Match Preview: Gotcha4Life Cup vs Roosters

Author: Manly Media
Timestamp: Wed 25 Mar 2026, 12:15 PM

For many this game has been circled on the calendar for quite some time, and understandably so.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Thursday 26 Mar

9:00 am

Sea Eagles

Roosters

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

But for Manly, this game is about so much more than the return of a record-breaking former teammate.

Eleven days after a disappointing performance against the Knights, the team has a fresh opportunity to dig deep for a win. That’s what this is all about. Just ask Tom.

The reality is we need to turn around our first two performances, and we’ve got a great opportunity on Thursday night.
Tom Trbojevic Sea Eagles Captain

The other storyline of course is the return of Daly Cherry-Evans, who, after fifteen seasons and a club-record 352 games, will line up against his former club for the very first time.

Yep. This is a game that is sure to bring The Fortress to life.

Manly are chasing their first win of the season after a golden-point loss to the Raiders in Round 1, followed by the loss to Newcastle.

Turbo has scored six tries in his last six games at 4 Pines Park.

The Roosters are coming off a heavy loss to the Panthers (40-4) which followed a good win over the Alex Johnston inspired Rabbitohs in Round 2. It was a disappointing start to the season for Trent Robinson’s men, a 42-18 loss to the Warriors in Auckland.

This is the fifth instalment of the Gotcha4Life Cup with the Sea Eagles yet to hold aloft the trophy.

Roosters win 2025 Gotcha4Life Cup at 4 Pines Park

In team news there are no changes to the starting side for Manly, with Siua Taukeiaho still recovering from a calf injury. Teenage prop Simione Laiafi has been added to the interchange and is a chance of making his NRL debut.

For the Roosters centre Billy Smith returns from concussion after an e-bike accident at the expense of Junior Pauga in what is the only change to their starting side. Hugo Savala made a successful return from an ankle injury in NSW Cup last week and has been named on the interchange bench.

Over the Years

Manly has an impressive record against the Roosters, winning 95 of the 156 matches played since 1947. At Brookvale, it’s even more lopsided with the Roosters winning just 17 of 59 games.

More recently the Roosters have come out on top, winning five of the past six contests including last year’s Gotcha4Life Cup, 20-4.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Thursday 26 Mar

9:00 am

Sea Eagles

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe Hetherington

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Egan Butcher

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Brandon Wakeham

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake Steep
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Paul Bryan

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi Foketi
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Simione Laiafi

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Josh Feledy

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Hugo Savala

Reserves

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Joey Walsh

Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Benaiah Ioelu
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Clayton Faulalo

Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Tom Rodwell
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 D'Jazirhae Pua'avase

Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Taylor Losalu

Clayton Faulalo
D'Jazirhae Pua'avase
Joey Walsh
Simione Laiafi

Benaiah Ioelu
Billy Smith
Hugo Savala
Taylor Losalu
Tom Rodwell

Nathan Brown

Fetalaiga Pauga
Toby Rodwell

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 3/24/2026 10:01:04 AM

Stat Zone

The Sea Eagles have a 69 per cent winning record against the Roosters at 4 Pines Park.
The Roosters have won six of their last eight games against the Sea Eagles.
Tom Trbojevic has scored six tries in his last six games at 4 Pines Park.
Daly Cherry-Evans will move to outright fourth on the all-time appearances list.
Tolu Koula has scored 12 tries in his last 11 games at 4 Pines Park.