teams-2025-round-14/

 

[Phobia]

Sipley has had about five weeks to look into the mirror, to regret tackling someone whilst unconscious, get over the niggles, and hopefully get a bit fitter. I don't mind him there in the absence of TKO and Aloiai.

Rest of the team makes a lot of sense. I think having both Tevaga and Jake off at the same time is a death wish for our middle defence, so having one on the bench makes some sense.

Lots of leg speed starting and on the bench. Quality side. Patolo seemingly ahead of Lodge is a good sign.

 

[The Bandit]

Sipley has had about five weeks to look into the mirror, to regret tackling someone whilst unconscious, get over the niggles, and hopefully get a bit fitter. I don't mind him there in the absence of TKO and Aloiai.

Rest of the team makes a lot of sense. I think having both Tevaga and Jake off at the same time is a death wish for our middle defence, so having one on the bench makes some sense.

Lots of leg speed starting and on the bench. Quality side. Patolo seemingly ahead of Lodge is a good sign.

If Aloiai could start every game like the first 15 last week would be nice. Two carries in the first set, don't know what motivated him but find more of it when he's back.

 

[Highflier]

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

01. Lehi Hopoate
02. Clayton Faulalo
03. Tolutau Koula
04. Reuben Garrick
05. Tommy Talau
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans

08. Ethan Bullemor
09. Lachlan Croker
10. Toafofoa Sipley
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Jazz Tevaga
16. Corey Waddell
17. Nathan Brown


Replacement:

18. Michael Chee Kam.

Reserves:

19. Jakob Arthur
20. Navren Willett
21. Chris Patolo
22. Matthew Lodge.


Officials not yet announced.

Knights v Sea Eagles

Newcastle Knights versus Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles match centre includes live scores and updates. Includes official live player and team stats. Run metres, fantasy points scoring.

www.nrl.com

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-nrl-teams-2025-round-14/

gee thats a light weight bench ,I know Waddell was ok last week and Lodge was a bit under done ,but I would have thought Lodge for Waddell ? I guess Jake can go to Prop rotation and Jazz to 13 easy enough ,hmm anyways Go Manly

 

[Jethro]

Knights v Sea Eagles: Ponga rested and ready; Jake back on deck

There was a time when a trip to McDonald Jones Stadium would fill an opposition team with fear, but such are the Knights' woes in 2025 that Manly will have the opening game of Round 14 pencilled in for a victory.

www.nrl.com

 

[Brookie1973]

Speaking of Jake, how good was that social media post about the young fella SJ they brought down from Townsville for the game last week. Jake just showing again what a legend he is. Manly through and through. Not ashamed to admit it almost brought a tear to this old bastards eye.

 

[Rafferty]

Speaking of Jake, how good was that social media post about the young fella SJ they brought down from Townsville for the game last week. Jake just showing again what a legend he is. Manly through and through. Not ashamed to admit it almost brought a tear to this old bastards eye.

It was fantastic, here’s a link for anyone who hasn’t seen it, it’s worth the watch for sure. 11K reactions · 32 shares | WE LOVE IT 🥹 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

 

[Under the Sticks]

Be interesting to see if there is any smoke and mirrors around TKO recovery and Toff.

Bingo!

 

[Under the Sticks]

That’s fine - let’s get back under the radar where we did our best work.

The Raiders have jammed (stolen) our radar.

 

[Thewestisbest]

Last chance for Toff, surely? His lateral movement is absolute shiit. I don't know what Navale has to do. Another big game in NSW Cup, another none selection. Anyway, we are lucky because that Knights pack is easily the worst running around this weekend.

 

[Phobia]

Last chance for Toff, surely? His lateral movement is absolute shiit. I don't know what Navale has to do. Another big game in NSW Cup, another none selection. Anyway, we are lucky because that Knights pack is easily the worst running around this weekend.

Sipley actually had a somewhat better game in NSW Cup for what it's worth. You are right about the defence, but I think they're hoping Jake and Bully will make up for it.

Sipley
72 mins
1 try
20 runs
205m
85 PCM
1 line break
4 tackle breaks
2.71 second play the ball
1 offload
37 tackles, 5 missed
1/21 passes/receipts

Navale
80 mins
17 runs
162m
60 PCM
3.01 second play the ball
45 tackles, 3 missed
16/31 passes/receipts

I'm beginning to think that the reason they don't play Navale, is they just want a meatball who can hit the line. We already have three ball-playing locks in the squad, and Navale's attacking workrate hasn't been great in his limited NRL appearances. He's been good for defence, but hasn't run all that much e.g. against the Eels.

 

[Rafferty]

We don’t have a great record up there 28% win rate, perhaps Seibs should just tell the lads there leading the comp……

 

[Brookie1973]

Last chance for Toff, surely? His lateral movement is absolute shiit. I don't know what Navale has to do. Another big game in NSW Cup, another none selection. Anyway, we are lucky because that Knights pack is easily the worst running around this weekend.

He’s been a real disappointment. Had big hopes this would be his breakout year, but if anything, he seems to have gone backwards.

 

[eaglebuzz]

That pack makes me nervous. It's amazing how much weaker our side looks with just one or two changes to the pack.

 

[double hoops]

I think your point is right though - it would be nice to know they were at least going to put in a tough gritty performance. I reckon that’s an attitude thing rather than the salary cap. Yes, the salary cap probably means you’re not gunna win every game but attitude will ensure you’re at least in each one.

This is the first year in a decade I've remotely seen a Manly side look like they are trying to win a game where defence even matters, and or temper that attack and grind a win.

Still a lot to work on and improve.

But I'll be happy if this team can limit the knights to 6 or less.

Donkeys where terrible, but seems like forever we keeped someone that low.

Keeping someone to nil now that's a dream.

 

[Dingo]

I hate that I can’t even be super confident we beat quite possibly the worst team in the comp.

We SHOULD win and win well, but every time I get comfortable going into a game against a below average side, we play the worst footy I’ve ever seen and somehow get towelled up.

Thankfully, there’s been quite a bit of mention from both coach and players about really needing to get back to our best and do it CONSISTENTLY. Last week after the game there was mention of coming out and playing just as well next week too.

If the boys have the mindset of needing to build consistency and really needing to win this game, and not that they’re just an awful side that we can walk past which is seen a lot, we could be in for a big game.

Comp is so close that a win almost has us saying hello to that top 4, whereas a loss would likely see us well outside of the 8 again.

Lots to play for, let’s pull away from this big group in the middle to bottom of the ladder 🦅🦅🦅

 

[Rafferty]

This is the first year in a decade I've remotely seen a Manly side look like they are trying to win a game where defence even matters, and or temper that attack and grind a win.

Still a lot to work on and improve.

But I'll be happy if this team can limit the knights to 6 or less.

Donkeys where terrible, but seems like forever we keeped someone that low.

Keeping someone to nil now that's a dream.

40 nil was the dream

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

But I'll be happy if this team can limit the knights to 6 or less.

Donkeys where terrible, but seems like forever we keeped someone that low.

It was 2 weeks ago against Cows
2 games before that we kept panthers to 10.
(though I've read that we didn't let either team play well so those wins don't count for much!)

Be nice to think Manly's consistency in defence is on the improve. It has sure needed to be, but yes, some positive signs of late.

 

[Thewestisbest]

He’s been a real disappointment. Had big hopes this would be his breakout year, but if anything, he seems to have gone backwards.

Yes. He's been shiit this year. Very shiit.

 

[Thewestisbest]

I hate that I can’t even be super confident we beat quite possibly the worst team in the comp.

We SHOULD win and win well, but every time I get comfortable going into a game against a below average side, we play the worst footy I’ve ever seen and somehow get towelled up.

Thankfully, there’s been quite a bit of mention from both coach and players about really needing to get back to our best and do it CONSISTENTLY. Last week after the game there was mention of coming out and playing just as well next week too.

If the boys have the mindset of needing to build consistency and really needing to win this game, and not that they’re just an awful side that we can walk past which is seen a lot, we could be in for a big game.

Comp is so close that a win almost has us saying hello to that top 4, whereas a loss would likely see us well outside of the 8 again.

Lots to play for, let’s pull away from this big group in the middle to bottom of the ladder 🦅🦅🦅

COME ON MANLY, GET IT DONE!