Match Preview: Round 25 vs Dolphins

Author: Manly Media
Timestamp: Thu 21 Aug 2025, 09:18 AM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles take on the Dolphins at 4 Pines Park on Saturday in Round 25 of the Telstra NRL Premiership.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 23 Aug

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Dolphins

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The Sea Eagles will be desperate to end a four-game losing streak and at the same time, celebrate a magnificent milestone for their captain.

The Dolphins, who are two points above Manly and still in the mix for the top eight, are coming off consecutive heavy losses to Roosters and Broncos.

The Sea Eagles have struggled to score points over the past few weeks, while the Dolphins have had problems stopping points being scored.

In its last two outings the Redcliffe-based team has leaked 102 points, while Manly has managed to score just four tries.

One shining light in recent weeks for Manly has been Tolu Koula. The quietly-spoken 22-year-old took just 56 seconds to score his team’s opening try last weekend, after dazzling defenders to land an equally impressive four-pointer the previous week in Canberra.

Last week’s loss to Wests Tigers very much took Manly’s finals’ aspirations out their own hands, and into the hands of others.

The equations now for Manly reads like this. Win all three remaining games, and hope the Roosters and Dolphins lose theirs.

Daly Cherry-Evans will run out at Brookie for the 136th time on Saturday for what will be his 350th NRL appearance.

The Manly captain will become just the fifth player to reach this milestone, joining fellow greats Cameron Smith (424), Cooper Cronk (372), Darren Lockyer (355) and Terry Lamb (350). It really is an incredible achievement.

In team news just the one change for Manly. Reuben Garrick is sidelined with a shoulder injury with Tommy Talau elevated to the centres and Aaron Schoupp added to the bench.

Tabuai-Fidow scored the opening try playing in the centres against Brisbane last weekend

Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo return from suspension for the Dolphins while the return of centre Max Feagai from a shoulder injury sees Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shift back to fullback.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 23 Aug

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Dolphins is number 14 Trai Fuller
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tommy Talau

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Max Feagai
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tevita Naufahu
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Francis Molo
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Oryn Keeley
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Aaron Schoupp

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Connelly Lemuelu
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Caleb Navale

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley

Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Ray Stone

Reserves

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 20 Joey Walsh

Replacement for Dolphins is number 19 Aublix Tawha

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 8/24/2025 6:00:54 AM

Stat Attack

The Sea Eagles have scored only six tries in their last four games.
The Dolphins have won only three from eight outside Queensland this season.
Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula is on an eight-game try scoring streak at 4 Pines Park.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored seven tries in his last five games.
Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans will become the fifth player to appear in 350 NRL games.