Pre-Game Discussion - Manly V Raiders [Round 3, 2025]

[Jethro]

Manly V Raiders [Round 3, 2025]


MATCH DAY

Sunday 23 March 2025.

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

Gates Open:.... TBA.

Jersey Flegg Cup Kick Off Time:.... Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders: 2:20pm AEDT.

NSW Cup Kick Off Time:.... Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders: 3:50pm AEDT.

NRL Kick Off Time:.... Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders: 6:15pm AEDT.


TICKETING

VS

Click here

https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/event/13006230D43F1892

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Team List etc. will be updated on Tuesday Afternoon (18/03/25)

01. Tom Trbojevic / Lehi Hopoate
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolutau Koula
04. Reuben Garrick
05. Lehi Hopoate / Tommy Talau
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans (C) / Jake Arthur

08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jazz Tevaga
10. Siua Taukei'aho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic (C) if DCE out

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Corey Waddell
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Toafofoa Sipley


Replacement:

18. Clayton Faulalo.


Reserves:

19. Dean Matterson
20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
21. Jake Arthur
22. Josh Aloiai
23. Nathan Brown
24. Tommy Talau
25. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
26. Aaron Schoupp
27. Aitasi James
28. Joey Walsh
29. Michael Chee Kam
30. Chris Patolo
31. Matthew Lodge
32. Caleb Navale - Development Player
33. D’Jazirhae ‘Mia’ Pua'avase - Development Player
34. Simione Laiafi - Development Player
35. Zaidas Muagututia - Development Player.


Out:
.

Available But Not Selected:

• .

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From the Manly Sea Eagles website, here is the ' Rd 1 Sea Eagles Injury Update' released on Thursday, 16 January 2025:

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles hooker, Lachlan Croker, will miss the start of the 2025 NRL season as he recovers from knee surgery.

The 28-year-old had arthroscopic surgery to his left knee before Christmas and is recovering well.

Croker is expected to be available for selection in Round 4 of the new season.

Injury Update: Lachlan Croker

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles hooker, Lachlan Croker, will miss the start of the 2025 NRL season as he recovers from knee surgery.

www.seaeagles.com.au

From the 'NRL 2025, Injuries, Suspension Return Dates, Casualty Ward and Key Information for the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Season' web page, Here is the Latest NRL Injured or Unavailable Update:

* * * (Updated: Sunday, 16 March 2025) * * *

Scans have cleared Manly stars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans of serious injury.

The pair left the field during Friday night's loss to the Warriors, Trbojevic with hamstring tightness and Daly Cherry-Evans back spasms.

The fullback has avoided any muscle damage and will continue to be monitored throughout the week before a final decision is made on his availability for Sunday's clash with the Raiders at 4 Pines Park.

Sea Eagles officials are confident both Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans will be cleared to feature in the match.

Manly Sea Eagles

• Tom Trbojevic (Hamstring, Round 3)
• Daly Cherry-Evans (Back, Round 3)
• Tolu Koula (Corked Thigh, Round 3)
• Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Knee, Round 3)
• Lachlan Croker (Knee, Round 4)

NRL Casualty Ward: Panthers dealt blow; Hosking injures hand

Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards is set for a stint on the sidelines while Raiders forward Zac Hosking has a suspected fractured hand.

www.nrl.com

Also, from the Official NRL Casualty Ward & Injury Information, Manly hub page, there are no variations to the information regarding the unavailable or injured players and their return periods:

• Tolutau Koula (Corked Thigh, Round 3)
• Siosiua Taukeiaho (Knee, Round 3)
• Lachlan Croker (Knee, Round 4)
• Daly Cherry-Evans (Back, TBC)
• Tom Trbojevic (Hamstring, TBC)

Casualty Ward

Check the Official NRL Casualty Ward, which players are injured, and who is expected to make their way back onto the field and in the game.

www.nrl.com

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[ALinda]

Awesome news just reported by Dan Walsh, The Age:

Manly are breathing a sigh of relief after scan results on Tom Trbojevic’s troublesome hamstring have cleared the superstar fullback of any significant injury.

Trbojevic and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans (back spasms) will both be monitored this week after being forced from the field in Friday’s loss to the Warriors.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold confirmed on Sunday morning that precautionary scans came back positive for Manly’s two most influential figures, with both Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans expected to be available for Sunday’s home game against Canberra.

Manly will also have speedster Tolutau Koula (thigh) and veteran prop Siosiua Taukeiaho (knee) back for the Raiders clash.

 

[Bomb Voyage]

I have an awful feeling about this game, it might blow away any notions of the 'fortress' for the rest of the year

 

[Stewbojevic]

I have an awful feeling about this game, it might blow away any notions of the 'fortress' for the rest of the year

We’ll win

 

[Sheikheagle]

I have an awful feeling about this game, it might blow away any notions of the 'fortress' for the rest of the year

Nah i reckon we will strike back in a big way 🫣

 

[Phobia]

I would love to see:

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Hopoate
4. Garrick
5. Koula
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. Taukeiaho
11. Olakau'atu
12. Burbo
13. Jake (hope he's fitter this week...)
14. Talau
15. Tevaga
16. Bullemor
17. Brown

I think Koula would have the greatest confidence to burn defenders on the outside, out of any of our backs. He was a great yardage game too. The only downside of him on the wing, is Hoppa might not be there yet for defending in the centres.

Honestly think Simpkin is more suited to being a starter. I was really unimpressed with Jazz when the going gets tough. He looked absolutely gassed, and missed a try saving tackle. I think his best impact would be off the bench, only filling in for 15 mins.

Obviously this won't happen.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Danger game

 

[effnic]

I have an awful feeling about this game, it might blow away any notions of the 'fortress' for the rest of the year

Na, we seem to be a completely different team at home. She'll be right. Gotta learn to take that mentality on the road. Grand finals arnt played at Brookie.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Taukeiaho back is the thing I'm most excited about. If he stays fit I think we make the top 4.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I would love to see:

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Hopoate
4. Garrick
5. Koula
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. Taukeiaho
11. Olakau'atu
12. Burbo
13. Jake (hope he's fitter this week...)
14. Talau
15. Tevaga
16. Bullemor
17. Brown

I think Koula would have the greatest confidence to burn defenders on the outside, out of any of our backs. He was a great yardage game too. The only downside of him on the wing, is Hoppa might not be there yet for defending in the centres.

Honestly think Simpkin is more suited to being a starter. I was really unimpressed with Jazz when the going gets tough. He looked absolutely gassed, and missed a try saving tackle. I think his best impact would be off the bench, only filling in for 15 mins.

Obviously this won't happen.

I’d drop Tevaga. He’s not helping our poor defence in the middle. That’s where we need to improve

 

[Buddy Love]

I’d drop Tevaga. He’s not helping our poor defence in the middle. That’s where we need to improve

He's never been a good player i dunno why people expect anything from him. Warriors fans were elated to see the back of him. Simpson & Gordie until Croker comes back. Hooker is our weakness imo that and we need another good prop.

I think we'll see Hoppa at FB with koula returning and talau on the wing if he's available

I'm certain Chez will play he did his back that will come good with rest and medication

 

[Rafferty]

At least we’re back at Brookie, will we have Tom, DCE, Siua and Tolu in the side? If the Raiders forwards take it to us like they did to the Wahs and the Donkeys.

Can’t see us getting the 2 points to be honest. We do need to win though, so I don’t care how it gets done, just get it done.

Starling will be the danger man, especially when our big men start to tire, I’m thinking we are in for a tough evening, particularly our engine room.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Raiders will come with enthusiasm, line speed, aggression and hands around the ball carrying arm to slow the ruck, they are a bit wiser than hands on the ball as it draws a penalty or six again, locking onto the ball carrying arm is working for now in 2025.

Manly just need to match their aggression and physicality, cut out the errors and given DCE plays that will be enough for the two points.

 

[Rosko]

Could be uglier than this game last year. And rain forecast...

 

[jbb/james]

Canberra is not the team to play touch footy against

Lining up against Weeks and hoppa will be interesting

There centres will test our defence out wide. Strong ball runners

 

[Dion Johnson]

For those who like to compare the two teams statistically for this season,

2025 Season record: Raiders 2 and 0 (2nd, +32)
Sea Eagles 1 and 1 (9th, +10)

Attack: Raiders 31 points and 6 tries scored per match
Sea Eagles 29 points and 5 tries scored per match

Defence: Raiders 15 points and 3 tries conceded per match
Sea Eagles 24 points and 4 tries conceded per match

Possession: Raiders 52 per cent, Sea Eagles 52 per cent

Completion rate: Raiders 74 per cent, Sea Eagles 77 per cent

Running: Raiders 1690 running metres per match
Sea Eagles 1731 running metres per match

Tackle breaks: Raiders 44, Sea Eagles 26 per match

Line breaks: Raiders 7, Sea Eagles 8 per match

Try assists: Raiders 5, Sea Eagles 6 per match

Offloads: Raiders 12, Sea Eagles 6 per match

Kicking: Raiders 482 kicking metres per match
Sea Eagles 614 kicking metres per match

Missed tackles: Raiders 28, Sea Eagles 33 per match

Ineffective tackles: Raiders 19, Sea Eagles 7 per match

Tackle efficiency: Raiders 88 per cent, Sea Eagles 89 per cent

Errors: Raiders 12, Sea Eagles 12 per match

Penalties conceded: Raiders 7, Sea Eagles 5 per match

Penalties awarded: Raiders 5, Sea Eagles 7 per match

Fun fact statistic, DCE has played the Raiders 22 times and has been on the winning side on 16 occasions.

 

[Waz13]

They’ll have their tails up and like us and the broncs this weekend will come back to earth with a thud. Have a feeling we will win big in this one.