SUNDAY,AUGUST 17th,2025.
Tigers v Manly
Allianz Stadium,Sydney,2pm.
Tigers Hunt Back-to-Back Glory as Sea Eagles Fight to Keep Finals Dream Alive
The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at Allianz Stadium as the Wests Tigers, fresh from a week’s rest, prepare to pounce on their second-straight win in the final clash of the inaugural Gadhu Gathering.
After dismantling the Bulldogs in Round 22, the Tigers have had a week to regroup, sharpen their claws, and cling to the faint hope of a late finals surge. Sunday’s encounter will be the third NRL match played at the venue over the weekend, as Indigenous Round brings a vibrant celebration of culture and community to the heart of Sydney.
There’s good news for the home crowd — strike centre Starford To’a returns after missing the Bulldogs game, shifting Brent Naden to the reserves. On the other hand, Taylan May has spent the bye week navigating concussion protocols after a head knock in Round 22. With Alex Seyfarth suspended, Alex Twal moves to the back row, Fonua Pole steps into the starting front row, and young Charlie Murray earns a bench debut.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton. 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray, 17. Tony Sukkar Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Brent Naden 20. Kit Laulilii . 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Luke Laulilii.
For the Manly Sea Eagles, the road to September has suddenly grown steeper. Three straight losses have knocked them out of the top eight, leaving them stranded in 10th — but still within striking distance of the finals, just two points behind the eighth-placed Dolphins.
Coach Anthony Seibold faces a crucial test without his defensive anchor Jake Trbojevic, who is sidelined by concussion protocols. In his absence, Jazz Tevaga fills the lock role, while Jake’s younger brother Ben Trbojevic returns from his own concussion to strengthen the second row. There’s more good news on the injury front — Lehi Hopoate is back from a shoulder injury and slots in on the wing, pushing Reuben Garrick to centre and Tommy Talau to the bench. Caleb Navale also joins the interchange after serving as 18th man last week.
Both sides enter Allianz with something to prove — for the Tigers, a chance to keep hope alive; for Manly, a fight to avoid watching September from the sidelines. Expect desperation, intensity, and no shortage of drama in the Gathering’s grand finale.
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho . 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga Bench: 14. Tommy Talau 15. Caleb Navale. 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Clayton Faulalo. 20. Michael Chee Kam 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
Key Stats
Six of the Tigers’ eight wins in 2025 have taken place on Sunday afternoons.
The Sea Eagles have won seven of their past eight games against the Tigers.
Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has scored three tries in his last four games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored seven tries in his last nine games.
Tigers winger Jeral Skelton has scored five tries in his last four games.
Officials
Referee, Adam Gee ,Touch Judges, David Munro, Daniel Luttringer, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Fresh from a week’s rest, the Wests Tigers return to the fray still riding the buzz of their upset win over the Bulldogs a fortnight ago. It was a victory that hinted at untapped potential — the kind that can make a team dangerous when belief starts to brew.
For the Manly Sea Eagles, the story feels different. Last week’s clash with the Raiders ended in disappointment, and with each loss, their finals hopes fade further into the distance. They’re not mathematically gone, but the road ahead is steep and littered with obstacles.
These are two sides as unpredictable as Sydney’s spring weather — capable of brilliance one week and bewilderment the next. Which version will turn up under the bright lights? Perhaps the Tigers will still be fuelled by the adrenaline of toppling the Dogs. Perhaps Manly will flex their muscle as favourites. But there’s something about the underdog in a game like this… and my instincts tell me they might just have another surprise in them.
Tip: Tigers by 2
Cowboys v Knights
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, 4.05pm.
Cowboys and Knights Collide in Townsville Before Their Las Vegas Encore
The North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights are set for a taste of the future — a high-stakes dress rehearsal for next year’s season-opening showdown in Las Vegas. When the NRL makes its third trip to the US entertainment capital for a blockbuster triple-header at Allegiant Stadium, these two will meet again. But first, there’s pressing business on home soil.
Under the bright lights of Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Cowboys return to Townsville smarting from last week’s heartbreaking one-point loss to the Eels in the sodden conditions of CommBank Stadium. Todd Payten’s men showed plenty of promise in the wet, but now they’ll be praying for a dry track — the perfect stage for their high-octane, fast-flowing attack.
Reinforcements arrive at the right time. Veteran prop Jordan McLean (calf) steps in to cover for the suspended Coen Hess, while Karl Lawton returns from a two-game ban to bolster the bench. Thomas Mikaele (knee) and Harrison Edwards (infection) also make their comebacks, with Marly Bitungane, Nicholas Lenaz, and Kaiden Lahrs making way.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Karl Lawton, 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Thomas Mikaele Reserves: 18. Viliami Vailea. 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs.
For the Knights, the challenge is even steeper. Last week’s defeat to the Panthers in heavy Newcastle rain stretched their losing streak to five, and the clock is ticking on their 2025 campaign. Still, amid the gloom, there have been glimmers — none brighter than the emergence of edge forward Jermaine McEwen, who has impressed in an otherwise difficult season.
This week brings a blend of youth and experience. Teenage fullback Connor Votano makes his NRL debut, shifting Dane Gagai back into the centres as Fletcher Hunt drops out. Tyson Frizell moves into the starting lock role in place of Phoenix Crossland (head knock), and the bench has a fresh look with Brodie Jones recalled and NSW Cup captain Matt Arthur earning just his second first-grade appearance of the year.
Knights
1. Connor Votano 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson , 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell Bench: 14. Matthew Arthur, 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Jackson Hastings, 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Fletcher Hunt 22. Jack Hetherington.
Key Stats
The Cowboys have won their last four games against the Knights.
The Knights have not won in Townsville since 2015.
Cowboys winger Semi Valemei has scored nine tries in his last eight games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Knights centre Fletcher Hunt is on a three-game try scoring streak.
Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden has scored a try in his last four games against the Knights.
Referee, Jarrod Cole, Touch Judges, Michael Wise, Tyson Brough, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
The Cowboys had every opportunity to put the Eels away last week, but in the tense, rain-soaked moments that mattered most, they couldn’t land the decisive blow. For the Knights, their night against the Panthers was over almost before it began — outpaced, outgunned, and chasing shadows from the opening whistle.
Now, these two sides meet in Townsville in what feels less like a battle for ladder position and more like a test of pride. Both have been playing as if weighed down by frustration, their performances at times resembling teams trying to hand their coaches headaches rather than victories.
It’s a game where form lines blur and motivation is the mystery. Which side will dig deep enough to care? Maybe — just maybe — the Cowboys will summon enough home-ground pride to spark the fire they’ve been missing.
Tip: Cowboys by 6 points.
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