Pre-Game Discussion - Manly V Dragons [Round 7, 2025]

[Jethro]

Manly V Dragons [Round 7, 2025]



MATCH DAY


Thursday 17 April 2025.


Venue:.... 4 Pines Park, Brookvale, NSW


Gates Open:.... TBA.


NRL Kick Off Time:.... Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: 7:50pm.



TICKETING


VS


Click here

https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/13006230D46718A7

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles


Team List etc. will be updated on Tuesday Afternoon (15/04/25)

 

[Phobia]

Few comments on what I think the team will be.

I think Haumole is fine from post-game pictures. Talau seemed a little underdone, but surely Croker is back.

1. Hoppa - one of our best, of course a 20 year old will make a few mistakes
2. Saab - I think he'll be fine
3. Koula - ???
4. Garrick - our second best this year
5. Talau - he'll get into form
6. Brooks - Out playing DCE lately
7. DCE - This guy is playing like he's got a contract elsewhere already.
8. Aloiai - Having a good year
9. Croker - Most underrated part of our team, middle defence will be FAR better.
10. Taukeiaho - doing a good enough job.
11. Olakau'atu - BEAST.
12. Ben - EXACT OPPOSITE.
13. Jake Trbojevic - I've put him here, but something needs to be done, he is not effective at all.
14. Tevaga - At his best as a middle, he is not a hooker, other than as a 10 minute fill in.
15. Bullemor - 3rd best
16. Brown - still has something to offer
17. Navale - Give him a shot! Sipley very much may be past it. Good culture guy but he's ineffective.

I think putting Taukeiaho on the bench for Brown at loc might be the play. Need a better balance of leg-speed and plodding (if that is a skill).

 

[mave]

Few comments on what I think the team will be.

I think Haumole is fine from post-game pictures. Talau seemed a little underdone, but surely Croker is back.

1. Hoppa - one of our best, of course a 20 year old will make a few mistakes
2. Saab - I think he'll be fine
3. Koula - ???
4. Garrick - our second best this year
5. Talau - he'll get into form
6. Brooks - Out playing DCE lately
7. DCE - This guy is playing like he's got a contract elsewhere already.
8. Aloiai - Having a good year
9. Croker - Most underrated part of our team, middle defence will be FAR better.
10. Taukeiaho - doing a good enough job.
11. Olakau'atu - BEAST.
12. Ben - EXACT OPPOSITE.
13. Jake Trbojevic - I've put him here, but something needs to be done, he is not effective at all.
14. Tevaga - At his best as a middle, he is not a hooker, other than as a 10 minute fill in.
15. Bullemor - 3rd best
16. Brown - still has something to offer
17. Navale - Give him a shot! Sipley very much may be past it. Good culture guy but he's ineffective.

I think putting Taukeiaho on the bench for Brown at loc might be the play. Need a better balance of leg-speed and plodding (if that is a skill).

Pretty sure we wait for Navale until round 11.

Agreed we need a change, or 2, though, if only to send a message to the group.

 

[Phobia]

Pretty sure we wait for Navale until round 11.

Agreed we need a change, or 2, though, if only to send a message to the group.

Fairly certain Navale is on a supplementary deal, like the one that Hopoate was on prior to Round 1. Changes to the supplementary rules mean that players on those contracts can play whenever, whereas NSW Cup players have to wait for that deadline.

Explains why he's appeared in the reserves prior to previous games. I suspect they didn't want to blood him in Perth, when he likely isn't yet used to the vigors of NRL travel and preparation. Unless Seibold wants to (again) play the conservative game, a more fresh, locally based Navale might actually get the shot this week I think.

We'll see.

 

[Rosko]

Gawd help us if we lose this.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Gawd help us if we lose this.

Even @God can’t help us at present

 

[Dion Johnson]

Dragons forward pack will be a challenge to get on top of, how long before Seibold makes some personnel changes.

 

[Brookie1973]

Dragons forward pack will be a challenge to get on top of, how long before Seibold makes some personnel changes.

They will roll over the top of us. Our only chance is home town refereeing.

 

[Rafferty]

It’s not like Flano will have a lot of homework to do, if any coach has the inside on how to pick us apart……can’t say I’m looking forward this one.

The sides worked hard to rebuild the fortress over the last couple of years, after last week at home and this weekends result, surely we’ll come out at home and show some pride in the jumper.

 

[Dion Johnson]

They will roll over the top of us. Our only chance is home town refereeing.

They have De-Balin and Couchman linking together in the middle with their offloads and then the threat of a fresh Liddle coming off the pine.

I expect Seibold to continue with the conservative team selections, though the tough calls are looming and if the injection of Turbo glosses over those players, they eventually will have to be made.

 

[Brookie1973]

They have De-Balin and Couchman linking together in the middle with their offloads and then the threat of a fresh Liddle coming off the pine.

I expect Seibold to continue with the conservative team selections, though the tough calls are looming and if the injection of Turbo glosses over those players, they eventually will have to be made.

They will roll us in the backs as well - suli, tiupolutu - too big and determined.

 

[Brookie1973]

It’s not like Flano will have a lot of homework to do, if any coach has the inside on how to pick us apart……can’t say I’m looking forward this one.

The sides worked hard to rebuild the fortress over the last couple of years, after last week at home and this weekends result, surely we’ll come out at home and show some pride in the jumper.

Yes, but probably only for 15-20 minutes.

 

[Rafferty]

Yes, but probably only for 15-20 minutes.

Sadly, I’d have to agree, but here’s hoping for something more…….

 

[Dingo]

Honestly, although it won’t happen, I’d almost be happy to give Koula that 1 jersey at this point. He needs to be more involved. Lehi is great at chasing and contesting kicks when on the wing as well, so wouldn’t hurt putting him back there now. Garrick and Saab on the right, Talau and Hoppa on the left.

I will say Talau will need a big game on Thursday if he’s keen on having a spot in the side once Turbo returns

 

[Rafferty]

Honestly, although it won’t happen, I’d almost be happy to give Koula that 1 jersey at this point. He needs to be more involved. Lehi is great at chasing and contesting kicks when on the wing as well, so wouldn’t hurt putting him back there now. Garrick and Saab on the right, Talau and Hoppa on the left.

I will say Talau will need a big game on Thursday if he’s keen on having a spot in the side once Turbo returns

That is the way to play it, but won’t matter if our middles can’t win the contest……

 

[The '47ers]

That is the way to play it, but won’t matter if our middles can’t win the contest……

Any word on Ola, I heard he might've picked up an injury. We certainly would be stuffed without him.

 

[Rafferty]

Any word on Ola, I heard he might've picked up an injury. We certainly would be stuffed without him.

Seibs said just a cork in the presser, so should be available, but who’d know and yes we’d most certainly be stuffed without him

 

[Waz13]

I’m picking this one early, we will roll them at home. It will also paper over our deficiencies for a couple more weeks. Similar to cows and raiders we’ll get the rub with the ref and prob notch 40. #flattrackbullies

 

[Brookie1973]

I’m picking this one early, we will roll them at home. It will also paper over our deficiencies for a couple more weeks. Similar to cows and raiders we’ll get the rub with the ref and prob notch 40. #flattrackbullies

40 ain’t gonna happen without Tom.

 

[Stewbojevic]

Brown, Sipley, Tevaga, Waddell all need to go if we are serious about improving. They’re slow and liabilities in defence. Waddell is also a liability in attack.

Navale > Brown
Croker/Simpkin > Tevaga
Patolo > Sipley
Anyone > Waddell