Match Preview: Round 23 vs Raiders

Author: Manly Media
Timestamp: Wed 6 Aug 2025, 03:30 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles take on the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium on Friday night, desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 8 Aug

Full Time

Raiders

Sea Eagles

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Highlights Latest

There are not many tougher road trips than a visit to the nation’s capital, other than perhaps playing the Storm in Melbourne.

Raucous crowd. Bitterly cold. Against a team that sits on top of the ladder. Good thing we like it tough.

While the term ‘must win’ does get thrown around a little too readily these days, it is a bit like that now for Manly's final five games in the regular season.

Last weekend’s loss at home to the Roosters, which followed a loss the previous week to the Bulldogs, has certainly made it more difficult for the Sea Eagles’ to qualify for the finals.

Raiders regroup after last week's loss to the Dragons in Wollongong

No such problem for the Raiders who have made a habit of winning this season. Despite an upset loss in Wollongong last weekend, Canberra are in the hunt for their first minor premiership in 35 years.

The Sea Eagles do have a good record against the Raiders in recent years, winning eight of the last 11 contests, including of course this year's 40-12 thumping at 4 Pines Park in Round 3.

Manly's record when playing the Raiders in Canberra is equally impressive, winning nine of the past 12 meetings at GIO Stadium.

In team news, Turbo replaces Lehi Hopoate (shoulder) at fullback with Tommy Talau slotting into the centres and Michael Chee Kam replacing Ben Trbojevic (HIA protocol) in the second row.

Turbo Shift: Tom Trbojevic returns to fullback

It’s nice to see ‘Chee’ return to first grade after 16 games in the NSW Cup this year, at the very club where he made his NRL debut almost 11 years ago.

For those counting, when Chee Kam runs out against the Raiders, it will be 3639 days since he last played for Manly in the NRL.

No team changes for the Raiders after last week’s loss to the Dragons.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 8 Aug

Full Time

Raiders

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tommy Talau
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Michael Chee Kam
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Aaron Schoupp
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Noah Martin

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Caleb Navale

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 8/10/2025 3:26:03 AM

Stat Zone

The Raiders have won nine from 10 at home in 2025.
The Sea Eagles have won nine of their last 12 games at GIO Stadium.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored six tries in his last six games at GIO Stadium.
Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick has scored seven tries in his last four games against the Raiders.
Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored four tries in his last five games against Manly.

Stats supplied by David Middleton