Match Preview: Round 13 vs Broncos

Author: Manly Media
Timestamp: Wed 28 May 2025, 03:10 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will play the Brisbane Broncos at a heaving 4 Pines Park on Saturday night in Round 13 of the Telstra NRL Premiership.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Saturday 31 May

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Broncos

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Highlights Latest

It’s been a long time between visits to Brookie for the Broncos, 3956 days to be precise.

In fact, the last time the Broncos came to the northern beaches for an NRL game Tony Abbott was the Australian Prime Minister, there were two referees, Jake Trbojevic had played just one game, and Lehi Hopoate was a 9-year-old attending Dee Why Public School.

That game was on Friday 1st August 2014 when Manly, captained by Jamie Lyon and wearing a Wolverine-inspired jersey, defeated Brisbane 16-4.

Memory Lane: Lyon scores vs Broncos

DCE was joined in the halves that night by Kieran Foran with Ben Hunt wearing the No.7 for Brisbane. Those three are the only players from that game who are still playing today.

Enough about the past, now to the present.

This is a crunch game for the Sea Eagles, one of five teams including the Broncos, hovering mid-table on 12 competition points.

Lehi Hopoate bags a double in Round 12 vs Eels at CommBank Stadium

It’s also an opportunity for the team to bounce back after a poor performance against the Eels, beaten 30-10 at CommBank last Friday.

And a chance to bring ‘fear’ back to the ‘fortress’ after three losses from the last three games at home.

There’s a similar pattern of results for both teams in 2025, each winning only two of their past seven games after a very strong start to the season.

Back on deck: Aloiai in action against the Sharks in Round 6 in Perth

The Broncos head to Brookvale on a 13-day turnaround after a 30-26 loss to the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium in Round 11.

In team news Manly is without Tom Trbojevic (thigh), Siua Taukeiaho (calf), Jake Trbojevic (concussion protocol), and Jason Saab (illness), while Ben Trbojevic (illness), Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Tommy Talau (hamstring) return to the side.

Tommy Talau scores in his most recent appearance against the Panthers in Round 8

For Brisbane, Selwyn Cobbo shifts back to the wing after four games in the No.1 jersey, with Jesse Arthars named at fullback.

Both teams are affected by Origin with Cherry-Evans named to backup for Manly and both Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan expected to do likewise for Brisbane.

All that Jazz: Tevaga pumped as he runs out for his Manly debut in Round 1

Jazz Tevaga, who celebrates his 150th game milestone on Saturday night, was still a couple of years away from making his NRL debut when these teams last played each other at Brookvale.

The winner of this match will receive the Trooper David Pearce Memorial Shield, in honour of avid Manly fan and Australian soldier David Pearce, who was killed while deployed in Afghanistan in 2007.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Saturday 31 May

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Jesse Arthars
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Tommy Talau

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton Faulalo

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Deine Mariner
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Ethan Bullemor

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Patrick Carrigan
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 14 Lachlan Croker

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh Aloiai

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Xavier Willison
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Billy Walters
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Nathan Brown

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Brendan Piakura
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Matthew Lodge

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Benjamin Te Kura

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jake Arthur

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Tyson Smoothy

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 6/10/2025 5:54:18 AM

Stat Zone

The Sea Eagles have won only three of their past 10 games against the Broncos.
The Broncos play at 4 Pines Park for the first time since 2014.
The Sea Eagles have conceded 98 points in three consecutive losses on home soil.
Adam Reynolds, Jesse Arthars and Corey Jensen are the only Broncos who have played at 4 Pines.
Sea Eagles lock Jazz Tevaga will make his 150th NRL appearance.